January 31, 2025

Please see below for a listing of what the North Point Food & Beverage Team has been tracking this week. We hope that you find the content insightful and a nice way to summarize the most noteworthy Food & Beverage events of the week.

Have a nice weekend!

Glen Clarke

Head of Food & Beverage

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Ferrero buys protein snack company Power Crunch.

• Ferrero is buying Power Crunch from Bio-Nutritional Research for an undisclosed amount. The sweets maker said the protein snacks brand, which includes wafer bars and high-protein crisps, “has seen strong growth recently.”

Source: Food Dive

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Pete & Gerry’s Organics acquires Farmers Hen House.

• Pete & Gerry’s Organics has acquired Farmers Hen House. The target is a part of the Pasture Brands Holdings platform which was formed in December 2021 by Benford Capital Partners with the initial acquisition of Farmers Hen House.

Source: Mergermarket

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Sally Produce acquired by GrubMarket.

• GrubMarket, an AI-powered technology enabler and digital transformer of the American food supply chain industry, as well as one of the largest private food eCommerce companies globally, has acquired Gilroy, CA-based Sally Produce, one of the largest Asian produce wholesalers in California.

Source: Mergermarket

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Klosterman Baking Company prepares for sale, sources say.

• Klosterman Baking Company, a sponsor-backed baked goods manufacturer, has tapped Houlihan Lokey to lead a sale process that could launch later this year, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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Maple Donuts process advances to second round, sources say.

• Maple Donuts, a family-owned producer of bakery products, has advanced to the second round of its sale effort, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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JBS acquires 50% of Mantiqueira, enters egg category.

• JBS announced its entry into the egg protein segment with the acquisition of 50% of Estrada do Jardim, Brazil-based Mantiqueira Brazil, the largest egg producer in South America.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Smithfield announces IPO pricing.

• Pork processing company Smithfield Foods Inc. announced on Jan. 27 it has priced an underwritten initial public offering of 26,086,958 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $20.00 per share. 

Source: Meat + Poultry

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e2p invests in Bil-Jac Foods.

• Entrepreneurial Equity Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on the food and beverage industry, announced today that it has made an investment in Bil-Jac Foods in partnership with Ray Kelly. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Source: Mergermarket

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The Campbell’s Company names new exec to head meals and beverage unit.

• Risa Cretella has been named president of Campbell’s meals and beverages unit, overseeing brands such as Rao’s, Prego, Swanson, and V8.
• Cretella, who joined Campbell’s after its $2.7 billion acquisition of Sovos Brands in 2024, played a key role in integrating the company and driving business growth.
• Campbell’s executive reshuffle follows similar leadership transitions at Hormel Foods and Hershey, signaling broader changes in the food and beverage sector.

Source: Food Dive

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Nuritas CEO on how to transform ingredient discovery with AI.

• Nuritas uses AI to discover plant-based peptide ingredients that support health and nutrition, such as PeptiStrong from fava beans for muscle health.
• AI accelerates ingredient discovery, significantly reducing the time required to identify and optimize functional ingredients compared to traditional methods.
• The company aims to integrate functional ingredients into everyday products, meeting consumer demand for health-focused solutions in muscle health, sleep improvement, and metabolic health.

Source: Food Dive

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American Foods Group nears completion of $800 million beef plant.

• American Foods Group is finalizing its $800 million beef processing facility, America’s Heartland Packing, in Wright City, Missouri, with operations set to begin in April 2025.
• The 775,000-square-foot plant will process 2,400 head of cattle daily and create 1,300 jobs, with approximately 400 employees already hired.
• AFG is also funding a $140 million wastewater treatment facility to enhance sustainability, increasing capacity from 500,000 to 3.5 million gallons per day.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Celsius positioning beverage as a ‘lifestyle’ brand with products that go beyond energy.

• Celsius has launched a hydration product to expand its brand beyond energy drinks, offering a caffeine-free option with electrolytes and B vitamins.
• The hydration market is growing rapidly, with competitors like PepsiCo’s Gatorade and Coca-Cola’s BodyArmor entering the space with similar electrolyte-focused products.
• Celsius aims to position itself as a broader lifestyle brand, exploring categories such as mental focus and probiotics while addressing slowing growth in its core energy drink business.

Source: Food Dive

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The Weekly Sip: Dunkin’ levels up at-home coffee with cold foam | White wine outpaces red.

• Dunkin’ introduced cold foam creamers, available in Extra Extra, Chocolate, and limited-edition S’mores flavors, to enhance the at-home coffee experience.
• White wine sales have surpassed red wine for the first time in 30 years, with premium wines driving category growth despite an overall decline in wine consumption.
• Suntory’s On “The Rocks Cocktails” launched a Lemon Drop Martini, responding to consumer demand for bar-quality ready-to-drink cocktails.

Source: Food Dive

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Coca-Cola taps into nostalgia with launch of Orange Cream flavor.

• Coca-Cola is launching an Orange Cream flavor on February 10, combining its classic cola with orange and creamy vanilla, available in both regular and zero sugar versions.
• The new flavor was developed in response to consumer demand for nostalgic tastes and is expected to remain on shelves until early 2026, depending on market trends.
• As soft drink consumption declines, Coca-Cola and competitors like PepsiCo are introducing new flavors to attract consumers, with Pepsi recently announcing a Wild Cherry & Cream variant.

Source: Food Dive

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Health, global flavors trending in frozen foods in 2025.

• The 2025 Future of Frozen Foods report by Conagra Brands highlights key trends, including health-focused formulations, global flavors, bite-size offerings, and spicy foods, as consumer demand for frozen products continues to grow.
• Modern health trends, such as portion control, gut health, and high-protein options, are influencing frozen food innovation, particularly with the rise of GLP-1 medication users seeking single-serve, nutrient-dense meals.
• Global cuisines, led by Asian dumplings, Indian, Cajun, and Japanese flavors, are gaining traction, while convenient bite-sized frozen foods and spicy products, especially among Gen Z and millennials, are becoming increasingly popular.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Beef production: Riding out the cycle.

• The U.S. beef industry faces challenges such as record-low cattle inventory, volatile market conditions, and drought recovery, requiring producers to rethink herd rebuilding strategies for long-term sustainability.
• Investing in grazing land and herd genetics can enhance productivity and resilience, while technology like farm management software and traceability systems offers data-driven opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Sustainability pressures are increasing, with demand for transparency across the beef supply chain, but uncertainty remains regarding how incentives for climate-smart practices will translate to economic benefits for cow-calf producers.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Slice Soda returns to shelves as healthier offering.

• Slice Soda is returning after two decades, now reformulated as a functional drink with prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and reduced sugar.
• The relaunch by Suja Life taps into nostalgia while targeting health-conscious consumers seeking gut-friendly beverages.
• Slice will be available in multiple flavors at Albertsons, Costco, and Target, with expanded distribution planned for later in the year.

Source: Food Dive

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The Weekly Sip: Pepsi taps nostalgia for new flavor | Nonalcoholic Töst enters cans.

• Pepsi launched Wild Cherry & Cream, a mix of cherry and creamy vanilla, as its first permanent flavor in four years, aiming to tap into nostalgia.
• Töst, a nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brand, introduced a canned format to expand its reach in arenas, sporting events, and on-the-go consumption.
• Protein2o reformulated its protein water to include electrolytes and vitamins, targeting fitness enthusiasts and the growing protein beverage market.

Source: Food Dive

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Egg prices could break more records in 2025.

• Egg prices are expected to rise another 20% in 2025, driven by a worsening avian flu outbreak that has led to the loss of millions of birds and supply shortages.
• Grocery stores are limiting purchases and ending promotions to manage demand, while consumer egg prices have become a political issue, with accusations of price-fixing against producers.
• Farmers are working to mitigate losses, but the outbreak has significantly impacted production, leading to the lowest frozen egg supply levels in nearly three years.

Source: Food Dive

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Mondelēz’s BelVita launches energy snack bites.

• Mondelēz's BelVita introduces Energy Snack Bites in Banana Dark Chocolate and Blueberry flavors, targeting busy consumers seeking a mid-morning energy boost.
• The bites contain whole grains, fiber, and B vitamins, with no artificial additives, aligning with the growing demand for nutritious and functional snacks.
• The global healthy snacks market is projected to grow from $86 billion in 2021 to over $152 billion by 2030, driven by consumer interest in energy-boosting and on-the-go options.

Source: Food Dive

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Food manufacturing trends to watch in 2025.

• Food manufacturers are prioritizing food safety by enhancing traceability systems and preparing for the FDA’s Food Traceability Final Rule, set to be enforced in 2026, which mandates detailed recordkeeping for certain high-risk foods.
• Sustainability efforts are accelerating, with companies investing in eco-friendly packaging, plant-based ingredient alternatives, and energy-efficient technologies to reduce waste and environmental impact.
• Supply chain localization is gaining momentum as companies seek to mitigate risks from geopolitical instability and climate disruptions, with many shifting toward nearshoring and dual sourcing strategies.

Source: Manufacturing Dive

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‘Topsy-turvy’ Super Bowl food prices reflect volatile market: Wells Fargo.

• Super Bowl food costs remain nearly unchanged from 2024, with a slight 0.1% increase to $139 for a party of ten, according to Wells Fargo.
• Price spikes include raw chicken wings (up 7.2%) and avocados (up 11.5%), while frozen pizza (-3.7%), tortilla chips (-1.4%), and shrimp (-4%) saw declines.
• Consumers are prioritizing key food items despite price volatility, focusing spending on preferred products rather than adjusting overall grocery budgets.

Source: Food Dive

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US detects rare bird flu strain H5N9 in poultry for first time.

• The U.S. has confirmed its first case of the rare avian flu strain H5N9 at a California duck farm, raising concerns about virus mutation.
• All 119,000 birds at the farm were culled after officials detected both H5N9 and H5N1, the latter linked to an ongoing outbreak that has killed over 145 million birds since 2022.
• Experts warn that ducks are prime hosts for virus reassortment, increasing the risk of unpredictable new strains that could impact both animals and humans.

Source: Food Dive

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Cargill, Foster Farms to close turkey plants as demand wanes.

• Cargill and Foster Farms are closing turkey production plants due to declining demand and ongoing bird flu challenges, leading to over 1,600 layoffs.
• Cargill will shut its Springdale, Arkansas plant on August 1, affecting 1,100 employees, while Foster Farms will close its Turlock, California facility on May 9, impacting 519 workers.
• The closures come as wholesale turkey prices have dropped 33% from the previous year, and bird flu has killed over 14.2 million turkeys since 2022, reducing the national flock to its lowest level since 1985.

Source: Agriculture Dive

JUST FOR FUN

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Leftovers: Mondelēz picks Post Malone for Oreo collab | Kraft Heinz takes Velveeta to-go – Food Dive

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