Ingredion Incorporated, a global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Penford Corporation, a U.S.-based leader in specialty ingredients for food and non-food applications.

Starr's products are sold to retail and foodservice customers across Canada and the United States and include a wide range of cake and dessert products such as Starr's signature coffee cakes, cheese cakes, loaf cakes, layer cakes, cupcakes, tarts, mousses and more.

Brynwood Partners VII L.P. announced that its majority-owned portfolio company, Harvest Hill Beverage Company, has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire American Beverage Corporation from Wessanen for approximately $55 million.

The Dannon Company announced Amanda Ford from the University of Florida as the winner of the 2014-2015 Dannon Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant.

Talking Rain®, makers of Sparkling ICE®,added John Peirano as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) who joins recent hire Marcus Smith as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and recently promoted Michael Lowes as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Alliance Consumer Growth (“ACG”), a consumer-focused investment firm, announced that its partner company KRAVE Jerky (“KRAVE”) has agreed to be acquired by The Hershey Company ("Hershey"). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

AccelFoods announced an incoming class of new companies. Six hand-selected startups will join the roster of promising brands backed by the AccelFoods platform. Acceptance into the program is a passport to accelerated, strategic growth.

In this role, he will be responsible for leading the company's $7 billion business in the United States and Canada, which includes Power Brands like Oreo and belVita biscuits; Triscuit and Wheat Thins crackers, Halls candy and Trident gum. Marques succeeds Mark Clouse, who became the company's Chief Growth Officer in July 2014.

Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced a realignment of its organization and key senior management appointments that unify all of its independent operating companies, brands, marketing, and more than 48,000 employees around the world under one corporate umbrella to accelerate the Company's growth and further its mission of providing "Good food. Responsibly."

At the annual Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference in Boca Raton, Florida, General Mills chairman and CEO Ken Powell outlined a clear focus on new growth strategies for the company, which address shifting consumer preferences in food.