Brooke Swensen

As the demand for high-protein, on-the-go snacks continues to surge, Conagra is positioning itself at the forefront of this enduring trend. Conagra Brands, the force behind iconic names like Slim Jim and Duke's, has strategically expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Sweetwood Smoke & Co., makers of Fatty Smoked Meat Sticks. What makes Fatty's unique? Their meat sticks boast high protein, low sugar, gluten-free ingredients, and no MSG—exactly what today's health-conscious consumers are after. Since their major 2018 acquisition of Pinnacle Foods, Conagra has been laser-focused on strengthening their core business and managing debt, keeping acquisitions on the back burner. But when the right opportunity comes along, especially a bolt-on that aligns perfectly with market trends, they were ready to act. With the meat snack market projected to grow at nearly 7% CAGR through 2033, this acquisition is a smart move for Conagra, bolstering their position in a booming segment. At Greenwich Capital Group LLC, we anticipate a significant increase in strategic-driven M&A activity within the F&B category in the coming year, likely surpassing previous levels. Mars' recent acquisition of Kellanova underscores the growing trend of large strategic acquirers making bold moves to enhance their market presence and diversify their offerings. This acquisition is a clear signal that leading players are not just pursuing growth, but are also keenly focused on aligning with evolving consumer demands for health-conscious, innovative products. We expect to see more deals of this nature as companies seek to strengthen their positions in an increasingly competitive and dynamic market. #MergersAndAcquisitions #FoodIndustry #FoodandBeverage #ConsumerTrends #InvestmentBanking https://lnkd.in/gT4AWgMW

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💫 Confirmation on a launch into VONS 💫 Confirmation on five launches into DoorDash 💫 Confirmation on a launch with SEVEN SKUS into Meijer for one brand 💫 Confirmation on a launch with three SKUS into Meijer on another brand 💫 Confirmation on a launch as a CUT IN to all Harris Teeter locations 💫 Confirmation on a launch into Harmons Grocery 💫 Confirmation on a launch of another brand into Vitacost.com 💫 Confirmation on a launch into Draeger's Markets 💫 Confirmation on a launch into Good Eggs 💫 Confirmation on a launch into H-E-B 💫 Confirmation on a launch into Gelson's Markets 💫 Confirmation on a launch into Wegmans Food Markets 💫 Confirmation on a launch into UNFI and KeHE Distributors 💫 Confirmation on a launch into Hy-Vee, Inc. 🌟 Two new partnerships 🌟 ...and it's only Tuesday. 😱 It is doable if you put in the work. Our team is hungry and maybe a little drained 🤣 BUT we know how to have fun and how to get serious. I am BLESSED with the kick-ass team we have here at Jade Street Consulting Inc. 💗 #team #culture #launches #retail #partnerships #news #ceo #founder #reviews #cpg #cpgindustry #cpgbrands #food #beverage #candy #betterforyou #protein #nutritionalbars #drinks #energy #snacks #supplements #health #nutrition #hardwork #hustle #effecient #culture #bestteam

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🌿 Discover the incredible benefits of Chickweed with Erica Garber's invaluable insights. @foodmoodnutrition -------- 🛒Explore our store for Chickweed Herb: https://lnkd.in/g5a2BTrz --------- ✨Your journey to optimal well-being starts here! 🗓Book your appointment now at https://lnkd.in/g3_XAkGW --------- Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in our store regarding herbs, tinctures, powders, and compounds is carefully compiled from diverse sources and is intended solely for educational and descriptive purposes. Under no circumstances should it be regarded as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personalized guidance and advice tailored to your specific health needs, consulting with your doctor or a qualified healthcare practitioner is crucial. If you have or suspect a medical condition, seeking timely professional medical attention is paramount.

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Customer-centric (customer-centered, customer first) was a corporate buzzword that littered mission statements, marketing slicks, slogans, emails, etc., but lost its impact due to corporations' repeated failures to deliver on the promise. I fear the same fate for "Innovation," which is used everywhere but seldom delivered consistently. The "Innovation Gap" discussed in Adam Melonas article published by Forbes Business Council below must be solved before "Innovation" becomes another hollow buzzword. Innovation, not Renovation, is what will drive profitable, volume-led growth for CPG companies. Critically, the innovation, from idea to shelf, must be in months, not years.

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Not surprising: the news out of Walmart today is that they are launching a new line of Private Label designed to capture a better-for-you segment. I'm sure their primary focus is competing with Target and Costco Wholesale who have been taking share, but this is an increasing risk factor for emerging CPG brands, and not necessarily for the reasons you might expect. When I worked in the UK with Whole Foods Market it was remarkable how underdeveloped the emerging brand co-manufacturing and logistics infrastructure was, compared to the US. The major retail sales growth was either being driven by hyper-local DSD, or retailer private label, dominated by the Big 4 retailers there. It was difficult for us as the "underdog" retailer to differentiate our assortment because the brands were either too BIG or too SMALL for us to work with...they just didn't have access to the means of production like we do here. For all of the attention Trader Joe's gets with their PL program, if Wal Mart actually moves into Better-for-You "faux-innovation" products in a big way, this can massively increase production minimums and manufacturing costs for emerging brands. This doesn't mean Wal Mart is evil, or doing anything wrong. We need to protect the emerging brand ecosystem by giving independent BRANDS (as opposed to private label) a path to true scale that ISN'T predicated on Wal Mart. If we don't, there will be a lot of people in this industry who wake up to a reality of much bigger barriers to entry than we have experienced over the past 30 years since. This starts with the Innovation "Heroes" like Erewhon Berkeley Bowl Marketplace and Central Market and stepping up through larger retailers with strong local/innovation programs like Fresh Thyme Market Giant Eagle, Inc. Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods Market. As long as there is a healthy pipeline of new products being made and placed into these accounts, we can protect the supply chain infrastructure that we take for granted. #emergingcpg #innovation #foxtrot #privatelabel #solidarity #podfoods Pod Foods Errol Schweizer Rebecca Stephens, MBA Jack Sinclair Jake Benedict

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Historically, the presence of brands in the produce section has been limited to a few select players... Now, a new wave of fruit and veggie brands are entering the scene. This article claims that packaged produce is a “saving grace” for produce brands wanting to increase awareness in store. But this overlooks a significant tension for consumers: packaging. Our latest research on sustainability found that 40% of consumers are concerned about how much single-use plastic our society uses, and 43% avoid buying products with excessive or single-use packaging. Qualitatively, consumers tend to be particularly resistant to what they perceive as excessive packaging in the produce section, given that this is a category traditionally purchased in bulk. Additionally, items like citrus and bananas are seen as having their own natural protection from the non-edible peel. Ultimately, if branded produce is to maximize its potential for growth, new and innovative ways of generating brand awareness BEYOND branded packaging will be necessary. https://ow.ly/ZBUR50RtRV1

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SKU's mentor community has deep experience building brands and disrupting categories, whether that be Matthew OHayer, who upended the egg industry with Vital Farms, or Jeff Richards, who launched Mooala, which has created new innovations within the plant-based milk segment. SKU Fall '24 mentor Jill Talcott  is a passionate food and beverage lover and creator with a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. During her time as a leader in innovation, commercialization and development at Starbucks for over 16 years, working on CPG and food-service projects for the U.S. and International markets. She developed and launched coconut milk to over 15K stores, pioneered the development of alternative milks to replace traditional dairy bases and delivered a breakthrough beverage innovation through a new chocolate strategy. During her time as a leader in innovation and development at Starbucks, Jill is most proud of her work in taking the cold coffee experience to new levels through innovative thought leadership, passion, teamwork, and a devotion to finding solutions. She was the winner of Starbucks' “Trail Blazer” and “Courage” awards for Innovation (championing and driving big ideas to life). As a Food Tech Evangelist at Amazon, Jill developed and trained the team on the product development process and established trained panel to guide rapid product and packaging decision making .   In 2021 she started UpCup Creations, a beverage development consulting firm. She has helped small brands bring numerous products to market from coffee beverages to cocktails in can, and many things in between. Her specialties are beverage innovation, product development, including ingredient sourcing and Commercialization. If you would like to work with passionate founders and rocks stars like Jill, we have a small number of mentor spots left for talented CPG leaders. If you would like to learn more, fill out our Mentor Interest Form and we will schedule an interview. https://lnkd.in/grvpPD8e Michelle Breyer Buff Greebe Maddie S. Brooke Wilson #mentors #mentoring #mentorshipmatters #accelerator #cpgaccelerator #startups #cpgstartups #founders #cpgfounders #entrepreneurship #cpg #cpgs #consumerpackagedgoods #consumerproducts #foodandbeverage #innovation #commercialization #productcreation #productlaunch #coffee #coldbrew #coldcoffee #coffeeinnovation #productinnovation

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I'll be at 👉 (https://lnkd.in/geS8v3aq) the NielsenIQ C360 conference in Phoenix - May 13-16 as The CPG Guys. Will you be there as a senior leader to discuss today's important #cpgindustry topics? 1.) Total store optimization in a post pandemic world? 2.) What does today's truly #omnichannel shopper journey look like? Have #retailmedia networks changed full funnel #omnichannelmarketing? 3.) Of course, all about #artificalintelligence 4.) #innovation - most large brands temporarily slowed it down over the pandemic - now its back to the mayhem. Shelf space is not unlimited - who wins, who loses and who doesn't belong on the shelf in the first place. Watch Liz Buchanan (NA, president), Jamie Clarke (NA retail), Andrew Criezis (President, #ecommerce) and so much more.

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WHOLE FOODS MARKET vs. KROGER 2025 Food Trends. (And also some MINTEL, see comments below). In mid-October, Whole Foods Market released their 2025 Food Trend predictions. Two weeks later, so did Kroger. Predictions are just that, but they can validate what consumers and what we in CPG are seeing, or what we should take note of, possibly build innovation against, or simply buy to try. A side by side of five (5) food-specific #trends, from each #grocery chain, is compiled below, with G&Co. sentiments on the five. Of interest to me: • That Whole Foods Market visibly supported the #alcohol industry 🍺🍷🥂 in their list, while Kroger did not. And if you track alcohol sales as I do, the industry and those brands needs all the support they can get. • That Kroger plugged #privatelabel directly, with their “Food Dupes” trend, while Whole Foods Market integrated their own private label into brands that fit into trends. What they agree upon, I cite below. And I also flag the lists’ incongruity. Again, this side by side is food-specific, and does not weigh the packaging and sustainability trends called out by Whole Foods. #cpg #foodandbeverage #2025trends #foodtrends Mintel

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Politics aside, I think we can all agree that WAY too many direct CPG brands are reeling right now 😥 And it’s truly sad as the founders have put their🩸, sweat and tears into these businesses, which now have: 🏪 Strong retail distribution 🥫 Unique products with true-ish differentiation 😋 Great flavor profile and hedonics 🌀 Relevant and well designed branding 💲 Price points that align with target audience So why are they failing? Three major reasons that I’m seeing: 1) Lack of investor commitment:  Previous standbys in the Food/Bev VC space have not secured new funding or now have alligator-arms when reaching for more funding as they have been ‘burned’ by this category.  So financing has to be more creative and linked to specific milestones.  2) MVPs don’t work in food:  Those who come into the industry hoping to create and launch a ‘minimally viable product’, and then upgrade regularly in the future like they do in tech, are quickly realizing that is not possible.  The regulatory environment, manufacturing, and retail make that much more difficult in this category.  And if you launch a brand that doesn’t do well, consumers and retailers won’t take another look when you upgrade it! 3) Supply chain costs are crazy:  Ingredient costs are increasing weekly for certain raws (e.g. organic cacao), strength of third-party manufacturers (who have full production schedules) and their ability to flex pricing and schedule are impacting businesses, and transportation costs have increased to get products to the end consumer. I’m sure in the future we’ll look back at this period as one of creative survival, innovation, and collaboration, but right now it just sucks 👎 for so many brands and businesses out there and I feel for you. If you are one of these brands or know of one, feel free to reach out 📲 to see if the folks here at Palm Venture Studios would want to take a look.

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Is Hormel Foods prepared to tackle the challenges of inflation, supply chain disruptions, and shifting consumer preferences? Jim Snee, CEO of Hormel Foods, offers insights on the company's strategies to navigate these issues. Learn how they are adapting, building partnerships, embracing sustainability, and leveraging technology in this volatile landscape. #FoodIndustry #SupplyChain #ConsumerPreferences

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💰💡 Latest in Funding, Acquisition, and Finance: 🍦 General Mills Mulls Over $2B Sale of North American Yogurt Business - In a strategic move, General Mills considers divesting its Yoplait brand and other yogurt assets in North America, targeting a deal upwards of $2 billion. 🌱 Edonia Secures €2M for Protein Innovations from Microalgae - French startup Edonia raises €2 million in pre-seed funding from Asterion Ventures and Bpifrance, propelling the development of umami-rich, plant-based ingredients. 🌎 Bezos Earth Fund Pledges $100M for AI-driven Climate Initiatives - With a focus on alternative proteins, the Bezos Earth Fund announces up to $100 million in grants for AI solutions addressing climate change and nature conservation. 🌿 Woodland Foods Acquires Idan Foods - Expanding its portfolio, Woodland Foods takes over New Jersey-based Idan Foods, known for its specialized food coatings, enhancing its offerings in plant-based ingredients. #Funding #Acquisition #Sustainability #FoodIndustry 💰🌿

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IFPAs U.S Produce Retail POS Report for July Both fruit and vegetables had an extremely strong July sales performance, with big holiday gains along with strong demand in the remaining three weeks of the month. Factors impacting continued strong performance at retail - Food away from home continues to experience overall higher inflation in July at 4.1% vs. 1.1% for food at home (Bureau of Labor Statistics) - Increasing seasonal (summer) fruit volumes have led to retailers to being more willing to promote - Consumer demand for at home experiences / holiday gatherings has increased traffic and trips accordingly over the past several months In July total #freshproduce unit volume gained 6.4% vs. YA and dollar sales were up 3.4% over the same period. Bolstered by #cherries and #grapes which combined added over $100M gain in dollar sales in July alone compared to LY. Dollar share for fresh produce also held steady at 82.5% in July indicating a strengthening in consumer confidence of buying more fresh options. As for July 4th week - We knew July was going to be a big month due to the different holiday timing this year versus last. But to see a 13.7% increase in pound sales during the holiday week is wild. It shows the nation’s love for produce and consumers’ willingness to spend a little more on fresh fruits and vegetables during holidays, celebrations and get togethers. What I am looking forward to next The summer season is coming to an end with the back-to-school season in full swing for a number of the Southern states. This may change sales patterns for lunchbox-type items such as snack fruit and vegetables, salads, etc. Labor Day, which will be observed on Monday, September 2nd will mark the unofficial end of grilling season, though weather patterns in the early fall tend to have a substantial impact on sales as well. All consumer confidence, restaurant and grocery indicators point to a more home-centric environment for the time being, compounded by ongoing higher restaurant inflation and a cooling job market. https://lnkd.in/gSYpNwWZ Anne-Marie Roerink Circana International Fresh Produce Association

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Dear budding CPG Entrepreneurs, You can’t afford not to FOCUS on 1 category This business is filled with things you can’t control The Huge companies trying to squash you & a sea of competition that is UNIQUE to each category And You want to un focus and enter more categories? You just doubled your uncontrollable challenges Doesn’t sound like a good move to me 🤷‍♂️ Your FOCUS is the one thing you can control! The more you narrow your FOCUS on one thing The more you can stack the odds in your favor 💰Become the expert 💰Become the category king for consumers 💰Become the master of things you can control ✌️

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In the CPG industry it's not about how many doors/stores you get into it's about the quality of stores you get into. I look forward to building relationships with every retailer/buyer. Even though you may not be in a large bix box store at the moment focus on building relationships with independent retailers first then go from there. Building a personal brand helps out a lot in business. This is crucial to let buyers know about you and your products and why you started your business. #retail #growth #business #sales #mindset #businessgoals #businessrelationships #connection #integrity #cpg #startup

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Reflecting on this monumental moment, I wanted to wait until the news was "official" before sharing my thoughts and feelings... Almost 7 years ago, a good friend now who started as a good client invited me to his new office in NJ to explore a plant-based protein company he was considering acquiring. That's when I first encountered OWYN. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to make of it initially. Plant-based, vegan protein drinks weren't in my usual "repertoire" of ideation and marketing. But after trying the product that day, I knew I wanted to be part of the journey. And what an incredible journey it has been! Throughout the last 7 years, in my capacity as a "strategic advisor," I've embraced a multitude of roles and responsibilities, working closely with a diverse array of talented leaders. From individuals who made significant contributions from the outset and have since moved on, to those who have ascended to leadership positions, such as CEO Mark O. and Chief Sales Officer Matt OConnell, as well as "more recent" additions like CMO Julia Perez, who came in and made an immediate and substantial impact, our collaboration has been characterized by passion, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. Now, fast forward to today. After countless hours of strategic discussions, meetings, and partnerships, we've achieved something remarkable. We've taken a niche brand, crafted with the finest ingredients, and found the perfect successor in our recent acquisition. If you notice, even as a "consultant" I always will refer to it as we. When I work with brands, especially from day 1, I consider myself a true part of the team. Being part of a brand from inception to this pivotal moment is incredibly special. As a matter of fact, it's been a huge goal of mine since that fateful day 7 years ago. I'm eager to see what lies ahead for OWYN and hopeful that I can continue contributing to a product and brand that means so much to me and countless others, especially our consumers. #OWYN #PlantBased #Acquisition #Journey #Gratitude #Business #CPG #SimplyGood https://lnkd.in/emY6UT2g

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DTC/Digital Native Brands struggle to achieve scale. CPG portfolio's are stagnating. Consumers are trading down, and retailers owned brands are disproportionately growing. Target, Costco, Trader Joes, and Aldi owned brands are winning. Now Walmart has launched a formidable new elevated basics brand, BetterGoods. The best way to beat the Amazon/Temu/Shein/TikTok marketplaces is to sell products they don't have.

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Cold beverages continue to be "hot" in multiple retail channels, especially convenience where they help shape the "heatmaps" of shopper traffic and behaviors across all dayparts. See this week's VideoMining Nugget: https://lnkd.in/eMXJ7656 #cpg #retail #marketing

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Wondering what is happening in Food Service in convenience retail? #NACS and #NIQ have recently discussed these trends at our latest conference as NIQ rolls out the first POS based Food Service market measurement for convenience in the US. Link below to read the highlights. #NIQandGfK #TheFullView #MovingMeasurementForward #NIQ #GFK #nielseniq #retailanalytics #retailinsights #cpg #cpgindustry #retail #groceryretail #convenience #beverageindustry #quickcommerce #collaboration #future #business #manufacturing #collaboration #connectedcollaboration #media #investments #onlineadvertising #sales #retail #growth #grocery #retailing #technology #sustainability #techanddurables #generalmerch #computing #electronics #devices #IoT #PrivateLabel #ownedBrands #telco #AI #GenAI #AskArthur #Leading #DesignTheFuture #LeadingNotFollowing #NeverGiveUp

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