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.
Hint CEO Kara Goldin said the genesis of Hint Kick sprung from its robust business in Silicon Valley tech firms, whose employees -- seeking alternatives to coffee and energy drinks -- asked the company to created a caffeinated version of its still water.
Mader brings extensive food and beverage sales experience to Califia Farms and spent the last eight years as Senior Vice President Sales, National Sales Manager for Annie’s, Inc., a natural food company that went public in 2012 and was acquired by General Mills in 2015.
Expanding upon a commitment to sell food items made without artificial ingredients, Panera Bread today announced plans to add offerings from Blueprint, Harmless Harvest and Joia to its bottled beverage lineup.
The list, which ranks companies based on revenue growth over the past three years (and at least $2 million in 2014 revenue) included just a handful of non-alcoholic beverage brands, but most of those that did make the cut are featured in the top fifth of all included companies.
BevNET recently spoke with Harmless Harvest co-founder Justin Guilbert to discuss in further detail why the company removed "100% Raw" and "Never Heated" from its labels and also addressed several questions as to whether external pressures, litigation and/or an updated formulation played a role in the updated positioning.
Boasting higher fiber and protein counts than current green beverages on the market, Mamma Chia founder and CEO Janie Hoffman believes that the four-SKU line has the potential to “evolve the greens category in a way that we haven’t seen.”
U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam in the Northern District of California declined to dismiss the case in its entirety, agreeing with plaintiffs that a “reasonable consumer” could be misled into thinking that phrases like “Antioxidant Packed” means that the beverages provide a “good source” of antioxidants.
Citing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “lack of legal definition or certification for the term ‘raw,’” Harmless Harvest wrote in a recent blogpost that “there is no way for us—or any product—to achieve official certification that we are a raw product,” hence the decision to remove “100% Raw” from its labels.
To better understand methods for getting a retailer to optimally sell your product, including strategies in both category and shelf management, working with brokers and how to navigate sales data, FBU recently sat down with Daniel Lohman, who is a strategic advisor specializing in the organic and consumer packaged goods industry.
She is the namesake of pioneering super premium juice brand Fresh Samantha, and while Samantha Levin was just two years old when her father launched the beverage line, she’s following in the footsteps of her family’s business -- for the second time -- with an HPP smoothie/meal replacement brand called “Sam Lives.”
The remarkable success in marketing coconut water as a sports drink, while subtly shifting, has given way to a range of plant-based and naturally formulated beverages seeking to emulate a similar path.
In this role, Di Giammarco is responsible for the BACARDÍ rum brand marketing efforts globally, including enhancing brand equity, positioning, advertising, packaging and pricing.
Having recently secured new distribution and retail placement in Southern California, Genius Juice, which produces a line of high pressure processed (HPP) organic coconut smoothies, has refined its branding, reduced its product offerings and unveiled a new 12 oz. bottle.
Explaining the rationale for the development of V8 Infused Water, Kelli McCusker, the Vice President of Beverage at Campbell Soup Company, said that “people are looking for water that is simple and flavorful and not just straight water, but not confusing either.”
