April 25, 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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JBS secures SEC approval for New York IPO – report.

• JBS has secured the US Securities and Exchange Commission's approval for its proposed public offering in New York, a newswire reported, citing a filing on 22 April.

Source: Mergermarket

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Trivest Partners-backed Miami Beef acquires Best Provision Co.

• Young American Food Brands is pleased to announce its acquisition of Best Provision Co., Inc., a respected producer of premium smoked and cooked meats for over 87 years.

Source: Mergermarket

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Graham Partners-backed Commercial Bakeries acquires Hollandia Bakeries.

• Commercial Bakeries Corp., a fast-growing producer of private label packaged cookies and crackers headquartered in Toronto, Canada, is pleased to announce that it has acquired Hollandia Bakeries Ltd. and the Good Food Company Inc., a manufacturer of high-quality seasonal, soft-baked and everyday cookies.

Source: Mergermarket

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Baldor Specialty Foods acquires New York meat company.

• Baldor Specialty Foods announced the acquisition of Golden Packing Co., a premium meat company located in Hunts Point Cooperative Market in the Bronx, NY.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Johnson Brothers to acquire Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida operations of Maverick Beverage Company.

• Johnson Brothers announced its entry into the Texas market through the signing of a purchase agreement to acquire the Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and Florida operations of Maverick Beverage Company, a leading distributor of fine wine and spirits.

Source: MergerMarket

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Feast & Fettle acquires Ipsa Provisions.

• Feast & Fettle, a Providence, Rhode Island-based fully prepared meal service company, has acquired Ipsa Provisions, a New York City-based frozen meal producer and delivery company.

Source: Mergermarket

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Culture Pop Soda raises USD 15m equity funding.

• Culture Pop Soda raised USD 15.15m in equity financing out of a USD 27.1m offering, JustDrinks reported, citing a SEC document.

Source: Mergermarket

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Maple Donuts sale process in late stages.

• The sale process for Maple Donuts, a family-owned producer of bakery products, is heading to the finish line, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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Mela Water acquired by KJ Holding Corp.

• KJ Holding Corp, the owner of Calypso Lemonades, has acquired Mela Water.

Source: Mergermarket

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Klosterman Baking Company launches sale process.

• Klosterman Baking Company, a New Water Capital-backed baked goods manufacturer, has launched its sale process, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Source: Mergermarket

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Borgman Capital-backed Gilman Cheese nears sale.

• Gilman Cheese Corporation, backed by Borgman Capital, is in the advanced stages of a sale process, according to sources familiar with the situation. 

Source: Mergermarket

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Barchemy gearing up for sale.

• Barchemy, a privately-held better-for-you (BFY) chocolate, nutritional bar and confectionery ingredients producer, is gearing up to explore a sale, three sources familiar with the situation said.

Source: Mergermarket

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Shoreline launches sale of Engelman's Bakery.

• Shoreline Equity has launched a sale process for its portfolio company, Engelman's Bakery, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Source: Mergermarket

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Carambar & Co draws interest from competitors, PE firms - report (translated).

• Carambar & Co, a France-headquartered confectionery and chocolate brands holding company that was put up for sale late last year by listed investment group Eurazeo, has received interest from several competitors and PE firms as the auction is about to kick off, l'Informe reported.

Source: Mergermarket

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Joseph's Gourmet Pasta launches sale process with Piper Sandler.

• Joseph's Gourmet Pasta, a sponsor-owned pasta and sauce manufacturer, is in early stages of a sale process, according to five sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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Report: China stopped US corn, soybean orders in January.

• China has not ordered U.S. corn or soybeans since January 16, shortly before President Trump’s second-term inauguration, amid rising tariffs and renewed trade tensions.
• The U.S. has lost its status as China’s top soybean supplier to Brazil; in 2024, China still imported $12.8B worth of U.S. soybeans, but this volume is now at risk.
• Farmers and the American Soybean Association warn of both immediate and long-term damage from “Trade War Two,” as China pursues grain self-sufficiency and aims for record 2025 production of 709 million tonnes.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Chobani to spend $1.2B on New York dairy processing plant.

• Chobani is investing $1.2 billion in a new 1.4 million sq. ft. dairy processing facility in Rome, New York—its largest capital project to date—creating over 1,000 full-time jobs by 2026.
• The plant will process 12 million pounds of milk daily across up to 28 lines, eventually increasing Chobani’s annual raw milk purchases to 6 billion pounds.
• This move follows a $500M expansion in Idaho and supports growing demand for high-protein and low-sugar dairy, oat milk, creamers, and ready-to-drink coffee following its $900M La Colombe acquisition.

Source: Food Dive

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BRF building new facility in Saudi Arabia.

• BRF SA is investing $160 million to build a new 40,000-tonne-per-year processed food plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the Halal Products Development Co. (HPDC), a Saudi PIF subsidiary.
• The facility will support local food production, reduce imports, and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision to become a global halal hub. Operations are expected to begin mid-2026, with potential for capacity to double.
• This will be BRF’s third facility in Saudi Arabia and seventh in the Middle East; the project will create 500 jobs and further expands BRF’s strategic presence in the region.

Source: Meat & Poultry

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PepsiCo CEO says snacks maker ‘accelerating’ transition to natural ingredients.

• PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta announced the company is accelerating its shift to natural ingredients, aiming to offer all products with natural color options within the next few years.
• The move follows pressure from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who urged food companies to phase out artificial colors by 2026, amid growing consumer preference for clean-label foods.
• PepsiCo has begun introducing naturally colored products like Simply Ruffles Hot & Spicy, though challenges remain with color consistency and consumer acceptance—echoing past reformulation struggles seen in the industry.

Source: Food Dive

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Hershey opens new chocolate plant as part of $1B supply chain upgrade.

• Hershey opened a new 250,000 sq. ft. chocolate processing plant in Hershey, PA—the first in over 30 years—as part of a $1B multi-year supply chain investment that includes 13 new lines and upgrades to 11 existing lines.
• The facility, located on a 55-acre site on the Reese’s campus, will support major brands like Reese’s, Kit Kat, and Hershey’s and currently employs nearly 100 people with plans for expansion.
• This investment aligns with Hershey’s broader strategy to increase production speed, capacity, and innovation, following recent acquisitions like Dot’s Pretzels and popcorn assets to boost manufacturing capabilities.

Source: Food Dive

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Wegmans’ elevated shopping experience goes digital.

• Wegmans launched a redesigned website and mobile app featuring AI-powered personalization, improved search functionality, and tools to enhance both online and in-store grocery shopping.
• New features include recipe saving and scaling, curated product suggestions, aisle-based shopping lists, and personalized purchase history via the “My Items,” “Get It,” and “Got It” tabs.
• The upgrades reflect a renewed focus on digital engagement, especially for curbside pickup, following a post-COVID plateau, aiming to merge the retailer’s premium in-store experience with seamless online usability.

Source: Grocery Dive

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From overlooked to beverage juggernaut: Inside Campbell’s transformation of V8.

• Campbell Soup Company is repositioning its V8 brand as a $1 billion hydration platform by expanding beyond its iconic vegetable juice into categories like energy drinks and cocktail mixers.
• Recent innovations include V8 Energy, a Bloody Mary mix with Grillo’s, and limited-time spicy flavor extensions—all part of a strategy to modernize the brand and attract younger consumers.
• V8 Red now accounts for just ~50% of sales as Campbell’s increases investment in product development, flavor trends, and non-ready-to-drink formats to diversify and grow the portfolio.

Source: Food Dive

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Land O’Frost introduces hot honey-infused deli meats.

• Land O’Frost has launched new Hot Honey Chicken Breast and Hot Honey Ham deli meats, becoming the first national lunch meat brand to offer hot honey-infused products at retail.
• The products are made with real hardwood smoke, no by-products or artificial flavors, and deliver at least 8 grams of protein per serving, blending sweet honey with chili pepper heat.
• This launch taps into the growing hot honey trend and builds on Land O’Frost’s commitment to flavor innovation across its operations in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Arkansas.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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FDA asks food industry to phase out artificial dyes.

• The FDA, under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has requested food companies voluntarily phase out six synthetic dyes (including Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6, Blue 1 & 2, and Green 3) by the end of 2026, citing health concerns tied to behavioral issues and chronic illness.
• The FDA also plans to revoke approvals for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, while fast-tracking natural color alternatives, amid mounting pressure from public health advocates and state legislation (e.g., West Virginia’s new dye restrictions).
• Industry groups are responding with mixed reactions—some pledging to comply (e.g., dairy and confectionery groups), while others warn of regulatory confusion, supply chain disruption, and higher costs. Critics say voluntary compliance is insufficient and slow-moving.

Source: Food Dive

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Tyson, Clemens, Triumph agree to settle in pork price-fixing lawsuit.

• Tyson Foods, Clemens Foods, and Triumph Foods have agreed to a combined $64 million settlement in a pork price-fixing lawsuit, with Tyson contributing $50 million.
• The antitrust litigation, covering alleged price manipulation from 2014 to 2018, has now resulted in over $180 million in total settlements across all defendants, though Agri Stats remains an active defendant.
• The companies continue to deny wrongdoing, and the case was overseen by Judge John R. Tunheim in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota. Other prior settling parties include JBS, Smithfield, Seaboard, and Hormel Foods.

Source: Meat + Poultry

JUST FOR FUN

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Leftovers: Dave’s Killer Bread slides into sandwich rolls | Warheads burst into sour fizz candy – Food Dive

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