Ray Latif is the lead host, producer, and content editor of Taste Radio, BevNET’s flagship podcast and the go-to show for food and beverage industry insights. With 14 years of experience in the industry, Ray is a seasoned journalist known for his sharp interviews and in-depth coverage of trends, innovation, and news. He began his career at BevNET as an assistant editor, later advancing to managing editor of both the website and magazine. Since 2016, he’s been the driving force behind Taste Radio, overseeing everything from content strategy to production. Ray’s conversational style and meticulous research have earned him widespread praise from both guests and listeners. He has had the privilege of interviewing a diverse range of high-profile figures, including Patrick Mahomes, Jennifer Garner, Dan Aykroyd, Kobe Bryant, Padma Lakshmi, and Brad Paisley. His ability to connect with entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders has made Taste Radio a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving world of food and beverage.
Proceeds from the round, which was raised on equity crowdfunding platform CircleUp, will go toward new sales and marketing initiatives designed to expand placement and awareness of Tio Gazpacho’s high pressure processed, ready-to-drink soups.
Health-Ade co-founder Justin Trout told BevNET that the funding will be used primarily for the build-out of a new 35,000 sq. ft. production facility in Torrance, Calif.
Starbucks will initiate the rollout at select company-owned cafes nationwide and select grocery stores regionally in Western Washington, Western Oregon and Denver.
In this video, Carmichael discusses the genesis of La Colombe's Draft Latte, the coffee's innovative can and how Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya, who is the primary investor in La Colombe, will be involved in the rollout of the new product.
The change comes nearly five months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned Harmless Harvest that it was not doing enough to ensure the safety of its coconut water products.
As more Americans seek healthy alternatives to soda, a growing number of natural beverage companies are innovating with carbonation and adding sparkling sub-lines to their portfolios.
In an interview at Expo West, GoodBelly CEO Alan Murray explained that the development of GoodBelly Sparkling Drink and GoodBelly Ade stems from an innovation strategy that seeks to “constantly rejuvenate the energy behind probiotics.”
In this video, filmed at Natural Products Expo West 2016, BevNET’s John Craven and Ray Latif discuss current trends in the cold-pressed and high pressure processed (HPP) juice category.
Marley Beverage CEO Harry Bigelow said that the company “wanted to dial it back a bit” in terms of its original reggae-themed labels and marketing initiatives, while maintaining the brand equity of Bob Marley.
From large producers like WhiteWave and Califia Farms to tiny upstarts, including Pop & Bottle, Malk and Three Trees, BevNET’s John Craven and Ray Latif discuss the role that innovation and branding has played in the development of each and the overall segment.
BluePrint, which helped pioneer the category of high pressure processed, cold-pressed juices, is attempting to pivot away from its roots in detoxifying cleanses with new branding and products designed to appeal to a broader set of consumers.
In the following video, BevNET CEO John Craven and BevNET Managing Editor Ray Latif sifted through the dozens of new beverages that debuted at Expo West and offer their take on the most notable and impactful for the industry.
Here is part two of our photo gallery from Natural Products Expo West 2016, featuring new products, notable innovation, brand updates and more as displayed by beverage companies exhibiting at the event.
In the following gallery, culled from our social media coverage of Natural Products Expo West 2016, we look at notable innovation, brand updates and new products from beverage companies exhibiting at the event.
