In a webinar hosted by Rabobank yesterday, analysts at the multinational banking and financial services company offered an overview of the macro impacts of COVID-19 on the food and beverage industry.
As many foodservice operations cease or dramatically reduce their footprint, food products originally produced and packaged for restaurants, hotels, schools and other establishments are being rerouted to retailers and wholesalers. But before feeding the surging demand in stores, they need labels that are approved for these new channels.
GreenSeed is a contract-packaging operations and consultancy firm, servicing middle and large market CPG companies in the natural foods industry. They are seamlessly bridging the gap between manufacturer and consumer with their sustainable packaging solutions. Far more than just an outsourced packaging operation, GreenSeed brings a consultative approach to their clients’ packaging experience, accompanying them on their product’s journey from concept to end user.
Beverage brand Reed’s has converted their consumer sampling truck into a delivery truck. Over the next few weeks, “The Green Machine” will be visiting local hospitals, fire stations and medical centers in the LA, Orange County and San Diego county areas to donate the extra product they were planning on bringing to Expo West (including their Wellness Shot) to medical professionals and first responders.
O2 is a non-carbonated recovery and hydration drink sold in CrossFit, yoga, and group fitness studios across the country. Thousands of these independently owned and operated gyms have been forced to shut down as a result of COVID-19, and O2 is donating 50% of online profits back to gym owners to support them in a challenging time. Those businesses and their owners now face indefinite closures and uncertainties.
Iron Smoke Distillery is launching a new website aimed at helping out-of-work bartenders affected by the Coronavirus.
Sunwink, a sparkling herbal tonic brand that is changing the way people view herbal wellness, is excited to announce the hiring of Sarena Hines as Vice President of Sales and Saveena Kohli as Head of Operations.
Hilary McCain, founder/CEO of CBD-infused sparkling water brand Sweet Reason, spoke about attempting to own a distinct message about the benefits of CBD, strategizing amid an uncertain cannabis regulatory environment and how she convinced Lerer Hippeau, an early-stage venture capital fund notable for early investments in Warby Parker and Casper, to invest in the brand.
While many established companies are bearing up under the storm thus far, small entrepreneurial brands, from early stage startups to regional players, who often have less distribution to start, are feeling the pain from retail disruptions. However, amidst lost supermarket sales or cancelled expansion plans, online is providing a possible bright spot for these brands.
The increased demand for products through online sellers like Amazon means that brands need to shift tactics -- something that’s hard to do during a crisis; Betsy McGinn sat for a video interview with Jeff Klineman, BevNET’s editor-in-chief, to provide important advice on how brands should approach their Amazon and broader e-comm strategies as consumer behavior takes a disruptive turn to online food and beverage purchasing.
On Friday, March 20, the CEO and founder of BuzzBallz, LLC/Southern Champion, Merrilee Kick, decided to adjust operations from solely cocktail production to add the creation of hand sanitizer, which would be donated to health care facilities, municipalities, and retail personnel in Texas.
Calypso, originator of the flavored lemonade category, has announced the launch of its new line of light lemonades, Calypso Light, in four fan-favorite flavors: Original Lemonade, Ocean Blue Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade and Southern Peach Lemonade.
We're back for a 60 minute livestream today, March 26th. The fourth round of food and beverage brands includes Suja, Coolhaus, Poppi, Cappello's, and Tempo. As a special treat this week, we also have Darren Rovell, who is a Partner at Tastemaker Capital and former ESPN reporter, weighing in on the brands and providing feedback.
Following the initial introduction of Last Shot hydration drinks through Amazon's online Fulfillment initiatives, and in response to heavy demand by consumers, management announced that the second fulfillment will be ready for pick up from Last Shot the company's Las Vegas warehouse.
