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Taste Radio Insider Ep. 82: A Whole Foods Insider Opens Up The Buyer Playbook

Lee Robinson, Director of Dairy & Beverage at Whole Foods Market, discussed best practices for engaging with retail buyers, why he urges entrepreneurs to be transparent about their business and innovation strategies, how he evaluates disruptive concepts, his perspective on the future of plant-based food and setting expectations for communication with buyers amid the current crisis.

KidsLuv Lands in CVS and Walmart, Rolls Out New Product Title

Since participating as a semifinalist in New Beverage Showdown 16 two years ago, Ashi Jelinek, founder and CEO of kids beverage brand KidsLuv, has managed to stay busy. From expanded distribution to new product positioning and refreshed packaging to a new flavor rolling out next month, KidsLuv has been focused on growing across the board.

Laird Superfoods Lands $10M Investment from Danone Manifesto Ventures

Laird Superfood has secured a $10 million investment from Danone Manifesto Ventures, the company announced today. The Sisters, Ore.-based brand, founded in 2015, markets a variety of “superfood” products, including creamers, coconut water, nutrition powders, drink mixes and plant-based sugars.

Elevator Talk: Surreal Brewing Crafts Low Calorie Non-Alc Beers

Donna Hockey is the founder of Surreal Brewing Company, an early stage non-alcoholic craft beer brand that offers innovative brews with 0g of sugar, 17-50 calories per can, and reduced gluten, in a variety of styles. The brewery is serving the non-alc movement, reaching consumers that don’t want to compromise their health goals, while still enjoying happy hour.

Elevator Talk Livestream Round 8: WithCo Cocktails, O2 Recovery, Brainiac Kids

The eighth round of interviews with food and beverage brands includes WithCo Cocktails, O2 Recovery, Brainiac Kids, Cuvee Coffee and more. This week's special co-host is Darren Rovell of Tastemaker Capital, who will offer an investor's perspective and provide feedback for each brand.

Amid Production Drop, Beverage CO2 Supply Chains Steady For Now

With production set to fall this month by as much as 50%, concern has been growing about the security of CO2 supply chains for beverage companies. However, several brands reached by BevNET indicated they had not yet encountered issues.

WATCH: Jeremy Halpern Discusses Climate for Capital and Lending

No matter what side of the negotiating table you’re sitting on, the coronavirus has brought a host of critical new challenges and choices for both entrepreneurs and investors. In this interview with BevNET managing editor Martin Caballero, Jeremy Halpern, partner at Boston-based firm Nutter, offers his insights into the changing capital and lending environment.

BevNET/NOSH’s June Conferences Postponed

It’s with great regret that we are announcing the postponement of our Summer BevNET Live, NOSH Live, and Cannabis Forum events that were scheduled to be held June 8-12 in New York City.

Taste Radio Ep. 210: They Borrowed $10,000 And Built Two Pioneering Brands. How The Founders of Annie Chun’s & gimMe Snacks Did It.

Annie Chun and Steve Broad, founders of Annie Chun’s and gimMe Snacks, spoke about their entrepreneurial journey from selling at farmer’s markets to building category leading brands, why operational efficiency is critical to achieve sustainable margins and the importance of “discovering new experiences for the consumer.”

After Year One, SoFresco Finding U.S. Footing

Committing to a U.S. manufacturing base marked a significant new chapter for the 78-year old family owned Group GL SA, which is based in Lisbon and operates as Good Crop Inc. in the U.S. and under the Sonatural brand in Europe and Asia.