Blue Apron Hit With Class-Action Lawsuits, Amazon Lowers Whole Foods Prices, Target Splits With Hampton Creek + More

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of the latest headlines from last week and today.

Last week’s news weighed heavily on retail, as Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods closed and announcements were made to lower prices and reward Prime members with special deals. Argodesign firm mocked up a provocative series of concepts that depict a future run by Amazon and Whole Foods. As if Blue Apron didn’t have enough worries on their plate, the meal kit company was met with multiple class action lawsuits. Target has officially split ties with Hampton Creek after receiving anonymous food safety allegations via mail.

In CPG news, the alternative meat industry continues to show progress, with Memphis Meats receiving a hefty sum of $17 million from investors including Bill Gates and Richard Branson.

Non-restaurant dining is all the rage as chefs step out of kitchens and into experimental spaces and pop-ups. And finally, a food journalist shares his shocking experience with the personalized DNA-diet plan, Habit.

Check out our weekly round-up of last week’s top food startup, tech and innovation news below or peruse the full newsletter here.

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1. Blue Apron Hit with Multiple Class Action Lawsuits – TechCrunch

Allegations claim that the company misrepresented its challenges with customer retention, delayed orders and reduced ad spend.

2. Amazon Will Lower Whole Foods Prices Right Away and Prime Members Will Get Special Discounts – Recode

The reduced prices and special discounts will begin implementation this Monday, August 28th. Amazon will also place its lockers in select Whole Foods and sell Whole Foods’ private-label brands through Prime Pantry.

3. Target Ends Relationship with Troubled Startup Hampton Creek – Bloomberg

The retail giant decided to end the relationship after receiving what it described as “specific and serious food safety allegations about Hampton Creek products,” despite the FDA’s conclusion that their products are safe.

4. A Wild Vision of the Future Run by Amazon and Whole Foods – Co.Design

Design firm Argodesign mocked up a provocative series of concepts suggesting what an Amazon Foods could look like, if powered by drones, Echo refrigerators, and a sharing economy model reminiscent of Airbnb or Uber.

5. Bill Gates and Richard Branson Are Investing in This Clean Meat Startup –Fortune

Memphis Meats has grown beef, chicken, and duck from animal cells. Venture capital firm led the series A funding round of $17m, which will be used for product development, scaling the business, and staffing.

6. I Sent in My DNA to Get a Personalized Diet Plan. What I Discovered Disturbs Me. – Washington Post

Habit is the latest example of a new technology enabling that innate premium on personalization, and these tools are pulling us further from the table. This reality has major implications for our food culture, and for the rising rates of social isolation in the US.

7. Why These Chefs Are Creating an ‘Alternative to the Restaurant’ – Food & Wine

Non-restaurant dining set-ups aren’t just growing in number—they’re succeeding. Fast casual food has grown by 550% since 1999, pop-ups have become ubiquitous and spaces are opening to house experimental dining events across the globe.