Headlines

Specialty coffee roaster BLK & Bold is taking its first step into the ready-to-drink sector with the launch of its canned cold brew coffee line, which is rolling out to Target stores nationwide this month. Founded in 2018, the Des Moines-based brand has established itself as the first nationally distributed Black-owned coffee and tea company in the U.S., selling its whole and ground beans in over 6,000 retail stores, including Target, Albertsons, Vons, Whole Foods and Shop Rite.

After revamping the brand last year with a new look and identity built around the outdoors, Pepsi is moving its plant-based protein line EVOLVE further outdoors this summer with the launch of a mission driven marketing campaign built around sustainability.

Minnesota-based food and beverage company SunOpta forecasts it will double its business by 2025 with focused investment in more aseptic manufacturing capacity that will service its move into the RTD nutrition category and will help grow its oat-based products division.

When The Coca-Cola Company announced last month its decision to discontinue Honest Tea by the end of the year, the brand’s founders were dismayed by what they believed was a shortsighted decision. Two weeks later, they’re brewing up a new line of better-for-you teas to take the mantle.

Advisory firm IBC announced it has partnered with Cannaverse Technologies to serve as a brand advisor for Cannaland, a metaverse project intended to act as a hub for the cannabis consumers and members of the industry; Also, what the deal is behind an AriZona-backed stablecoin and Hummii's launch in California.

Colorado governor Jared Polis has signed a bill that requires packaging producers and printed paper manufacturers to help operate and fund a new statewide recycling program that aims to increase recycling rates and create a circular economy for all recyclable materials, primarily plastic bottles, paper-based packaging and cans.

The Alkaline Water Company is officially under new leadership after longtime CEO and President Richard “Ricky” Wright resigned, effective immediately, and was quickly replaced by company director Frank Lazaran on Friday.

In this week’s roundup of new product launches, Brisk launches its first-ever sparkling tea with Taco Bell, Vita Coco adds juice to its portfolio and cannabis-infused beverage maker Cann introduces new “lite” offerings with zero sugar, plus new plant-based milks for at-home baristas, non-alcoholic cocktails and electrolyte drink mixes.

Kansas-based milk alternative startup Strive Nutrition Corp. announced today it has partnered with Perfect Day for its first line of animal-free whey protein beverages, which will launch next month online with plans to enter brick and mortar retail later this year.