Headlines

Halen Brands Acquires OWYN, Launches S.A.F.E. Platform

To give consumers what they want, and perhaps what they need, CPG collective Halen Brands has acquired plant-protein centric brand Only What You Need (OWYN). The brand debuted at Natural Products Expo West as part of Halen’s newly launched, allergen-friendly brand platform, Safe Allergen Friendly Environment (S.A.F.E.).

Incoming CEO Johnson Lays Out 2017 Plans at Starbucks Meeting of Shareholders

Incoming Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson was given the ceremonial key to the company Wednesday during the coffee giant’s 25th Annual Meeting of Shareholders, held today in Seattle. Taking over for longtime CEO Howard Schultz, Johnson led this year’s meeting with a look at the company’s 2017 innovation pipeline.

Expo West 2017 Video: Zevia CEO Talks Platform Growth

In this video interview, Zevia CEO Paddy Spence discusses the rollout of its new products and how the company has marketed itself to a younger consumer demographic seeking better-for-you beverages.

Expo West 2017: Dairy Alternative Brands Unleash Wave of New Creamers

Expo West 2017 saw several dairy alternative brands getting in on the ground floor of a new trend -- plant-based coffee creamers. Califia Farms, Ripple, MALK, and more all debuted new products and flavors for vegan and lactose-intolerant consumers.

Expo West 2017 Video: Uncle Matt’s Organic Doubles Down on Function

At Natural Products Expo West 2017, organic juice stalwart Uncle Matt’s continued its foray into functional beverages with the debut of a new Organic Energy juice that is formulated with organic coffeeberry and ashwagandha, and extended its probiotic water line with two new varieties.

Video: New Barn’s Billie Thein Talks Almond Milk Innovation, Branding

With strong growth comes strong innovation, and there was no shortage of new dairy alternative products showing off the category’s ingenuity at Natural Products Expo West 2017. Trending at this year’s show were nut milk-based creamers, with multiple companies rolling out offerings for dairy-free consumers seeking better ways to thicken their morning coffee.

Drink Maple Pulls in $3.9 Million in New Funding Round

The funding includes approximately $1.18 million in principal and interest under promissory notes converted into shares of Series A Preferred Stock in connection with the initial closing of the offering.

Expo West 2017 Video: An Interview With Matt Thomas of Brew Dr. Kombucha

BevNET’s Jeff Klineman interviewed Thomas at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif. and found a stirring profile of a company that is balancing growth across three divisions: its largest, a retail kombucha line, as well as on-premise gourmet tea houses and a new distilling operation that repurposes the alcohol generated from kombucha fermentation

BevNET Hires Technology and Agency Veteran Mike Schneider as CMO

Schneider is a seasoned executive whose work thrives at the collision of brand, experience and product. He has deep roots in branding, mobile, content and events. Prior to BevNET, Schneider led major rebranding efforts for technology and consumer companies Skyhook and GasBuddy, and he was the CMO of Apptopia.

Expo West 2017: Adaptogens Arrive

Could ashwagandha’s rising profile herald a greater future for adaptogenic fruits and herbs — such as reishi, tulsi (also known as holy basil), ginseng, eleuthero and schizandra — as a fully developed beverage category?

Expo West 2017 Video: REBBL Talks New Products and Going Beyond Super Herbs

Speaking with BevNET, founder Palo Hawken said that his brand sees the launch of the new addition to its core line, Turmeric Lemon Tart, as an opportunity to bring the ingredient beyond its natural consumer base and into the mainstream with a fruity, high-fat beverage that “tastes basically like lemon meringue pie.”