Alaska Cargo and Cold Storage (ACCS) and the State of Alaska executed a 55-year lease agreement at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), marking a major milestone in the development of a more than 700,000-square-foot, climate-controlled warehouse facility. With 32.5 million cubic feet of capacity, the facility will provide ANC with a critical piece of infrastructure at the world’s sixth-busiest cargo airport.

Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa previews what’s ahead for the cold chain and R&FF in 2021.

Tippmann Innovation (Ti) is working with long-term partners Sierra Supply Chain Services and Penta Properties to build a state-of-the-art cold storage facility in Hamilton, Ontario. This building was developed with a focus on energy efficiency, advanced warehouse management, and value-add services to refrigerated food providers. 

Vevan plant-based cheese is now available for retail sale, including Sprouts Markets nationwide. The Vevan line includes Shred (shredded) and Melts (sliced) formats, plus a new line called Snax: portable snack packs containing Vevan cheese cubes with dried fruit and nuts. 

Kevin’s Natural Foods, the only natural and health-focused refrigerated entrée brand in the nation, announced the company has experienced exponential growth during its first year of business. Empowering people to eat clean without sacrificing flavor, Kevin’s Natural Foods launched in the fall of 2019 and recorded $4.5 million in sales during its first quarter. Since its inception, the Northern California-based wellness brand has expanded rapidly, adding 6,000 retail locations nationwide in only 12 months. Experiencing a 460% revenue increase in 2020, the company projects to close out the year with $48 million in sales—thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic changing what, how and where consumers are eating.

How ports in Jacksonville, Mobile, and Oakland are increasing cold storage capabilities to meet demand for cold food imports and exports.

This spring, Walmart customers in Bentonville, Arkansas, will be able to have groceries from their local store delivered into a temperature-controlled HomeValet-powered smart box placed outside their home. This will make it easier for customers to schedule delivery without needing to be home to receive their products in order to keep them fresh.

Swedish-style NICK’S Ice Cream and animal-free dairy innovator Perfect Day have partnered to launch a new line of vegan dairy ice creams. Seven new vegan ice cream flavors, including Swedish Mint Chip, Choklad Choklad and Karamell Swirl, will complement N!CK’S existing light ice cream line.

Bitchin’ Sauce will now be available at more than 360 Sprouts Farmers Market stores nationwide. "We're so excited to be launching in Sprouts Farmers Market," says CEO and Founder Starr Edwards. "We used to purchase our fresh ingredients from our local Sprouts when we first started the company, so this partnership feels very full circle for me. We can't wait to share our Bitchin' goodies with even more Very Bitchin' People."

CJ Foods USA (CJ Foods), a U.S.-based affiliate of global lifestyle company CJ CheilJedang (CJCJ), announced its plans to build a new 700,000-square-foot Asian food production facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.