News

UNFI Next is a distributor run program designed to curate and incubate emerging brands. We chat with Aaron May who oversees the UNFI Next program to discuss what the criteria for entry is, ideal timing for launch in a brand’s life cycle, and how to make it work for brand growth. Come with your questions and ask them live!

Demand planning and supply chain management have always been a critical part of CPG operations, and it’s more important than ever as businesses are looking for ways to create efficiencies with minimal sacrifice. Join Ed Davidson, demand planning and operations expert, and Kelli Wilson of Partake Foods as we discuss best practices for demand planning and how to tighten up operations to cut costs and improve your bottom line.

Long term success for food brands should be rooted in financial stability. Join CPG financial experts Monisha Khushalani and Elizabeth Carter to learn how strategizing for the future is based in setting attainable economic goals and managing a business’ bottom line.

How do you keep your intellectual property — processes, patents, recipes, designs and trademarks under your control? And how should you deal with the inevitable attacks from competitors, both established and copycats, as you grow? Seasoned CPG attorney Allison Roseman Hagey will take founders through some of the key legal touchpoints surrounding brand and product IP.

Fresh granola bar maker Mooski is reaching new regions after inking deals with Foxtrot, Fresh Thyme Market and Central Market over the past two months. Check out the full roundup for distribution updates from Cometeer, Voyage Foods, Stumptown and That’s it.

Jamie Borteck, the Founder and CEO of JCB Growth Ventures, dives into growth tactics for both sales and marketing within food and beverage.

In this week’s notable new products roundup, Meati enters the snacking space with a new jerky offering, TCHO teams up with Equator Coffees to craft its newest chocolate bar and Barnacle Foods expands its kelp hot sauce line.

On this week’s show, the Eat The Change team discusses how its identity has evolved by rethinking product lines. Seth Goldman, co-founder and CEO, and Sarah Shah, Marketing Director talk through how they evaluated the product mix, ultimately making a measured decision to discontinue one slow turner and revamp and reposition another.

Better-for-you snack brand Elavi is no longer in the bar business. While shifting to a more streamlined foundation for the business was the right move – the duo still struggled with the decision to “effectively cut its first child.”