News

Elevator Talk Livestream Round 5: Genius Juice, Cocoa Metro, Poppilu

The fifth round of food and beverage brands includes Poppilu, Vital Farms, Genius Juice and Cocoa Metro. We also have a special co-host this week, Dr. Sebastian Dreher, the Managing Director of Döhler Ventures, who will weighing in on the brands from an investor's perspective and provide feedback.

Tea Crush Rebrands as Wildwonder

Founded in 2017, Wildwonder currently has a distribution footprint of about 100 independent retail doors and about 300 office and on-premise accounts. According to founder and CEO Rosa Li, the name change reflects a new brand identity that moves beyond tea and transforms the company into a broader health and wellness beverage platform.

DTC Sales: Now, Every Day is Cyber Monday

Typically, food and beverage represents only around 3.2% of total U.S. online sales. But through a combination of factors, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has accelerated the shift to web-based shopping.

So Good So You Deploys Care Packages To Support Healthcare Workers Affected by COVID-19

Minneapolis-based functional beverage brand So Good So You is sending care packages to hospitals across the highest-risk areas in the United States battling COVID-19. The community-driven company recently announced a national call for consumers to nominate ER and ICU workers in the following areas: New York, New Jersey, Northern & Southern CA, Seattle/Washington, Detroit, Miami, FL, Chicago, IL, Massachusetts, Louisiana and Pennsylvania.

New Investment, Innovation Fueling Growth at M Kombucha

While some of the category’s larger players have sought to build a consumer base by leaning into mainstream flavors, M Kombucha, formerly known as Kombucha Culture, is staking its brand on the drink’s purported functional benefits.

Distribution Roundup: EBOOST Expands Nationwide

EBOOST Surpasses 3,000 Doors Ahead of Nationwide Expansion; Sweet Reason Adds Big Geyser, L.A. Distributing; ALO Drink’s Jèn Collagen + Aloe Line Enters Sprouts Farmers Market Stores; Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company Expands in Whole Foods

Gallery: March’s New Products

Winter finally came to a close this month and beverage brands are looking forward to warmer weather, with new watermelon flavors from SUNNYD, LaCroix and Jones Soda, and a new light lemonade line from Calypso. Check out the gallery for notable March releases, including the latest functional shot from More Labs and caffeinated releases from Brew Dr and Daytrip.

Taste Radio Ep. 207: How This Challenger Brand Is Beating The Giants At Their Own Game

David Lester and Ben Goodwin, co-founders of Olipop, explained why they believe creating a better-for-you soda brand was the “most impactful thing” they could do, how package design fuels trial, why educating consumers about the products’ health benefits is not a priority and lessons from their first experience as beverage entrepreneurs.

G&Juice Launches CBD-Infused Sparkling Beverage Collection

G&Juice, the female-run, CBD-infused sparkling beverage collection, is excited to announce that is has launched its portfolio of mouth-watering beverages including: Coconut Vanilla, Ginger Peach, Strawberry Lemonade, and Blueberry Mojito.