Lunch Box Issue #16 🧰

I looked up and realized I’ve been doing Lunch Box well for over a year now. Thanks for your support. If you have any suggestions on how to improve Lunch Box or types of content you’d like to see more of, let me know. Otherwise…

Let’s go!

REAL ESTATE HIGHLIGHTS

Bobbie has opened its infant formula manufacturing facility in Heath, OH. The 90,000-square-foot facility will enable the company to produce powder dries and canned formula. Bobbie said it is also relocating its headquarters from San Francisco to Heath. (source: Food Business News)

Home Market Foods (HMF) has acquired the former Carla’s Pasta production plant in South Windsor, CT. HMF said it plans to convert the plant into a meat processing facility. The company plans to invest $70 million in the project. The facility is anticipated to open in June 2025. By the end of 2027, HMF expects to create 210 jobs to operate the site. The company has begun recruiting for various positions, including engineers, maintenance workers, managers, technicians, and warehouse and production line workers. (source: Just Food)

Morinaga America, Inc. and its holding company, Morinaga & Co., Ltd., are constructing a new manufacturing facility in Mebane, NC. Morinaga plans to invest more than $130 million towards the 132,633-square-foot site, which will significantly increase the company’s production capacity for Hi-Chew branded confections. Construction is scheduled to begin in October of this year, and the facility is expected to be opened at the beginning of 2027. Morinaga says the plant will create over 200 production, quality assurance, maintenance, and support positions. (source: PR Newswire)

Oats Overnight opened a new 8,600-square-foot facility at 2420 W 14th St, Tempe, AZ, which is also the company's headquarters. (source: PR Newswire)

Mizkan America Inc., a subsidiary of Mizkan Group and manufacturer of pasta sauce and vinegar products, is investing $156 million to expand its Owensboro, KY, facility. The project is expected to expand its facility by approximately 320,000 square feet, bringing its total to over 970,000 square feet, according to the company. Mizkan America brands include Ragu, Bertolli, Holland House, Nakano, and Mizkan, according to the company. (source: Food Business News)

NOTABLE AGREEMENTS, FUNDINGS & ACQUISITIONS 

Oats Overnight announces that it has raised $35 million in Series B capital. The round was led by Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI) with participation from new investor Sonoma Brands Capital and from existing investors, including Impatient Ventures, Singh Capital Partners, Morrison Seger Venture Capital Partners, and BFG Partners. (source: PR Newswire)

A company linked to Italy-based chocolate heavyweight Ferrero is to acquire US biscotti maker Nonni’s Bakery. CTH Invest is buying Nonni’s, based in Wexford, Pennsylvania, from private equity firm Vestar Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum. The transaction is slated to close in the coming months, pending customary closing conditions, Luxembourg-based Ferrero Group said. The company said the addition of Nonni’s would boost its presence in North America as well as further its growth in the global sweet-packaged foods market. (source: Yahoo! Finance)

Cadence, a ready-to-drink hydration beverage made with salt and infused with electrolytes, launched this July, targeting athletes. A major part of Cadence’s strategy is going to the source of the consumers they are targeting by partnering with gyms and hospitality brands like the exclusive Soho House hotel chain. CEO Ross Mackay pointed to TikTok fitness influencers increasingly championing salt-based beverages in recent months, promoting them as a way to quench thirst after a tough workout. (source: Food Dive)

Verlinvest and Mistral Equity Partners, two private equity companies, have acquired Insomnia Cookies from Krispy Kreme, Inc. for $127.4 million. Krispy Kreme acquired Insomnia Cookies in 2018 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a digital marketer and retailer of such products as cookies and ice cream. The business generates approximately $230 million in sales, and Krispy Kreme will continue to own a minority stake in the company. (source: Food Business News)

Lotus Foods has received a $22.5 million investment from Grounded Capital, a San Francisco-based investment firm. With the investment, Lotus Foods said it will scale its business by investing in its value chain, sourcing new global rice cultivation communities, and growing its customers. Grounded Capital’s Stephen Hohenrieder and William Culler-Chase will join Lotus Foods’ Board of Directors. (source: iGrow News)

WHAT I’M CONSUMING (AND ENJOYING!)

🔬 Tomorrow’s food scientists… promising article on the new complex in North Dakota to advance food science.

☕️ This is the story of a coffee startup, Diamond Brew, founded by a former Chinese food journalist who emigrated to America 12 years ago.

📈 Four trends that are pushing food purchasing decisions today, according to Cargill report.

☠︎ Liquid Death’s meteoric rise has had much fanfare. Here’s how Liquid Death cuts through marketing noise without big media buys from an interview with Liquid Death’s Vice President of Creative Andy Pearson.

Thanks for reading.

If you’d like your office and/or manufacturing space or business profiled - let me know. It’s always fun to explore and share the different components of the food & beverage industry.

Erik Stiebel
Founder and Vice President
CA DRE License #02080746
(c) +1 424.241.4795
[email protected] | 𝕏

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you with your real estate.

1. A new home for your growing business. The good news - you’re growing! The bad news - you need to move and you don’t know the market. I can help.

2. Sublease your space. You’ve outgrown your space and need to move but don’t want to pay two rents? I got you.

3. Time to renew your lease? Want to make sure you’re getting a fair deal from your Landlord? In my experience, you can never be too certain. (BTW, I recommend starting the lease renewal process 12 months out at a minimum.)