BevNET FBU Brings “Food & Beverage University” to Boston on March 27, 2014 BevNET FBU Brings “Food & Beverage University” to Boston on March 27, 2014

BevNET FBU Brings “Food & Beverage University” to Boston on March 27, 2014

by BevNET.com Staff,

Topics to be covered during the full-day program will range from those rudimentary design, sales and marketing, and production elements that are required of any new enterprise to distribution and retail launch strategies. Entrepreneurs and financial advisors will provide thorough understanding of the capital requirements food and beverage companies need for growth and sustainability, and the best ways to access potential investors at various stages of company maturity.

Distribution Roundup: Rooibee Red Tea Expands Presence Across U.S., Reed’s Partners With FreshDirect Distribution Roundup: Rooibee Red Tea Expands Presence Across U.S., Reed’s Partners With FreshDirect

Distribution Roundup: Rooibee Red Tea Expands Presence Across U.S., Reed’s Partners With FreshDirect

by Max Rothman,

Rooibee Red Tea, which markets a line of USDA-organic, ready-to-drink red tea made from the South African rooibos bush, announced Thursday that it has expanded its presence on both coasts and the South. The tea will be available in Whole Foods stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington D.C. at the start of 2014, Publix stores in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, and Bristol Farms and Nugget Markets in California.

Review: Healthy Mama Boost-It-Up Review: Healthy Mama Boost-It-Up

Review: Healthy Mama Boost-It-Up

by BevNET.com Staff,

Healthy Mama “Boost-It-Up!” is an all-natural protein drink that was designed for pregnant women and nursing mothers. With a flavor that is much cleaner than other protein drinks out there, this product seems like something that could be more broadly applied than it currently is. As it stands right now, the target consumer is extremely narrow.

Starbucks Shuffles Executive Team; CEO Schultz to Focus on Digital, Mobile Starbucks Shuffles Executive Team; CEO Schultz to Focus on Digital, Mobile

Starbucks Shuffles Executive Team; CEO Schultz to Focus on Digital, Mobile

by Ray Latif,

Starbucks yesterday announced significant changes to its executive leadership team, including an expanded role for CEO Howard Schultz in the company’s "next generation retailing and payments initiatives,” according to a statement. Starbucks CFO Troy Alstead has been promoted to chief operating officer, a newly created role in which he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company.

New Beverage Showdown 7 – Think Your Brand’s Got What it Takes? Apply TODAY! New Beverage Showdown 7 – Think Your Brand’s Got What it Takes? Apply TODAY!

New Beverage Showdown 7 – Think Your Brand’s Got What it Takes? Apply TODAY!

by BevNET.com Staff,

Since its inception, the New Beverage Showdown, BevNET’s signature beverage brand competition, has offered significant exposure to dozens of early-stage companies and emerging beverage categories, with top awards and recognition going to some of most innovative new brands to launch in recent years, including Coco Cafe, Runa, ChiaVie and Health-Ade.

Review: Juiceology Review: Juiceology

Review: Juiceology

by BevNET.com Staff,

Flash-pasteurized and aseptically-filled, Juiceology is a four-SKU line of juice blends that have been blended with whole grain extracts, including oats, barley and brown rice. While the beverages are pleasant to drink, the branding and packaging seem at odds with the name Juiceology. That said, will consumers look at Juiceology as simply another me-too super-premium juice brand?

Kombucha Crossover Kombucha Crossover

Kombucha Crossover

by Max Rothman,

Health-Ade announced Wednesday that it has added Christine Perich, the CFO and COO at New Belgium Brewing Company, Inc., to its board of directors. Perich began working at the Fort Collins, Colo.-based brewery in 2000 and will continue to do so. Slekys Trout credited Perich’s vast experience and ability to troubleshoot the abundance of difficulties faced by an ambitious kombucha company.

SodaStream Partners With Welch’s Amid Recent Setbacks SodaStream Partners With Welch’s Amid Recent Setbacks

SodaStream Partners With Welch’s Amid Recent Setbacks

by Max Rothman,

The trendy at-home soda kit company announced Wednesday morning that it will work with Welch’s to launch a line of sparkling drink concentrates that will be developed exclusively for SodaStream’s home beverage carbonation system. The products are expected to be available in the U.S. during the second half of 2014.

BevForce Founders Launch FoodForce BevForce Founders Launch FoodForce

BevForce Founders Launch FoodForce

by Ray Latif,

Extending its platform of full-service recruiting for the beverage industry to the food world, Force Brands has announced its official launch of Food Force, a new division designed to specialize “in hiring strategies and organizational design for food companies,” according to a statement from the company.

Review: REBBL Tonic Review: REBBL Tonic

Review: REBBL Tonic

by BevNET.com Staff,

REBBL Tonic is a line of organic, herbal tonics that are made with a blend of exotic ingredients, such as cat’s claw bark extract. While we definitely enjoyed the taste of the drinks, it seems like the messaging on the bottle copy, which includes a heavy emphasis on "herbal tonic," along with the products being labeled as supplements, is something that might be a bit of a deterrent.is going to raise more questions rather than lure in buyers.

Bullseye: Life Juice Stays the Course, Lands National Deal with Target Bullseye: Life Juice Stays the Course, Lands National Deal with Target

Bullseye: Life Juice Stays the Course, Lands National Deal with Target

by Ray Latif,

Earlier this month, Life Juice founder Ety Salamone landed her biggest and -- for cold-pressed juice -- one of the most noteworthy retailers to date: Target. The brand is now distributed within the retailer’s 390+ PFresh concept stores, where Target sells refrigerated products and fresh produce. It’s a placement that, if successful, may have a significant impact on how Target and other mass retailers view the nascent category and its potential in that channel.

Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley Report Continued Strength of Energy Drinks Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley Report Continued Strength of Energy Drinks

Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley Report Continued Strength of Energy Drinks

by Max Rothman,

Category leaders Red Bull and Monster have continued to rack up strong sales figures, according to recent reports by analysts with investment banks Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. The report from Wells Fargo, in particular, cited innovation, marketing increases and less negative press as boons for the category.

Review: Sipp Lemon Flower Review: Sipp Lemon Flower

Review: Sipp Lemon Flower

by BevNET.com Staff,

Sipp has done a great job of taking a flavor that’s classic at its core and elevating it with elderflower and tarragon. The resulting mixture is balanced, flavorful, and light in the mouth, with just the right amount of each flavor. And the packaging? Well, that's pretty darn good too...

FDA to Revise Guidelines of Nutrition Facts Labels FDA to Revise Guidelines of Nutrition Facts Labels

FDA to Revise Guidelines of Nutrition Facts Labels

by Max Rothman,

Introduced to the U.S. on Jan. 6, 1993, nutrition facts labels have long served as one of the best ways for consumers to monitor their health by what they eat and drink. However, as time passes and the industries progress, the FDA recognizes that an update could further ensure the safety of consumers — the administration’s top priority — and mollify politicians and think tanks.