Hydrant Raises $5.7 Million Series A Round

Hydrant, the maker of a line of powdered hydration drink mixes, has raised $5.7 million in a Series A funding round led by Coefficient Capital, the company announced today, bringing its total funding to $8.8 million. In addition to Coefficient Capital, the round also included Rx3 Ventures and prior investors Soma Capital and Sixers Innovation Lab, an incubator program run by the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.

Scott Miller Appointed as New CEO at Essentia

Essentia Water announced today that founder and CEO Ken Uptain will be shifting into a new role as the company’s Executive Chairman, with Scott Miller, CEO of Tampico Beverages, chosen as his successor. The change is effective June 1.

Elevator Talk: Acid League Plans Launch of Vinegar-Based Platform Brand

Allan Mai is the co-founder of Acid League, a startup led by food scientists building a platform brand around their house-crafted, functional vinegars. The company begins by fermenting fruits and vegetables, then experiments with various recipes and product types including shrubs, cooking vinegars and condiments.

Review: LaDiDa

LaDiDa is a recently launched line of oat milk lattes that are infused with 15mg of full spectrum hemp extract. The products, which are packaged in 8 oz cans, come in three varieties: Matcha, Golden Turmeric and Honey Lavender.

Swig + Swallow Rebrands to Cheeky Cocktail Co.

Last month, Swig + Swallow rebranded to Cheeky Cocktails Co., dropping its entire product portfolio and the half-full bottle concept in favor of a new line premium syrups and juices, available in eight flavors for $7.50 per 8 oz. bottle.

Taste Radio Ep. 212: How The Unlikely Duo Of NASCAR’s Kyle Busch And Suja’s Jeff Church Are Attempting To Defy The Odds In Energy

This week, we’re joined by the team behind upstart brand Rowdy Energy, NASCAR champion Kyle Busch and Suja co-founder Jeff Church. The duo spoke about their decision to enter the competitive energy category, leveraging Busch’s fame and fan base in an authentic way and how Church is incorporating lessons from the Suja playbook into Rowdy’s business strategy.

People Moves: Riff Cold Brewed Names Adam Hertel as CRO

Oregon-based Riff Cold Brewed announced last week that it has named Adam Hertel as chief revenue officer; DAHlicious Organic announced that it has appointed former Mondelez International senior director Pamela Goldberg as CEO; Goldstein leaves Organic Valley for CMO role at cannabis cultivator and dispensary INSA

Brands Give Back Roundup: Kate Farms, Upwell Donate to Native American Communities; Califia Farms Supports Baristas and Cafe Partners

The food and beverage industry continues to step up and lend support to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this roundup, we highlight brands’ efforts to give back, including Kate Farms’ and Upwell’s donations to at-risk seniors in Native American communities, Califia Farms’ support for baristas and cafes and a pop-up grocery store for healthcare workers featuring Bolthouse Farms products.

Backed by PowerPlant, Jot Coffee Aims to Solve D2C Coffee Quandary

Packing 14 servings of organic, fair trade coffee per 6 oz. glass bottle, Jot Coffee, a new brand of concentrated “ultra coffee” co-founded by REBBL’s Palo Hawken and Andrew Gordon of Square Organics, aims to use a combination of convenience and quality to open new opportunities in e-commerce.

Flow Alkaline Spring Water Raises $45M to Support U.S. Growth

Flow Alkaline Spring Water announced today it has closed a $45 million Series D funding round, backed by a group of individual investors that includes pop star Post Malone and former MLB champion Chase Utley. The financing will go towards the company’s goal of scaling distribution and production and doubling its consumer base by next year.

Review: Frenchie

Frenchie is an electrolyte enhanced sparkling beverage that is positioned as a “premium hydration” product. It comes in a single citrus flavored SKU and has 15 calories per 10 oz can.

Plantible Raises $4.6M to Scale Plant Protein

B2B food tech startup Plantible announced this week the close of a $4.6M seed round, co-led by Hong Kong-based early-stage venture capital group Vectr Ventures and New York-based Lerer Hippeau, along with Kellogg’s venture arm eighteen94 Capital and San Francisco-based Food for Thought Worldwide (FTW) Ventures.