CPG Week Podcast

NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Lukas Southard debate what is considered what food products should truly be called food technology, while others are perhaps just innovation. Jeff explains why the recent news of Oatly’s decision to move into a hybrid manufacturing structure with co-packer Ya YA foods is driving a discussion on social media over the merits of vertically- integrated production models. Later, Lukas interviewed Elohi Strategic Advisors founder Stephanie Lind to discuss the successes and failures of plant-based brands in foodservice. In this episode: 1:00 – The NOSH team talks about their weekends and then unpacks what the term “food tech” actually means these days. They debate if the food tech industry is over-promising and under-delivering on innovation or if there is a need to set realistic expectations for its role in the greater CPG food space. 14:20 – Jeff discusses how Oatly’s move into a hybrid production model is creating a stir among industry leaders over vertically integrated versus horizontally integrated manufacturing. 17:35 – In this week’s interview, Lukas talks to Stephanie Lind about how foodservice could be a big winner (or pitfall) for emerging plant-based brands. About the NOSH Podcast The staff of NOSH.com takes listeners inside the business of natural, organic, sustainable and healthy food during the NOSH Podcast. Using interviews and discussion, the team illuminates the news, brands, people, trends, and money affecting the world of packaged food. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

On this week’s show, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, editor-in-chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Adrianne DeLuca chat about the ever-growing plant-based alternatives space, including Adrianne’s first encounter with an Impossible Burger. Carol and Jeff also run through the implications of the recent sale of Popchips to the parent company of Real Foods From the Ground Up and how the deal is indicative of the changing financial markets. Later, we hear Jeff’s NOSH Live discussion with Emma Chamberlain, online creator and founder of Chamberlain Coffee, to learn how the social media star built the brand on her ethos of authenticity and transparency. Show Highlights: 02:16: The NOSH team discusses the palatability of plant-based meat and cheese alternatives while highlighting some new cheese brands entering the space. 08:52: The discussion then turns to the potential impact of Velocity Snack Brand’s Popchips joining the portfolio of better-for-you snack platform Powered By Real Food From the Ground Up, parent company to Real Food From The Ground Up and You Need This. 20:45: Emma, Jeff and Chamberlain Coffee CEO, Chris Gallant, get honest about how the duo approached building the coffee brand’s identity without making it synonymous with the online creator. 33:19: As an active partner with brands outside of the food and beverage scene, Emma outlines what makes for successful brand-influencer relationships and cautions those who only value follower counts over a creator’s character and commitment to the product. “Listening to what people want is crucial…because if you’re not, there’s so many opportunities that will be missed. But you also can’t base every decision off of what everyone’s asking for. What inspires me is – what do people want, that they don’t even know that they want?” – Emma Chamberlain