Headlines

HALO Sport Secures Six-Figure Investment From Gulf Distributing

New York-based hydration beverage brand HALO Sport announced today that it has received an undisclosed six-figure investment from Alabama-based Molson Coors DSD house Gulf Distributing Holdings Inc., in addition to a distribution partnership to service the Southeast market.

BevNET New Beverage Showdown 19: A Virtual Pitch Competition

BevNET’s flagship New Beverage Showdown pitch competition, presented by Coca-Cola’s Venturing & Emerging Brands, is returning this summer for a virtual experience. The evolving pandemic may have postponed BevNET Live, but it hasn’t hit pause on new innovation within the beverage industry.

Office Hours: Private Equity and CPG During COVID-19

Office Hours returns Tuesday, May 19 at 3 p.m. ET. Investors Wayne Wu (VMG) and Robert Brown (Encore Consumer Capital) will offer financing advice and discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on investment in food and beverage companies, from sourcing and closing deals to changing terms.

Brands Give Back: Rowdy Mermaid Donates to Colorado-Based Nonprofits; Susosu Water Joins Campaign to Support Mothers in Need

The food and beverage industry continues to step up and lend support to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this roundup, we highlight brands’ efforts to give back, including Rowdy Mermaid’s donations to local Colorado nonprofits and Susosu Water’s efforts to support young and single mothers in the Washington, D.C. area.

Watch: Alex Marx of KeHe Talks Innovation, Promotion and Planning

In this video, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg spoke with Alex Marx, director of category management for KeHe, about how he has seen the retail industry shift and how innovation has a key role to play in helping the market to recover from disruption.

Slate Aims To Build Lifestyle Brand For ‘Adult’ Chocolate Milk

Aiming to create a better-for-you version of a nostalgic childhood staple, Boston-based Slate Milk is tackling the RTD dairy space with a new line of chocolate milks positioned to serve either as a functional protein recovery drink or as a sweet indulgence, depending on the use occasion.

Elevator Talk: Vervet Brings Bartender-Crafted Canned Cocktails to Los Angeles

Tuan Lee is the co-founder & CEO of Vervet, a startup offering bartender-crafted canned cocktails featuring house-made bitters, fresh produce from California farms and spirits developed in partnership with Ventura Spirits distillery. Using recipes from co-founder and veteran bartender Hope Ewing, the brand delivers modern riffs on classic cocktails.

WATCH: Hella Cocktail Talks Whole Foods Launch, Adapting to COVID-19

BevNET managing editor Martin Caballero spoke with two of Hella Cocktail Co.’s three co-founders — Jomaree Pinkard and Eddie Simeon — to discuss how the company is exploring its role in the current market environment and adapting to conditions on the ground.

PepsiCo Launches Two D2C Platforms To Meet Consumer Demand

PepsiCo is pivoting to meet consumer demand online with the launch of two new ecommerce platforms — snacks.com and pantryshop.com. The two storefronts will allow the company to give consumers easy access to the familiar and “comforting” brands they are seeking out during the Covid-19 pandemic, said Gibu Thomas, SVP and head of ecommerce for PepsiCo.

Distribution Roundup: OLIPOP Adds Rainforest, Expands Whole Foods

OLIPOP adds Rainforest Distribution, expands Whole Foods and adds Sprouts with exclusive launch of new Cherry Vanilla flavor; So Good So You Adds Sprouts Chainwide with three SKUs of its juice shot line; Ugly Drinks Enters Kroger in Tennessee; NOCCO Adds GNC

Celsius: Revenue Up 95% in Q1

Celsius reported over $28 million in revenue during the first quarter, a 95% increase over the same period last year and a new quarterly record for the brand.