Food Industry News, Insights, and Education for the CPG Community

We often hear from new entrepreneurs in the food and beverage space that they have an amazing idea or new product for us to sample. The products are generally in the initial phase of development and usually conceived and created in an entrepreneur’s kitchen. At this point is where most entrepreneurs need help; going from… Read more »

Often overlooked, brokers play a vital role in getting products into stores at all points in a brand’s life cycle. For brands that are starting and expanding into new regions and can’t afford the overhead of a distributor sales force, they are often the only option; the right one can be incredibly helpful with strategic… Read more »

Complete video coverage from the event is now available on BeverageSchool.com. Hear from experts in product development, packaging and design, legal requirements, retailing and distribution, marketing and much more from the day’s packed program.

What are some of the key legal issues facing a new beverage company? Hard advice to get without spending a lot of money — but we’ve sat down with William Garvin of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC to cover some of the basics.

Finding the right co-packer is like finding the right person to baby-sit your kids: you want to know that your product is in good hands and will be treated with the utmost care and quality. The process often requires a significant investment in time and research, but once you’ve found the right partner, you’re set. Or are you?

Of course it would be great if your consumer was picking up your beverage from the source, but that’s not always logistically possible. If you don’t want spoilage to occur, some kind of treatment is necessary.

Watch interviews with founders and top executives from The Coca-Cola Co., Inc., Tetra-Pak USA and AriZona Beverage Co. and gain crucial insight into cutting edge trends in beverage development, marketing and packaging, new opportunities in emerging retail channels, and paths to new, value-added investment.

It’s a given that most beverage entrepreneurs are constrained by limited financial resources, and when it comes to spending a sizable amount of money to establish proof of concept, it’s imperative to look before leaping. So what’s the best way to create the foundation for a successful product launch without breaking the bank? Start small.

Video presentations from the Brewbound Session Spring 2013 — including those from Boston Beer Company founder Jim Koch, Craft Brew Alliance President Andy Thomas, and Harpoon Brewery co-founders Richard Doyle and Daniel Kenary — are now available.

The visual element of a brand is the first and, perhaps, the most important way to connect with a critical mass of consumers. And the most effective visual design is built on understanding not only the nature of one’s product, but the audience to whom it is targeting, according to Ian McLean, the founder of McLean Design.

The upcoming Manhattan edition of BevNET Live will feature a special edition of Beverage School. The program, which will be free and open to qualified BevNET Live registrants, will be held on Monday, June 3, the day before the opening of BevNET Live, which takes place on June 4 and 5.

For a growing beverage brand, the development and execution of a public relations and marketing strategy is critical to getting the door with retailers and establishing a loyal consumer following.

Navigating the process to achieve organic certification can be expensive, complex and time-consuming. As such, it is extremely important to understand the sourcing requirements and labeling directives necessary to market an organic product.

BevNET is pleased to announce that the final agenda for Beverage School in Chicago is now available for viewing.