Headlines

Vive Organic Closes $13M Round With Monogram Capital

Vive Organic closed a $13 million Series B funding round led by Monogram Capital, the company announced today. Existing investors Cambridge SPG and PowerPlant Ventures also participated in this round.

SprintToSuccess S1E3: From Strategy to Creative

This week we’re sharing episode three of SprintToSuccess, a video series focused on demystifying the branding process for entrepreneurs in the food and beverage space. In this episode, we are turning the corner from strategy to creative.

People Moves: Essentia, Nutrabolt CMOs Announce Exits

Essentia CMO Karyn Abrahamson has exited the company, according to an Essentia spokesperson. Zola Kane, Essentia’s VP of integrated marketing, has stepped into the interim CMO role.

Brand Profile: Calypso Makes Gains By Going ‘Light’

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic still roiling, Calypso is coasting along behind strong tailwinds; as of mid-July, the company is up by 50% for this year, according to CEO David Klavsons.

Elevator Talk Livestream Round 18: Quokka Brew, 3 Mountains Tea

The eighteenth round of Elevator Talk Livestream features leaders from Quokka Brew, RIND Snacks, 3 Mountains Tea, Good Dees and Paleo Pro. This week's special co-host is Trent Moffat, the owner of Gotham Brand Managers.

Spirits Gallery: Summer Whiskeys and RTDs

In this spirits gallery, we highlight some of the notable new releases from the past several weeks, including new whiskey expressions from Nikka and Booker’s, plus a spate of new ready-to-drink cocktail products ranging from floral summer flavors (You & Yours, Dry Fly) to boozy cold brew (Kahlua).

Coca-Cola: Pandemic Causes Double-Digit Declines, But Company Remains Optimistic

The Coca-Cola Company said it is hoping the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind them following a 28% net revenue drop to $7.2 billion during Q2, according to the conglomerate’s quarterly earnings report today, ending what CEO James Quincy said was arguably “the toughest and most complex quarter in Coca-Cola history.”

ZenWTR Names Bryan Crowley as CEO

California-based beverage startup ZenWTR announced today that it has appointed Bryan Crowley as CEO. Crowley joins the sustainably-packaged alkaline water brand, founded by veteran entrepreneur Lance Collins, five months after leaving the chief executive role at Soylent.

Taste Radio Ep. 222: How Three Female Entrepreneurs Are Changing An Industry ‘Bit’ By Bit

Gabrielle Union, Maggie Patton and Alex Buckley, co-founders of better-for-you kid’s snack brand Bitsy’s, spoke about the company’s mission to make nutritious snacks accessible to all families, communicating the brand’s healthy halo to children and parents, why asking for help has to be a priority for entrepreneurs and how the food industry can work together to mainstream healthy food for kids.

Watch Office Hours: Dialing in Your Amazon Strategy

On this week's Office Hours, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg is joined by Chris Moe, co-founder & COO at ecommerce agency Cartograph, and Cambria Copeland, senior director of business management at online sales manager Beekeeper Marketing, for a discussion exploring how successful food and beverage companies can utilize retailing giant Amazon.

Distribution Roundup: Lemon Perfect Adds SoCal DSD; Sunshine Spreads in Florida

In this Distribution Roundup, Lemon Perfect picks up two new DSD partners in Southern California in the form of John Lenore & Co. and Classic Beverage. Meanwhile, natural energy drink brand Sunshine is gaining a foothold in Florida through expansion in Publix and 7-Eleven. Plus, DRY makes moves in Texas, Aura Bora lands at Whole Foods and pea milk brand Sproud makes its North American retail debut.

Oatly CEO Petersson: “We’re Market Leaders”

On Tuesday, Oatly closed one of the largest food and beverage financing deals of the year when it announced a $200 million funding round led by Blackstone Growth. Speaking with BevNET, Oatly CEO Toni Petersson said the financing represents a diversification of the company’s ownership structure, bringing in an American firm that will work directly with its European and Asian arms.

Survey: C-Store Retailers Upbeat on Beverages

Thanks in part to encouraging sales growth and a rebound in energy drinks, C-store retailers are more optimistic about the outlook for the total beverage category than a month ago, according to a survey conducted by Goldman Sachs Equity Research analysts published today.