Ford’s Gourmet Foods Awarded NA Marketer of the Year
Ford’s Gourmet Foods, the master distributor for North Carolina-produced brands including Wine Nuts, Fire Dancer Jalapeno Peanuts, Earth Family Organics & Naturals, Southern Yum Pecan Brittle and acclaimed Bone Suckin’ Sauces, started on a drop-down shelf in the Ford’s Produce warehouse and has been awarded the 2024 North American Marketer of the Year Award from The North American Agricultural Marketing Officials.
“Lynn and Sandi Ford and their family have been bringing quality products to market since 1946 at the old city market of Raleigh,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Their gourmet line really took off in 1992 when the entire family got involved and they began selling Bone Suckin’ Sauce at local retailers and at the State Farmers Market.
“Ford’s Gourmet Foods was built on hard work, service to customers and quality products. They embraced international marketing and worked closely with our staff to broaden their customer base. You can now find their products in over 80 countries,” Troxler said. “International markets hold tremendous growth opportunities for food businesses and farmers and we are committed to helping them get there.”
Ford’s Gourmet Foods is a fourth-generation, Raleigh, N.C.-based family business with a focus on making and distributing only the best. “We’re very proud as a company and as a family to receive this award and recognition,” said Vaughn Ford, vice president. “North Carolina is a great state to do business in and the Department of Agriculture has given us the support we needed.”
“The harder you work, the luckier you get,” said Patrick Ford, vice president. “This isn’t a journey you can do on your own, you have to nurture your relationships both with your customers and with government agencies. You need both to make it work and be successful. We are also appreciative to our great employees.”
Learn more about Ford’s Gourmet Foods
Learn more about Bone Suckin’ Sauce
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De Novo Gets $4M in Funding for Fermented Lactoferrin
De Novo Foodlabs, a food technology company focused on creating rare protein-based functional ingredients, has announced fresh capital, bringing its total investment to $4 million. This investment will enable De Novo to fast-track the commercialization of its revolutionary precision fermented lactoferrin product, NanoFerrin. The raise, spearheaded by sustainable protein venture capital firm Joyful Ventures, highlights the immense potential of De Novo’s state-of-the-art, animal-free protein solutions to reshape the health and wellness landscape.
Lactoferrin, a functional protein primarily found in milk, plays a crucial role in infant development, and offers numerous health benefits for adults, such as improved immunity, brain health, iron absorption, gut health, and longevity. Lactoferrin has been shown to be effective in alleviating aging-related changes through its anti-oxidation, anti-cellular senescence, and anti-inflammation properties, among others. Traditional extraction methods from cow milk are not only prohibitively expensive but also plagued by sustainability and ethical challenges. De Novo Foodlabs was established to tackle these issues head-on by developing an alternative lactoferrin that delivers all the health benefits without the ethical and environmental drawbacks.
“The lactoferrin market has long been hindered by high prices and inconsistent supply,” said Jean Louwrens, CEO and co-founder of De Novo Foodlabs. “Our team of leading scientists and engineers has dedicated themselves to overcoming these challenges through precision fermentation technology, and we are thrilled to have achieved a breakthrough. NanoFerrin is not only more affordable and eco-friendly; importantly, it also provides a reliable supply source compared to traditional bovine lactoferrin products. We are excited to collaborate with our investors to elevate De Novo to new heights.”
“De Novo Foodlabs exemplifies the innovation and sustainability we champion at Joyful Ventures,” said Milo Runkle, general partner at Joyful Ventuers, and co-founder of the Good Food Institute. “Their advancements in precision fermentation technology and dedication to creating impactful alternatives to high-value animal-derived ingredients pave the way for scalable and profitable industry solutions.” As part of the investment, Runkle will join De Novo’s board of directors.
This latest funding round follows initial investments from Sustainable Food Ventures, Siddhi Capital, Pascual Innoventures, UM6P Ventures, Cult Food Science and Prithvi Capital, bringing De Novo’s total funding to $4 million since its inception in 2021.
The global lactoferrin market, valued at $773 million in 2023, is projected to grow annually by 15.8 percent over the next decade, presenting tremendous opportunities for innovators and investors to enhance the supply chain and satisfy consumer demand. De Novo’s NanoFerrin offers an unmatched ingredient for the food, beverage, and supplements sectors, facilitating rapid market expansion and category growth.
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Béquet Confections Hires Jeff Grossman as Chief Revenue Officer
Béquet Confections has chosen confectionery industry veteran Jeff Grossman to join the executive team as chief revenue officer on Aug. 1. Grossman has more than 30 years of progressive management experience in the industry, working with leading brands such as YumEarth and Ford Gum and expanding distribution within a variety of channels including club, grocery, specialty, mass, drug, convenience, value, and online. He was inducted into the NCSA Candy Hall of Fame in 2022.
The nation’s premier gourmet caramel company, Béquet Confections is known for its exceptional quality. The company sources the purest ingredients available, without added preservatives, artificial colors or artificial flavors to create the most exquisite, indulgent caramel.
“Consumers are looking for clean foods and confections, made with superior ingredients that are free from artificial components,” says Grossman. “Béquet Caramel is not only clean, it tastes incredible. I’m honored to work with this stellar team to promote the premium Béquet brand.”
Reporting to the co-presidents of Béquet, Grossman will lead the development and execution of strategic revenue generation. His primary goals are to drive revenue growth and expand market share across all business units. As CRO, Grossman will lead the product development and commercialization teams, as well as cultivate partnerships with key clients and evaluate potential business opportunities.
Prior to his new CRO role, Grossman served as chief growth officer at YumEarth, where he led sales and brand development for the organic confection brand. His background includes sales and management positions at Ford Gum and Machine Co., New Era Brands, Imaginings 3 (Flix Candy), and Ragolds.
Grossman is well respected and active in the industry, having served the National Confectioners Association on committees for the Sweets & Snacks Expo and NCA Trade Relations.
Béquet Confections is the nation’s premier gourmet caramel company, honored with 12 prestigious national awards recognizing its uncompromising commitment to quality. Based in Bozeman, Mt., Béquet Confections launched in 2001 by Robin Béquet at the encouragement of friends and family who couldn’t get enough of her gourmet caramel. In 2019, Béquet Confections joined the Life is Sweet family of brands.
Today, Béquet Gourmet Caramel is found in leading grocery and club stores, online and in thousands of specialty and gourmet shops across the country. For more information, visit www.BequetConfections.com.
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