Yoi, a brand-new plant-based food and beverage company, has launched in Bay Area independent grocers this month with its one-of-a-kind Probiotic Nut and Seedmilks. Yoi crafts its deliciously tart and subtly flavored beverages in small batches from simple organic ingredients including almonds, coconut, and pumpkin seeds.

Ciranda, a leading supplier of certified organic, non-GMO and fair-trade food ingredients, welcomes Joni Huffman in a newly created role of Vice President of Sales. Huffman will lead the sales and customer support activities and will work closely with the senior leadership team to provide strategic direction for the company.

Poultry producer Bell & Evans is experiencing significant growth in its organic chicken program, increasing its need for U.S. grown organic-certified corn and soybeans used in its organic chicken feed. The family-owned producer finalized a long-term sourcing agreement with global ag leader Cargill to exclusively secure its organic grain and increase domestic organic grain supply. Under the agreement, Cargill will incentivize U.S. farmers to transition acreage from conventional to organic management through subsidized organic crop consulting services provided by organic pioneer Rodale Institute.

Peekaboo Organics' ice cream featuring hidden vegetables was named the grand prize winner today of the Real California Milk Snackcelerator dairy snack innovation competition created by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) and VentureFuel. The competition will provide Peekaboo with $200,000 in resources and funding to bring a snack-sized version of their innovative products to market and expand the overall market for their products. This is the second event of its kind by the California dairy industry designed to inspire ideas integrating the values of fluid milk and dairy ingredients into snacks to meet growing consumer demand and providing resources to help bring them to market.

Petaluma, California-based Amy’s Kitchen has launched a line of gluten-free veggie crust pizzas, the only pizzas available with organic ingredients and multiple vegetables. The new crusts feature organic cauliflower, organic sweet potato and organic broccoli, and the pizzas are topped with slow-simmered tomato sauce and mozzarella.