Headlines

Elevator Talk: TUYYO, Nectar Hard Seltzer, Leelanau Tea, Phreshly, Broc Shot

Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week's special co-host is Wade Yenny, the Director of Grocery, Dairy, & Frozen for The Fresh Market, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.

Taste Radio: There Is A Fast Track To Success. And Onda Has The Blueprint.

Noah Gray, co-founder and CEO of fast-growing tequila seltzer company Onda, spoke about the brand’s origins as a “trade up” concept, the reasons behind strong consumer trial and repurchase, what up-and-down-the-street sales informed the team about effective retailing and merchandising and how he landed meetings with and won over high-profile investors.

Purchase Capital Backs OWYN With Further Growth Funding

Plant-based protein brand OWYN has secured growth investment from Purchase Capital, an affiliate of its parent company United Nutritional Brands, as well as from Hammock Park Capital LLC and PowerPlant Ventures, the company announced today.

EARI Beverage Group Acquires Original New York Seltzer

Entertainment Arts Research Inc. (EARI Beverage Group), a diversified beverage and media group, announced today it has acquired Original New York Seltzer LLC and its production arm, LA Bottle Works Inc., for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1981, Original New York Seltzer produces a line of mid-calorie craft sodas made with cane sugar and no artificial coloring and packaged in 10 oz. glass bottles.

Alkaline Water Co.: New CEO Pledges Strategic Changes After Losses Dampen Record Revenue

The Alkaline Water Company, maker of the Alkaline88 bottled water brand, announced record revenue of $60.6 million in its full fiscal year 2022 earnings report last week, up 32% year-over-year for the 52-weeks ending March 31. However, the growth was accompanied by substantial net losses of $39.4 million, prompting the company to highlight plans to reduce costs and ensure profitability in the future.

Taste Radio: Perfect Partnership, Or Peculiar Pairing?

Taste Radio’s hosts discussed several recently announced collaborations, including those of high-profile drink brands that have aligned to create new RTD cocktails, a well-known entertainer and an upstart energy drink company and a humanitarian initiative that connects with better-for-you brands. They also chatted about notable new products, including a line of shelf-stable tamales, NA wine and beer and a protein bar with a somewhat odd name.

How Wellfare’s Better Box Aims To Take On Food Insecurity With Center Store Items

Soon-to-expire snacks, surplus single-serve beverages and excess energy bars are the types of products that are now being donated to food insecure families through nonprofit organization Wellfare’s Better Box. The program currently distributes boxes of better-for-you grocery items nearly 800 recipient families at no cost.

This Week’s New Products: Grinch-Themed Holiday Creamers, Mushroom Cola and Probiotic-Packed Lemonade

Now that “Christmas in July” is officially underway, brands like International Delight are rolling out new Grinch-themed products far in advance of the holiday season. However, other brands such as Tropicana and KeVita are embracing the summer heat and rolling out beach-friendly flavor extensions like Peachy Pineapple Paradise and Peach Lemonade.

Gut Feelings: Prebiotic Soda Brands Split Messaging on Science and Flavor

In the race for dominance in the emerging functional soda category, gut health focused brands have had to walk a fine line between being a wellness drink – with all the baggage that designation brings for mainstream consumers – and being a fun and lively soda pop.