Meati Foods, a provider of plant-based meats made from mushroom root, has raised $150 million as it looks to strengthen its position in the US market. The round was led by Revolution Growth, with participation from existing and new investors, including Grosvenor Food & AgTech and Chipotle Mexican Grill’s new venture fund, Cultivate Next. Founded in 2017, Meati Foods is the creator of Eat Meati, an alternative whole food protein made from mushroom root. The product line includes cutlets and steaks. Meati Foods' whole-cut meats naturally deliver as much as 17g of complete protein and 12g of dietary fibre, along with micronutrients such as zinc and vitamin B12. The capital will support the completion of the company's facility in Thornton, Colorado. The site will begin shipping its offerings in late 2022, ultimately producing tens of millions of pounds of product annually. In addition, the funds will support the company's continued growth, including through the diversification of its product portfolio. Meati Foods CEO and co-founder, Tyler Huggins, said: “The continued growth and momentum that Meati is experiencing underscores how differentiated and scalable our products and vision are. Revolution Growth and our new and existing investors bring not just the financial firepower and ethos alignment, but deep and diversified expertise that will be instrumental in building a brand and organisation that will truly change how people eat in a way that’s better for our bodies and better for our planet.”

Le Duff Group and its subsidiary Bridor have announced the acquisition of North American pastry company, Lecoq Cuisine Corporation, for an undisclosed sum. Lecoq Cuisine specialises in the production of Viennese and French-style pastries, manufacturing and marketing more than 150 different products. In particular, the company produces viennoiseries, such as croissants and danishes, cinnamon rolls, puff pastries and brioches. The pastry producer is mainly present in the US but also exports to Canada and the Caribbean. Its products are manufactured at the company’s facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The acquisition will allow Le Duff to expand Bridor, which is a manufacturer of frozen bakery products and pastries. Eric Lecoq, founder and CEO of Lecoq Cuisine, said: "Our intense focus on excellence and innovation is matched only by Le Duff’s reputation and track record for producing high-quality products and exceptional customer service throughout its almost 50-year history".

Arva Flour Mills has announced the acquisition of the Red River Cereal brand from Smucker Foods of Canada, a subsidiary of The JM Smucker Co. The acquisition will see Arva Flour Mills revert Red River Cereal's, which was discontinued in 2020, recipe back to its original ingredients to include cracked wheat and rye. In 2011, the brand slightly altered the cereal's recipe to include steel-cut wheat and rye. Arva Flour Mills says that it is "in the process of acquiring a hammer mill to crack the wheat, rye and flax ingredients," which will result in "a more creamy texture and restore the cereal to its original way". Arva Flour Mills' owner, Mark Rinker, said: “Since acquiring Arva Flour Mills last fall, hardly a day went by at our retail store without a customer asking if we carried Red River Cereal. This prompted our initial research, and we soon came to the decision that this iconic, nearly century-old brand would be a natural fit alongside the historic, Arva Flour Mills brand. We know that the countless customers who used to start their day with Red River Cereal share in our excitement to get this beloved brand back on store shelves." The company plans to relaunch the brand at its retail store and on its website later this month. Financial terms were not disclosed.

PepsiCo-owned brand Doritos has released a new limited-edition flavour to add to its snack portfolio in the US. Doritos Tangy Tamarind draw inspiration from Hispanic, Asian and Indian dishes and have a kick of both heat and citrus. According to the company, the release marks the first time a tamarind flavour is available from a major snack brand in the US. The new offering joins previous limited-edition releases in Doritos' 'Tangy' lineup, including Doritos Tangy Pickle and Doritos Tangy Ranch. Doritos Tangy Tamarind are available now in select and nationwide US retailers for a limited time only.

FreshRealm, a US provider of fresh ready meals, has closed a $200 million capital raise, led by an undisclosed institutional investor. FreshRealm provides fresh ready-to-cook, ready-to-heat and low-prep meal kits for consumers in the US. The company partners with retailers to create Fresh Meals destinations that provide convenient meal solutions. The capital will be used to accelerate the company's growth through the expansion of existing facilities, innovation, strengthening FreshRealm's supply chain, investing in new technologies and bolstering accessibility through retail channels. Michael Lippold, FreshRealm's founder and CEO, said: "We've built the most sophisticated platform for fresh meals nationwide in partnership with retailers that represent about 10,000 retail locations across the country and over a million DTC consumers, over the last year". Lippold continued: "As the retail fresh meals category continues to demonstrate compelling growth, this funding will allow FreshRealm to bolster our existing end-to-end platform that supports elevated private label and branded meal assortments and fresh meals destinations". Last year, FreshRealm announced that it was expanding its US operations with the aim of producing more than 100 million meals annually.

Mind Blown by The Plant Based Seafood Co has launched a new seafood alternative product in the US. The new plant protein-based crab cakes are seasoned with classic crab cake flavours, such as celery, onion and panko bread crumbs for a flaky texture. The product joins Mind Blown's lineup of dusted shrimp, dusted scallops and coconut shrimp offerings. The Plant Based Seafood Co's co-founder, Monica Talbert, said: “Recently, we saw a need for plant-based seafood and created Mind Blown by The Plant Based Seafood Co. We wanted to make a plant-based version of our crab cakes and knew they would have to be identical to the original versions in taste and texture." The crab cakes are available nationwide at Sprouts Farmers Market.

Bute Island Food's dairy-free vegan cheese brand, Sheese, is launching the 'first' plant-based arancini balls in the UK market. According to the company, the tomato and mozzarella flavour rice balls are the first plant-based arancini on the UK market and are soya-free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Nigel White of Bute Island Foods, makers of Sheese, said: "We listen to what our customers want on their plates and, with more and more people wanting to try alternatives to dairy, as well as the growing number of people in the UK who follow a plant-based diet, we decided bring a unique, truly delicious and exciting new product to UK shoppers. And it couldn't have been aran-sheesier!" Sheese's Sheesy Aranacini Balls will be available in 200g packs of eight balls for an RRP of £4 in Tesco from 12 September.

The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has announced that Marcus Gover will step down as CEO and will leave the charity at the end of the year. Gover will depart from WRAP after six years in the role. He wished the organisation "all the best in the future" and added that WRAP is "already in the process of recruiting a new chair". He added: "This is the right time for me to hand over to a new CEO who will work with the new chair to take WRAP on its forward journey". Julie Hill, chair of WRAP, who will also be leaving the charity in October, said: “Under Marcus’ leadership, WRAP has made significant progress over the last few years, including the growth of our international work, the expansion of the Plastics Pact and Courtauld Commitment and the launch of Textiles 2030, WRAP has and will continue to make a real difference to the world we live in". She continued: “This is a pivotal moment in time for WRAP as it expands its ambitions, and Marcus and I are working together to find the right people to take WRAP on the next stage of its journey”.

Bel Brands USA and Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) have announced the results of their collaborative sustainable milk cooling pilot programme. Last year, the companies partnered to implement and measure sustainable cooling practices on a dairy farm in the US. The project included the installation of new natural well water and forced air barn cooling systems on a DFA dairy farm that supplies milk to Bel Brands. Over the 12-month period, the cooling methods reduced electricity consumption by 6% on the dairy farm, while milk production increased by 4%. Meanwhile, new sand bedding on the site enabled farmers to spend less time on their tractors, leading to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Jean Michel Dos Remedios, sourcing and supplier development senior director at Bel Brands USA, said: "At Bel Brands, we have been improving our practices in an effort to be a better steward of the environment and a positive force in the communities we serve. Our work with Dairy Farmers of America is the latest example of our commitment." As a result of the pilot's success, Bel and DFA are extending their partnership with a new programme that will see Bel supply a small DFA dairy farm with equipment normally used on larger dairy farms. This will be done in order to test the viability of the equipment on a smaller scale, promoting cost-effective and sustainable practices that can be replicated on other US dairy farms in the future.

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has announced changes to its leadership team as it prepares for its CEO transition at the end of the month. In April, the company announced that Ozan Dokmecioglu will transition from the position of CFO and president of international to the position of CEO. Meanwhile, current chairman and CEO Bob Gamgort will transition to the role of executive chairman. KDP has launched an external search process for a CFO to replace Dokmecioglu. George Lagoudakis, who currently serves as senior vice president of finance for cold beverages, has been appointed to the interim role of CFO. Lagoudakis has more than 25 years of global financial management experience in the food industry. Other leadership changes include Derek Hopkins, who currently serves as president of cold beverages, who has decided to leave KDP at the end of the year, effective 1 August. Newly appointed executive chairman, Bob Gamgort, said: "Ozan embarks as CEO of KDP with a talented team and thoughtful transition plan. I am pleased to have the continued support of Derek, who has been a great partner in the significant value creation we have driven at KDP."

Israeli start-up Better Juice has partnered with GEA to launch a new pilot facility for juice manufacturers to test their sugar-reduction technology. The Better Juice Sugar Converter Skid is included in GEA’s innovation centre in Ahaus, Germany. The facility will provide laboratory services for testing all important analytical parameters. Founded in 2018, Better Juice develops technology to reduce up to 80% of sugars in natural juices, as well as in fruit-based compositions, such as purées. Gali Yarom, co-founder and co-CEO of Better Juice, said: “The pilot centre creates a high-tech venue where we can host companies – mainly from the EU, but also from all over the world – to come see, learn, plugin and actually taste their products after they’ve been recreated with Better Juice process in a workshop environment. Here, we can now collaborate with our customers at the test centre to strike the ideal balance between a sweet note and reduced sugar content.” Eran Blachinsky, co-founder and co-CEO of Better Juice, added: “We set up a readily accessible platform for juice and fruit processing companies seeking to actively contribute their part to the global quests for reducing sugar consumption and concurrently give their products an added wellness edge. It will also eliminate a significant portion of R&D costs and time.”

US-based Country Crock is expanding its dairy-free portfolio with the launch of a plant-based alternative to dairy heavy whipping cream. Country Crock Plant Cream is soy-free and plant-based certified, has 29% less saturated fat and can be used in cooking and baking recipes. Natalie Cooper, brand lead at Country Crock, commented: "Country Crock Plant Cream is a must-have, secret weapon ingredient to have in the kitchen. Its versatility and delicious taste make it perfect for vegetarians, dairy intolerant or plant-curious consumers. We believe that once consumers make the switch, they will find surprising ways to enjoy it, including reheating leftovers, making ultra-creamy pastas or baking a delicious dessert." Plant Cream is available across the US in Kroger and soon to be Publix as well as regionally in retailers including Price Chopper, Piggly Wiggly Alabama, Albertsons, Safeway and United Supermarkets.