Odwalla Makes California Comeback
Now under the stewardship of Mexican beverage producer Grupo Jumex, fresh juice brand Odwalla is making its much-anticipated return to the Golden State.
The brand’s new smoothies (Mango, Strawberry-Banana and Berries) and juices (Green Juice, Orange Juice and Orange, Guava & Ginger) are rolling out to more than 400 grocery stores across Southern California, including Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Gelson’s, Superior Market and Northgate Market.
Odwalla’s distribution is powered by Vilore Foods, a San Antonio, Texas-based distributor and commercial subsidiary of heritage food brands La Costeña, Totis, Tia Lupita and Jumex, among others.
“Bringing Odwalla back to California, the place where it all started, is the perfect way to introduce our new line of juice and smoothies to consumers. This is the first [step] in taking the brand’s new products nationwide and the first of many categories we’ll add as we grow the portfolio,” said Carlos Madrazo, county manager of Jumex USA, in a statement.
Discontinued by The Coca-Cola Company in 2020, Odwalla made its comeback earlier this year under Grupo Jumex. The company is collaborating with Odwalla’s trademark holder, Full Sail IP Partners, which acquired the brand from Coca-Cola in 2021.
Madrazo previously told BevNET that Odwalla provides an opportunity to create better-for-you beverages as consumer demand for clean-label drinks continues to grow. Additionally, the brand allows Grupo Jumex to expand beyond the Hispanic and international aisles.
MTN WTR Makes Splash in Daiso
Japanese spring water brand MTN WTR has secured a new national retail partnership with Daiso USA.
The retailer will stock the brand’s Spring Water, Classic Sparkling and Extra Strong Sparkling varieties in all 214 locations across the U.S. The Extra Strong Sparkling SKU was inspired by Japan’s “strong” carbonation trend, seeking to bring new experiences to U.S. consumers.
“Daiso is an ideal partner for MTN WTR. Both brands share Japanese heritage and a mission to bring quality products to a wide audience,” said Masa Kinemuchi, co-founder and CEO of MTN WTR, in a press release. “The nationwide rollout represents an important step in our strategy to build meaningful retail partnerships that combine cultural fit with accessibility.”
OOSO Takes Bite Out of The Big Apple
As part of its efforts to diversify distribution, sparkling tea producer OOSO – the winner of New Beverage Showdown 29 – has inked a partnership with grocery delivery company FreshDirect, marking its entry into online grocery.
“Online grocery is opening up a whole new path forward. FreshDirect is especially meaningful – it keeps us tied to our NYC roots while expanding our reach to a customer base that values convenience, quality and discovery. It’s also a reminder that growth isn’t just about more doors, it’s about smarter doors,” said Oliver Spring, co-founder of OOSO, in a LinkedIn post.
Lucky Energy Heads to Hawaii
Lucky Energy, the newest venture from Kate Farms founder Richard Laver, is now available on shelves at 7-Eleven Hawaii.
“From day one, the mission has been simple: put more luck (and more energy) in more hands. Now we get to do it in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” wrote the brand in a LinkedIn post.
The news comes roughly three months after private equity firm InvestBev Group announced itself an in investor in the company, adding “mid-six-figures” to Lucky’s $14.2 million funding round in March. The investment is part of InvestBev’s broadening portfolio strategy.
Ka’Chava Unveils Exclusive Costco.com Launch
Superfood meal shake Ka’Chava has launched a Costco-exclusive 30-serving bag of its best-selling chocolate shake, it’s largest bag yet. The new offering is available for $89.99 on Costco.com for a limited time.
Each serving delivers 25 grams of plant-based protein, 6 grams of fiber and essential nutrients that support energy.
“[This is] a major retail milestone for our brand. Costco is known for quality and value, and this partnership lets us reach more people than ever while staying true to our mission of making wellness and healthy living accessible,” said Dustin Kochis, VP of retail at Ka’Chava, in a statement.