News

Last year John Roulac, the former CEO and founder of superfood brand Nutiva, started a CBD business as a “hobby.” Now RE Botanicals is in 150 doors with commitment for another 850, has 10 employees and as of today, a backer with money. The company announced today the close of a $2 million round of funding, with $1 million of the investment from firm BIGR Ventures.

Outgoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief Scott Gottlieb today announced new steps towards clarifying and constructing a legal framework around cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including the formation of an exploratory group examining CBD supplements and foods, and a public hearing for “stakeholders to share their experiences and challenges with these products.”

Dr. Bronner’s CEO David Bronner joined us for an interview in which he spoke about his roots with the natural soap company and how his advocacy for hemp contributed to the evolution of the brand. He also explained why he supports the use of psychedelics within the context of the company’s philanthropic strategy, discussed what makes Dr. Bronner’s concept of corporate responsibility different from its peers and how it is preserving its legacy.

The natural food industry showed off its humorous side today as brands took to social media to celebrate April Fools’ Day with wacky new product launches.

Growpacker, a Canadian contract manufacturer of THC- and CBD-infused edibles and beverages, announced yesterday its plans to launch an investment accelerator that will allow the company to invest in “key supply chain and technology partners.”

In an interview recorded at Natural Products Expo West, BevNET and NOSH Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Klineman sat down with Stonyfield founder Gary Hirshberg to discuss the company’s history, what the future for the brand looks like under new owner Lactalis and how the category has changed.

Scott Hattis is the co-founder of Loisa, a company that’s bringing traditional Latin foods and flavors to a new generation of eaters. The brand highlights its use of real ingredients as a differentiator and aims to provide better-for-you convenient options for mainstream millennials and modern Latino families.

Since launching in 1996 beauty brand Pacifica has grown from a niche player to a mass market darling. But along the way, some things have remained constant — namely founder and CEO Brook Harvey-Taylor’s understanding of her core consumer and innate ability to remain culturally relevant despite a category that thrives on what’s “new.” Now the brand is is taking a leading role in the emerging sub-category of “edible beauty.”

Plant-based frozen foods brand Alpha Foods announced today the close of a $7 million round of capital. Co-founder and CFO/COO Cole Orobetz and co-founder and CEO Loren Wallis told NOSH that, for now, they have chosen to raise smaller rounds more frequently rather than a single large round.

After a weekend that saw a social media post about its demise go viral, food and beverage crowdfunding platform PieShell announced that it is shutting down. Founder and CEO Cheryl Clements told NOSH that she plans to close the company at the end of March unless a “Hail Mary” investor appears.