Okay, we’ll call it a draw. Zola and Vita Coco have tied in the race to be the first to announce that they will be rolling out a product that combines two of the fastest-growing beverage trends, coconut water and lemonade. Zola is going ingredient-first, calling its product “Coconut Water Lemonade,” while Vita Coco is sticking with the brand, calling itself “Vita Coco Lemonade.”
Making a major push into the Midwest, Starbucks today announced that its Evolution Fresh cold-pressed juices are now available in the company’s Chicago area cafes. Until now, the brand’s presence in Chicago was limited to Whole Foods stores and other natural grocers in the region. Now with placement in more than 360 Starbucks stores in and around the Windy City, the company is aiming for greater awareness and trial of Evolution Fresh juices.
Long overseeing the transactions of sugar, cocoa and coffee, among other widely-transported ingredients, Fair Trade USA announced last week that it has launched a coconut certification.
During the Coca-Cola Co.’s fourth quarter earnings call held earlier this week, CEO and Chairman Muhtar Kent stated that the company would "imminently announce new bottling partnerships" in North America. By imminently, he must have meant today.
When we hear about a new energy drink company with plans to snag market share from Red Bull and Monster, we’re often skeptical. With the category at such a mature state and the two linchpins not going anywhere, most new energy drinks don’t have much of a future beyond niche markets. However, when the energy drink in question is devised by L.A. Libations, the beverage incubator that has helped carry brands such as ZICO and illy issimo to prominence, we take a closer look.
As reported today, investment firm Trian Partners released a white paper and letter to the PepsiCo board, reiterating its belief that PepsiCo should split its beverage and snack businesses into two independent public companies. Trian believes that the restructure would sustain growth and benefit the company and its shareholders. Shortly after the story’s publication, PepsiCo e-mailed BevNET with a response.
Trian remains adamant in its belief that PepsiCo should split its snacks and beverages into two independent public companies. PepsiCo, which has been steadfast in its “Power of One” platform, hasn’t budged. The company believes that the strategy allows for “full coordination across the food and beverage operating systems, while also unlocking opportunities to create value across the business.”
Set for a national launch in 8,300 7-Eleven stores, Arriba is a new horchata energy drink that is targeted to reach a specific demographic in Latino consumers. L.A. Libations entered into a joint venture with film studio and entertainment powerhouse Relativity Media, which is investor in Arriba and will play a major role in the marketing of the brand with product placement in Relativity-produced TV shows and movies.
For many Americans, GMOs are like monsters under the bed. They don’t exactly know what GMOs are, but they’re worried about them. This sentiment has already influenced shopping habits, according to a recent write-up on hartbeat, the newsletter of The Hartman Group (HG), a consumer research firm.
Under new management and featuring a reformulated line-up and updated packaging, mix1 is set to make its return to the market. The company today announced that it will debut its new look at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West show, which will take place next month in Anaheim, Calif.
About a month after Michael F. Jacobson, the executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), penned a polemic for The Huffington Post, his group is back at it, questioning former Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan for her endorsement of Coca-Cola and membership of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.
With a new round of funding in hand, the company behind brain-boosting beverage Nawgan has launched a new brand of functional drinks intended broaden its reach to a wider range of consumers. Launched today, ON Powered Refreshment is a line of energy/refreshment beverages that are formulated with a blend of tea leaf-sourced caffeine and ornithine, an amino acid said to have several health benefits.
Rooibee Roo, a caffeine-free tea marketed toward children, will make its debut at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West show in Anaheim, Calif. According to the company, the tea is USDA organic, rich in antioxidants, gluten-free and has 100 percent of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C. Per 8 oz. bottle, the product contains 49 calories and 12 or fewer grams of sugar (the exact figures will be decided).
At the 2014 Winter Fancy Food Show, we spoke with several attendees & exhibitors about why the specialty channel is “more forgiving and less expansive” to enter than other channels and ways that food and beverage companies can manage an effective specialty retail strategy.
