A Dozen Cousins

This episode is the first in a special series in which we examine the state of Black food and beverage entrepreneurship within the CPG landscape. The series highlights conversations on various aspects of the challenges felt by all entrepreneurs filtered through the experience of Black founders.

Rice, beans and sauce brand A Dozen Cousins has raised new capital, with investors including Emil Capital Partners, RCV Frontline and CPG executive John Foraker taking part.

In this week’s roundup of notable new products, Partners Coffee releases its first summer blend, Brightland teams up with A Dozen Cousins to launch a seasoning sauce designed for summer grilling and BelliWelli expands its lineup of gut-friendly snack bars.

Ibraheem Basir, the founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a brand of ready-to-eat meals and sides inspired by traditional Black and Latino recipes, spoke about how the brand’s initial focus has evolved, why keeping “a foot in the familiar” is a key tenet of its innovation strategy, the reason the company isn’t vocal about funding and how opportunities have improved while challenges remain for BIPOC food entrepreneurs.

In this distribution roundup: Mason Dixie Foods partners with Marriott Select Brand Hotels, Rob’s Backstage Popcorn rolls out at retail, Klimon debuts at Walmart, Meli’s Cookies launch at Costco and more.

Though sugar may be consumers’ “Public Enemy Number One” in the move towards healthier eating, high calorie oils and fats are not far behind. However, a new industry group is hoping to change that perception and further educate consumers about the benefits of healthy fats – such as ghee, avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil and nut oil – in their own 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.

Attempting to create parity around professional opportunity in the food and beverage industry, three CPG executives announced today the launch of Project Potluck. The organization will start with three initiatives: a mentorship program, monthly community building events and a digital community on LinkedIn.

What happens after you achieve the goal you’ve spent years chasing? In 2017 Peter Rahal sold his protein bar brand RXBAR. In 2019 he stepped down as CEO to be an advisor to the company and focus on his own projects. Now he’s busy investing in brands under his firm Litani and figuring out what his next play should be.