Brand founders and CEOs are joining our team today, March 10th, via livestream to provide a brief recap of their recent Expo West news and updates. The first round of 30 food and beverage brands include Tea Riot, Bobo's, Sol-ti, Ayoba-Yo, Greenbelt Craft Kombucha and The Good Bean.
We spoke with Vincent Kitirattragarn, co-founder/CEO of Dang Foods, about why he thinks the company is well-positioned to tap into one of the most overlooked and influential minority groups in the U.S. He also explained how Dang communicates its brand story across product lines, why he keeps a tight grip on innovation strategy and his relationship with investment firm Sonoma Brands.
Premium fresh pickle brand Grillo’s recently announced its move into the beverage category with the launch of this line of cold-pressed pickle vinegar drinks. The product line features two flavors, Pickle and Lemon, each packaged in a 12 oz. square plastic bottles.
All Market Inc. is taking a measured approach for growing both natural energy drink Runa and coconut water brand Vita Coco, aiming to use product innovation and updated branding to develop a bigger and deeper presence within existing key retail accounts.
Coming off triple-digit growth in 2019, Hellowater has partnered with Southeastern Grocers to add over 400 grocery channel accounts ahead of broader expansion this year. Co-founder and EVP of sales and marketing Rusty Jones said the Chicago-based brand, which markets a line of flavored waters infused with prebiotic fibers, is now available in BI-LO and Winn Dixie stores, bringing its total nationwide footprint to about 6,000 stores.
Natural beverage brand Purity Organic is teaming with CBD supplier Kadenwood on a partnership to produce a range of CBD-infused food, beverage, personal care and pet products.
Announced in February, Organic Chiamilk is the most recent product innovation from Mamma Chia and one that takes the company into the plant-based dairy alternative category. The line is launching with two unsweetened flavors, Original and Vanilla, which are packaged in 28 oz. multi-serve containers.
Premium sparkling water maker Spindrift has raised $29.8 million in a new funding round, its largest single round to date, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week. The new round brings the Massachusetts-based company’s total financing to at least $70 million and is the first new funding the brand has received since a $20 million Series B round led by VMG Partners in 2018.
In a report submitted yesterday to Congress (a week past its due date) FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn noted the agency still lacks enough evidence to say CBD ‘can’t hurt.’ While the report notes the FDA is “actively considering potential pathways for certain CBD products to be marketed as dietary supplements,” the agency is still seeking more scientific evidence — especially to support CBD’s safety in food.
William Siff, founder and CEO of Goldthread, discussed why building the plant-based tonic brand was akin to “inventing a category,” effective methods for driving consumer education and brand awareness, defining metrics for success and how the company incorporates ingredient trends into its innovation strategy.
Good Culture, a company that got its start making organic cottage cheese, has recently expanded into the beverage category with the launch of Good Culture Probiotic Smoothies. The launch includes three flavors -- Pineapple, Vanilla and Wildberry -- and they are made with protein-rich kefir from pasture-raised cows.
Like its consumers, Once Upon a Farm is growing up. The fresh-focused kids CPG brand is launching a new line of non-dairy yogurt and bottled protein smoothies, both moves aimed at helping the brand expand its appeal beyond babies to families.
In the next edition in a series of news briefs, we catch up with Vive Organic to discuss a pair of new additions to its line of functional cold-pressed juice shots, while also checking out new plant-based innovations from teaRIOT and Protein2o.
Are you a founder or entrepreneur with a new brand premiere, package refresh, new product or line extension that was supposed to be announced at Expo West 2020 this week? We want to hear from you! Sign up now to take part in our Elevator Talk Livestream on Tuesday, March 10 at 3PM ET. It is free to participate and interviews will be conducted remotely.
