UK-based ice cream brand, Hackney Gelato, has announced the launch of a new plant-based sorbetto featuring roasted pecans. The new Roasted Pecan & Caramel variant is rippled with homemade salted caramel sauce and lightly roasted pecans. According to Hackney Gelato, its latest product is “sweet, savoury, soft and crunchy all at the same time”. “We gather inspiration from ingredients across the globe. In America, the autumn pecan harvest marks the coming of the holiday season and autumn is all about the pecan,” said Enrico Pavoncelli, Hackney Gelato co-founder and master gelatiere. “We love their beautiful, contoured structure, crunchy texture and buttery flavour; it pairs perfectly with our home-made salted caramel sauce. Our East London plant-based speciale Roasted Pecan & Caramel Sorbetto celebrates the end of summer and the start of a new season.” From September, Roasted Pecan & Caramel will be available from Ocado as well as through independent retailers. The new offering has an RRP of £5.49 for a 460ml tub. #HackneyGelato #UK

Mary’s Gone Crackers has expanded its product line-up with a plant-based take on cheese crackers. Mary’s Gone Cheezee Plant-Based Crackers are said to deliver a creamy, mild taste of cheddar cheese that is vegan, organic, non-GMO and gluten-free. They are avaialble in two plant-based flavours: Cheddar and Cheese & Herb, the latter featuring hints of rosemary, thyme and oregano. Mary’s Gone Crackers VP of Sales, Jason Galante, said: “Our newest offering is a delightful testament to the future of vegan and gluten-free alternatives. The crackers taste of tangy cheddarosity that you would never be able to tell is 100% vegan.” The crackers are now available in Spouts stores, with full distribution expected by September 2022. #crackers #MarysGoneCrackers #plantbasedcheese

Creatd Ventures has acquired a 100% stake in Brave, a plant-based food company specialising in convenient and healthy breakfast products. The acquisition marks the fourth majority ownership purchase for Creatd Ventures, the arm of Creatd Inc that is focused on scaling creator-led brands. CEO of Creatd Ventures Thomas Punch said: “This acquisition marks another exciting step towards the expansion of Creatd Ventures: Brave’s health-oriented superfood breakfast mixes are a natural fit within our portfolio as a wellness-rooted brand with multiple opportunities to develop new and innovative SKUs and expand our product offerings for new and existing subscribers”. He continued: “Creatd Ventures has fully consolidated its supply chain and continues to expand both its online and brick-and-mortar distribution channels for all of its recurring-revenue-based brands”. Creatd announced its intent to acquire Brave in July this year. #Brave #breakfast #conveniencefood #CreatdVentures

GoodMills Innovation has launched Vitatex Vegan-Snack-Mix, a premix for plant-based burgers and meatballs, as well as savoury bakery and snack fillings. The premix is based on wheat proteins and is characterised by “a juicy bite and authentic meat flavour”. It can be combined with water and oil, and then shaped for easy use. It is freezer-stable in both raw and baked formats, and is best prepared in the pan or deep fryer, oven-baked or grilled. GoodMills says that, as consumers demand more plant-based, vegan and vegetarian products, the premix enables bakers and butchers with snack counters, bistros, canteens and other food service providers to adapt their offerings. #GoodmillsInnovation #snacks #wheattexturates

SNDL, a private sector liquor and cannabis retailer, has entered into an agreement to acquire The Valens Company – a manufacturer of cannabis products – for a total consideration of CAD 138 million. Through the acquisition, SNDl and Valens will combine business to form a vertically integrated cannabis platform. A company statement said: “With 555,500 square feet of cultivation and manufacturing space and 185 cannabis stores under the Spiritleaf and Value Buds banners, the combined company will offer a complete portfolio of branded products to consumers in Canada through its own supply and distribution channels.” The combined company will operate as SNDL. Both companies hope to create a diverse portfolio of brands through the combination (including edibles and drinkables), enhance branded product offering with low-cost in-house manufacturing capabilities and create synergies through cost rationalisation and operational efficiencies. Zach George, CEO of SNDL, said: “This powerful combination will result in the creation of a dominant vertically integrated company, exceptionally well-suited to weather the current cannabis environment and become a leader in the Canadian regulated products sector.” He added: “SNDL’s existing consumer packaged cannabis business will be transformed by Valens’ high-quality extraction, processing, and manufacturing capabilities and aligns well with our strategic vision to delight consumers with a full range of quality cannabis products and experiences. Our companies have been commercial partners since Canadian legalisation. I am excited by the strong cultural fit between our teams and humbled by the opportunity to work with Valens’ passionate and innovative leadership.” Tyler Robson, CEO of Valens, commented: “We are thrilled to bring together two best-in-class cannabis companies that have extremely complementary assets to create a true market leader. Valens is one of the fastest growing branded cannabis companies in Canada with a focus on innovation and investing in low-cost automated manufacturing assets.” He continued: “With SNDL’s exceptional balance sheet and largest cannabis retail network in Canada we look forward to taking Valens’ brands to new heights and unlocking 2.0 products for the SNDL platform. We believe the pro forma company provides investors with attractive exposure not only to the highest revenue generating cannabis company in Canada trading well under its tangible book value but also a dominant platform that can become a global leader in cannabis.”

Condiment producer Primal Kitchen has announced the launch of two new plant-based products. The brand’s No Dairy Cheddar Cheez-Style Sauce is free from gluten and soy. The vegan cheese sauce features “high-quality” ingredients, including avocado oil, and is keto and paleo. The new offering is available via the company’s website and is also rolling out in Harris Teeter. Primal Kitchen Plant-Based Caesar Dressing is also made with avocado oil, and provides a vegan alternative to the classic condiment, that can be used for drizzling over salads, tossing roasted vegetables and dipping crudité. The “creamy, zesty” offering also features organic apple cider vinegar, organic coconut aminos, and organic herbs and spices. The dressing launches this week and is available to purchase through the brand’s website. #PrimalKitchen #US

Purely Elizabeth has announced the launch of a cereal line featuring “sustainably sourced,” plant-based vitamin D. The brand’s new Superfood Cereal with Vitamin D is free from gluten, contains 6g of fibre per serving and is available in two flavours: Vanilla Blueberry Almond and Honey Peanut Butter. The cereal is said to be made using “superfood ingredients,” such as chia, quinoa and amaranth, and also features whole foods like fruits, nuts and seeds. Following a spike in awareness precipitated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Purely Elizabeth says that now more than ever, consumers are seeking ways to incorporate vitamin D into their diets. The brand’s new cereal features organic, plant-based vitamin D3 and is sweetened with sustainably sourced coconut sugar. Purely Elizabeth Superfood Cereal with Vitamin D can be purchased via the brand’s website, as well as at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. #PurelyElizabeth #US

ADM and chemical company LG Chem have launched two joint ventures for US production of lactic and polylactic acid to meet the growing demand for plant-based products. The first joint venture, called GreenWise Lactic, will produce up to 150,000 tons of high-purity corn-based lactic acid each year. ADM will serve as the majority owner of GreenWise and contribute fermentation capacity from its Decatur bioproducts site. The second venture, LG Chem Illinois Biochem, will build upon LG Chem’s expertise in bioplastics by creating a facility that will use products from GreenWise Lactic to manufacture around 75,000 tons of polylactic acid annually. ADM CEO Juan R Luciano said: “Sustainability is one of the enduring global trends that is powering ADM’s strategy and growth. Our BioSolutions platform is helping us meet that demand by redeploying carbohydrate solutions production capacity to fast-growing, higher-margin segments – including pharmaceuticals and personal care, textiles and paper products.” He continued: “BioSolutions is already growing rapidly, with $136 million in year-over-year revenue growth in the first half of 2022, and with these two new joint ventures, we’re planning to take the next growth step, greatly expanding our ability to meet growing demand for plant-based solutions. We’re pleased to expand our collaboration with LG Chem, and we’re excited at the opportunity to bring this new intended production and all of its economic benefits to Decatur, our North American headquarters.” LG Chem CEO Hak Cheol Shin said: “The establishment of this joint venture is a sustainable growth strategy that can directly contribute to solving environmental issues such as climate change and waste plastics.” He added: “LG Chem is the first Korean company to build a PLA plant with integrated production capacities ranging from raw materials to the final product. With the establishment of this JV, LG Chem will not only procure production capacities for highly pure lactic acid needed for commercial-scale PLA production, but will also be able to apply biomaterials in the development of various high-value-added products. Based on eco-friendly materials, which is an axis for new growth engines, we will respond to the rapidly changing market and customers, while becoming a market leader.” The joint ventures have also chosen Decatur, Illinois, as the location of their production facilities, pending final investment decisions. It is hoped the final investment decision will be made by 2023. #polylacticacid #US #lacticacid #ADM #LGChem

Chilled dessert brand Gü is introducing a vegan version of its Zillionaire cheesecake in the UK this September. The plant-based treat features layers of chocolate ganache, caramel cheesecake and caramel sauce, along with a crumbly biscuit base and sprinkles. Gü Plant Zillionaire is gluten-free and Vegan Society approved. The launch comes as the brand sets out the ambition to double its global business by 2025 and announces a “luxe brand refresh” to reflect its positioning as a premium treat. With an RRP of £3.75 per pack of two, Gü Plant Zillionaire will be available at Tesco and Sainsbury’s from 11 September. #desserts #Gü #UK

Fermented Food Holdings (FFH) has purchased GLK Foods’ sauerkraut division for an undisclosed sum. With the deal, FFH gains GLK’s sauerkraut brands and “extensive” supply chain capabilities. “With the acquisition of the GLK sauerkraut business, we gain capabilities in procurement, packaging solutions and distribution that are very strategic to our vision,” said FFH COO, Jorge Azevedo. Oliver Joost, FFH co-president, added: “We believe that the acquisition of GLK’s sauerkraut business will add critical supply chain capabilities and distribution reach to unlock our next chapter of growth”. Founded in 2021, FFH owns a portfolio of fermented food brands, including Wildbrine and Bubbies which the company acquired earlier this year. Ryan Downs, president of GLK, said: “The GLK team is excited to welcome the acquisition by FFH of its sauerkraut business in Bear Creek, Wisconsin”. “FFH has a vibrant portfolio of brands to add to those of the GLK sauerkraut business and offers a business approach that will be an excellent fit for a business that has been family-owned for four generations.” He added that “as a new FFH shareholder, I am particularly excited to watch the brands grow and see the positive impact on the local community”. #FermentedFoodHoldings #GLKFoods #US

Mycelium-based meat producer, Meati Foods, has appointed Jody Macedonio as chief financial officer and executive vice president (EVP). Macedonio most recently served as CFO of Chobani. In her new position, she will oversee Meati’s financials as the company aims to become the US market share leader in meat alternatives by 2025. Bringing “more than 30 years of experience in the food industry,” Macedonio has also held senior financial roles at PepsiCo, and served as EVP and CFO of Dean Foods. “I’m really looking forward to joining the Meati Foods team and leveraging my prior consumer products financial leadership experience as we rapidly scale the business to become the US market share leader in plant-based meat,” said Macedonio. Tyler Huggins, CEO and co-founder of Meati Foods, added: “We’re thrilled and lucky to welcome Jody to the Meati Foods team during such a pivotal moment in our growth as a company”. “Jody’s track record as a recognised financial leader in the industry speaks for itself, and I’m confident in the impact she’s going to bring as we rapidly scale our footprint over the coming months and years.” #Appointments #MeatiFoods #US

Independent snack producer, Burts Chips, has added two hand-cooked popcorn products to its portfolio. At 126 calories or less per 20g portion, the “small-batch” ready-to-eat popcorn aims to provide a healthy snack option to consumers. The new offering is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and free from artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and sweeteners. Two flavours are available: Lightly Salted (20g) and Sweet & Salty (28g). Burts Snacks CEO, Dave McNulty, said: “It’s great to be expanding the products in our range, especially with our focus on building the Burts brand, and it makes perfect sense to use our expertise to develop the ultimate popcorn under Burts”. #BurtsChips #BurtsSnacks #UK