Nosh Staff

In this video, recorded at NOSH Live Winter 2019, Whole Foods’ VP of Grocery, Dan Epley, spoke to how the retailer has changed its strategies around category management, pricing, promotions, planograms and merchandising. He also shared how the company is prioritizing working with local vendors, what a path to store shelves looks like for emerging companies, and what brands need to think about in order to be successful in the store.

Megan Bent, founder and managing partner of Harbinger Ventures, spoke about why launching the investment firm was about “rethinking some of the fundamentals in how capital is invested,” why funding decisions are “probably more relational than anything else” and why she encourages “bite-sized actions” to support greater diversity in business.

Elizabeth Stein, founder and CEO of Purely Elizabeth, discussed how the brand’s focus on creating delicious, nutrient-dense foods has paid dividends since its launch in 2009. She also spoke about how the company has strategized around opportunities and challenges within a rapidly growing market for natural foods.

Zoe Feldman, the director of Chobani Incubator, spoke about why she’s emphasized the incubator’s focus on diversity as part of its selection criteria, how prior roles as an executive at PepsiCo and in venture capital shaped her perspective on the importance of diversity in business and why “representation is hugely critical” to the future of our industry.

It’s with great respect and honor for the food business that we present NOSH’s Best Of 2019 awards, our inaugural celebration of annual excellence and innovation in the industry. NOSH’s Best Of awards recognize individuals, brands, products and strategies that have demonstrated excellence during the year and resonance that will extend beyond the calendar. We cherish the opportunity to use our platform to highlight these companies, people, and ideas.

We’re now in the thick of the busy holiday shopping season and plenty of new products are hitting brick-and-mortar store shelves as well as online retailers, from wellness offerings to on-the-go meals and snacks. Check out the gallery to see some of the month’s notable new products, including coffee launches from ThinkNOO and illy, plant-based meals from Gabriella’s Kitchen and seasonal offerings from Siete and Supernatural.

Joel Warady, the General Manager and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Enjoy Life Foods, spoke about the genesis and evolution of the allergen-friendly snack brand, explained why the company embraces a “think digital, act analog” business strategy and why standards matter at every stage of growth.

The holiday season is here and retailers are stocking their shelves with festive limited edition flavor offerings from classic pumpkin spice to peppermint to gingerbread. With the proven popularity of seasonal plays, brands are testing new flavors and entering new retailers with limited edition sweets, snacks, stocking stuffers and convenient Thanksgiving feasts on-the-go.

T.K. Pillan, the co-founder of vegan restaurant chain Veggie Grill, discussed his transition from tech to food and the “light bulbs” that led to the creation of the company. He also discussed why it’s critical for co-founders to be aligned on vision and values, what it means to be “a good investor” and the evolution of plant-based food brands.

Rachel Klein is the owner of Revival Food Co., the makers of indulgent and nourishing stone ground almond butters with no added sugar or preservatives. Revival is known for its flavorful and funky lineup featuring ingredients such as rosemary, maca and chai spices.