Nosh Staff

A film actor and active investor in several high-profile brands including Super Coffee, NUGGS and Blaze Pizza, Patrick Schwarzenegger recently added the title of entrepreneur to his resume as the co-founder and CEO of brain health brand MOSH. In our interview, Schwarzenegger spoke about why MOSH broke every traditional rule for developing and launching a CPG brand, his investment philosophy and the value of company management when making funding decisions.

Candy season is in full swing this year as Halloween-themed chocolate and candy sales surpass pre-pandemic levels and food brands launch a wide range of better-for-you Halloween-themed products, limited time packaging and resurrected multiple sweet and savory spooky SKUs from past years.

Omsom co-founder/CEO Vanessa Pham spoke about the company’s vision to break long-standing barriers in the ways ethnic food is perceived and sold, and how the brand became one of the most publicized startups in recent memory. We also feature an interview with Caroline Cotto, co-founder/COO of Renewal Mill, an upcycled food brand that markets ingredients and finished products.

NuttZo founder/CEO Danielle LiVolsi recalled the creative ways that she won over the nut butter and snack brand’s first retail buyers, why she adheres to the Nordstrom model of customer service and why she has consistently turned down outside investment. We also sat down with Kun Yang, the co-founder/CEO of cactus water brand Pricklee, who discussed the impact of localized social marketing.

Hot and spicy flavor innovations continue to be a notable trend in the food space this year, particularly as consumer interest in international and experimental flavors grows, with 428 new spicy products hitting shelves in North America in 2021, according to Mintel.

Episode 44 of Elevator Talk features leaders from Essential Candy, GnuSante Creations, Beyond The Equator, Oomame and Meepo. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. Our co-host is Bloom CPG founder Sarah Nathan.

From national distribution to failed innovation to keto-driven disruption, it’s all in a decade’s work for Buddha Brands’ co-founders Chris Magnone and Mark Cigos, who we profile in this episode of Taste Radio. We also sat down with Jen Ballen and Joe Magliano, the co-founders of Otherworld Foods, an upstart brand that aligns locally sourced and upcycled ingredients with nostalgia-inspired products.

In this episode, we explored the respective paths of four early-stage and emerging brand owners, from brand ideation and early struggles to social strategies and retail planning. The conversations highlight the perspective of founders who are attempting to reframe legacy categories via next-generation brands and products.

In this video recap, BevNET and NOSH editors Martin Caballero, Carol Ortenberg and Jeff Klineman discuss the latest news and trends that emerged from the recent Expo East Trade Show, including the evolution of keto-friendly products, the impact and influence of alternative retail channels, how supply chain challenges are shaping innovation and the factors driving the fast-expanding natural snack set.

September saw a wide range of new innovations from food companies including Quinn, Otamot, Justin’s, Yellow Bird and Lesser Evil. Check out the gallery for the latest hot sauces, salty snacks, upcycled product launches, and better-for-you entree offerings that debuted this month.