David Holmes is the co-founder of Plant Life Group, the producers of PLNT Blend, a brand that crafts all-natural and organic plant-based beverages aimed to evolve the way consumers hydrate. Full spectrum hemp extract is complemented by functional ingredients and sweetened with coconut nectar, making it a low glycemic beverage with unique flavor combinations.
In the first of BevNET's multi-part recap of the major beverage category trends, new products and news from Natural Products Expo West 2019, we examine how dairy producers are rallying around grass-fed products, the rise of collagen-infused drinks, and how coffee brands are building around plant-based milks.
Justin’s founder Justin Gold spoke about his decision to stay with the brand following its $286 million acquisition by Hormel Foods. Along with a discussion on how a new take on a familiar snack and a key hire were game-changers for the brand, Gold also explained his belief that making a lot of money and having a mission to change the world are not mutually exclusive.
From ambitious startups to established category leaders, CBD and hemp-based beverages were everywhere at Expo West this year, spanning across the spectrum of formats, functionality and flavor. In this slideshow gallery, we highlight some of the notable hemp-based and CBD-infused drinks from Expo West 2019.
Using the tagline of “The Functional Fix,” Fit Brewing Co.’s “Fit Bru” is a line of cold brew coffees and teas that are enhanced with functional ingredients.
Sports drink brand Kill Cliff has entered 320 Sprouts Farmers Market stores and expanded within the military channel by adding Marine Corps Exchange locations nationwide; Illy launches RTD; Marin Kombucha enters Costco stores.
Coke-backed beverage maker Suja shared samples of a 2 oz. juice shot that contains hemp extract at the Natural Products Expo West trade show held this week in Anaheim, Calif. The SKU, called Relax, is being deliberated as the potential next addition to the brand's line of high pressure processed (HPP) cold-pressed juice shots introduced in July 2018.
Recess, a CBD-infused sparkling water brand, has taken the beverage world by storm. What’s behind the hype? Founder/CEO Benjamin Witte spoke about setting up Recess for a fast start and why he believes the best way to succeed as a beverage company is not to think like one. Also: on location at Expo West 2019, the hosts discussed a significant shift in how entrepreneurs and investors interact at the event and the wave of new CBD products exhibited at the show.
Lawmakers in Indiana have proposed a bill to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors, according to Tristate Homepage. If passed, Senate Bill 369, introduced on January 10, would make it a class C misdemeanor to “sell, give, or distribute an energy drink” to a minor.
This week, the BevNET team is walking the show floor and tracking down news from one of the year's biggest trade shows, Natural Products Expo West 2019 in Anaheim, Calif.
As the ready-to-drink coffee category continues to grow and innovate, California-based VIVIC launched last month with a line of sparkling coffees, which its co-founders hope will stand out with unique flavor profiles infused with roots and botanicals.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Scott Gottlieb resigned today, effective next month. According to The Washington Post, the move was unexpected. Gottlieb was reportedly well-liked in the government, but told officials he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Dubbed the “Costco for millennials,” online retailer Boxed has made waves since its debut in 2013. In this episode, co-founder/CEO Chieh Huang spoke about the rapid growth of the company, how it curates its product assortment and why user experience has been central to its success. He also discussed the evolution of online food shopping and why its future “will feel like Netflix.”
California-based kombucha maker Revive is testing a new four-SKU shelf-stable sparkling kombucha line in 12 oz. cans, as part of what the brand called a refocusing on its core mission of replacing carbonated soft drinks.
