Innovation, Distribution and More at Summer Fancy Food Show
Packed to the walls with an estimated 28,000 attendees and over 2,700 exhibitors, the 2014 Fancy Food Show was the largest event in its history, and beverage companies took advantage.
Ray Latif
Producer, Taste Radio; Contributing Editor, BevNET
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.
Posts by Ray Latif
Summer Fancy Food Show: The NYC Advantage
From start-ups and early stage brands to mature and established operations, executives cited the show as offering an opportunity to breaking into or enhance their presence in New York City.
Activate Acquired by Unique Beverages
Just a few months after reassuming control of Rising Beverage Company, the marketer of Activate Drinks, co-founder Anders Eisner announced the sale of the cap-dispensing brand.
BREAKING: Hormel Agrees to Buy Cytosport For $450 Million
Nine months after the company, which markets the well-known Muscle Milk brand, put itself on the auction block, Hormel Foods today announced that it has has agreed to acquire Cytosport.
Buzzfeed: Mamma Chia Debuts Clean Energy Line
White space is hard to come by in the energy category, but Mamma Chia has introduced a new line that CEO Janie Hoffman sees as filling a gap in the sub-segment often referred to as “clean energy.”
Video: Live Soda CEO – We’re “The Gateway Kombucha”
Counter to prevailing beliefs about the beverage, kombucha doesn’t have to taste bad, says Live Soda Kombucha CEO Trevor Ross.
Press Clips: The Fizz and The Fury
As Keurig gets closer to launching its at-home cold beverage maker, Starbucks announced that it's getting fizzy, and Faygo is facing a lawsuit that might get the AARP in a tizzy.
Starbucks Doubles Down on Green Juice
Cold-pressed juice is growing fast, but sales of green varieties are “greatly outpacing” counterparts within the super-premium juice category, according to Starbucks.
Video: Cold-Pressed in Texas, Daily Greens Expands Across the U.S.
Daily Greens founder Shauna Martin credits Texas as a key launching pad for the brand, with the Lone Star State offering new and fertile ground for a now-thriving cold-pressed juice category.
Energy Insights: A Q&A with Red Bull’s John Showalter
In a recent interview with BevNET, John Showalter, the Director of Business Insights for Red Bull North America, provided a rare glimpse into the strategic vision of the energy giant.
2014 Summer Fancy Food Show Expected to Be Largest Ever
Amid record demand for specialty food, the show is expected to attract 28,000 buyers, including delegations from Uruguay, Paraguay, Albania, and China, not to mention thousands of buyers from top names in U.S. retailing and restaurants including Whole Foods, Kroger, Dean & DeLuca, Gourmet Garage, Mollie Stone’s Markets, and more.
Distribution Roundup: Xyience Expands in New England; Cheerwine Digs Deeper in the South
Plenty of distribution news coming our way in the last couple of weeks, as both early-stage and established beverage companies announced new agreements with wholesalers from across the U.S.
Video: BevNET’s Mid-Year Report, Part 2
In part of two of our segment, we discuss investment deals seen in the non-alcoholic beverage business and offer predictions on what’s to come for growth categories in the second half of 2014.
Video: BevNET’s Mid-Year Report, Part 1
As emerging categories continue to evolve, BevNET CEO John Craven and Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman discuss notable developments in the beverage industry during the first half of 2014.