Sysco announced an exclusive partnership that will deliver SAVRpak’s patented food preservation technology to independent and local chain restaurants nationwide. Through their agreement, Sysco will add SAVRpak “freshness packs” to its Cutting Edge Solutions platform, making this technology immediately available to order. Developed by an aerospace engineer, SAVRpak is a frozen, peel-and-stick patch that removes moisture from the air of a food container, thereby keeping it away from the meal and ensuring hot and cold food stays fresh and crisp in transit.

Michigan-based foodservice management company Creative Dining Services (CDS) has promoted Susan Golder to VP of marketing and business development, and Jane Newton to associate VP of people services, both effective July 1. Golder was previously director of marketing at CDS, while Newton was director of people services. 

Whole Foods Market has expanded its refrigerated distribution center in Cheshire, Connecticut, to support the significant growth of their store development program throughout the North Atlantic and Northeast Regions. As more consumers turned to online grocery shopping, the demand for cold storage space skyrocketed, and the business case for Whole Foods to grow this facility became even more essential.

New Wave Foods announced a distribution agreement with Gordon Food Service that provides direct access to New Wave Shrimp, the innovative new plant-based shrimp, to any operator or foodservice customer east of the Mississippi River or in the Southwest. Ordering plant-based New Wave Shrimp is now even more turnkey for independent and chain restaurants and foodservice providers that work with Gordon Food Service.

Kerry has opened an upgraded and renovated coating production facility in Rome, Georgia. As one of North America’s most innovative facilities of its kind, the newly expanded Rome site provides significant capacity, advanced capabilities and customized coating solutions to help foodservice and retail customers deliver great tasting products that win in the coated poultry, seafood, appetizer and alternative meat categories.

Wicked Kitchen, a plant-based food brand and U.K. market leader in plant-based meals, has completed a $14 million Series A funding round. The round was co-led by pioneering plant-based foods venture fund Unovis Asset Management and Thailand-based NRF Nove Foods.

Deli Star is moving its operations into a new-build, 110,000-square-foot processing facility in St. Louis, which will start construction this summer and is expected to open in early 2022. The company's operations were previously located in Fayetteville, Illinois—about 40 miles east of St. Louis. The company is expected to generate 500 new jobs and nearly $100 million in investment for the surrounding area. 

Tattooed Chef, a leader in frozen plant-based foods, announced a distribution expansion to approximately 1,800 Kroger stores nationwide later this summer. By September, shoppers can find a variety of Tattooed Chef’s plant based offerings including pizzas, entrée bowls, and vegetables in nearly every Kroger.

Smithfield Foods announced it will host its first national hiring campaign on National Hot Dog Day, July 21. The Virginia-based food company will offer walk-in hiring events at 47 of its U.S. locations and conduct on-the-spot job interviews for up to 2,500 hourly positions across the company's facilities, farms and distribution centers. In celebration of National Hot Dog Day, event attendees will receive a coupon for a free pack of Nathan's Famous hot dogs. 

Tofurky, a leading independent producer of plant-based proteins in the U.S., is setting aside self-interest to call on consumers to join in the battle against climate change. For the first time, a brand is creating billboards at shelf level, dedicating its packaging to advocacy with the goal of inspiring widespread consumer action.