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.
AriZona’s most intriguing new product was one that the company gave only scant attention at the 2014 NACS show. While the company displayed only a couple prop bottles of “Good Brew,” a lemon-flavored, cane sugar-sweetened tea, packaged in a clear 59 oz. carafe with a teal-colored cap and hipster/throwback label, the multi-serve beverage certainly stood out.
Sweeter and denser that the primary line, Ito En's new Jay Street Extra Rich coffees were formulated to address consumer demand for creamier, thicker option similar to that of the familiar taste and mouthfeel of Starbucks’ Frappuccino products. Packaged in 9.1 oz. bottles, and at 150 calories and no fat, however, Adam Hertel, Ito En’s vice president of sales for grocery and natural, views the drinks to be, like the flagship products, a healthier option for consumers.
In this video, we examine the unpinning strategies behind new product introductions at the show and the role they play in C-store trends.
At the recently held NACS show, it was clear that Coke found a way to connect with millennials (and create a surge in sales) with its highly successful “Share a Coke” campaign.
While 5-hour's Yummification campaign was one piece of a strategy to build upon an already billion-dollar business, a question remains: can the company find any more buyers than it already has?
For companies seeking sales in supermarkets, where juices are almost invariably purchased, technology, as it often does, changed the dynamic.
After a leap into lemonade, Sparkling ICE is attempting to make a splash in another on-trend category.
The pricing change will impact beverages that the company sells to its distributor partners and is expected to result in higher prices for consumers.
Developed in partnership with Tony Horton, creator of popular P90x fitness program, the new products will debut at 100 Los Angeles-area 7-Eleven stores.
About a month after the Coca-Cola Co. brought Coke Life, a cola made with a blend of stevia and sugar to the U.S. market, Pepsi has responded with a similarly formulated product.
Its distribution partnership with PepsiCo in high gear, KeVita CEO Bill Moses sees its sparkling probiotic drinks as becoming a ubiquitous offering.
Raley’s has replied to BevNET's questions about why it created a list of banned ingredients and its potential impact on the company in terms of sales and operations.
Now marketed as “Antioxidant Super Teas,” the teas are filled in POM’s iconic bottles, and sold in a single-serve 12 oz. size, down from its original 16 oz. format.
Placing it squarely at the forefront of natural food trends and greater demand for traceable goods, Raley’s has curated a list of 83 ingredients that will be banned in its stores.
