Headlines

Coca-Cola Leads $15M Investment in Dirty Lemon Parent Co. Iris Nova

The Coca-Cola Company announced today it has taken a minority stake in Iris Nova, the parent company of functional beverage brand Dirty Lemon, leading a $15 million investment round that also included former baseball star Alex Rodriguez.

Novamex Acquires Tio Gazpacho

Novamex has acquired Tio Gazpacho for an undisclosed sum, the company announced today, more than a year after the Hispanic-focused beverage marketer first invested in the drinkable soup brand. Primarily an importer of Mexican brands such as Jarritos and Mineragua, Novamex said in the announcement that it is focusing on becoming a growth platform for natural and organic beverages, such as the organic certified Tio Gazpacho.

Peet’s Acquires Majority Stake in Revive Kombucha

Peet’s Coffee has taken a majority stake in California-based kombucha brand Revive, giving the growing company a single long-term partner with which to build upon its existing growth. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

BevNET Live Winter 2018 Video: Walmart As Your Launchpad

In this video from BevNET Live Winter 2018, Sarah Alderson, divisional merchandise manager of chilled packaged goods at Walmart, discusses how the retailer is embracing innovation and seeking to break its monolithic, low-priced reputation by opening the doors to startups and offering a powerful launchpad for maximizing a brand’s value.

Cannabis Forum Recap: Taking the First Steps

Mapping this new landscape of cannabis CPG and charting a path forward for the nascent industry was the focus of discussion at the first-ever Cannabis Forum for Food & Beverage, presented by BevNET and NOSH, on Dec. 1 in Santa Monica, Calif.

Taste Radio Ep. 142: Humm Kombucha CEO Jamie Danek On The Number One Thing Good Leaders Must Do

Danek spoke about how she grew into the role of CEO of Humm and the most important thing she learned along the way. She also explained why launching the brand during a recession actually worked, discussed the importance of Bend, Ore. to the company, and how relationships were key to its landmark deal with Target, one that made Humm just the second national kombucha brand.

BevNET Live Winter 2018 Video: FORTO – Guiding a Brand in Transition

In this clip from day one of BevNET Live Winter 2018, FORTO founder Neel Premkumar went deep into what’s worked for him, what hasn’t, and his advice to entrepreneurs on navigating the market with a fast-growing brand transitioning from small startup to a national player.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 12: On The Brink of Collapse, How Aloha Found Its Footing; Why Tea + Hops = Victory

Aloha, a brand of organic, plant-based protein bars and powders, was on the brink of saying goodbye to the market. In an interview, we spoke with Aloha CEO Brad Charron about how he developed and executed a turnaround for the brand after joining the company in 2017, and why addressing issues with company culture was critical to his mission. We also meet with Dean Eberhardt and Andrew Markley, the co-founders of HopTea, who were victorious in BevNET Live’s New Beverage Showdown 16.

Passage of Farm Bill Poised to Reshape Hemp, CBD Product Landscape

While the finalized version of the 2018 Farm Bill, which is expected to receive President Trump’s signature before the close of the current legislative session, represents a watershed moment in the pro-hemp movement, it doesn’t mark the end of the journey.

Portuguese Juice Maker SoNatural Launches in U.S.

The HPP juice maker this month announced the opening of a 30,000 sq ft. production facility in the Melbourne, Penn. where the company will manufacture its juice products and which will handle all U.S. distribution when it goes online at February 1.

Roar Organic Announces $5.6M Funding Round

Venture capital fund AccelFoods announced today it is leading a planned $5.6 million round in Roar Organic. AccelFoods said it has committed $1.25 million, of which $625,000 has already been invested in the better-for-you sports drink. The full round is expected to close in the first week of January.