To better help its readers with initial new product evaluation and development Prepared Foods asked Nancy Jo Seaton, owner and president of Seaton Food Consultants, to create a thought leadership series. Seaton has more than 30 years of food industry experience and most recently led global product evaluation for the Subway restaurants.

These inclusions are featured in nearly every yogurt chain and bubble tea shop and have recently found their way into a variety of desserts and beverages, providing a fresh new aesthetic and fun experience that consumers are craving.

Maple Leaf Foods announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenleaf Foods, SPC, a leader in plant protein products, is advancing plans to increase tempeh production capacity through the acquisition and planned build-out of a food processing plant in Indianapolis.  

With the opening of Burke Corporation’s expanded, 210,000-square-foot enterprise-wide manufacturing plant, the experts at Hormel Ingredient Solutions, an industry leader in protein-based ingredients for prepared foods manufacturers, can continue to efficiently fulfill orders of fully cooked meats and uphold their commitment to the highest levels of food safety and quality.

Incoming chair of the board, Hugh Roth, is chief customer and business officer at PepsiCo Foodservice. During his tenure on the IFMA Board, Roth has served as the chair of the IFMA Education Foundation for two years, promoting the vast career opportunities in foodservice manufacturing to the next generation of leaders.

AAK, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of value-adding specialty vegetable fats and oils, recently shared news a Plant-based Foods Global Center of Excellence will be established on the company’s premises in Zaandijk, the Netherlands.

Brynwood Partners VIII L.P. announced that its newly-formed portfolio company, Great Kitchens Food Company Inc., has acquired ARYZTA North America's take-and-bake pizza business.Terms and conditions of the deal are not being disclosed.

Benestar Brands, LLC, a portfolio company of Highlander Partners, L.P., announced the acquisition of Miller Baking Company, the manufacturer of Pretzilla branded soft pretzel bites and buns. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Pretzilla is a pioneer in fresh soft pretzel bread and is a leading brand and manufacturer in the growing category.

TreeHouse Foods announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the majority of the US branded pasta portfolio of Riviana Foods, a subsidiary of Ebro, for $242.5 million in cash.

Fresh From Texas, LLC (dba Fresh Texas) a San Antonio-based business in partnership with Texas Next Capital has acquired the manufacturing plant of Austin-based Veggie Noodle Company (dba CeCe’s Veggie Noodles), located in Austin.