Gourmet News

General Mills Acquires Leading European Pet Food Brand Edgard & Cooper

Published May 6, 2024

General Mills has completed the acquisition of Edgard & Cooper, one of Europe’s leading independent premium pet food brands. With this transaction, the company further advances its Accelerate strategy, including the prioritization of its core markets, global platforms and local gem brands to drive sustainable, profitable growth and top-tier shareholder returns over the long term.

“Edgard & Cooper is at the intersection of our Accelerate strategy’s core markets and global platforms,” said Jon Nudi, group president, pet, international and North America foodservice, General Mills. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Edgard & Cooper team to the General Mills family, and we look forward to partnering together to advance their mission to revolutionize premium, natural pet food.”

Established in 2016, Edgard & Cooper is one of the fastest-growing and most-recognized independent pet food companies in Europe, with estimated 2023 retail sales of more than €100 million across 13 markets. With omnichannel distribution capabilities and a commitment to sustainability, the brand is delivering high-quality pet food to dogs and cats across Europe while reducing its impact on the planet.

Headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, Edgard & Cooper will be a separate operating unit led by its three founders, Koen Bostoen, Louis Chalabi and Jürgen Degrande, with its financial results consolidated into General Mills’ International segment.

“We’re excited to join Team General Mills and continue doing what Edgard & Cooper is passionate about — making better dog and cat food with real ingredients that pets love and pet owners feel good about,” said Bostoen. “Combining our brand’s natural positioning and commercial capabilities with General Mills’ marketing and supply chain expertise, we’re ready to accelerate Edgard & Cooper’s growth.”

General Mills will fund the acquisition with cash on hand.

Raymond James & Associates Inc. acted as General Mills’ lead financial adviser in this transaction. White & Case LLP served as legal adviser. Morgan Stanley & Co International plc served as exclusive financial adviser to Edgard & Cooper and Linklaters LLP served as legal adviser.

For more news of interest to the pet food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

SEG Celebrates Pet Month by Donating Supplies to Animal Welfare Groups

Published May 6, 2024

Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is celebrating Pet Month this May by donating more than $22,000 in pet supplies to seven animal welfare organizations throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

SEG’s contribution aims to support the vital work of the following organizations, each committed to rescuing, nurturing and finding forever homes for animals in need:

Jacksonville Humane Society (Jacksonville)
Lee County Domestic Animal Services (Fort Myers)
Humane Society of Tampa Bay (Tampa)
Paws Humane Society (Columbus, Georgia)
Southern Pines Animal Shelter (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Louisiana SPCA (New Orleans)
Greater Birmingham Humane Society (Birmingham, Ala.)

Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “Southeastern Grocers is deeply passionate about the well-being of our four-legged friends. As we celebrate Pet Month, we’re not only supporting organizations; we’re championing the love, companionship and joy pets bring into our lives. It’s an honor to partner with these incredible animal welfare organizations, and we invite our customers to join us in making a heartfelt difference for animals in need.”

During the month of May, SEG encourages Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers to support local animals in need by purchasing a reusable Community Bag with a Giving Tag for $2.99 and selecting their local animal welfare organization as the donation recipient. With each purchase of a Community Bag with a Giving Tag, $1 will directly benefit the selected nonprofit organization, while also promoting environmental sustainability by reducing the use of paper and plastic bags.

In 2023, SEG’s Community Bag with a Giving Tag program provided more than $65,000 to local organizations and prevented the use of nearly 2 million single-use plastic bags.^*The reusable bags are made from durable, recycled materials and can be found at the register or near the entrance of every Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie store.

^*Southeastern Grocers estimates one reusable bag will be used at least six times per year, and each time a reusable bag is used it equates to five single-use bags not used; this means for every reusable bag that is sold, 30 single-use bags are not used.

For more news of interest to the grocery industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Impossible Chicken From Plants Lands in Whole Foods Market

Published May 6, 2024

This month, Impossible Foods is bringing its fan-favorite Impossible Chicken From Plants to select Whole Foods Market locations in the United States, expanding consumer access to delicious, nutrient-dense meat from plants that’s better for the planet.

Starting May 2024, Whole Foods Market shoppers can enjoy the No. 1 chicken-from-plants product in the United states, Impossible Chicken Nuggets, which are described as tasting as good or better than animal chicken nuggets in a consumer taste test. Impossible Chicken Nuggets will be joined in the freezer aisle by Impossible Chicken Patties – preferred by 61 percent of consumers over a leading animal chicken patty –– as well as both of their spicy counterparts.

Impossible Chicken Nuggets and Chicken Patties offer high-quality protein and fiber in each golden, savory serving, and are nutritionally competitive with their animal counterparts with no cholesterol, up to 35% less total fat and up to 60 percent less saturated fat. Impossible Chicken is also responsible for approximately 44 percent less water consumption, 49 percent less land usage and 36 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than animal chicken.

“Launching in Whole Foods Market is a proud moment that’s been a long time coming. Impossible Chicken will now be broadly available and distributed in retail across America – we can’t emphasize enough the impact this will have on the consumer, the category and the planet,” said Peter McGuinness, president and CEO of Impossible Foods. “We’re already available in tens of thousands of retail stores across the country, and working with Whole Foods Market allows us to reach even more shoppers. They’re more conscious about their well-being and the environment, and are seeking delicious, nutritious food options that match their lifestyle. We look forward to Impossible Chicken being added to their weekly grocery lists.”

Whole Foods Market is widely recognized for helping bring organic and natural food products into the mainstream. Now, the leading natural foods purveyor is further expanding accessibility to plant-based products with Impossible’s best-selling chicken from plants.

“We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of Impossible Chicken From Plants at Whole Foods Market,” said Christopher Manca, principal category merchant at Whole Foods Market. “This exciting addition reflects our commitment to providing diverse, flavorful options for plant-based eaters, making it even easier to enjoy delicious meals that align with our customer’s dietary preferences.”

The announcement comes as Impossible Foods continues its streak as the fastest growing major meat from plants brand in U.S. retail, outpacing the growth rate of the rest of the U.S. plant-based meat category in both dollar sales and unit sales across its expansive network of more than 30,000 retail locations. In March 2024, the company revealed it would be leveraging this position of strength to evolve its overall brand identity to be more welcoming and approachable to flexitarians and meat-eating consumers, as it seeks to further grow awareness and household penetration for itself and the broader plant-based category.

Shoppers across the US can expect to see Impossible Chicken in its new, bold red packaging in the freezer aisle of select Whole Foods Market locations over the coming weeks.

For more news of interest to the plant-based foods industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.