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And now, our roundup of the best food and beverage finance news, events and resources from around the web…
Business Model Insights
- The future of food retail, from AI to consumer-first technology (New Hope Network) Accelerated by the pandemic, qualities once seen as aspirational—sustainability, transparency, affordability, etc.—have become table stakes for food brands and retailers.
- The importance of reaching moms during the pandemic (Produce Blue Book)
- The Future of Sustainable Packaging for Cold Foods (Refrigerated & Frozen Foods)
Raising Capital
- Survive to thrive (The Intertwine Group) Early-stage brands are often too focused on growth and not focused enough on first gaining traction and proving their path toward profitability. The best way to survive for a chance to thrive? Be laser-focused on cash and capital efficiency.
- Pandemic slows investment dealmaking, but also opens opportunities (FoodNavigator-USA)
- 15 Ways to Find and Attract Investors Remotely (Forbes)
CPG/National Brands
- The holiday CPG challenge: Convince consumers not to trade down (Food Dive) During the holidays, consumers typically trade up for premium brands to impress houseguests and guarantee flavorful dishes. This year, however, IRI predicts good value will be the top purchasing driver. Here’s how brands can compete with cheaper competitors and private labels.
- CPGs still struggle to measure environmental progress, but there’s a solution (Food Dive)
- The digital shelf: CPG food startups in the era of online grocery (AgFunder News)

- Flavor trends for 2021: fresh from the garden, breakfast all day, chicken & home baked goods (FoodNavigator-USA) Consumers’ recent leanings toward comforting, nostalgic and indulgent foods and beverages are about clash head-on with more practical, healthier preferences inspired by the new year.
- Study: Do consumers see ‘pretty’ food as healthier? (FoodNavigator-USA)
- Covid Lockdown Shopping Habits Are Hard to Break (Bloomberg)

- Biden advisors push a new plan to slow global warming: A soil carbon bank for farmers (The Counter) A policy memo by a Biden-linked group offers clues about how the new administration may address climate change through reimagined farming practices—even without Congressional approval.
- ‘Justice’ bill would transfer up to 32 million acres to Black farmers (Fern’s Ag Insider)
- New research warns of food system impact on climate (Food & Beverage Insider)
Deals/M&A
- $8.37B invested in food tech in first 3 quarters outpaces all of 2019, report says (Food Dive) Investor interest in food has been growing as more and more realize it’s a safe space with real potential to see returns on their money. This trend has only accelerated in light of the pandemic.
- Mars buys Kind North America (Food Dive)
- Farmstead Raises $7.9M to Support Nationwide Growth (Winsight Grocery Business)

Virtual events
- Rodale Institute Panel: Climate Change and the Soil Carbon Solution: 12/5
- Edible-Alpha® Consultant Huddle: 12/7 at 1 p.m. CST
- BevNET Live Winter 2020: 12/7–12/9
- Edible-Alpha® Live! Kickoff Event: 12/8 at 6 p.m. CST
- Edible-Alpha® Live!: 12/9 at 9 a.m. CST
- NOSH LIVE: 12/14–12/16
- FFI Scaler Series: Sales & Distribution Planning Workshop: 1/14
- International Production & Processing Expo: 1/25–1/29
- PLMA Live! Presents Private Label Week: 2/1–2/5
- FFI Scaler Series: Marketing & Branding Planning Workshop: 2/4
- AFFI-CON 2021: Accelerating Growth with Frozen Ingredients: 2/17–2/26
- FFI Scaler Series: Operations & Organization Planning Workshop: 2/24
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