CPG Week Podcast

On this week’s show, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg and reporters Adrianne DeLuca and Lukas Southard chat about recent news from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding functional food claims. Later, Adrianne sits down with Cynthia Cabrera, chief strategy officer at Hometown Hero CBD, and Bethany Gomez, managing director of The Brightfield Group to talk about the impact of hemp-derived THC has had on the CPG industry and how this unregulated space has contributed to consumer awareness of cannabinoid products. Show Highlights: 07:17: The team breaks down recent news from the FTC, which saw nearly 700 businesses receive warning letters regarding their use of certain functional food claims, and the challenges functional brands could face in the future. 15:24: In the spirit of 4/20, the topic turns to hemp-derived THC compounds including Delta-8 and Delta-9. Cynthia and Bethany talk through the regulatory nuances that have allowed this subset of the hemp space to grow and how the rules vary from those governing marijuana businesses. 21:25: Cynthia and Bethany discuss the implications widespread distribution has had on these products and business and breakdown opportunities for growth – ranging from gas stations to grocery stores to e-commerce. 32:13: The duo then shares their expectations for the upcoming farm bill reauthorization and the conversation centers around ramifications of state level legislation, rather than federal law, that have impacted the overall market’s performance. “Marijuana companies are not sure what to think about the whole hemp-derived THC space. Many of them are up in arms about it and really looking to view it as a threat and are combating against it, and others are viewing it as an opportunity.” – Bethany Gomez “At the time [of the 2018 Farm Bill], nobody knew that a whole other industry could or would crop up — that’s the beauty of innovation. That’s the beauty of an entrepreneurial market. They see an opportunity and they take it. The worst thing that could happen would be anything that tamps that down.”  – Cynthia Cabrera 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 talk about some notable, viral marketing campaigns as well as some tips, tricks and potential trends for Expo West. Later, Carol chats with Bobo’s CEO TJ McIntyre about the common missteps he believes brands make when they approach innovation and growth in tandem. Show Highlights: 02:22: The NOSH team talks through how Three Wishes used a TikTok trend to promote their own rebrand as well as the ‘nepo babies’ that appeared in Silk’s plant-based iteration of the iconic Got Milk campaign. 06:34: The discussion then shifts toward Expo West and the team shares some handy supplier sorting strategies, how they intend to tackle the troves of booths and what they are looking out for on the floor this year (Hint: Adrianne wants to meet all the millet makers) 21:10: TJ reigns in brand expectations about launching new innovations. He also explains why he believes introducing a new product to work your way out of business and financial troubles is a big mistake. 36:19: What happens to your margins when rapid innovation is the near-term goal? TJ said in his experience, the business quickly ends up building off pennies instead of cash and long term, can lead itself right to extinction. “If you’re going to come out with new innovation and put it into another category, don’t believe in your own hype that people are going to follow you there.” -TJ McIntyre, CEO at Bobo’s 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

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 and reporter Adrianne DeLuca run down NOSH Live Winter 2022, highlighting key themes and trends threaded through the discussions with industry experts. Later, we hear Carol’s NOSH Live discussion with Holly Adrien, Natural and Organic Innovation and Strategy Manager at Kroger, to learn how emerging natural product brands can strategize for success when pitching the grocery giant. Show Highlights: 01:28: The NOSH team breaks down discussions from the conference including the various approaches to brand building and community, the shifting demands of natural and organic shoppers, and what categories are seeing a spike in better-for-you innovation. 19:30: Adrien kicks off the discussion with a look into how grocery buyers work to understand consumers at every level, when they harness both internal and external data for new in-store activations, and how they view the space for natural, organic and sustainable food. 28:08: Be realistic about distribution and have a plan to drive consumers into the store. Those aspects are key for a founder to differentiate its brand from everyone else on the shelf, according to Adrien. She said that strategy starts with how it pitches the brand to buyers, “I’ve been having a lot more conversations with [brands saying] – ‘we don’t have to go everywhere.’ It is important to have someone that is that honest with themselves [and willing] to start small.” – Holly Adrien

On this week’s show, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Adrianne DeLuca run down the shifting priorities and narrowing focus of large CPG corporations including B&G Foods, Kelloggs and Beyond Meat. Later, Adrianne sits down with Arturo Elizondo, co-founder and CEO of alternative egg protein food tech operation, The EVERY Company, to discuss his experience at the UN’s COP27 summit last week. Show Highlights: 01:20: The NOSH team runs through a host of recent corporate restructurings including B&G which is seeking to divest snack brand Back to Nature and Beyond Meat’s shifting growth strategy. 06:13: Carol explains the cause of layoffs at merchandising firm Dirty Hands. The team then discusses the challenges of the plant-based protein category’s growth and how Jeff is honing a true flexitarian diet with his plant-based preferences. 16:45: Arturo runs through his key takeaways from COP27 including how leaders from around the world are approaching climate change mitigation, where government support is needed and how natural food brands can help implement and execute the goals of the conference. 24:36: Although plenty of climate change mitigating ideas, innovations and solutions were presented at COP27, Arturo outlines the path, and challenges ahead, for international leaders and food companies to have an impact. “There’s a lot of interest by [large] companies that want to be able to [say] they’ve committed and achieved something. Companies in our space can help them achieve those targets…especially now that there are solutions – it’s no longer a deficiency issue.” – Arturo Elizondo

On this week’s show, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Adrianne DeLuca discuss the latest news surrounding the Kroger/Albertsons merger, explain the challenges Instacart keeps having with going public and dive deep into some sea-faring food trends. Reporter Lukas Southard then sits down with Food and Beverage Investor Database (FABID) founder, Ryan Williams, to discuss the current investment climate and what brands should focus on before and after raising capital. Show Highlights: 01:16: The NOSH team talks about this week’s top stories including the Senate Judiciary Committee’s thoughts on the Kroger/Albertsons merger and the broader implications of a recent funding round for tinned seafood brand Scout as well as highlighting upcoming trends in other sea-based food segments. 22:45: Why Ryan believes brands need to be extremely strategic with their first move after raising capital and how those actions will likely impact the company’s ability to raise funds with each subsequent raise. 28:36: What categories Ryan believes still have room for innovation, and why he believes operating with some intellectual property or in a category with greater barriers to entry will benefit a brand when approaching investors.    

This week, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg along with BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Lukas Southard chatted about what trends Jeff saw in his trip to Las Vegas for the National Association of Convenience Stores’ trade show. The team also reflects back on the anniversary of a major deal and delved into the shake-ups happening in plant-based meats. Later, Carol talked with Japanese barbecue sauce maker Bachan’s founder Justin Gill about fundraising and the advantages of covert brand-building. In this episode: 01:10: BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman talks about healthy options entering the c-store space, mingling with brand mascots and the number of new products featuring caffeine coming to the convenience channel. 8:50: The team wishes RX Bar a happy five year anniversary on the company’s sale to Kellogg’s and discusses innovation through acquisitions. 11:55: Lukas discusses the dissolution of JBS’ Planterra Foods division and how the broader pullback in plant-based meats reflects the future of the category. 19:53: NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg spoke with Bachan’s founder Justin Gill about the brand’s recent capital raise as well as how the brand grew into a profitable omnichannel business. Carol asked about how the company kept a low-profile amidst its successful growth. 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