Ray Latif
Ray Latif is the lead host, producer, and content editor of Taste Radio, BevNET’s flagship podcast and the go-to show for food and beverage industry insights. With 14 years of experience in the industry, Ray is a seasoned journalist known for his sharp interviews and in-depth coverage of trends, innovation, and news. He began his career at BevNET as an assistant editor, later advancing to managing editor of both the website and magazine. Since 2016, he’s been the driving force behind Taste Radio, overseeing everything from content strategy to production. Ray’s conversational style and meticulous research have earned him widespread praise from both guests and listeners. He has had the privilege of interviewing a diverse range of high-profile figures, including Patrick Mahomes, Jennifer Garner, Dan Aykroyd, Kobe Bryant, Padma Lakshmi, and Brad Paisley. His ability to connect with entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders has made Taste Radio a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving world of food and beverage.
Posts by Ray Latif
Danone to Acquire WhiteWave Foods for $12.5 Billion
The deal will nearly double the size of Danone’s North America footprint, increasing it from 12 to 22 percent of the company’s total portfolio and align it with several fast-growing brands focused on healthy and sustainable lifestyles.
Tio Gazpacho Completes $1.25M Funding Round Led by General Mills’ 301 INC Unit
Proceeds from the round, which was raised on equity crowdfunding platform CircleUp, will go toward new sales and marketing initiatives designed to expand placement and awareness of Tio Gazpacho’s high pressure processed, ready-to-drink soups.
How to Efficiently Optimize Your Retail Strategy
No matter the innovation or quality of its products, brands can’t reach full sales potential until they have a mutually beneficial and strategic relationship with their retailers.
Packaged Facts: Men Take Larger Role in Household Shopping
David Sprinkle, a research director for Packaged Facts, cites “evidence that the percentage of men who are now the primary shoppers in their households has more than doubled in the past two decades.”
Often a Sticky Subject: Getting It Right with Product Labels
Before getting into the design and legal aspects of labels, it’s important to understand their physical production. To do so, we recently sat down with Ryan Dunlevy of Reid Label & Digital Graphics to discuss what entrepreneurs should know about how labels are made, the variety of materials used to create labels and what labels work best for certain products versus others.
Report: Local Foods Increasingly Seen as More Desirable Than Organic, Natural Options
In a recent report, The Hartman Group, a consulting and research firm focused on consumer behavior and attitudes, wrote that “the authenticity halo around organic and natural has begun to fade, and local foods and beverages are poised to surpass them as a symbol of trust and transparency.”
Tackling the Threat of Rising Transportation Costs
A recent report produced by the The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) found that CPG companies are increasingly being squeezed by transportation costs and need to carefully consider a strategic approach to supply chain management and logistics.
Photo Gallery: Notable Trends, Tastes at the 2015 Summer Fancy Food Show
Out of an estimated 100,000 product offerings, the 2015 Summer Fancy Foods Show gave us a lot of ground to cover. Of course, it would highly ambitious to think that we could cover the entirety of the show, which was held June 28-30 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, but we certainly tried.
What Are the Most Common Mistakes in Business Plans?
We sat down with Jack Brennan, managing partner of consumer products advisory firm GBS Growth Partners, who offered some specifics on what entrepreneurs need to be wary of when crafting a business plan.
Deloitte’s American Pantry Study: Consumer Perception of Health & Wellness Evolves
Consumers are constantly updating their definition of “healthy,” and because their preferences for ingredients and functional benefits are evolving, companies need to stay on top of what is new and engaging. That was one key in finding in Deloitte’s recently released study, which examines purchasing behavior of American consumers as it relates to national food, beverage and household brands.