Nosh Staff

NOSH’s Pitch Slam 10 will feature the founders of the hottest new food brands competing virtually for the title. The semifinalists have been chosen, as well as the expert judges, who will be providing feedback and ultimately choosing the winner. So let’s meet the players.

Chloe Epstein and Michael Sloan, the co-founders of better-for-you frozen novelty brand Chloe’s, explained why they shifted focus from foodservice to packaged goods and why Chloe’s is not shy about putting a target on the back of big CPG.

In May brands launched a range of new products, kicking off the summer season with a variety of new salty snacks, dips and sauces. In this gallery, we highlight a new product from NuttZo, plant-based meat, seafood and cheese innovations, product reformulations and a handful of brand refreshes including Khalsa, reThink ice cream and more.

Last year we adopted a paid subscriber model to continue delivering valuable content to our community. But we feel that you’re more than a subscriber: you are an Insider.

With the summer months approaching, brands are gearing up for warm weather and school vacations with frozen offerings like Tillamook’s new custard line and kid-friendly on-the-go snacks from Hippeas and LesserEvil. Check out the gallery for May’s notable new product launches, including new granolas from 88 Acres and Purely Elizabeth and protein bars from No Cow, Lovely Day and Obvi.

Lezlie Karls Saltarelli, Nick Saltarelli and Jake Karls, the co-founders of Mid-Day Squares, a brand of hybrid chocolate and protein bars, spoke about how the company has achieved its rapid start, the keys to its unique and compelling social strategy, how consistent communication with the brand’s consumers gave the brand a solid foundation on which to build and why a business therapist has been vital to their development.

This summer’s Speed Dating events will be even more frequent, as well as more focused. Our upcoming events will be 60 minutes instead of two hours to free up calendars and allow participation in multiple events. Each event is also now focused on a particular fundraising stage and/or category of products to lead to more qualified conversations.

Episode 36 of Elevator Talk features leaders from Chia Smash, Honey Child, Artisan Pops, Zesty Kitchen, OMG…It’s Gluten Free! and Seagreen. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates.

Jason Wright, the co-founder and CEO of chicken- and pork-based chip brand Wilde Brands, explained how he was able to land investment without having a finished product, why he regrets working with a co-packer, how he collaborated with retail buyers to establish a new protein-centric segment within the snack category and why the keys to winning consumers over always begins with taste.

This week, we’re joined by Chris Fanucchi and Samantha Citro Alexander, the co-founders of Bitewell, a new startup platform that aims to make healthy purchasing decisions easier via curated options for grocery and restaurant delivery