Food & Beverage Insider

Judie Bizzozero, content director, Food & Beverage Insider, and Alex Smolokoff, associate editor, Food & Beverage Insider, break down the trending ingredients, formats and messaging that stood out on the Natural Products Expo East show floor.

Jordan Buckner, founder of Foodbevy, joins the Food & Beverage Insider podcast to discuss reducing obstacles and creating more opportunities for BIPOC and women-led entrepreneurs.

Rosehips—the berries of the rose plant—may not yet be a well-utilized ingredient in North America, but they are a staple in the country of Georgia. Nina Tickaradze, the founder of NADI, a line of rosehip juices, joins the Food & Beverage Insider podcast to discuss how she brought this mainstay Georgian ingredient to America, why rosehips may be posed for explosive growth in the United States, and how she is using her business and her platform to give back. Key insights include: What are rosehips and what benefits do they provide as a functional ingredient? What is the immunity market like in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? What is next for NADI in 2021 and beyond?

Food and beverage brands that offer flexible film packaging for their natural and organic foods joined forces in 2020 with the goal of reducing ocean plastics. In this Healthy Insider podcast Reyna Bryan, president, https://www.rcdpackaging.com/ (RCD Packaging Innovation), talks about the https://www.rcdpackaging.com/innovationcolab (Redefining Flexible Films Innovation Workshop) that she led, including the big packaging lessons learned and the next steps industry will embark on to further sustainable packaging solutions. 

The 2020 election is just weeks away; its ramifications are sure to be felt country- and industry-wide. That's why Wildwonder sparkling beverages and its founder, Rosa Li, are getting the message out there however they can: Vote.  Food & Beverage Insider assistant editor spoke with Li about the brand's recent push to encourage and assist people to vote, including a recent event in which 100% of the weekend's profits went to a voter fund. Li also explained the causes central to her and Wildwonder's brand, and how they plan to fight for them.  In this podcast, Smolokoff and Li discussed:  Why Li and Wildwonder are so passionate about amplifying the “get out and vote” message;  The issues important to Li – both on a personal and business level;  and, regardless of the election outcome, what Li hopes to see more of the next four years and beyond.  

Gatorade started it all, but sports drinks continue to evolve. Defy is a sports drink startup company using a hall of fame athlete on the label (and financier). The beverage replaces electrolytes, supplements with B vitamins—and uses “performance spectrum” cannabinoids—CBD and others. Senior editor Todd Runestad gets off the sidelines and into the action with Defy CEO Megan Bushell as they discuss: How to navigate distribution, bioavailability concerns, consumer appeal and celebrity backing. Why the company selected the suite of “performance spectrum” cannabinoids in addition to CBD. How quality concerns up and down the decision tree led the company to its present position

Alter Eco, a chocolate-centric food company and Certified B Corp, announced recently it is launching a new charitable arm, the Alter Eco Foundation. This foundation will help promote regenerative and sustainable farming practices industry-wide, as well as better conditions for farmers and workers globally. According to Alter Eco's press release, “As the new charitable arm of the company, the Alter Eco Foundation will work directly with cacao farmers to provide resources to help them transition to dynamic agroforestry, a method of regenerative agriculture with many positive environmental, economic, and social benefits. This next-generation approach to farming is already showing significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” Key insights include: The need for more ethical and sustainable cacao farming, especially in light of COVID-19 and recent environmental disasters; The tangible efforts being made my Alter Eco to improve both the planet and the lives of farmers globally; How Alter Eco plans to extend its own efforts industry-wide.

Mikael Bengtsson, Industry and Solution Strategy Director for Infor's food and beverage sector in North America, and Judie Bizzozero, editor in chief of Food & Beverage Insider, discuss how ingredient suppliers and CPG brands can use technology to improve traceability and food safety standards.

With the growing popularity of plant-based alternatives to both meat and dairy, the dairy industry must be ready and willing to meet consumers where they are. That means improvement in the sustainability of dairy production that can match or surpass that of nondairy alternatives. With Food & Beverage Insider assistant editor Alex Smolokoff, this podcast addresses: • The current and future steps taken within the dairy industry to improve sustainability; • Novel and exciting ways dairy is being utilized in today's food and beverage; • and how the dairy industry competes, but also works together, with the plant-based alternative industry.

Trends on display at the 2020 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo, held virtually due to ongoing COVID-19, as discussed by Food & Beverage Insider editors Judie Bizzozero, editor in chief, and Alex Smolokoff, assistant editor.

The old saying “Let food be thy medicine” rings especially true today as people continually look to maintain and even improve their health through the food and beverage they consume. This trend of better-for-you eating, which also encompasses diets such as vegan and keto, even extends to indulgent treats. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Barry Callebaut Group is among the world's leading manufacturers of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, and recently announced the launch of two new products that follow this better-for-you trend. These new products utilize ingredients such as pea protein and boast keto and vegan claims, even on their new “milk-like” chocolate that is 100% dairy-free. Better not only for you but the environment as well, these products still promise the taste and texture consumers love and expect, all under a healthy halo. With Food & Beverage Insider assistant editor Alex Smolokoff and Laura Bergan, Director of the Barry Callebaut brand, this podcast addresses: • The reasoning behind launching new products that fit the vegan and keto trends; • The ingredients utilized and formulation challenges overcome in development of these new products; • and plans for future extension of the Barry Callebaut line to meet consumer demands for tasty, indulgent, but still better-for-you-and-the-planet treats.

The natural products industry is less diverse than the general population in terms of the consumers we serve and the individuals that lead our companies. Yet, this market is full of people who want to improve the justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (J.E.D.I.) makeup of our cultures, customers and consumers. The first step in education, especially for those who are just becoming aware of the privilege they hold in society and the ways they operate within an unjust system. This podcast with Laura Dickinson and Sheryl O'Loughlin, cofounders of the J.E.D.I. Collaborative discusses the resources available and actions brands can take to further J.E.D.I. in the natural products industry.

Every business's response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be different, and some will respond better than others. In this edition of the Food & Beverage Insider podcast, Mike Forbes, CEO of sustainable and Certified B Corp. chocolate company Alter Eco, discusses how his business has responded to these strange times, and why following the B Corp. model has helped inform that response. According to the official B Corp. website, “Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.” That focus on accountability, inclusivity and building meaningful relationships has helped Alter Eco and other B Corps. stay resilient through these unprecedented times. With Food & Beverage Insider assistant editor Alex Smolokoff, this podcast addresses: • The values that go into earning and maintaining the valuable B Corp. certification, from supplier relationships to employee empowerment; • The lessons Mike Forbes and Alter Eco have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic; • Advice for new or young businesses in the natural products space.

Brandon Hernandez, co-founder of Whole Brain Consulting, and Jon Benninger, vice president of the Health & Nutrition Network for Informa Markets, discuss how COVID-19 is providing food brands with the opportunity to take a hard look at supply chains, business plans and manufacturing processes.

The COVID-19 pandemic, even as local and national governments begin easing social restrictions, continues to plague the food and beverage industry. Now nearly three months into this “new normal,” social distancing and increased sanitization efforts continue, all while millions of Americans remain out of work or otherwise struggling financially. The question for food and beverage brands is, how is this affecting consumers? How have shopping and eating habits been adjusted, and what are consumers focused on when it comes to the food and beverages they purchase and consume? To get a clearer picture of what is driving consumers now, how that compares to pre-COVID times, and perhaps what it might say about a post-COVID world, Food & Beverage Insider spoke to Eric Pierce, who works with Informa's NEXT Data & Insights team. In this podcast, Pierce explains some of the consumer data coming out during this time, including not only what consumers say is most important to them, but what actions they are taking in response. With Food & Beverage Insider assistant editor Alex Smolokoff, this podcast addresses: • The mindset of today's consumers, and what values they hold most dear; • How shopping and social behaviors have evolved and what that means for brands, retailers and restaurants; • and what lessons we should – or shouldn't – take with us when this period of uncertainty begins to trend back toward normalcy.

A la Carte Connections owner and food scientist Rachel Zemser spoke with Food & Beverage Insider editor in chief Judie Bizzozero to discuss how product developers are adopting a new at-home R&D model during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting businesses throughout the food and beverage industry, from upstarts to established giants. Issues with supply chains, retailers, manufacturing and more have forced brands to adjust on the fly to keep their businesses thriving during these unprecedented times. Go Big, an energy and wellness shot company launched in February, is experiencing the turbulence brought on by COVID-19 first-hand. From reprioritizing distribution channels to ensuring a stable supply chain, Go Big is going through the same period of uncertainty facing the industry at large. In this podcast, Go Big co-founder and co-CEO Ben Koren covers the company's reaction and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, steps the company took before the pandemic hit that are helping them now, and how these trying times have changed the company's outlook moving forward. With Food & Beverage Insider assistant editor Alex Smolokoff, this podcast addresses: • How, as a new startup, Go Big was in a unique position to change course as the current times demand; • Steps the company had already taken to ensure supply chain stability and why those steps are helpful now; • and what Go Big is doing to show their appreciation for those on the frontlines of the crisis.

PepsiCo is tackling gender-based investment disparity through its Frito-Lay inaugural WomanMade Expo West Challenge that awarded $100,000 in business grants to three female entrepreneurs. Listen to Ciara Dilley, vice president of marketing, transform brands and portfolio innovation for Frito-Lay, and first-place winner Sashee Chandran discuss challenges and opportunities facing female entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry.

Soñar! Foods' organic Grain Free Tortilla Chips take a classic Latin food staple, but increase the nutrition, cut the empty calories and give back to the community. These organic-certified, nutrient-dense, grain-free tortilla chips were named a finalist in the Best New Mission-Based Product category for the 2020 NEXTY awards. They are made from garbanzo beans, cassava, hemp, chia, flax and expeller pressed sunflower oil sourced from the Americas. The chips offer 5 g of fiber, 3 g of protein, 0 g of sugar and 8 g of net carbs per serving. It's also certified gluten free, Non-GMO Project verified, and dairy-free. Soñar! is a Latina immigrant owned food company on a mission to empower and nourish a nation of dreamers. 1% of its annual sales goes to the Latino Community Foundation. The company uses drought-tolerant and sustainable ingredients and is on its path to B Corp certification. In this podcast, Soñar! Foods' cofounders Maria and Pete Brannan cover the product's ingredients, formulation and effect on the greater Latinx community.

Sun & Swell's Foods' Clean Cookie Bites is a finalist for the Best Environmentally Responsible Packaging category at the 2020 NEXTY Awards because they come in composable pouches that fully decompose within 180 days. Product integrity is found inside the package too, with a product that's made with whole-food, plant-based ingredients, half of which are sourced from California. In this podcast, Kate Flynn, CEO and founder, Sun & Swell Foods, talks with Sandy Almendarez, content director, Informa Markets, about the how the product was formulated, sourced and packaged.