Gourmet News

Cooper Street Snacks Acquires Harvest Valley Bakery

Published September 10, 2024

Better-for-you snack company Cooper Street Snacks has acquired Harvest Valley Bakery. Following the acquisition, the facility will be rebranded as Cooper Street Bakery, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic growth plan. This acquisition will bolster Cooper Street’s production capabilities and enhance its ability to meet growing demand while maintaining the highest standards of quality and food safety.

The acquisition aligns with company’s vision to strengthen its operational foundation and increase production efficiency. The newly acquired Cooper Street Bakery will operate independently from the Cooper Street Snacks brand but will play a crucial role in supporting the company’s expanding product lines.

The upcoming changes reflect Cooper Street’s commitment to investing in both infrastructure and personnel to support the bakery’s operations. By investing in upgrading the Harvest Valley Bakery facility, Cooper Street aims to modernize its production capabilities, improve efficiency, and uphold the highest food safety standards. This strategic investment will introduce advanced baking technologies and processes, allowing the company to meet the increasing demands of the market while maintaining its quality commitments.

To ensure a smooth transition and enhance operational effectiveness, Cooper Street has welcomed several high-level industry experts to the team. These professionals bring extensive experience in baking, contract manufacturing, and financial management. With their combined expertise, the company is well-positioned to oversee the facility’s operations, drive strategic investments, and maintain a high standard of food safety and product quality. The addition of this seasoned talent will support the company’s efforts to reliably deliver high-quality, food-safe products to its brand partners.

These appointments are expected to contribute significantly to the successful integration and operation of Cooper Street Bakery, ensuring that the facility delivers high-quality, food-safe products to brand partners reliably.

The acquisition of Harvest Valley Bakery is a strategic move designed to enhance Cooper Street’s production capacity and operational efficiency. With substantial investments and the addition of key personnel, Cooper Street is set to improve its production capabilities and continue providing exceptional products to its brand partners.

The transition to Cooper Street Bakery is anticipated to be completed in early fall 2024, with ongoing updates provided as the integration progresses. This acquisition underscores the company’s commitment to growth and excellence in the snack food industry.

Cooper Street is a family-owned brand that offers a unique spin on traditional snacks with a focus on Better-for-you ingredients, unique flavors . Known for its delicious, lower-calorie cookies and granola bakes made with real fruit and no artificial ingredients, the company has been a favorite among health-conscious consumers. The brand is dedicated to providing high-quality products and continuously innovating to meet the needs of its customers.

For more information and a chance to pick-up your own pack of twice-baked cookies, visit https://cooperstreet.com/. For more updates, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to get the latest scoop.

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ProAmpac Recognized at 2024 AmeriStar Awards

Published September 9, 2024

ProAmpac, a leader in flexible packaging and material science, won recognition at the 2024 AmeriStar Awards, securing two wins in the Sustainable Packaging category and contributing to a third recognition for an innovative e-commerce solution. The accolades showcase ProAmpac’s dedication to sustainability and innovation with the RAP Sandwich Wedge for Sammi’s; ProActive Recyclable RP-1000 Paper Series for Marks & Spencer’s organic potatoes; and the insulated paper bag known as ProActive Recyclable FiberCool.

“The recognition by AmeriStar reflects our relentless pursuit of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions,” said Chad Murdock, president of the fiber division at ProAmpac. “We’re honored to have our efforts acknowledged, especially as we continue to advance in areas like the fiberization of packaging that contribute to a more circular economy.”

Developed for Sammi’s grab-and-go sandwiches, the high-barrier RAP Sandwich Wedge, with a premium shelf appearance, utilizes a fiber-based carton board with a transparent window. This innovative solution employs modified atmosphere packaging, optimizing product preservation and visibility while maintaining very low oxygen levels for extended shelf life and decreased food waste.

“Our technical team is at the forefront of fiber packaging innovation across diverse markets,” said Lynsey Maddison, director of product development at ProAmpac. “We are committed to advancing these technologies to help our customers achieve more sustainable packaging solutions. As we continue to explore new applications and improvements, our goal remains to drive impactful, eco-friendly advancements in the industry.”

In addition to these two awards, ProAmpac contributed to a win in the Packaging that Saves Food category with the ProActive Recyclable FiberCool, an insulated paper bag for e-commerce delivery. This fiber-based, curbside-recyclable solution replaces a bulky traditional multi-package system, reducing packaging weight and drastically enhancing thermal retention.

“Our work on FiberCool exemplifies how we can innovate to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging without compromising on performance,” said Ray Recchia, global innovation manager at ProAmpac. “By improving thermal insulation, we help reduce food spoilage and waste, giving customers more flexibility with their groceries after delivery,” adds Recchia.

As ProAmpac continues to innovate, it remains dedicated to enhancing sustainability and product performance. For more information on ProAmpac’s award-winning packaging solutions, visit ProAmpac.com or contact Marketing@ProAmpac.com.

ProAmpac is a leading global flexible packaging company with a comprehensive product offering, providing creative packaging solutions, industry-leading customer service and award-winning innovation to a diverse global marketplace. ProAmpac’s approach to sustainability – ProActive Sustainability – provides innovative sustainable flexible packaging products to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. We are guided in our work by five core values that are the basis for our success: Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, Involvement and Impact. Cincinnati-based ProAmpac is owned by Pritzker Private Capital along with management and co-investors. For more information, visit ProAmpac.com or contact Media@ProAmpac.com.

Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products and services sectors. The firm’s differentiated, long duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit PPCPartners.com.

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good2grow Launches Its Biggest National Sweepstakes

Published September 6, 2024

good2grow, a leading beverage and snack brand for kids, is helping families embark on a mess- and meltdown-free travel season with the revival of the On the Road campaign. For the third year, the campaign will stir up smiles with its biggest national sweepstakes yet, digital resources for families heading out on their road trip adventures and a partnership with Make-A-Wish Georgia to grant wishes.

Parents can enter the sweepstakes at good2growontheroad.com starting May 13 through July 22 for a chance to win weekly and grand prizes. One winner will be selected each week during the entry period to win a $50 Visa eGift Card to use on gas or activities during their trip and the Ultimate Road Trip Kit that offers everything a family needs for a joy-filled journey, including a kids’ tablet, cooler, plenty of good2grow swag and an assortment of kids’ favorite character-topped, mess-free products: Juices, Bigger, Milk and Snackers.

good2grow will also award two winners a grand prize package – valued at over $3,000 – including the Ultimate Road Trip Kit, a $2,000 hotel eGift Card and a $500 Visa eGift Card to use on gas or activities.

“As a children’s brand, we understand the challenges of keeping little ones calm and entertained during travel,” acknowledged Gunnar Olson, CEO of good2grow. “Our third annual On The Road campaign embodies the core values of good2grow, focusing on giving back and making smiles.”

Through a partnership with Make-A-Wish Georgia, Atlanta-based good2grow will sponsor two families’ road trips to their chosen dream destination of Walt Disney World. To celebrate the families’ upcoming road trips, good2grow will host send-off parties where each family will receive their very own Ultimate Road Trip Kit.

“We’re committed to giving every family the opportunity to create magical memories,” remarked Edzra Gibson, vice president of brand marketing. “Road trips give us our most cherished family moments, and we’re delighted to renew our collaboration with Make-A-Wish Georgia and spread joy throughout our Atlanta community.”

To learn more about good2grow, visit good2grow.com and follow the brand on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

good2grow inspires kids to eat and drink healthier with an innovative line of better-for-them beverages and snacks. The brand makes smiles for parents and kids alike by combining fun and nutrition, with hundreds of collectable 3D character tops from the hottest names in children’s entertainment, including Disney, Universal, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros and many more. Parents love that the packaging is reusable, dishwasher-safe, recyclable and BPA-free, and that the products contain no artificial colors or flavors. good2grow is available nationally at retailers including Target, Walmart, Kwik Trip, Walgreens and CVS. For more information on the brand and to find a store near you, visit good2grow.com and follow the brand on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Make-A-Wish Georgia creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, we deliver hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. We aim to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1995, Make-A-Wish Georgia has granted wishes to children in our local community, contributing to the more than 350,000 wishes granted throughout the U.S. and its territories. For more information about Make-A-Wish Georgia, visit georgia.wish.org/help.

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