October 24, 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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Tillamook Country Smoker sale process nears finish line.

• CapVest Partners-backed Second Nature Brands is in the lead to acquire Insignia Capital Group-backed Tillamook Country Smoker, three sources familiar with the situation said.

Source: Mergermarket

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Certified Origins acquires Caro Nut.

• A new chapter begins for Caro Nut. “With our merger with Certified Origins, we join a family that shares our passion for creating exceptional, healthy, and high-quality foods.”

Source: Mergermarket

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FreshBrew acquires White Coffee's branded coffee licensed business.

• Houston-based FreshBrew, one of the largest private-label coffee and tea roasters in the country, announced the acquisition of White Coffee's Branded Coffee licensed division, which includes the nation's largest portfolio of licensed bagged coffee and K-Cup® products.

Source: Mergermarket

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Clio Snacks preps for sale.

• Clio Snacks, a privately-held maker of Greek yogurt bars, is gearing up to explore a sale, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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Woodland Gourmet acquires International Spices.

• Woodland Gourmet, a provider of custom culinary solutions and specialty ingredients, today announced the acquisition of International Spices, a developer of custom seasoning blends that elevate the flavor of snacks, proteins, and prepared foods.

Source: Mergermarket

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Keystone Capital set to collect initial bids for Tribute Baking Company.

• Keystone Capital is set to collect initial bids for its portfolio company Tribute Baking Company this month, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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Stellex Capital explores strategic options for Country Fresh Company and Custom Made Meals.

• Stellex Capital Management is exploring strategic options, including acquisitions, for food manufacturers Country Fresh Company and Custom Made Meals, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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PNC Brands Group acquires majority stake in Ice Cream Factory.

• PNC Brands Group, parent company of Pivot North Consulting Group and PNC Specialty Foods, has acquired a majority interest in Ice Cream Factory, the family-owned ice cream company based in Lebanon, Missouri.

Source: Mergermarket

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Church Brothers acquires Mann Packing assets from Fresh Del Monte.

• Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, and Church Brothers Farms, a family-owned, Salinas-based company known for its leadership in value-added vegetables and leafy greens, today announced that they have entered into an agreement for the sale and transfer of key assets from Fresh Del Monte’s Mann Packing business.

Source: Mergermarket

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Just Ice Tea expects to fundraise in next couple of years – CEO.

• Just Ice Tea, an organic bottled tea brand, expects to conduct a fresh round of fundraising within the next couple of years, said co-founder and CEO Seth Goldman.

Source: Mergermarket

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Sara Lee mandates BMO for sale.

• Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, the Kohlberg & Company-backed food company, has mandated BMO Capital Markets to explore a sale, four sources familiar with the situation said.

Source: Mergermarket

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Certified Angus Beef marks historic year in sales.

• Certified Angus Beef (CAB) sold 1.235 billion lbs globally in 2025, marking one of its strongest years despite rising beef prices and a shrinking U.S. herd.
• Foodservice sales reached 417 million lbs, retail sales hit 525.8 million lbs, and international sales totaled 179 million lbs across 55+ countries.
• CAB Prime and value-added products drove growth, with international demand up 20.6% and value-added products growing 9.7% for the fifth consecutive year.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Food industry prepares to fight MAHA in states.

• Major food and beverage companies including Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and Nestlé have formed Americans for Ingredient Transparency, a lobbying alliance opposing state-level bans on artificial dyes and ultraprocessed foods, advocating instead for a national labeling standard.
• The group seeks congressional action on a uniform ingredient regulation framework, front-of-package nutrition labeling, and QR code transparency for ingredient details.
• Consumer advocates criticized the initiative as an attempt to weaken state consumer protections, amid growing bipartisan support for RFK Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement and related state legislation.

Source: Food Dive

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Ag Secretary rolls out new cattle plan following beef pricing discussions.

• USDA rolled out a cattle plan to strengthen ranching, expand processing, reduce costs, and boost domestic herd size.
• The plan followed President Trump’s comments on possibly importing Argentinian beef to influence U.S. prices.
• NCBA and Senator Deb Fischer opposed imports, warning it could harm U.S. ranchers, while beef prices remain at record highs.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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AAMP provides insights on USDA cattle plan.

• The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) responded positively to the USDA’s cattle and beef pricing plan, highlighting benefits for small processors, including new grants, low-interest loans, and reduced overtime inspection costs.
• The plan aims to address long-term industry challenges such as a 75-year low cattle herd, high beef prices, and a shrinking number of cattle ranchers, while promoting local supply chains through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP).
• Additional USDA initiatives include expanding remote beef grading via Instrument Enhanced Grading technology and temporarily reducing USDA/FSIS overtime and holiday inspection fees, helping small and very small processors lower costs and increase production capacity.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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USDA reopens FSA offices with farm assistance money.

• The USDA announced the reopening of all 2,100 Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and is providing $3 billion in assistance to farmers, restoring access to farm loans, ARC/PLC payments, and other programs.
• The reopening follows a partial U.S. government shutdown that had paused most USDA operations, leaving employees working without pay and delaying key agricultural market reports.
• USDA officials, with support from President Trump, emphasized the need to help farmers manage challenging market conditions, high input costs, trade disruptions, and ongoing rural economic pressures.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Unilever’s Magnum Ice Cream spinoff delayed by US government shutdown.

• Unilever delayed the planned spin-off of its ice cream division, The Magnum Ice Cream Company, due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has paused SEC review and approval of its registration filing.
• The divestiture—creating the world’s largest standalone ice cream business with brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Klondike, and Talenti—is still expected to close in 2025 once regulatory operations resume.
• The separation is part of Unilever’s restructuring strategy to streamline its portfolio and give the ice cream business more focused management, innovation, and supply-chain flexibility.

Source: Food Dive

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Chobani raises $650M to support growth, innovation.

• Chobani raised $650 million from unnamed “industry thought leaders,” valuing the company at $20 billion, to fund expansion and innovation initiatives.
• The capital will support projects including a $1.2 billion manufacturing plant in Rome, New York—the company’s largest-ever facility investment—and continued growth at its Idaho site.
• The funding follows Chobani’s recent acquisitions of La Colombe and Daily Harvest, reinforcing its strategy to evolve from a yogurt maker into a diversified food and beverage company.

Source: Food Dive

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Mondelēz-backed startup reaches breakthrough for lab-grown chocolate.

• Celleste Bio, a Mondelēz-backed food tech startup, became the first to produce cell-cultured cocoa butter, replicating the texture and sensory qualities of premium chocolate while reducing reliance on traditional cocoa farming.
• The company has raised $15 million to date and is constructing a pilot facility to scale production of sustainable chocolate ingredients amid ongoing supply volatility in the cocoa market.
• The innovation offers an “insurance policy” against climate- and crop-related disruptions, potentially lowering costs for chocolate manufacturers who spend roughly $16 billion annually on cocoa ingredients.

Source: Food Dive

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Kroger, Sprouts bulk up their protein offerings.

• Kroger launched its largest-ever product expansion with the Simple Truth Protein private label line, featuring over 80 high-protein meals and snacks across frozen, beverage, and dessert categories to meet growing consumer demand for protein-rich foods.
• The retailer also introduced a “deli of the future” concept at its new Marketplace store in Kentucky, offering made-to-order sandwiches and an elevated foodservice experience inspired by restaurants.
• Sprouts Farmers Market expanded its high-protein meal offerings with new Wellness Bowls and in-store “Protein Routine” displays, leveraging influencer partnerships and social media to promote convenient, nutrient-dense options.

Source: Food Dive

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Maple Leaf Foods debuts South Asian-inspired brand.

• Maple Leaf Foods launched Musafir, a South Asian-inspired protein-forward brand featuring vegetarian and chicken options like burgers, nuggets, and bites.
• Products highlight paneer, eggs, chickpeas, chicken, and authentic masala spices, delivering 9–12 grams of protein per serving and quick preparation via microwave or air fryer.
• Current lineup includes Paneer Burgers and Nuggets, Masala Paneer Bites, Popcorn Paneer, Masala Omelette Bites, and Butter Chicken Bites, available in major Canadian grocery frozen aisles.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Tradition meets culture across American Thanksgiving tables.

• Jennie-O’s Roots & Recipes Report surveyed 5,000 Americans to examine how family heritage and culture influence Thanksgiving meals, cooking, and gatherings.
• While 55% of Americans are open to trying recipes from other cultures, family recipes remain central, with European Americans most likely to preserve dishes older than 25 years.
• Popular turkey seasonings are salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder, while top sides include stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls/biscuits, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole; cultural variation shows in spices and side preferences.

Source: Meat + Poultry 

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CPGs and suppliers discuss the ‘magic’ of melding food packaging design with policy.

• CPG companies navigate complex extended producer responsibility laws, balancing compliance costs, recycling rates, and material choices while pursuing sustainability goals.
• Brands use lifecycle assessments and renewable or recyclable materials to reduce environmental impact, though infrastructure and practical limits affect goal achievement.
• Packaging maintains shelf appeal and communicates environmental benefits, with suppliers helping identify sustainable materials without compromising brand identity.

Source: Food Dive

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The rise of new pizza concepts.

• Pizza market growth is being driven by innovation in toppings, proteins, and crusts, with unconventional options like butternut squash, brisket, and French fries gaining traction.
• Brands are balancing innovation with value, targeting both frequent consumers and those at risk of skipping pizza, while leveraging collaborations and limited-time offerings to generate buzz.
• Economic uncertainty positions pizza as a convenient, affordable comfort food, while premium and super-premium products appeal to consumers seeking distinctive flavors and experiences.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Dole breeds pineapple that tastes like piña colada | Mission launches GLP-1 friendly tortillas.

• Dole introduced the Colada Royale pineapple, a conventionally bred variety with natural notes of coconut and piña colada flavor, developed over 15 years and containing 2.5 times more vitamin B6 than standard pineapples.
• Mission Foods launched Zero Net Carbs Spinach Tortillas to target consumers using GLP-1 medications, expanding its “Better For You” line amid rising demand for low-carb, high-fiber options.
• Coca-Cola revived Diet Coke Lime as a limited-edition “Retro” flavor through year-end, part of its strategy to leverage nostalgia and reignite consumer interest in the declining Diet Coke brand.

Source: Food Dive

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Nestlé leaves climate alliance focused on reducing dairy methane emissions.

• Nestlé is leaving the Dairy Methane Action Alliance but continues to pursue its greenhouse gas reduction targets, having cut emissions by 21% from 2018 to 2024 and aiming for net zero by 2050.
• The company emphasizes ongoing efforts through its Dairy Climate Plan and Net Zero Roadmap, despite not highlighting methane specifically in its current strategy.
• Many large food companies, including PepsiCo and others, are adjusting or scaling back sustainability goals due to supply chain complexities, regulatory challenges, and growing product demand.

Source: Food Dive

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Government shutdown stalls ag markets.

• The October 1, 2025, U.S. government shutdown halted key USDA reports on crop progress, production, exports, and supply/demand, leaving markets without critical data.
• Corn harvest was about 60% complete, soybeans 75%, and winter wheat planting around 75%, but absent USDA updates create uncertainty in pricing and market direction.
• Analysts warn that when reporting resumes, markets could see significant corrections, though some companies are relying on client input and private estimates to navigate the gap.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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JM Smucker sues Trader Joe’s over ‘copycat’ Uncrustables sandwiches.

• J.M. Smucker is suing Trader Joe’s, alleging that the grocery chain’s version of crustless PB&J sandwiches are an “obvious copycat” of its Uncrustables frozen sandwiches.
• The food giant claims Trader Joe’s is engaging in unfair competition, infringing on its trademark and using deceptive trade practices to benefit from Smucker’s substantial investment in Uncrustables.
• Smucker, which is seeking damages and lost profits, said that unless the court acts, Trader Joe’s will “gain an unfair competitive advantage” and that its actions “will continue to cause irreparable injury” to the food manufacturer.

Source: Food Dive

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HPAI devastation leads egg industry to call on USDA for action.

• The US egg industry is urging the USDA to implement a vaccination program against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to help control ongoing outbreaks.
• A vaccine exists but requires USDA and state veterinarian approval; it would involve two doses for chicks and pullets in high-risk areas along migratory bird flyways.
• Since January 2022, nearly all 50 states have seen HPAI outbreaks, with 41.4 million laying hens lost in 2025 alone, highlighting the urgency of federal action.

Source: Meat + Poultry

JUST FOR FUN

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Leftovers: Cup Noodles serves Thanksgiving ramen | Ore-Ida launches tater tot croutons – Food Dive

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