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An Event for Food Industry Leaders and Innovators

Members of the packaged food industry attend NOSH Live to collaborate, connect, and come up with innovative solutions. This December, Nosh Live returns to Marina del Rey, CA.

All-stars take to the stage to provide actionable insights that help food businesses grow responsibly. Off-stage there is plenty of time for sampling and discussion with potential partners from the supply, investment, retail, and services community who have answers and solutions for some of the industry’s toughest challenges. Leave the event with new partnerships and actionable insights that will materially impact your business for the better.

Nosh Live Winter 2024 Agenda

Nosh Live’s two-day program looks to the coming year with presentations and discussions with key industry leaders on innovation, investment, retailing, and the key opportunities and trends that will enable growth within the food industry.

Print the agenda for Thursday, December 05

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

7:00 AM
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9:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration

Breakfast, coffee and beverages are served from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM PT and are included with registration. Registration and badge pick up opens for the day at 7:00 AM PT.
8:00 AM
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2:30 PM
One-to-One Meetings with Retailers, Investors & Industry Experts

Location: Outdoor Sinder Lounge - Lobby Level
Prior registration is required and meeting times are sent individually. Please check in at the One-to-One Help Desk before to heading to your meeting room. Meetings will be 10 minutes and the complete schedule is posted at the Help Desk.
- Lisa Tosun
  
  Senior Local Forager, SoCal, Whole Foods Market
- Rachel Hirsch
  
  Managing Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures
  
  Rachel Hirsch
  
  Managing Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures
  
  Rachel Hirsch is the Founder and General Partner of Wellness Growth Ventures, a seed venture firm dedicated to investing in visionary female entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and expanding access to the consumer wellness and health market. With 15 years of experience in consumer investing and operations, Rachel has honed her expertise at UBS Investment Bank, Tiger Global, and Xponential Fitness (XPOF), before co-founding a series of wellness studios in Los Angeles. Rachel brings a unique perspective to early-stage founders, combining her investor acumen with hands-on operational experience in the wellness sector. She is a well-established figure in the wellness community, boasting a dedicated following of over 20,000. Her insights and contributions have been featured in prestigious wellness publications such as Well + Good, Shape, WWD, Glossy, Modern Retail, and Beauty Independent. Rachel holds an MBA from London Business School and a BS from The University of Texas at Austin.
- Dianne Jahangani
  
  Chief of Staff, Wellness Growth Ventures
- Mollye Santulli
  
  Investor, Springdale Ventures
  
  Mollye Santulli
  
  Investor, Springdale Ventures
  
  Mollye Santulli is an investor with Springdale Ventures partnering with visionary founders to accelerate growth of transformative consumer brands. Mollye joined the team in September of 2022 as a Venture Fellow while pursuing her MBA. Before attending business school, Mollye spent four years working on the finance teams at General Mills and most recently at Simple Mills. During her experiences at these organizations as well as her time as an intern at RXBAR, Mollye discovered her passion for the CPG industry. Mollye received her MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School and a BA from Northwestern University with a degree in Economics.
- Colby Gehers
  
  Category Analyst, The Giant Company
  
  Colby Gehers
  
  Category Analyst, The Giant Company
  
  Colby Gehers spent the past 3 years learning and growing in the role of Analyst/ Buyer in the Natural Organic and Conventional Frozen Categories at The GIANT Company. Before that, he worked at GIANT from 2014 in various Store Operations roles, including heavy involvement helping to lay the foundation of GIANT's footprint in Philadelphia with time spent in each of the urban format Heirloom Market locations. Prior to his category management role, Gehers balanced what little time he had outside of a busy GIANT Operations role as a High School soccer Coach leading a dedicated squad of players set multiple program records and titles which still stand to this day. Gehers is actively pursuing an MBA in Food Marketing from Saint Joseph's University Haub School of Business, with hopes of completion in 2025.
- Marc Santos
  
  VP Client Acquisition - Emerging Brands, NIQ
  
  Marc Santos
  
  VP Client Acquisition - Emerging Brands, NIQ
  
  Marc S. Santos is the Vice President of Sales (North America) at NielsenIQ (NIQ). With a career spanning over 20 years in the industry, Marc has developed extensive expertise in sales and business development. At NIQ, he is responsible for driving sales strategies and growth initiatives across North America, leveraging his deep understanding of market trends and customer needs. Before his time as VP at NIQ, Marc held various leadership roles with Nielsen, where he significantly contributed to business development and growth focused on emerging brands. His previous positions include Vice President of Business Development and Director of New Business Development, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company's market presence.
- David Shaffer
  
  Category Manager | Breakfast, Cookies, & Crackers, KEHE Distributors
  
  David Shaffer
  
  Category Manager | Breakfast, Cookies, & Crackers, KEHE Distributors
  
  David Shaffer is the Category Manager for Cookies, Crackers, & Breakfast at KeHE Distributors. His professional experience includes four years at Walgreens, working in Category Management (Personal Care) and Process Management. In his short experience at KeHE, he's had the opportunity to partner with a myriad of small brands with a focus on helping drive growth through KeHE’s network and tools, and disrupt current categories within Natural and Specialty grocery.
- Lisa Tosun, Senior Local Forager, SoCal, Whole Foods Market
- Rachel Hirsch, Managing Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures
- Dianne Jahangani, Chief of Staff, Wellness Growth Ventures
- Mollye Santulli, Investor, Springdale Ventures
- Colby Gehers, Category Analyst, The Giant Company
- Marc Santos, VP Client Acquisition - Emerging Brands, NIQ
- David Shaffer, Category Manager | Breakfast, Cookies, & Crackers, KEHE Distributors
8:00 AM
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10:00 AM
Boot Camp Presentations & Roundtable Networking

Location: Promenade Ballroom - Lobby Level
Boot Camp is a fast dive into the basics of launching a food brand with hand-chosen CPG experts and entrepreneurs. All Boot Camp Presentations are 15 minutes, starting at 8 a.m.; as soon as all speakers are finished, attendees join them at round tables for individual Q and A.
8:00 AM
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8:15 AM
Boot Camp: The CPG Landscape: Overview of Current Trends, Channels, Regions, Chains, and Distributors

Join Startup CPG founder Daniel Scharff for a data-driven overview of today's CPG landscape - all the things an emerging brand should know about sales channels, regions, trends, packaging claims, distributors, promotions, and much more.
Watch Video
8:15 AM
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8:30 AM
Boot Camp: M&A & Capital Raising: The Pitfalls & Challenges of Free Advice

In the world of M&A, capital raising and dealmaking, a lot of advice is given freely. Owners and entrepreneurs need to be aware that often “free” advice can be tainted by self-interest, a lack of knowledge, understanding or thoughtfulness, and at times simply incompetence. A number of important topics surface frequently. We will discuss some perspective on these key issues and some ways to avoid making mistakes based on bad advice—which can be costly.
- Rodney Clark
  
  Managing Partner, Aspect Consumer Partners
  
  Rodney Clark
  
  Managing Partner, Aspect Consumer Partners
  
  Rodney J. Clark is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Aspect Consumer Partners, a boutique M&A, strategic and corporate finance advisory firm based in San Francisco, California. Rodney is passionate about providing companies and entrepreneurs with the right advice to help them grow and succeed, and has spent the past 25 years focused on advising companies in Food & Beverage, Consumer Products, Health, Wellness & Lifestyle companies. His experience includes a wide variety of strategic and financial advisory assignments including, buy- and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, public offerings and private placements and Rodney has completed over $68 billion in M&A and financing transactions across a number of key industries. Rodney lives with his wife and two children in Marin County, California, and in his spare time he enjoys trail running, hiking, yoga and reading.
- Rodney Clark, Managing Partner, Aspect Consumer Partners
Watch Video
8:30 AM
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8:45 AM
Boot Camp: Marketing Basics for Food Brands

Longtime marketing and branding expert Steve Gaither introduces brands to the core strategies used to create pull and get projects moving off the shelf.
- Steve Gaither
  
  EVP of Growth & Strategy, 1o8
  
  Steve Gaither
  
  EVP of Growth & Strategy, 1o8
  
  Steve Gaither is the EVP of Growth and Strategy for 1o8, a creative meets commerce agency for CPG that focuses on brand strategy, creative and digital performance marketing. He was the founder of JB Chicago, a CPG focused branding and creative agency in 2000 with a client roster that included Unilever, Goodbelly and Dish Network. Steve exited the agency to C.A. Fortune in 2019, where he ran the Branding unit and became CMO of the larger organization. As a mentor at the Good Food Business Accelerator, ICNC, the Food Foundry, Chicagoland Food and Bev, and The Hatchery, his relationships with entrepreneurs led him to cofound the Windy City Troublemakers, an emerging brand meetup and podcast. Steve is also a partner in Vosges Chocolate, a partner in Spiral Sun Ventures and Windy City Food Brands, where he and his fellow CPG experts provided the capital and go-to market strategies that help brands accelerate their growth. Steve graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Architecture and Planning. He resides in Munster, Indiana with his wife and three children.
- Steve Gaither, EVP of Growth & Strategy, 1o8
Watch Video
8:45 AM
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9:00 AM
Boot Camp: Using Data to Build Your Story

SPINS Strategist Joe Overall offers ideas on how you can build a data story to present to retailers and investors, whether you're hacking it together yourself or using syndicated data.
- Joe Overall
  
  Brand Strategist, SPINS
  
  Joe Overall
  
  Brand Strategist, SPINS
  
  Joe Overall is a seasoned brand strategist specializing in helping new and emerging brands unlock their growth potential. With a strong foundation in eCommerce insights and analytics, Joe brings a deep understanding of industry dynamics and market trends. His expertise enables brands to carve out their unique path forward and tell a compelling story that resonates with their target audience. Joe is passionate about elevating brand experiences, driving impactful growth in the ever-evolving landscape.
- Joe Overall, Brand Strategist, SPINS
Watch Video
9:00 AM
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10:00 AM
Boot Camp Roundtable Networking
10:00 AM
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10:15 AM
Welcome Remarks

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
10:15 AM
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10:45 AM
Lessons From a Celebrity Farmer

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
This conversation with co-founders John Foraker and Jen Garner will dig into the ways that the brand has grown, what has worked and what hasn't, and the aspects of brand- and company-building that are either enhanced or unaffected when a famous founder is on the cap table. It will also look into key issues affecting entrepreneurial brands and the ways that innovators can seek buy-in from their key partners.
- John Foraker
  
  Co- Founder & CEO, Once Upon A Farm
- Jennifer Garner
  
  Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer, Once Upon A Farm
- John Foraker, Co- Founder & CEO, Once Upon A Farm
- Jennifer Garner, Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer, Once Upon A Farm
Watch Video
10:45 AM
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11:15 AM
Growing in Whole Foods

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
Whole Foods Market has long served as a launching pad for food and beverage brands, but many founders don’t know how to get a foot in the door. What do executives and merchants seek from potential suppliers? And what is required to expand into additional regions? Casey Gaston, executive leader of Local and Emerging Brands at Whole Foods, will share how brands can prepare strong pitches, properly calibrate growth ambitions, and forge the best path for success within the company.
- Casey Gaston
  
  Executive Leader of Local & Emerging Brands - Center Store, Whole Foods Market
  
  Casey Gaston
  
  Executive Leader of Local & Emerging Brands - Center Store, Whole Foods Market
  
  Casey Gaston, based in Austin, Texas, is the Executive Leader of Local and Emerging Brands at Whole Foods Market. Beginning her career as a store team member in St. Louis, MO, Casey's 20-year journey with the company has encompassed roles in department, store, and regional leadership, highlighting her passion for retail and brand development. Since joining the Center Store Merchandising team in 2017, she has played a key role in fostering supplier relationships and sourcing innovative products. In her current position, Casey is responsible for leading the strategy and execution of bringing local and emerging brands into Whole Foods Market's center aisles. She works closely with a team of Foragers to identify and nurture unique brands that align with the company's values and customer interests. Her role involves not only scouting new products but also guiding brands through the process of becoming a part of the Whole Foods Market family. Outside of work, Casey is actively involved in Austin’s LGBTWIA+ community and her other passions include Texas two-step and line dancing, reading, and gluten-free baking.
- Casey Gaston, Executive Leader of Local & Emerging Brands - Center Store, Whole Foods Market
Watch Video
11:15 AM
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11:45 AM
State of VC Investing Panel

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
What are the macro factors creating changes in the exit landscape? How should founders think about business operations and funding due to those changes? A panel of investors will discuss today’s funding environment for early-stage brands and market trends to watch in the year ahead.
- Wayne Wu
  
  General Partner, VMG Partners
  
  Wayne Wu
  
  General Partner, VMG Partners
  
  Wayne Wu is a General Partner at VMG Partners. VMG Partners works intimately with founders and leaders of branded consumer product companies, providing the resources and guidance needed to propel them to their next level of growth and value. Beyond capital, Wayne provides a value-added investment philosophy that pulls from his decades of experience, strategic guidance, and passionate focus to help our brands accelerate growth, increase brand awareness, and achieve their own definition of success. VMG has worked closely and successfully with brands such as Ancient Nutrition, Drunk Elephant, Humm Kombucha, Justin's, KIND, Nature's Bakery, Perfect Snacks, Quest, and Spindrift, to name a few. Wayne is energized by the next generation of innovative, consumer product entrepreneurs, and looks forward to helping them fully realize their vision. Wayne is based in San Francisco, CA.
- Rachel Hirsch
  
  Managing Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures
  
  Rachel Hirsch
  
  Managing Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures
  
  Rachel Hirsch is the Founder and General Partner of Wellness Growth Ventures, a seed venture firm dedicated to investing in visionary female entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and expanding access to the consumer wellness and health market. With 15 years of experience in consumer investing and operations, Rachel has honed her expertise at UBS Investment Bank, Tiger Global, and Xponential Fitness (XPOF), before co-founding a series of wellness studios in Los Angeles. Rachel brings a unique perspective to early-stage founders, combining her investor acumen with hands-on operational experience in the wellness sector. She is a well-established figure in the wellness community, boasting a dedicated following of over 20,000. Her insights and contributions have been featured in prestigious wellness publications such as Well + Good, Shape, WWD, Glossy, Modern Retail, and Beauty Independent. Rachel holds an MBA from London Business School and a BS from The University of Texas at Austin.
- Steve Young
  
  Managing Partner, Manna Tree
  
  Steve Young
  
  Managing Partner, Manna Tree
  
  Steve Young is a proven consumer products executive with a unique blend of both growth equity investment expertise and global C-Level operating experience for leading consumer products companies. Steve has over a decade of growth equity investment leadership, including both fund management and buy-side M&A, and a track record of realized investments including IPOs, sponsor-backed, and strategic sales. As Managing Partner, Steve currently leads the investment portfolio at Manna Tree and is a member of both its Executive and Investment Committees. Manna Tree invests across the consumer health and wellness ecosystem and has invested in industry-leading companies like Vital Farms, Health-Ade, Good Culture, Gotham Greens, True Food Kitchen, and TruFood Manufacturing. Prior to Manna Tree, Steve served as EVP and Managing Director for Sunrise Strategic Partners, a $200+ million venture fund with successful exits on consumer brands like Kodiak Cakes, Vital Farms, and Teton Waters Ranch. Before his move into fund management, Steve served as a buy-side leader of General Mills’ broader $1 billion portfolio of emerging brands, including leading its transformational Annie’s acquisition and integration. This brand has more than tripled in topline sales since General Mills acquired it in 2014. Steve also has 20+ years of proven experience as an operator, including both corporate officer-level leadership at General Mills and CEO experience at Bellisio/CP Foods North America.
- Wayne Wu, General Partner, VMG Partners
- Rachel Hirsch, Managing Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures
- Steve Young, Managing Partner, Manna Tree
Watch Video
11:45 AM
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12:45 PM
Sponsored Workshop: Supply or Die: Practical Advice for Emerging Food Brands on Scaling a Healthy Supply Chain

Location: Promenade Ballroom - Lobby Level
You have a successful product, marketing strategy, and a growing customer base. However, there's one major issue: your supply chain is insecure, leaving you vulnerable in your pursuit of growth. The supply chain is crucial for the success of your product, and protecting it is vital for expanding your operations. Join the Bay State Milling team for an insightful workshop drawing on their 125 years of expertise in ingredient supply chains. The session will tackle common scaling challenges and offer practical strategies to help you navigate supply chain pitfalls. Gain confidence in your ability to grow your business while learning from industry leaders.
- Ed Fish
  
  Senior Vice President & General Manager, Varietal Solutions, Bay State Milling
  
  Ed Fish
  
  Senior Vice President & General Manager, Varietal Solutions, Bay State Milling
  
  Edward Fish is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Varietal Solutions at Bay State Milling. Ed’s team brings new-to-the-world ingredients to market, focusing on unique IP varietals with inherently better nutrition like HealthSense® High-Fiber wheat flour and SowNaked® Mindfully Farmed Oats. Prior to joining Bay State Milling, Ed worked across a variety of businesses at Cargill focusing on corporate strategy and business development. He holds various food and agriculture related certificates from UC Davis and Kansas State. He received his Bachelor’s degree from George Washington University and Master’s degree and a Certificate in Sustainability from MIT. Ed is the Chair of the Organic Trade Association’s Grains Council, serves on the Board of Directors of About Fresh, a Boston-based nonprofit getting healthy foods to vulnerable populations, and serves on the MIT Sloan Sustainability Advisory Board.
- Ed Fish, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Varietal Solutions, Bay State Milling
11:45 AM
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12:15 PM
Unlocking Growth Amidst Challenges

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
Founders come into the food business with great ideas, incredible energy, and are fast saddled with the everyday chaos that is running their business and battling for survival. It sometimes takes years to find the patterns in customer feedback and retail fit, and the products needed to unlock growth.Attendees will learn to lop time off of that waiting game when they hear from two brilliant entrepreneurs on the ways they have found high-impact growth opportunities within challenging periods of company development.
- Jane Miller
  
  CEO, Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery
- Justin Gold
  
  Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery
  
  Justin Gold
  
  Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery
  
  Justin Gold is the founder of Justin’s, a Boulder, CO based company that makes high-quality nut butter, organic nut butter cups, and plant-based snacks. From humble beginnings at local Farmers’ Markets to launching a national brand, Justin’s is now one of the country’s fastest growing natural foods companies, with Gold serving as an innovator and thought leader in the space. Justin’s was acquired by Hormel Foods in 2016, where he stayed on to manage integration and culture through 2021. Justin is currently leading new product development and strategy for Rudi’s Organic Bakery, the country’s first nationally distributed organic bakery. Working alongside his former Board Member, Jane Miller, Justin has been tasked with bringing the bakery back to its former glory through innovation and leadership. He has earned numerous individual and company awards and recognition over the years, including entrepreneur of the year by Ernst and Young in 2013 and Inc. 500 fastest growing companies. He currently serves as a Board Member for US BIathlon, Conscious Alliance and as the chair for the Wild Bear Nature Center. Justin also mentors and speaks at Universities regularly including CU’s Leeds School of Business. Justin Graduated from Dickinson College in 2000 with a BA in Environmental Studies. As a long time resident of Boulder, CO, Justin is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying backcountry, resort, hut and Nordic skiing, mountain biking, trail running, backpacking and all around outdoor adventuring. Outside of his professional and community goals he is constantly pursuing Father of the Year and Husband of the Year accolades . . .
- Jane Miller, CEO, Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery
- Justin Gold, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery
Watch Video
12:15 PM
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12:30 PM
Nosh Best of 2024 Awards Announced

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
The winners of the Nosh Best of 2024 Awards will be announced live on the Nosh Live stage. We will also be interviewing one of our winners!
Watch Video
12:30 PM
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2:00 PM
Lunch Break, Sampling & Elevator Talk

Location: Bayview Ballroom - Rooftop
Lunch is served in the Bayview Ballroom on the rooftop level and is included with registration. Sampling continues in the foyer of the main ballroom and a live recording of Elevator Talk on the livestream takes place in the Venice room on the lower level.
1:30 PM
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2:30 PM
Sponsored Workshop: Closing the Innovation Gap with Walnuts

Location: Promenade Ballroom - Lobby Level
Explore the versatility of California walnuts in consumer packaged goods in this interactive workshop. Participants will engage in a hands-on tasting exercise, learning how to incorporate walnuts into innovative snack and meal solutions while enhancing product appeal and nutritional value.
- Keith Seiz
  
  Food Manufacturing & Innovation, California Walnut Board
  
  Keith Seiz
  
  Food Manufacturing & Innovation, California Walnut Board
  
  For the last 25 years, Keith has been immersed in the food and beverage industries. He started his career as a journalist covering the commercial baking industry, where he developed in-depth ingredient technology and category trend articles. Keith left the journalism industry in 2005 to work directly with food companies and ingredient suppliers. Today, he spends his time talking to food and beverage manufacturers about walnuts and their applications in everything from energy bars to plant-based meat alternatives.
- Robert Danhi
  
  Chef-in-Residence, California Walnut Board & Commission
  
  Robert Danhi
  
  Chef-in-Residence, California Walnut Board & Commission
  
  Chef Robert Danhi has dedicated the past three decades to researching, codifying, preserving, and sharing the cultures of Southeast Asia. Robert worked his way up from dishwasher to executive chef in restaurants and attended the Culinary Institute of America. Teaching culinary arts became his passion, and he was a chef instructor at the CIA and director of education at the Southern California School of Culinary Arts. Chef next evolved into an R&D chef, industry thought leader, and conference speaker, and founded Chef Danhi & Co. consultancy agency in 2005 and is currently the California Walnut Board’s Chef-in-Residence. This curator of cultures is a James Beard award-winning publisher, author, and photographer for Southeast Asian Flavors-Adventures in Cooking the Foods of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia & Singapore. His most recent book, Easy Thai Cooking, showcases simple recipes that result in the genuine flavors of Thailand. Robert continued to share his passion and knowledge as the host of the 26-episode docuseries Taste of Vietnam, of the vibrant lives of farmers, artisans, cooks, chefs, and street food vendors. The Vietnamese community then invited the chef to be the main judge for all episodes of Season 1 of Top Chef Vietnam. Recently, Robert has focused on his humanitarian efforts in Vietnam. He continues to volunteer and chair the Culinary Advisory Board for STREETS International, which empowers disadvantaged youth by teaching life skills, English, and hospitality training. He also works with the Community Development Fund, which is set to launch a Culinary Life Skills Program in 2025 for hearing-impaired youth in Quang Tri Province.
- Keith Seiz, Food Manufacturing & Innovation, California Walnut Board
- Robert Danhi, Chef-in-Residence, California Walnut Board & Commission
Watch Video
2:00 PM
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2:30 PM
Confessions of a Fast-Growing Brand

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
The co-founder and CEO of Goodles, Jennifer Zeszut, will be joined by one of the breakout brand’s earliest financial backers, Springdale Ventures’ Genevieve Gilbreath, to address the ways that the brand’s growth has quickly forced them to address challenges that are both operational and funding related, and outline ways that the relationship between investors and entrepreneurs can change as the stakes increase.
- Jen Zeszut
  
  CEO & Co-Founder, Goodles
  
  Jen Zeszut
  
  CEO & Co-Founder, Goodles
  
  A 4x CEO and 3x founder, Jen loves taking companies from an idea to something real, big, and impactful -- fast. Her happy place is leading a band of mission-driven, exceedingly talented hooligans to achieve bold goals and extraordinary outcomes. Each of her companies has a few things in common: product innovation, category disruption, a passionate community, and branding that is beloved. As the team reminds her constantly, she is such an ENTJ.
- Genevieve Gilbreath
  
  Co-Founder & General Partner, Springdale Ventures
  
  Genevieve Gilbreath
  
  Co-Founder & General Partner, Springdale Ventures
  
  Genevieve thrives at the intersection of entrepreneurship and venture capital, turning bold ideas into impactful companies. A seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience, Genevieve has built and led multiple ventures in the consumer products and health and wellness sectors. As the driving force behind Springdale Ventures, she’s been an active early-stage investor for seven years, passionately championing disruptive brands. Whether managing startups or guiding companies to scale, Genevieve brings a sharp focus on innovation, growth, and community. She’s known for her big-picture thinking and hands-on leadership.
- Jen Zeszut, CEO & Co-Founder, Goodles
- Genevieve Gilbreath, Co-Founder & General Partner, Springdale Ventures
Watch Video
2:30 PM
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3:00 PM
Ops Are Sexy: Milking Your Manufacturing for Money

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
A panel of experts will weigh the advantages and disadvantages of self-manufacturing versus partnering with a contract manufacturer. The group will discuss ways to optimize supply chains and scale production as a business grows. Attendees will learn how to squeeze more dollars out of operations and effectively build for the future.
- Yassin Sibai
  
  Founder, Afia Foods
  
  Yassin Sibai
  
  Founder, Afia Foods
  
  Yassin Sibai co-founded Afia Foods in 2017, launching at a local farmer's market with his wife Farrah and their daughters. Yassin jumped into the world of CPG with 20 years of experience in technology, product management, and financial markets. As CEO of Afia, he leverages his entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and financial discipline to co-lead the brand and manufacturing facility with Farrah. Since launching into retail in 2018, Afia has grown from 180 doors to more than 4,500 doors nationwide that sell Afia's convenient, frozen Mediterranean food - from falafel to heritage inspired meals.
- Craig Albert
  
  Founder & Managing Partner, Saphineia Manufacturing Partners
  
  Craig Albert
  
  Founder & Managing Partner, Saphineia Manufacturing Partners
  
  Craig Albert is the founder and managing partner of Saphineia Manufacturing Partners, a team of 12 manufacturing specialists exclusively serving the middle market food and beverage manufacturing industry. Our team provides clients with access to decades of hands-on, cross-functional expertise from leading food and beverage manufacturers such as Unilever, P&G, Wrigley, Mars, Tyson, DuPont Danisco, Hearthside, Keurig Dr Pepper, Kraft, Kroger and Griffith Foods, spanning manufacturing, engineering, continuous improvement, procurement, supply chain, maintenance, contract manufacturing, project management and quality and food safety. Prior to starting Saphineia, Craig was the President of Golding, a private equity-backed, multi-site dressings and sauces manufacturer for private label, CPG and foodservice customers. Before Golding, Craig was VP of Corporate Development at Hearthside Food Solutions and the head of Strategy & Corporate Development for Greencore USA, a $1.3 billion, 13-site contract manufacturer. Prior to entering the food manufacturing industry, Craig was co-owner and Portfolio Manager of Sheffield Asset Management, a $1.3bn long/short equity hedge fund. Earlier in his career, Craig was the Sr. Packaged Food Analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., a sell-side equity research firm.
- Oisin Hanrahan
  
  Founder & CEO, Keychain
  
  Oisin Hanrahan
  
  Founder & CEO, Keychain
  
  Oisin Hanrahan is the co-founder and CEO of Keychain, a manufacturing platform for the packaged goods industry that is backed by $18 million in venture funding from Lightspeed Venture Partners, BoxGroup, and SV Angel. Prior to founding Keychain, he served as the CEO of NASDAQ-listed Angi Inc (Angie’s List / HomeAdvisor). Before assuming the role of CEO of Angi, Mr. Hanrahan had served as Chief Product Officer of Angi since 2019, where he was responsible for all product and technology strategy. Mr. Hanrahan joined Angi in 2018 when Handy, the company he co-founded and led as CEO since 2012, was acquired by Angi. Mr. Hanrahan built Handy to hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue, and raised over $100 million in institutional capital, before exiting to Angi.
- Yassin Sibai, Founder, Afia Foods
- Craig Albert, Founder & Managing Partner, Saphineia Manufacturing Partners
- Oisin Hanrahan, Founder & CEO, Keychain
Watch Video
3:00 PM
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5:00 PM
Nosh Live Happy Hour

Location: Sinder Outdoor Lounge - Lobby Level
At the end of Day 1, continue the day’s conversations at the NOSH Live Happy Hour.

Print the agenda for Friday, December 06

Please note: All times US Pacific Time

8:00 AM
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9:30 AM
Breakfast & Registration

Breakfast, coffee and beverages are served from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM PT and are included with registration. Registration and badge pick up opens for the day at 8:00 AM PT.
8:00 AM
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2:30 PM
One-to-One Meetings with Retailers, Investors & Industry Experts

Location: Outdoor Sinder Lounge - Lobby Level
Prior registration is required and meeting times are sent individually. Please check in at the One-to-One Help Desk before to heading to your meeting room. Meetings will be 10 minutes and the complete schedule is posted at the Help Desk.
- Lisa Tosun
  
  Senior Local Forager, SoCal, Whole Foods Market
- Colby Gehers
  
  Category Analyst, The Giant Company
  
  Colby Gehers
  
  Category Analyst, The Giant Company
  
  Colby Gehers spent the past 3 years learning and growing in the role of Analyst/ Buyer in the Natural Organic and Conventional Frozen Categories at The GIANT Company. Before that, he worked at GIANT from 2014 in various Store Operations roles, including heavy involvement helping to lay the foundation of GIANT's footprint in Philadelphia with time spent in each of the urban format Heirloom Market locations. Prior to his category management role, Gehers balanced what little time he had outside of a busy GIANT Operations role as a High School soccer Coach leading a dedicated squad of players set multiple program records and titles which still stand to this day. Gehers is actively pursuing an MBA in Food Marketing from Saint Joseph's University Haub School of Business, with hopes of completion in 2025.
- Marc Santos
  
  VP Client Acquisition - Emerging Brands, NIQ
  
  Marc Santos
  
  VP Client Acquisition - Emerging Brands, NIQ
  
  Marc S. Santos is the Vice President of Sales (North America) at NielsenIQ (NIQ). With a career spanning over 20 years in the industry, Marc has developed extensive expertise in sales and business development. At NIQ, he is responsible for driving sales strategies and growth initiatives across North America, leveraging his deep understanding of market trends and customer needs. Before his time as VP at NIQ, Marc held various leadership roles with Nielsen, where he significantly contributed to business development and growth focused on emerging brands. His previous positions include Vice President of Business Development and Director of New Business Development, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company's market presence.
- Mollye Santulli
  
  Investor, Springdale Ventures
  
  Mollye Santulli
  
  Investor, Springdale Ventures
  
  Mollye Santulli is an investor with Springdale Ventures partnering with visionary founders to accelerate growth of transformative consumer brands. Mollye joined the team in September of 2022 as a Venture Fellow while pursuing her MBA. Before attending business school, Mollye spent four years working on the finance teams at General Mills and most recently at Simple Mills. During her experiences at these organizations as well as her time as an intern at RXBAR, Mollye discovered her passion for the CPG industry. Mollye received her MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School and a BA from Northwestern University with a degree in Economics.
- David Shaffer
  
  Category Manager | Breakfast, Cookies, & Crackers, KEHE Distributors
  
  David Shaffer
  
  Category Manager | Breakfast, Cookies, & Crackers, KEHE Distributors
  
  David Shaffer is the Category Manager for Cookies, Crackers, & Breakfast at KeHE Distributors. His professional experience includes four years at Walgreens, working in Category Management (Personal Care) and Process Management. In his short experience at KeHE, he's had the opportunity to partner with a myriad of small brands with a focus on helping drive growth through KeHE’s network and tools, and disrupt current categories within Natural and Specialty grocery.
- Lisa Tosun, Senior Local Forager, SoCal, Whole Foods Market
- Colby Gehers, Category Analyst, The Giant Company
- Marc Santos, VP Client Acquisition - Emerging Brands, NIQ
- Mollye Santulli, Investor, Springdale Ventures
- David Shaffer, Category Manager | Breakfast, Cookies, & Crackers, KEHE Distributors
9:00 AM
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9:30 AM
Gaining Sales, Dropping Pounds

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
Retail data provider Nielsen IQ delivers high-value numbers and insights on brand and trend growth for food CPG, and looks into the way that GLP-1 medications and other weight loss medicines and strategies are affecting the landscape of the packaged food business and its consumers.
- Sherry Frey
  
  Vice President, Total Wellness, NielsenIQ
  
  Sherry Frey
  
  Vice President, Total Wellness, NielsenIQ
  
  Sherry Frey brings more than two decades of industry experience to her role as Vice President, Total Wellness at NielsenIQ. With a background in market research, innovation and consulting, she has elevated clients across the fresh, CPG and wellness industries, providing forward-thinking insights, combined with practical strategies. In addition to leading NielsenIQ’s Total Wellness team and industry engagement, Sherry has been a featured speaker at many national and international industry events and is often sought as a media and analyst resource on topics related to consumer health, wellness and environmental issues. Sherry’s view of health and wellness spans beyond personal health and wellness, encompassing how we collectively think about the health of the planet.
- Sherry Frey, Vice President, Total Wellness, NielsenIQ
Watch Video
9:30 AM
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9:50 AM
Conversation with the Cottage Cheese King

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
Nearly a decade ago, Jesse Merrill spotted an opportunity to reinvent the cottage cheese into a premium, protein-rich superfood with the launch of his brand Good Culture. Over the past year, the category – and the company – entered a boom period. As an entrepreneur, how do you identify opportunities for disruption? And how do you keep pace when demand rapidly outstrips supply? How do you keep investors patient when a seeming slam-dunk product takes years to catch fire?
- Jesse Merrill
  
  Co-Founder and CEO, Good Culture
  
  Jesse Merrill
  
  Co-Founder and CEO, Good Culture
  
  Jesse Merrill is an entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience across the food and beverage landscape. Specializing in building mission-led emerging growth brands, Jesse has been a part of several exciting companies, including musician Moby’s tea company, teany, Honest Tea, and ACTIVATE Drinks. Jesse is now the Co-Founder & CEO of Good Culture, a disruptive mission-driven brand, that created loads of buzz when they shook up the cottage cheese category in 2015. Good Culture is now in over 15k stores; is one of the top selling brands across several key retailers; and in the past year is growing more than 6X faster than the category, positioning them as the leading growth brand in the cottage cheese space. Good Culture has also created relevance with new consumer segments, bringing millennials and Gen Z into the category. Jesse recognized that cottage cheese was a sleepy category, ripe for disruption. He also considered cottage cheese an overlooked superfood that needed to be reimagined. The Good Culture simple ingredient proposition was further strengthened by Jesse's belief in food as medicine after healing a severe autoimmune gut condition with real food, including Good Culture. Jesse brought his vision to life by creating a line of cottage cheese products using only high-quality clean ingredients with dairy sourced from family farms, with no gums, thickeners, stabilizers, or additives. Good Culture is dedicated to continued best-in-class innovation across their growing portfolio of cultured foods. The overwhelming success of their flagship product led to expansion into other cultured food offerings including live and active culture-rich sour cream and cream cheese. Good Culture is a proud partner of 1% for the Planet, supporting pasture access for animals and regenerative agriculture and is a Certified B-Corporation.
- Jesse Merrill, Co-Founder and CEO, Good Culture
Watch Video
9:50 AM
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10:10 AM
Lessons From The Rise of Regenerative Agriculture

The packaged foods industry is constantly working to commercialize novel concepts, but how do you take an idea from its “challenging the status quo” stage to captivating consumers and key stakeholders? Anthony Corsaro is leading efforts to support the commercial viability of regenerative agriculture by advising, informing and funding brands in the space via the ReGen Brands ecosystem. Learn why finding new routes to market, tapping underutilized financial products and building a bit of community can generate a solid foundation for future growth.
- Anthony Corsaro
  
  Co-Founder & President, ReGen Brands
  
  Anthony Corsaro
  
  Co-Founder & President, ReGen Brands
  
  Anthony Corsaro is an entrepreneur, investor, and regenerative agriculture evangelist whose mission is to help heal our people and planet through ventures that inspire the production and consumption of healthy, nutrient-dense foods. Anthony is the Co-Founder and President of ReGen Brands, an unprecedented education, community, and financing ecosystem for CPG brands supporting regenerative agriculture.
- Anthony Corsaro, Co-Founder & President, ReGen Brands
Watch Video
10:10 AM
-
10:30 AM
Retailer Profile: Inside TikTok Shop

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
Is your food brand ready for its fifteen seconds of fame? Learn the ins and outs of building and operating a successful business on TikTok Shop.
- Cameron Gould-Saltman
  
  Head of Food and Beverage, TikTok Shop
- Cameron Gould-Saltman, Head of Food and Beverage, TikTok Shop
Watch Video
10:30 AM
-
11:00 AM
Networking & Sampling
11:00 AM
-
11:30 AM
Pitch Slam Finals - Part I

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
A panel of expert judges will offer participants and attendees valuable insights on what makes for a successful food brand. They’ll evaluate the emerging brands, business plans and innovative products presented by our contestants.
Pitch Slam Finalists:
Mochi Love
NOOISH
CHUTNI PUNCH
Harken Sweets
Brune Kitchen
Doosra
Watch Video
11:00 AM
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12:00 PM
Sponsored Workshop: Pomegranates, The Year-Round Super Ingredient

Location: Promenade Ballroom - Lobby Level
Join us for an exciting and informative workshop on exploring a diverse portfolio of unique food and beverage ingredients that are sourced exclusively from California Grown pomegranates. Attendees will discover how the unique properties of pomegranates can enhance their products by improving flavor, color, quality and stability, while also reducing the need for added sugars and salt, all while sampling products featuring pomegranate ingredients.
- Brad Buchholz
  
  VP of Business Development, POM Wonderful
  
  Brad Buchholz
  
  VP of Business Development, POM Wonderful
  
  Brad Buchholz is the Vice President of Business Development at POM Wonderful, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future for the iconic brand. With over 25 years of experience in functional food and ingredient development, Buchholz leverages his expertise to educate businesses and consumers about the distinctive benefits of the pomegranate—one of the world's original superfruits. He is dedicated to showcasing the unique nutritional properties and versatility of this fruit, promoting its role in health and wellness. Buchholz's leadership at POM Wonderful underscores his commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the functional foods industry, while championing sustainability practices. Through his efforts, he continues to drive forward the vision of POM Wonderful as a leading advocate for healthy living and a sustainable, impactful brand in the global market.
- Brad Buchholz, VP of Business Development, POM Wonderful
Watch Video
11:30 AM
-
12:00 PM
Become a Re-Founder

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
Don’t call it a comeback: Within seven years, Brad Charron transformed a distressed company into a profitable, employee-owned B Corporation with more than $100 million in sales. Attendees will learn how he did it – and how to diagnose distress within their own organizations.
- Brad Charron
  
  CEO, ALOHA
  
  Brad Charron
  
  CEO, ALOHA
  
  Brad Charron is the CEO and “Re-Founder” of ALOHA, a plant-based protein company. Since joining in 2017, he has transformed the business from stagnation to rapid growth. Today, ALOHA is the fastest-growing bar in the Natural Channel and US Food, a certified B Corp, and one of the few climate-neutral brands in its category. With extensive experience in the CPG industry, Brad has led health and wellness brands, including a turn-around for Nature’s Bounty as SVP/GM and consulting for KIND Snacks. He has also held leadership roles at Chobani, Under Armour, and Frito Lay.
- Brad Charron, CEO, ALOHA
Watch Video
12:00 PM
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12:30 PM
Financing Cycles and Food Brands

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
It's been a lean couple of years on the funding front -- but it's not the first time. Rodney Clark was one of the first investment bankers to focus on advising the new generation of CPG brands, and his nearly 30-year career in the space will provide a look at the way founders should think about both their operating plans and their options for seeking growth capital during different funding cycles. Clark will provide insights into the immediate future of capital availability for emerging food brands -- and advice on the best ways to secure that capital.
- Rodney Clark
  
  Managing Partner, Aspect Consumer Partners
  
  Rodney Clark
  
  Managing Partner, Aspect Consumer Partners
  
  Rodney J. Clark is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Aspect Consumer Partners, a boutique M&A, strategic and corporate finance advisory firm based in San Francisco, California. Rodney is passionate about providing companies and entrepreneurs with the right advice to help them grow and succeed, and has spent the past 25 years focused on advising companies in Food & Beverage, Consumer Products, Health, Wellness & Lifestyle companies. His experience includes a wide variety of strategic and financial advisory assignments including, buy- and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, public offerings and private placements and Rodney has completed over $68 billion in M&A and financing transactions across a number of key industries. Rodney lives with his wife and two children in Marin County, California, and in his spare time he enjoys trail running, hiking, yoga and reading.
- Rodney Clark, Managing Partner, Aspect Consumer Partners
Watch Video
12:30 PM
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1:45 PM
Lunch Break, Sampling & Taste Radio Studio Interviews

Location: Bayview Ballroom - Rooftop
Lunch is served in the Bayview Ballroom on the rooftop level and is included with registration. Sampling continues in the foyer of the main ballroom and a live recording of Elevator Talk on the livestream takes place in the Venice room on the lower level.
1:45 PM
-
2:15 PM
Pitch Slam Finals - Part II

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
A panel of expert judges will offer participants and attendees valuable insights on what makes for a successful food brand. They’ll evaluate the emerging brands, business plans and innovative products presented by our contestants.
Pitch Slam Finalists:
Mochi Love
NOOISH
CHUTNI PUNCH
Harken Sweets
Brune Kitchen
Doosra
Watch Video
2:15 PM
-
2:35 PM
Investor, Operator, Acquirer: Views on Growth for Food Brands

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
Shawn Bushouse is an industry triple threat, having worn the hats of investor, operator and acquirer during his dynamic career. Attendees will learn how to view their goals and the overall market for investment through these three distinctly different lenses. Whether or not you’re a brand seeking capital, this talk will offer attendees the chance to see things from the acquirer’s and investor’s side, while also providing advice on what brands themselves should do to put them in the best possible position for the future.
- Shawn Bushouse
  
  Operating Advisor, GroundForce Capital
  
  Shawn Bushouse
  
  Operating Advisor, GroundForce Capital
  
  Shawn's career provides a very unique experience having spent time on multiple sides of large and small businesses from startups shipping their first order to global conglomerates like Kellogg’s & Nestle, has led some massive teams like Vital Proteins as well as some very small executive teams like his most recent role as President of Emerging Brands inside of Nestle Health Science, has been on both sides of M&A having both scaled and sold, as well as acquired businesses, has led VC/PE-backed businesses and then advised on behalf of VC/PE and all along the way, making sure he is having a ton of fun leading people and culture.
- Shawn Bushouse, Operating Advisor, GroundForce Capital
Watch Video
2:35 PM
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3:00 PM
Permission to Platform: Optimizing Brand Adjacencies

Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
The founders of two high-growth brands will share strategies for expanding into new parts of the grocery store. Learn best practices for building platform brands and identifying product development opportunities in adjacent categories while aligning with company mission and values.
- Jing Gao
  
  CEO & Founder, Fly By Jing
  
  Jing Gao
  
  CEO & Founder, Fly By Jing
  
  Jing Gao, founder & CEO of Fly By Jing, is a chef, entrepreneur, cookbook author and a renowned expert on Chinese cuisine on a mission to bring uncensored Chinese flavors to the table. Born in Chengdu, Sichuan and raised around the world, Gao returned to China as an adult where she founded Baoism, an award-winning modern-Chinese fast-casual restaurant before founding her premium Chinese food company, Fly By Jing. Her culinary innovations and contributions to the food and beverage industry have been featured in leading media including The New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, The Wall Street Journal and more. Her personal story as a cultural ambassador and entrepreneur has been seen on the BBC, CNN, TODAY, CBS and more. Gao’s new cookbook The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp (Ten Speed Press) traverses the “not traditional but personal” Sichuan flavors of Fly By Jing’s cult favorite spicy and savory chili crisp through 85 hot recipes for everything from dumplings to cocktails to desserts.
- Loren Castle
  
  CEO & Founder, Sweet Loren's
  
  Loren Castle
  
  CEO & Founder, Sweet Loren's
  
  Loren Castle is the Founder and CEO of Sweet Loren's, a brand that came to life after surviving cancer at the early age of 22. After learning she needed to eliminate all processed foods from her diet, she channeled all of her energy into building a healthy lifestyle - and ultimately one she could still enjoy. A year later, she was cancer free and realized her recipes (and her hero product of wholesome cookie dough) could help so many who still wanted to be able to enjoy life, but with food that made them feel good. Now, available in over 25,000 retail doors across the country, Sweet Loren’s is the #1 selling natural cookie dough in the U.S. Since its launch, Loren has expanded the brand’s product collection to include pre-cut cookie doughs, ready-to-eat breakfast biscuits and most recently, refrigerated rolled doughs inclusive of puff pastry, thin pizza crust, and pie crust. Every Sweet Loren’s product is plant-based, non-GMO, free of the top 14 allergens (including eggs, gluten, dairy, peanuts, and tree nuts), and uses no sugar substitutes - enabling everyone to discover the joy of delicious baked goods without compromise.
- Jing Gao, CEO & Founder, Fly By Jing
- Loren Castle, CEO & Founder, Sweet Loren's
Watch Video
3:00 PM
-
Pitch Slam Winner Announcement + Taste Radio Studio Interview
Watch Video

Winter 2024 Speakers

At NOSH Live, natural food industry experts tackle the industry’s toughest challenges and provide solutions to help you move past obstacles and reach your next milestone. Through consumer insights and data, our speakers dive into the most pressing issues in the industry, providing case studies, trend analysis, and expert forecasting to help you stay up-to-date and implement strategies that will grow your business.

20+ speakers will take the stage. Stay tuned for updates!

Jennifer Garner

Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer, Once Upon A Farm
John Foraker

Co- Founder & CEO, Once Upon A Farm
Jing Gao

CEO & Founder, Fly By Jing

Jing Gao

CEO & Founder, Fly By Jing

Jing Gao, founder & CEO of Fly By Jing, is a chef, entrepreneur, cookbook author and a renowned expert on Chinese cuisine on a mission to bring uncensored Chinese flavors to the table. Born in Chengdu, Sichuan and raised around the world, Gao returned to China as an adult where she founded Baoism, an award-winning modern-Chinese fast-casual restaurant before founding her premium Chinese food company, Fly By Jing. Her culinary innovations and contributions to the food and beverage industry have been featured in leading media including The New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, The Wall Street Journal and more. Her personal story as a cultural ambassador and entrepreneur has been seen on the BBC, CNN, TODAY, CBS and more. Gao’s new cookbook The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp (Ten Speed Press) traverses the “not traditional but personal” Sichuan flavors of Fly By Jing’s cult favorite spicy and savory chili crisp through 85 hot recipes for everything from dumplings to cocktails to desserts.
Justin Gold

Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery

Justin Gold

Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery

Justin Gold is the founder of Justin’s, a Boulder, CO based company that makes high-quality nut butter, organic nut butter cups, and plant-based snacks. From humble beginnings at local Farmers’ Markets to launching a national brand, Justin’s is now one of the country’s fastest growing natural foods companies, with Gold serving as an innovator and thought leader in the space. Justin’s was acquired by Hormel Foods in 2016, where he stayed on to manage integration and culture through 2021. Justin is currently leading new product development and strategy for Rudi’s Organic Bakery, the country’s first nationally distributed organic bakery. Working alongside his former Board Member, Jane Miller, Justin has been tasked with bringing the bakery back to its former glory through innovation and leadership. He has earned numerous individual and company awards and recognition over the years, including entrepreneur of the year by Ernst and Young in 2013 and Inc. 500 fastest growing companies. He currently serves as a Board Member for US BIathlon, Conscious Alliance and as the chair for the Wild Bear Nature Center. Justin also mentors and speaks at Universities regularly including CU’s Leeds School of Business. Justin Graduated from Dickinson College in 2000 with a BA in Environmental Studies. As a long time resident of Boulder, CO, Justin is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying backcountry, resort, hut and Nordic skiing, mountain biking, trail running, backpacking and all around outdoor adventuring. Outside of his professional and community goals he is constantly pursuing Father of the Year and Husband of the Year accolades . . .
Jane Miller

CEO, Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery
Loren Castle

CEO & Founder, Sweet Loren's

Loren Castle

CEO & Founder, Sweet Loren's

Loren Castle is the Founder and CEO of Sweet Loren's, a brand that came to life after surviving cancer at the early age of 22. After learning she needed to eliminate all processed foods from her diet, she channeled all of her energy into building a healthy lifestyle - and ultimately one she could still enjoy. A year later, she was cancer free and realized her recipes (and her hero product of wholesome cookie dough) could help so many who still wanted to be able to enjoy life, but with food that made them feel good. Now, available in over 25,000 retail doors across the country, Sweet Loren’s is the #1 selling natural cookie dough in the U.S. Since its launch, Loren has expanded the brand’s product collection to include pre-cut cookie doughs, ready-to-eat breakfast biscuits and most recently, refrigerated rolled doughs inclusive of puff pastry, thin pizza crust, and pie crust. Every Sweet Loren’s product is plant-based, non-GMO, free of the top 14 allergens (including eggs, gluten, dairy, peanuts, and tree nuts), and uses no sugar substitutes - enabling everyone to discover the joy of delicious baked goods without compromise.
Jen Zeszut

CEO & Co-Founder, Goodles

Jen Zeszut

CEO & Co-Founder, Goodles

A 4x CEO and 3x founder, Jen loves taking companies from an idea to something real, big, and impactful -- fast. Her happy place is leading a band of mission-driven, exceedingly talented hooligans to achieve bold goals and extraordinary outcomes. Each of her companies has a few things in common: product innovation, category disruption, a passionate community, and branding that is beloved. As the team reminds her constantly, she is such an ENTJ.
Jesse Merrill

Co-Founder and CEO, Good Culture

Jesse Merrill

Co-Founder and CEO, Good Culture

Jesse Merrill is an entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience across the food and beverage landscape. Specializing in building mission-led emerging growth brands, Jesse has been a part of several exciting companies, including musician Moby’s tea company, teany, Honest Tea, and ACTIVATE Drinks. Jesse is now the Co-Founder & CEO of Good Culture, a disruptive mission-driven brand, that created loads of buzz when they shook up the cottage cheese category in 2015. Good Culture is now in over 15k stores; is one of the top selling brands across several key retailers; and in the past year is growing more than 6X faster than the category, positioning them as the leading growth brand in the cottage cheese space. Good Culture has also created relevance with new consumer segments, bringing millennials and Gen Z into the category. Jesse recognized that cottage cheese was a sleepy category, ripe for disruption. He also considered cottage cheese an overlooked superfood that needed to be reimagined. The Good Culture simple ingredient proposition was further strengthened by Jesse's belief in food as medicine after healing a severe autoimmune gut condition with real food, including Good Culture. Jesse brought his vision to life by creating a line of cottage cheese products using only high-quality clean ingredients with dairy sourced from family farms, with no gums, thickeners, stabilizers, or additives. Good Culture is dedicated to continued best-in-class innovation across their growing portfolio of cultured foods. The overwhelming success of their flagship product led to expansion into other cultured food offerings including live and active culture-rich sour cream and cream cheese. Good Culture is a proud partner of 1% for the Planet, supporting pasture access for animals and regenerative agriculture and is a Certified B-Corporation.
Casey Gaston

Executive Leader of Local & Emerging Brands - Center Store, Whole Foods Market

Casey Gaston

Executive Leader of Local & Emerging Brands - Center Store, Whole Foods Market

Casey Gaston, based in Austin, Texas, is the Executive Leader of Local and Emerging Brands at Whole Foods Market. Beginning her career as a store team member in St. Louis, MO, Casey's 20-year journey with the company has encompassed roles in department, store, and regional leadership, highlighting her passion for retail and brand development. Since joining the Center Store Merchandising team in 2017, she has played a key role in fostering supplier relationships and sourcing innovative products. In her current position, Casey is responsible for leading the strategy and execution of bringing local and emerging brands into Whole Foods Market's center aisles. She works closely with a team of Foragers to identify and nurture unique brands that align with the company's values and customer interests. Her role involves not only scouting new products but also guiding brands through the process of becoming a part of the Whole Foods Market family. Outside of work, Casey is actively involved in Austin’s LGBTWIA+ community and her other passions include Texas two-step and line dancing, reading, and gluten-free baking.
Brad Charron

CEO, ALOHA

Brad Charron

CEO, ALOHA

Brad Charron is the CEO and “Re-Founder” of ALOHA, a plant-based protein company. Since joining in 2017, he has transformed the business from stagnation to rapid growth. Today, ALOHA is the fastest-growing bar in the Natural Channel and US Food, a certified B Corp, and one of the few climate-neutral brands in its category. With extensive experience in the CPG industry, Brad has led health and wellness brands, including a turn-around for Nature’s Bounty as SVP/GM and consulting for KIND Snacks. He has also held leadership roles at Chobani, Under Armour, and Frito Lay.
Shawn Bushouse

Operating Advisor, GroundForce Capital

Shawn Bushouse

Operating Advisor, GroundForce Capital

Shawn's career provides a very unique experience having spent time on multiple sides of large and small businesses from startups shipping their first order to global conglomerates like Kellogg’s & Nestle, has led some massive teams like Vital Proteins as well as some very small executive teams like his most recent role as President of Emerging Brands inside of Nestle Health Science, has been on both sides of M&A having both scaled and sold, as well as acquired businesses, has led VC/PE-backed businesses and then advised on behalf of VC/PE and all along the way, making sure he is having a ton of fun leading people and culture.
Cameron Gould-Saltman

Head of Food and Beverage, TikTok Shop
Rodney Clark

Managing Partner, Aspect Consumer Partners

Rodney Clark

Managing Partner, Aspect Consumer Partners

Rodney J. Clark is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Aspect Consumer Partners, a boutique M&A, strategic and corporate finance advisory firm based in San Francisco, California. Rodney is passionate about providing companies and entrepreneurs with the right advice to help them grow and succeed, and has spent the past 25 years focused on advising companies in Food & Beverage, Consumer Products, Health, Wellness & Lifestyle companies. His experience includes a wide variety of strategic and financial advisory assignments including, buy- and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, public offerings and private placements and Rodney has completed over $68 billion in M&A and financing transactions across a number of key industries. Rodney lives with his wife and two children in Marin County, California, and in his spare time he enjoys trail running, hiking, yoga and reading.
Rachel Hirsch

Managing Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures

Rachel Hirsch

Managing Partner, Wellness Growth Ventures

Rachel Hirsch is the Founder and General Partner of Wellness Growth Ventures, a seed venture firm dedicated to investing in visionary female entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and expanding access to the consumer wellness and health market. With 15 years of experience in consumer investing and operations, Rachel has honed her expertise at UBS Investment Bank, Tiger Global, and Xponential Fitness (XPOF), before co-founding a series of wellness studios in Los Angeles. Rachel brings a unique perspective to early-stage founders, combining her investor acumen with hands-on operational experience in the wellness sector. She is a well-established figure in the wellness community, boasting a dedicated following of over 20,000. Her insights and contributions have been featured in prestigious wellness publications such as Well + Good, Shape, WWD, Glossy, Modern Retail, and Beauty Independent. Rachel holds an MBA from London Business School and a BS from The University of Texas at Austin.
Genevieve Gilbreath

Co-Founder & General Partner, Springdale Ventures

Genevieve Gilbreath

Co-Founder & General Partner, Springdale Ventures

Genevieve thrives at the intersection of entrepreneurship and venture capital, turning bold ideas into impactful companies. A seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience, Genevieve has built and led multiple ventures in the consumer products and health and wellness sectors. As the driving force behind Springdale Ventures, she’s been an active early-stage investor for seven years, passionately championing disruptive brands. Whether managing startups or guiding companies to scale, Genevieve brings a sharp focus on innovation, growth, and community. She’s known for her big-picture thinking and hands-on leadership.
Wayne Wu

General Partner, VMG Partners

Wayne Wu

General Partner, VMG Partners

Wayne Wu is a General Partner at VMG Partners. VMG Partners works intimately with founders and leaders of branded consumer product companies, providing the resources and guidance needed to propel them to their next level of growth and value. Beyond capital, Wayne provides a value-added investment philosophy that pulls from his decades of experience, strategic guidance, and passionate focus to help our brands accelerate growth, increase brand awareness, and achieve their own definition of success. VMG has worked closely and successfully with brands such as Ancient Nutrition, Drunk Elephant, Humm Kombucha, Justin's, KIND, Nature's Bakery, Perfect Snacks, Quest, and Spindrift, to name a few. Wayne is energized by the next generation of innovative, consumer product entrepreneurs, and looks forward to helping them fully realize their vision. Wayne is based in San Francisco, CA.
Sherry Frey

Vice President, Total Wellness, NielsenIQ

Sherry Frey

Vice President, Total Wellness, NielsenIQ

Sherry Frey brings more than two decades of industry experience to her role as Vice President, Total Wellness at NielsenIQ. With a background in market research, innovation and consulting, she has elevated clients across the fresh, CPG and wellness industries, providing forward-thinking insights, combined with practical strategies. In addition to leading NielsenIQ’s Total Wellness team and industry engagement, Sherry has been a featured speaker at many national and international industry events and is often sought as a media and analyst resource on topics related to consumer health, wellness and environmental issues. Sherry’s view of health and wellness spans beyond personal health and wellness, encompassing how we collectively think about the health of the planet.
Adrianne DeLuca

Reporter, BevNET & NOSH

Adrianne DeLuca

Reporter, BevNET & NOSH

Adrianne DeLuca is a reporter for BevNET and NOSH where she covers a range of industry-related topics with a specific interest in new, sustainable innovations, regulatory and legal matters as well as the intricacies of the supply chain. Adrianne is a journalism and political science graduate of Elon University, and has previously written for various local and digital publications.
Anthony Corsaro

Co-Founder & President, ReGen Brands

Anthony Corsaro

Co-Founder & President, ReGen Brands

Anthony Corsaro is an entrepreneur, investor, and regenerative agriculture evangelist whose mission is to help heal our people and planet through ventures that inspire the production and consumption of healthy, nutrient-dense foods. Anthony is the Co-Founder and President of ReGen Brands, an unprecedented education, community, and financing ecosystem for CPG brands supporting regenerative agriculture.
Yassin Sibai

Founder, Afia Foods

Yassin Sibai

Founder, Afia Foods

Yassin Sibai co-founded Afia Foods in 2017, launching at a local farmer's market with his wife Farrah and their daughters. Yassin jumped into the world of CPG with 20 years of experience in technology, product management, and financial markets. As CEO of Afia, he leverages his entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and financial discipline to co-lead the brand and manufacturing facility with Farrah. Since launching into retail in 2018, Afia has grown from 180 doors to more than 4,500 doors nationwide that sell Afia's convenient, frozen Mediterranean food - from falafel to heritage inspired meals.
Oisin Hanrahan

Founder & CEO, Keychain

Oisin Hanrahan

Founder & CEO, Keychain

Oisin Hanrahan is the co-founder and CEO of Keychain, a manufacturing platform for the packaged goods industry that is backed by $18 million in venture funding from Lightspeed Venture Partners, BoxGroup, and SV Angel. Prior to founding Keychain, he served as the CEO of NASDAQ-listed Angi Inc (Angie’s List / HomeAdvisor). Before assuming the role of CEO of Angi, Mr. Hanrahan had served as Chief Product Officer of Angi since 2019, where he was responsible for all product and technology strategy. Mr. Hanrahan joined Angi in 2018 when Handy, the company he co-founded and led as CEO since 2012, was acquired by Angi. Mr. Hanrahan built Handy to hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue, and raised over $100 million in institutional capital, before exiting to Angi.
Craig Albert

Founder & Managing Partner, Saphineia Manufacturing Partners

Craig Albert

Founder & Managing Partner, Saphineia Manufacturing Partners

Craig Albert is the founder and managing partner of Saphineia Manufacturing Partners, a team of 12 manufacturing specialists exclusively serving the middle market food and beverage manufacturing industry. Our team provides clients with access to decades of hands-on, cross-functional expertise from leading food and beverage manufacturers such as Unilever, P&G, Wrigley, Mars, Tyson, DuPont Danisco, Hearthside, Keurig Dr Pepper, Kraft, Kroger and Griffith Foods, spanning manufacturing, engineering, continuous improvement, procurement, supply chain, maintenance, contract manufacturing, project management and quality and food safety. Prior to starting Saphineia, Craig was the President of Golding, a private equity-backed, multi-site dressings and sauces manufacturer for private label, CPG and foodservice customers. Before Golding, Craig was VP of Corporate Development at Hearthside Food Solutions and the head of Strategy & Corporate Development for Greencore USA, a $1.3 billion, 13-site contract manufacturer. Prior to entering the food manufacturing industry, Craig was co-owner and Portfolio Manager of Sheffield Asset Management, a $1.3bn long/short equity hedge fund. Earlier in his career, Craig was the Sr. Packaged Food Analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., a sell-side equity research firm.
Monica Watrous

Managing Editor, Nosh

Monica Watrous

Managing Editor, Nosh

For more than a decade, Monica Watrous has covered the latest trends, innovations and developments in the food and beverage industry and has organized and hosted multiple events featuring emerging brands and cutting-edge concepts. She is a lifelong foodie and a champion of startups and disruptors in the consumer packaged goods landscape.
Lukas Southard

Reporter, BevNET & Nosh

Lukas Southard

Reporter, BevNET & Nosh

Lukas Southard is a Reporter covering the food and beverage industries across BevNET and NOSH.
Colby Gehers

Category Analyst, The Giant Company

Colby Gehers

Category Analyst, The Giant Company

Colby Gehers spent the past 3 years learning and growing in the role of Analyst/ Buyer in the Natural Organic and Conventional Frozen Categories at The GIANT Company. Before that, he worked at GIANT from 2014 in various Store Operations roles, including heavy involvement helping to lay the foundation of GIANT's footprint in Philadelphia with time spent in each of the urban format Heirloom Market locations. Prior to his category management role, Gehers balanced what little time he had outside of a busy GIANT Operations role as a High School soccer Coach leading a dedicated squad of players set multiple program records and titles which still stand to this day. Gehers is actively pursuing an MBA in Food Marketing from Saint Joseph's University Haub School of Business, with hopes of completion in 2025.
Steve Young

Managing Partner, Manna Tree

Steve Young

Managing Partner, Manna Tree

Steve Young is a proven consumer products executive with a unique blend of both growth equity investment expertise and global C-Level operating experience for leading consumer products companies. Steve has over a decade of growth equity investment leadership, including both fund management and buy-side M&A, and a track record of realized investments including IPOs, sponsor-backed, and strategic sales. As Managing Partner, Steve currently leads the investment portfolio at Manna Tree and is a member of both its Executive and Investment Committees. Manna Tree invests across the consumer health and wellness ecosystem and has invested in industry-leading companies like Vital Farms, Health-Ade, Good Culture, Gotham Greens, True Food Kitchen, and TruFood Manufacturing. Prior to Manna Tree, Steve served as EVP and Managing Director for Sunrise Strategic Partners, a $200+ million venture fund with successful exits on consumer brands like Kodiak Cakes, Vital Farms, and Teton Waters Ranch. Before his move into fund management, Steve served as a buy-side leader of General Mills’ broader $1 billion portfolio of emerging brands, including leading its transformational Annie’s acquisition and integration. This brand has more than tripled in topline sales since General Mills acquired it in 2014. Steve also has 20+ years of proven experience as an operator, including both corporate officer-level leadership at General Mills and CEO experience at Bellisio/CP Foods North America.

Recent Event Announcements

Posted 1/7/2025 at 11:53 AM

Nosh Live 2024 Replay: Milking Your Manufacturing For Money

At Nosh Live, three CPG food manufacturing stakeholders discussed how operational decisions can either unlock fresh opportunities or bring new challenges.

Posted 12/3/2024 at 4:49 PM

Nosh Live is This Week; Join the Happy Hour to Have Strategic Food Business Conversations

On Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th, leaders in the packaged food industry will gather at Nosh Live Winter 2024 to build new partnerships, finalize their 2025 strategies, and explore the latest trends. Utilize scheduled networking breaks to connect with executives from Once Upon A Farm, Good Culture, The Giant Company, Instacart, ChocXO, RIND Snacks, and more.

Posted 12/2/2024 at 12:06 PM

Nosh Live Winter 2024: Boot Camp Education & Expert Led Workshops

Nosh Live, taking place on December 5 + 6 in Marina del Rey, CA features growth-focused presentations, one-to-one meetings with retailers and investors, product sampling, and the Pitch Slam. Attendees can also attend the educational Boot Camp program for startup food brands and specialized workshops designed for those looking to dive deeper.

Posted 11/25/2024 at 2:18 PM

Nosh Live Winter 2024: KeHE, The Giant Company & NIQ Join One-to-One Meetings

At Nosh Live on December 5 + 6 in Marina del Rey, packaged food brands are invited to meet one-to-one with retailers, investors, and industry experts. Taking meetings are representatives from Whole Foods Market, Houlihan Lokey, Springdale Ventures, Wellness Growth Ventures, and now, KeHE, The Giant Company and NIQ. The recent additions to the one-to-one...

Posted 11/22/2024 at 3:33 PM

Jing Gao, Loren Castle To Discuss Product innovation at Nosh Live Winter 2024

At Nosh Live Winter 2024, the founders of two high-growth brands will share insights on how to take a disciplined and consumer-led approach to category expansion.

The Nosh Live Experience

Product Sampling

Take a first-hand look at up-and-coming food trends before many of your competitors have a chance. Looking to have your product sampled for feedback? Just register and apply.

Learn More

Pitch Slam Competition

The Nosh Live Pitch Slam allows emerging brands to showcase their products to our expert panel and in-person audience to gain feedback and industry exposure.

Learn More

Boot Camp for Startups

Boot Camp at Nosh Live is designed to support early-stage brands through a series of easily digestible presentations covering finance, branding, marketing, sales, and operations.

Learn More

Networking with Industry Leaders

At Nosh Live, well-connected industry experts are in the room and ready to talk. Ask them your questions, review your strategy, and head into 2025 with a clear path forward (and a new partner or two).

Learn More

Meet with Retailers, Investors & Industry Experts

Name: NOSH Live Winter 2024
Start: 2024-12-05T08:00:00-08:00
End: 2024-12-06T15:00:00-08:00
Location: Marina del Rey Marriott

At NOSH Live on December 5 + 6 in Marina del Rey, CA food brands are invited to participate in industry One-to-Ones. Retail buyers, investors and industry experts will be available for private, pre-scheduled meetings during the two-day event. Meeting hosts include Whole Foods market, KeHE, Springdale Ventures, Wellness Growth Ventures, and NIQ.

Brands will be selected at each meeting host's discretion. Limited meeting spots are available on a first-come, first-considered basis.

Who Attends Nosh Live?

Startup brands looking for advice, guidance, and partnership
Founders who have hit a plateau and wants to overcome hurdles and reignite growth
Mid-stage brands looking to vet their 2025 business plans before they execute on them
Brand leaders who want to hear the latest and greatest when it comes to innovation, packaged food trends, and consumer behavior
Brand executives searching for fresh, new ideas that will push their business to the next level
Retailers searching for up-and-coming brands to bring excitement to store shelves
Investors on the hunt for the next big name in packaged food
Suppliers looking to help brands cut costs and increase value
Service providers wanting to help brand leaders get their product into the hands of consumers

From the Community

"It's an intimate environment where you can get stuff done and make those connections that will lead to the big break, the big opportunity as a young brand."

"There's always been at least one connection every single time that has helped us progress our business forward."

"The intimate size of Nosh Live is the perfect environment to make meaningful connections with other founders, buyers and investors. It's a refreshing alternative from other shows that can often feel overwhelming, especially for emerging brands. I truly love it!"

The Venue

Invest in the Future of Your Business

Attending Nosh Live is the first step in propelling your business into growth mode. Establish new partnerships, vet your 2025 strategy before putting it into action, and walk away with the ability to make more strategic decisions for your company.

An Event for Food Industry Leaders and Innovators

Nosh Live Winter 2024 Agenda

Breakfast & Registration

Boot Camp: The CPG Landscape: Overview of Current Trends, Channels, Regions, Chains, and Distributors

Boot Camp: M&A & Capital Raising: The Pitfalls & Challenges of Free Advice

Boot Camp: Marketing Basics for Food Brands

Boot Camp: Using Data to Build Your Story

Boot Camp Roundtable Networking

Welcome Remarks

Lessons From a Celebrity Farmer

Growing in Whole Foods

State of VC Investing Panel

Unlocking Growth Amidst Challenges

Nosh Best of 2024 Awards Announced

Lunch Break, Sampling & Elevator Talk

Confessions of a Fast-Growing Brand

Ops Are Sexy: Milking Your Manufacturing for Money

Nosh Live Happy Hour

Breakfast & Registration

Gaining Sales, Dropping Pounds

Conversation with the Cottage Cheese King

Lessons From The Rise of Regenerative Agriculture

Retailer Profile: Inside TikTok Shop

Networking & Sampling

Become a Re-Founder

Financing Cycles and Food Brands

Lunch Break, Sampling & Taste Radio Studio Interviews

Investor, Operator, Acquirer: Views on Growth for Food Brands

Permission to Platform: Optimizing Brand Adjacencies

Pitch Slam Winner Announcement + Taste Radio Studio Interview

Gold Sponsors

Winter 2024 Speakers

20+ speakers will take the stage. Stay tuned for updates!

Jennifer Garner

John Foraker

Jing Gao

Justin Gold

Jane Miller

Loren Castle

Jen Zeszut

Jesse Merrill

Casey Gaston

Brad Charron

Shawn Bushouse

Cameron Gould-Saltman

Rodney Clark

Rachel Hirsch

Genevieve Gilbreath

Wayne Wu

Sherry Frey

Adrianne DeLuca

Anthony Corsaro

Yassin Sibai

Oisin Hanrahan

Craig Albert

Monica Watrous

Lukas Southard

Colby Gehers

Steve Young

Recent Event Announcements

The Nosh Live Experience

Product Sampling

Pitch Slam Competition

Boot Camp for Startups

Networking with Industry Leaders

Meet with Retailers, Investors & Industry Experts

Who Attends Nosh Live?

Silver Sponsors

From the Community

The Venue

Invest in the Future of Your Business