AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery’s case against Whole Foods Market is moving forward after U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash denied Whole Foods' motion to throw out a $15 million breach of contract lawsuit. The case alleges the natural grocery chain prematurely and ‘abruptly’ broke a seven-year distribution contract with grass-fed dairy producer AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery and caused the business to go under.
Argo Tea, the Chicago-based premium tea brand known for its all-natural tea-based signature drinks and loose-leaf teas, is partnering with Whole Foods Market to launch the world’s first line of ready-to-drink (RTD) cold brew single estate bottled teas in to the retailer’s stores nationally.
Nestlé Waters North America faces a proposed class action lawsuit alleging that its Poland Spring water products constitute a "colossal fraud" to consumers, while two Washington, D.C., area pastors take on The Coca-Cola Company. Elsewhere, a judge grants final approval to a seven-figure settlement for consumers in a class action suit against GT's and Whole Foods.
NOOMA secures national distribution at Whole Foods and Life Time Fitness, Kroger expands its functional beverage set, and La Colombe's Draft Latte lands at Trader Joe's.
One day after Whole Foods' shareholders voted to approve the nearly $14 billion acquisition by Amazon, the e-commerce giant unveiled strategic changes to be rolled out across the retailer's stores beginning next week.
Sunrise Strategic Partners, an investment firm with a focus on healthy and sustainable foods, announced Thursday that it has acquired a minority ownership stake in Kill Cliff. The deal marks the eighth investment for the young firm and the first beverage brand addition to its portfolio.
Planet-based protein drink Koia adds six new retailers and debuts a new reduced price point, Austin-based cafe Picnik launches its RTD butter coffee at Whole Foods, and JUST Water lands an exclusive partnership with the Houston Zoo.
Positioning itself as a fuller-flavored challenger brand in a burgeoning category, Austin-based Waterloo Sparkling Water will launch nationally next month in all Whole Foods stores, along with several other retail chains throughout the country.
Matcha beverage maker and retailer MatchaBar is nearing completion of a new Series A funding round that includes rap icon Drake as an investor. The $2.5 million round is expected to close within the next few weeks and comes on the heels of a new national distribution deal with Whole Foods.
The e-commerce retailer increased net sales by 25 percent to $38 billion for the quarter, but earned less per share then Wall Street was expecting. Amazon SVP and CFO Brian Olsavsky said Q2 year-over-year earning differences were ”driven by investments” in the company’s own technologies like Echo, a ramp-up of its original video business and increased spending on hiring and marketing.
Speculation that Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods might spark legal backlash came to fruition this week as U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI), the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee’s antitrust panel, called for the subcommittee to hold a hearing on the online retail giant’s latest acquisition.
Looking to shine a bright light in the cold-pressed juice category, Sol-ti have already expanded from their native California into seven more states this year, with eyes on picking up another four or five by the year’s end.
Today in a letter to suppliers, Matt Jimenez, global senior category manager for grocery at Whole Foods Market, announced his departure. Jimenez’s last day will be tomorrow, and he said he will take a few weeks off before “launching his next venture.”
At first, suppliers weren’t sure what to make of the deal, with numerous food and beverage companies reserving their comments. Now, after more than a week’s reflection, many have told BevNET and sister site Project NOSH they are excited about the potential sales opportunities the partnership could provide, expressing enthusiasm for how it will maintain or even enhance Whole Foods’ reputation as a launching pad for small brands.
