ANAHEIM, Calif., March 10, 2025 — Recoup Beverage, a brand known for its gut-healthy hydration drinks, has won first place at the 2025 Natural Products Expo West Pitch Slam. Featuring ginger, prebiotic fiber, and electrolytes from maple tree water, Recoup's beverages provide hydration and gut health benefits without added sugar or stevia, offering a clean and functional alternative in the better-for-you beverage space.
Co-founder Susan Hartman pitched on behalf of Recoup Beverage, impressing the judges with the brand’s commitment to regenerative organic ingredients and consumer health. “This award validates that we are onto something truly special—consumers are looking for clean, functional beverages that support both personal wellness and positive climate impact,” said Hartman. “It is an honor to win such a prestigious competition.”
Co-founder Siwat Siengsanaoh added, "Winning Pitch Slam was an amazing way to start off Expo West, garnering a lot of additional attention from retail buyers, consumers, and investors."
The Pitch Slam's runner-up, Wild Orchard, was also a Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) product, reflecting a growing trend toward regenerative agriculture in the natural products industry. Notably, last year's first and second place winners, Painterland Sisters and Philosopher Foods, also produce regenerative certified products, indicating a significant shift in the market toward sustainable practices. Three out of the four brands, including Recoup, are inaugural members of the Regen Brand Coalition, which aims to “advance regenerative agriculture through what we produce and consume.”
The Audience Choice Award went to Xinca Foods, a Latina-owned, self-funded company, highlighting the brand's strong connection with consumers.
The esteemed panel of judges for this year's Pitch Slam included:
· Kathleen Casanova — Founding Executive Director, Project Potluck
· Tahaji Felder — Senior Accelerator Program Manager, Target
· Michael Jones — Vice President, Lending Business Development, RSF Finance
· Jason Murrell — Buyer, Jimbo’s … Naturally!, a San Diego-based natural and organic retailer
Each brand had three minutes to pitch, followed by a four-minute Q&A session with the judges.
About Recoup Beverage
Recoup Beverage Inc. is a certified minority-owned and female-founded company with a mission to champion resilience for people and planet through regenerative organic modern remedies. Recoup Beverage Inc. was co-founded by Siwat Siengsanaoh and Susan Buckwalter Hartman. Siwat spent the first three years of life in the hospital and went through ten major surgeries, including open heart surgery, before he was twelve. His mom’s ginger-based home remedies played a big part in his recovery and were the initial inspiration for Recoup. He combed through medical research to find the clinically proven dose of ginger to use in each beverage. Co-founder, Susan Buckwalter Hartman, is an avid athlete and nature-lover who wanted a clean-label beverage that felt like self-care, not a compromise. Recoup is the nation’s first beverage brand to be Regenerative Organic Certified® across its portfolio and is a 2024 winner of the Bevnet New Beverage Showdown. Recoup is currently available in Wegmans, Erewhon, Mother’s Market, Jimbo’s, and will be launching nationwide in Sprouts Farmers Markets in early May.
Media Contact:
Scott Hartman VP Brand Recoup Beverage
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