Distributors, Retailers Seek to Add Labor, While Foodservice Declines

Even as the coronavirus has ground most of the U.S. economy to a near stop, food and beverage suppliers and retailers — deemed an essential business by state and federal governments — are running at full speed, and looking to expand.

Jones Soda: 7-Eleven Declines Drag on Q4, Full Year Revenue

Jones Soda reported revenue and gross profit declines during its Q4 and full year 2019 earnings report, released yesterday, driven by a 9% drop in its fountain business as the result of a decrease in the brand’s 7-Eleven store count. The Seattle-based craft soda maker reported $11.5 million in full year revenue, down 6% from $12.6 million the year before.

Watch: Adnan Durrani on Saffron Road’s Crisis Playbook

In a video call with BevNET editor-in-chief Jeff Klineman, Adnan Durrani, the CEO of American Halal, the maker of the Saffron Road line of meals and snacks, gave strategic insight into the challenges of operating a large food and beverage company during these chaotic times.

New Spirits Gallery: Vodka, Brandy, Tequila and RTD Cocktails

In this gallery, we highlight a selection of new ready-to-drink cocktail releases, including low sugar cocktail launches from XED, Well and Miami Cocktail Co., along with three new vodka expressions from Insolito and limited edition offerings from Van Gogh Vodka and Germain-Robin.

Review: Tea Riot Plant-Powered Energy

Announced in February, Tea Riot Plant-Powered Energy is both a new product and a pivot for the company. Whereas its previous offerings were non-carbonated beverages, this one is carbonated and is packaged in a 16 oz. tallboy can.

Spirits Feature: Breweries Diversify Through Distilleries

With an unprecedented level of competition in craft beer, many traditionally beer-centric businesses are choosing to diversify their portfolios and provide a wider range of options by adding distilling to their operations.

Taste Radio Ep. 206: This ‘Sport Science’ Guru Explains What It Takes To Win On And Off The Field

If you’ve ever seen an episode of ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” chances are that John Brenkus is a familiar face. The Emmy Award-winning creator/host of “Sport Science,” and Chief Brand Officer of natural energy drink brand Kill Cliff, Brenkus joined us to discuss the origins of his work, his process for evaluating functional ingredients, including CBD and navigating pitfalls in consumer education.

Coronavirus: Questions, Concerns About Federal Family Leave Act

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was designed to provide an option for employees to take paid leave due coronavirus-related illness, quarantine or loss of childcare. But some food and beverage company CEOs are also concerned about keeping their manufacturing facilities staffed, due to their operating at a size at which having a few employees out on leave could hamper production.

Webinar Recap: Optimizing Ecommerce During the COVID-19 Crisis

Last week, private equity firm VMG Partners and marketing firm Right Side Up hosted a webinar, titled “Shifting to Online Amid COVID-19,” to help companies swiftly optimize their ecommerce business to meet increased demand and maximize their direct-to-consumer (DTC) and Amazon sales.

Review: Shroomshot

Shroomshot is a 2.5 oz. functional shot that is being marketed as a “mushroom wellness shot.” The products, which are perishable, contain both mushrooms and probiotics and come in two SKUs, Golden Immunity and Mental Lemon.

Amid Outbreak, An Industry Adapts

Over the past week, BevNET and NOSH edit staff reached out to a number of brands across food and beverage to hear about how they are grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as it ripples across the globe. Their responses show an industry that, even as immediate demand for their products soars, is vacillating between measured caution and deep concern.

FDA Issues COVID-19 Food Safety and Manufacturing Updates

In the past few days, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new information to answer coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns within the food industry, via official statements, a new FAQ page, and a stakeholder call addressing manufacturing, the food supply and worker safety.

Distilleries Step Up to Produce Hand Sanitizer

The demand for hand sanitizer has spiked in recent weeks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, making the germ-killing product hard to come by both in stores and online, where Amazon and EBay have been forced to crack down on price gouging. With their ample supplies of alcohol, distilleries have stepped up to close the gaps.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 77: A Bloom Is On The Horizon. Here’s How To Prepare For It.

This week’s episode focuses on ways that the BevNET and NOSH teams are working with entrepreneurs to support their businesses during these uncertain times, and also includes an interview with Candice Crane, founder/CEO of botanical drink brand Petal Beverage, who discussed how the company is leaning into its digital marketing strategy amid an evolving retail landscape.