Ketone-IQ Adds ‘Opportunistic’ Investment, New Retail Partners
Energy shot brand Ketone-IQ recently secured an undisclosed “seven-figure" investment as it makes a deeper push in retail.
Headlines
Spirits Distribution: New RTDs Hit Whole Foods; Southern Picks Up Pizza Vodka
Distribution shakeups this fall include several new portfolio additions for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits (SGWS) and Anheuser-Busch (A-B) distributors, a few ready-to-drink (RTD) brands hitting major retailers, plus an interesting on-premise partnership for Elizabeth Banks’s canned wine.
Slate Milk Closes $23M Round Led By Yasso Founders’ Fund
High-protein chocolate milk and canned coffee brand Slate has closed a $23 million Series B round led by Foundership Ventures, bringing the brand’s total investment to $50 million.
Distribution: Edibles.com Goes Nationwide
Edibles.com is now serving the entire country– or wherever THC is legal, at least. The DTC ecommerce platform for hemp-derived THC products announced today it is now selling to consumers nationwide.
Danone Halts Acquisition Talks with Lifeway Foods
For Danone’s long-running courtship of kefir category leader Lifeway, the third time isn’t the charm. The French dairy giant has withdrawn its interest in purchasing the kefir category leader.
Reviews: Projo Coffee Powers Up, Narra Oat Lattes Dive Into Ube
Want more from your lattes? Look no further, as we dive into Projo's protein-enhanced Power Coffee, then chill out with a calming Ube Vanilla oat milk latte from Narra.
The Ingredients Defining Functional Beverages In 2025
According to Spate’s new 2025 Ingredient Trends Report, viral hacks like chia seed water and chlorophyll drops are turning niche ingredients into mainstream must-haves.
Distribution: Odwalla Returns to the Golden State Under Grupo Jumex
Now under the stewardship of Mexican beverage producer Grupo Jumex, fresh juice brand Odwalla is making its much-anticipated return to the Golden State.
Jeff Rubenstein Moves To Food As Khloud CEO
Khloud named former Poppi president and chief growth officer Jeff Rubenstein as its CEO, just five months after launch and amid a slate of distribution gains.
Non-Alc Beverages Decelerate; Energy Drinks Remain ‘Strong’
Weaker volumes dragged down sequential non-alcoholic beverage sales growth during the two weeks ending September 6.
Bev-Alc Sales Dip As Spirits and Wine RTDs Offer Bright Spots
Bev-alc sales declined in the two-week period ending September 6, although cider, as well as wine and spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) continue to buck the trends, according to analysis of NIQ data from Goldman Sachs Equity Research.
Wandering Bear Launches Protein Cold Brew As Whole Foods Exclusive
Wandering Bear’s first-ever canned drink – a dairy-based cold brew latte enhanced with 11 grams of protein per 8 ounce can – arrives today online and exclusively at Whole Foods Market locations.
Kin Euphorics Embarks On Its Next Chapter with Southern Glazer’s
When Kin Euphorics debuted in 2018, the nootropic-infused non-alcoholic alternative was just ahead of its time. Now, the largest U.S. spirits and wine distributor has caught up.
Taste Radio: How Halfday Went From Dorm Room To Disrupting A $9B Category
Mike Lombardo, the co-founder of better-for-you iced tea brand Halfday, shares the journey of transforming a college side hustle into a fast-growing challenger brand. He opens up about the brand’s early missteps, how Halfday secured coveted shelf space at Whole Foods, partnered with one of New York City’s most influential distributors, and how a last-minute decision led to a major investment.