While their latest venture, Earth & Star, is a sharp departure from BluePrint, co-founders Zoe Sakoutis and Erica Huss are applying the same principles that proved so successful in juice as they look to put their spin on a new product: functional mushroom-infused oat milk lattes.

BevNET and NOSH’s interactive streaming video series, Office Hours, is returning on Tuesday, May 5 at 3 p.m. ET. This edition will focus on the COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions to the review and reset process for categories and products, and the steps brands can consider when reaching out to retail buyers.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many high-profile sustainability initiatives have taken a back seat to single-use packaging, with many grocery stores banning reusable bags and Starbucks no longer accepting refillable mugs. Despite this, Loop is going all in on reusable packaging, launching its waste-free CPG delivery platform nationwide through retailers Walgreens and Kroger with heavyweight brand partners including PepsiCo, Nestlé and Unilever.

Despite being one of the established veterans of the functional beverage set, Neuro is still looking for ways to expand its product range. Along with introducing powdered products, the California-based company is this month introducing its eighth SKU, Probucha, a shelf-stable probiotic drink intended to promote gut health.

Does being the biggest brand in a beverage category, as well as the one that brought it into the public sphere, give you the right to reorganize it as it evolves? If you’re GT Dave, founder of GT’s Kombucha, the answer is “yes.”

In an interview with NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, Mark Rampolla, partner and co-founder at PowerPlant Ventures, discussed what the new relationship between brands and investors may look like, both pre and post acquisition.