Once Upon a Farm

With this week’s launch of A2/A2 Whole Milk Shakes, children’s fresh food brand Once Upon a Farm is seeking to fill a gap for no-added-sugar dairy-based pouches targeted at young consumers.

Once Upon a Farm is looking beyond its roots in baby food by launching a new line of refrigerated oat bars – its first non-pouched product – in an effort to use snacking occasions to stay relevant as its young consumers age.

CPG recruitment firm ForceBrands is aiming to accelerate growth for celebrity-backed brands with the launch of CreatorForce, a division designed to help place executives in these companies, match creators with existing brands and assist with capital raises.

Dumpling Daughter builds on its momentum in grocery retail. Pink Sauce enters exclusive partnership with Walmart and Goodles makes entrance into club channel.

Despite the economic and inflationary environment, brands continued secure large checks and close a few notable acquisitions this year. While 2021 was all about post-pandemic recovery, 2022 saw companies strategizing for long term growth and positioning themselves to navigate the unforeseen bumps and blunders ahead.

As food brands made their way to Natural Products Expo East in Philadelphia last Wednesday, organizations across both the public and private sector convened at the White House for the first Hunger, Nutrition and Health conference in 50 years.

Children’s fresh food brand Once Upon a Farm (OUAF) announced today it has raised an additional $52 million in funding. In an exclusive interview with NOSH, CEO John Foraker said that the capital should carry the brand through to profitability, and allow it to aggressively pursue innovation and customer acquisition.

Once Upon a Farm, the leader of the fresh baby and kid snacking category, continues to champion clean, nutritious food for kids by becoming the first brand to receive the 1,000 Day Promise Certification with their new Advanced Nutrition Blends for baby.

Moving from youngsters to yogurt, Once Upon a Farm co-founder and president Ari Raz announced today he has joined Coconut Cult as the company’s new CEO. Alongside this news, the brand also revealed it would discontinue its line of probiotic gelato.

Kids food company Once Upon A Farm announced today it has acquired baby and toddler meal provider Raised Real, putting the company into the frozen food aisle for the first time. CEO John Foraker says other acquisitions may follow.

In this week’s Checkout, Asian and Hispanic e-grocer Weee! raises $315 million; Meatless Farm opens a new Canadian plant and launches ingredient subsidiary Lovingly Made Ingredients; Once Upon a Farm ages up with a brand refresh; and Fridge No More closes a $15.4 million funding round.

Once Upon a Farm co-founders Jennifer Garner and John Foraker spoke about the evolution of the company’s strategy for winning over retail buyers, merchandising and communicating brand attributes over recent years and why they believe that “everything starts with the consumer.” They also discussed the company’s relationship with Save The Children and its response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

In June, both leaders and ordinary people who work in the food and beverage industry spoke out against racism as national protests in response to the killing of George Floyd brought to light issues surrounding systemic inequality. Now, brands, distributors, retailers and advertising agencies have begun to take action, or build upon previously established efforts to address this inequality, particularly through programs and initiatives designed to support the advancement of BIPOC entrepreneurs.

In this week’s Checkout, Impossible Foods raises $200 million, Once Upon a Farm launches a shoe collaboration with Tom’s, and Kroger will add a third-party marketplace to its e-commerce site this fall.