Headlines

Welch’s Prepares Soda Line Revamp

In a press release last week, the Concord, Mass.-based company announced a partnership with Global Beverage Corporation, an independent company that was created to lead an expansion of the Welch’s soda line with new flavors and formats.

Grain Gains: Canvas Spins Beer Byproduct into Plant-Based Protein

Canvas, a beverage startup backed exclusively by Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB) "disruptive growth organization" Zx Ventures, is looking to spent grain -- the nutrient-rich byproduct of the beer brewing process -- as the key ingredient to fuel its new line of plant-based barley beverages launching this fall.

Kill Cliff Fuels Up With Sunrise Investment

Sunrise Strategic Partners, an investment firm with a focus on healthy and sustainable foods, announced Thursday that it has acquired a minority ownership stake in Kill Cliff. The deal marks the eighth investment for the young firm and the first beverage brand addition to its portfolio.

Distribution: Gains for Koia, Picnik

Planet-based protein drink Koia adds six new retailers and debuts a new reduced price point, Austin-based cafe Picnik launches its RTD butter coffee at Whole Foods, and JUST Water lands an exclusive partnership with the Houston Zoo.

Koa Ceases Operations, Founder Joins Dirty Lemon as COO

Unable to secure the necessary funding to continue production of its uniquely formulated beverages, Koa has shut down. Launched in 2009, the company developed a proprietary process to extract sugar and calories from a blend of fruit and vegetable juices, resulting in a clear, nutrient-rich drink that Koa marketed as “olakino.”

IRI Report: Navigating Consumer Differences & Desires

Consumers are buying into new kinds of store programs and formats that better fit their needs– and it’s evolving the food industry as retailers know it, according to market research firm IRI’s Channel Performance Report released last month.

Ethan’s Shots Aim For Cider Vinegar Success

In developing a new line of 2 oz. apple cider vinegar shots, Ethan's founder Ethan Hirshberg aims to create an appealing delivery system for an ingredient that’s not so appealing on its own.

CAVU-Backed Waterloo Sparkling Preps National Launch

Positioning itself as a fuller-flavored challenger brand in a burgeoning category, Austin-based Waterloo Sparkling Water will launch nationally next month in all Whole Foods stores, along with several other retail chains throughout the country.

Brynwood Partners Acquires Cold Spring Brewing Co.

Minnesota-based Cold Spring Brewing Company has been acquired by Brynwood Partners, a Connecticut-based private equity firm with existing investments in a variety of food and beverage companies.

Press Clips: CircleUp Launches Credit Program

CircleUp launches CPG credit program; Dunkin' Donuts considers dropping the "Donuts" from its name; New York Business Journal talks to CAVU's Brett Thomas; Starbucks releases jerky-garnished coffee in Seattle; Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company sits down for Q&A

Taste Radio Ep. 69: Jon Sebastiani Is Kraving The Next Big Thing; Staying Hungry with Marketing Guru Greg Fleishman

This week’s episode of Taste Radio features a wide-ranging conversation with Krave Jerky and Sonoma Brands founder Jon Sebastiani. Recorded at the 2017 Summer Fancy Food Show, Sebastiani delved into his background in the food and beverage industry as an heir to a legacy wine family and talked about what spurred him to strike out on his own with Krave.

Coke’s Bridge Program Cultivating Tech Startups

The Bridge, a six-month commercialization program for tech startups exploring innovative new technologies that tackle everything from artificial intelligence to virtual reality to cybersecurity. Now on its fourth class, The Bridge is based in Tel Aviv with a focus on cultivating Israeli companies, but its early success has led to partner programs in Mexico City and in Coca-Cola’s hometown of Atlanta.