Food & Drink International

McCain Foods has launched a grower pilot programme with Ceres AI to improve crop monitoring across its North American potato supply chain. The project will give McCain agronomy teams and contracted growers access to shared field-level data during the growing season. The aim is to spot crop variability earlier, direct scouting activity more effectively and support faster decisions on field management.

Thermoformed packaging specialist, Kingsmoor Packaging, has appointed Kieran Thomas as business development manager. The move further strengthens its commercial team as the company continues to invest in customer relationships and support its continued growth. Bringing more than 12 years’ experience in the thermoforming industry, Kieran joins Kingsmoor with a broad understanding of manufacturing operations, having progressed through customer service, procurement and production planning roles.

Land O’Lakes is investing in its Tulare, California, dairy processing facility to expand production of high-value dairy proteins. The project will add ultra-filtered milk capabilities, allowing the farmer-owned cooperative to process more member milk for protein-rich applications. The investment is aimed at strengthening Land O’Lakes’ position in the dairy protein market as demand rises across nutrition and food manufacturing sectors.

The organisers of the PPMA Show 2026 have unveiled another high profile keynote speaker to appear at the event: former Dyson CEO and manufacturing powerhouse Martin McCourt. Automate UK, which will host the UK’s biggest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham from 22-24 September, has announced that Martin’s presentation Think Big But Stay Small will take place on the final day of the show.

Oterra has launched liquid versions of its Jungle Blue and Arctic Blue natural colours, giving food and beverage manufacturers more format options for bright blue applications. The two products were previously available as powders. Their liquid format is designed to support easier use in food and drink formulations, while also allowing producers to create green and purple shades when blended.

Hippo Harvest has raised $30m in Series C funding to expand its indoor-grown leafy greens business. The round was led by Cox Farms, described as North America’s largest greenhouse operator. Other backers included Congruent Ventures, Hawthorne Food Ventures, Collaborative Fund and the Fresh Investment Club. The funding will support a planned 30-acre expansion at a new site in Hollister, California, which is currently in permitting.

Aluminium tray producer, i2r Packaging Solutions, has introduced an innovative aluminium tray designed to eliminate the need for absorbent soakaway pads in fresh meat and seafood packaging. The new Dimple Base Tray features an engineered base that captures and retains liquid within the tray itself, combining the functions of both the tray and absorbent pad into a single component.

Atelier Expressions has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Khoya, the New Delhi-based luxury handcrafted mithai brand, marking another step in Atelier Expressions’ strategy of building a portfolio of artisanal businesses with strong cultural heritage and growth potential. The transaction is expected to complete at the end of August 2026. Sid Mathur, founder of Khoya, will retain full operational and execution responsibility, supported by his existing team.

A new meeting point for the HoReCa industry ProKitchen Expo 2026 will be an important industry event dedicated to equipment, technologies and installations for professional gastronomy. The fair will take place on September 15-17, 2026, at Ptak Warsaw Expo in Nadarzyn, near Warsaw, Poland. The event is designed for representatives of the HoReCa sector, including restaurants, hotels, catering companies, cafés, bars, canteens and food service facilities.

The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have issued new guidance to help businesses developing cell-cultivated foods and other novel products prepare for approval in Great Britain. The four documents are part of the Cell-Cultivated Products Sandbox Programme, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and running until February 2027.