Widespread stay-at-home orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic have led to record rates of unemployment and increased pressure on food banks. In support of its local communities during this challenging time, Lesaffre Corp. and Red Star are making charitable food donations worth $100,000 to food banks, starting with the cities where the company operates: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Dothan, Ala.; and Milwaukee.

The Naked Market, a food and beverage company that creates innovative wellness snack brands, announced its newest product, AvoCrazy, a plant based avocado puff. The introduction of AvoCrazy marks the third wellness snack launched by The Naked Market in six months, joining Flock Chicken Chips and Beach House Bowls.

Uncle Matt's Organic®, an organic orange and grapefruit juice brand, has been welcomed back home to founder and CEO, Matt McLean, who built and subsequently sold the company to Dean Foods in 2017. This unexpected homecoming also includes a new parent company named Harmoni, Inc., and an advisory team of investors.

Tampico Beverages Inc., a global producer and distributor of irresistible juice drinks, announced that Jenny Haas has been named chief executive officer effective June 1. She succeeds Scott Miller who resigned and will be leading Essentia Water as its new chief executive officer.

Pride Enjoy recently introduced Chocolate Chunkas chocolate chip cookies. The new cookies are vegan, gluten-free and do not rely on conventional ingredients to achieve a traditional chocolate chip cookie taste. 

Comax Flavors is proud to showcase milk tea as its May “flavor of the month.” In Asia, this traditional drink involves a combination of bold black tea with sweet milk augmented by the texture of chewy tapioca pearls.

PROVA Inc. offers a complete portfolio of chestnut extracts and flavors that authentically reflect the sweet, nutty tastes of chestnut. 

Cappello's, the makers of grain-free, frozen-fresh foods, is bringing its marquee line of nutrient-dense almond flour crust pizzas to retailers nationwide including Whole Foods Market and various natural grocers this Spring.

Plant-based meat and sausage alternatives remain in high demand by consumers. And interestingly, this product category has scarcely been impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

Already looking ahead to next year? Balchem’s Spring 2021 Feature Flavors Inclusions launch gives bakers five new ideas to add indulgence and on-trend flavor appeal to cookies, cakes and more.