Two Mexican-inspired spirit-based cocktail startups announced distribution gains this week, with RTD sparkling mezcal maker Elenita and tequila seltzer brand Volley both adding new DSD partners. Also, Lucky Jack partnered with Fresh Thyme Market and shelf-stable kombucha maker KÖE has added a number of new retail doors in the convenience, drug and grocery channels.
Citing increasing demand for oatmilk in retail and foodservice, plant-based milk producers Oatly and SunOpta are ramping up production, with both companies announcing plans for new facilities in Texas set to open over the next few years.
Vita Coco parent company All Market is continuing its expansion beyond coconut water with the launch of a new line of protein-infused waters called PWR LIFT.
Iconic Protein has unveiled a new minimalist packaging design and green-centric color scheme with the goal of engaging consumers with the functionality and ingredients of each product.
Non-alcoholic beverage sales accelerated during the two-week period ending July 31, improving after several weeks of slow down amid a lap of last year’s pandemic-driven at-home consumption spike, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.
Last month, still hot on the hype of its highly publicized May IPO, plant-based milk maker Oatly sustained its first major setback as a publicly traded company when Spruce Point Capital Management released a document claiming that the company had misrepresented its success. What can other companies learn from this about going public?
Earlier today, The Specialty Food Association (SFA) cancelled the in-person trade show portion of the Fancy Food Show 2021. Slated to run September 27 through 29 in New York City, the event will now move to a fully virtual format. Meanwhile, New Hope, and its parent company Informa, announced new Covid-19 related protocols for Natural Products Expo East.
Non-alcoholic craft brewery Athletic Brewing is preparing to open a pop-up facility featuring “the intersection of beer and burpees” in Austin, Texas, the company teased today on social media.
LIFEAID Beverage Co. announced this week that it has raised $20 million in an oversubscribed Series C financing round. The capital will go towards supporting the brand’s growth in retail in the U.S. and overseas, as well as funding new innovation and c-suite level hires.
This year’s Forbes list of the top wealthiest self-made women featured four founders, leaders and executives behind some of CPG’s most notable brands. Released this week, the full list includes 100 of the top female entrepreneurs and executives, two-thirds of which either founded or cofounded their company and 26 who have served as CEOs.
This week we’re joined by Benjamin Chesler, the co-founder of Imperfect Foods, a pioneering online grocery service that specializes in selling produce and surplus food that would otherwise be discarded. Chesler discussed Imperfect’s roots and mission to reduce food waste on a massive scale, the process for incorporating branded items into its product selection and how the company communicates quality as a seller of “imperfect” food.
Launching in the U.S. in early 2022, the 5% ABV flavored malt beverage will be developed and produced by Boston Beer, while PepsiCo has set up a new entity to sell, deliver, and merchandise the product, according to a press release.
Super Coffee has closed a $106 million Series C fundraising round, the company confirmed today. The round was led by Maryland-based venture group Durable Capital Partners and included participation by beverage industry veteran Clayton Christopher and former Peet’s Coffee CEO Dave Burwick, as well as another tranche from Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev).
A federal judge in Florida ruled this week that Monster Energy Corp. did not violate the trade dress of Bang Energy when it launched performance energy brand Reign Total Body Fuel in 2019, putting a cap on one branch of the ongoing legal feud between Monster and Bang manufacturer Vital Pharmaceuticals (VPX).
