On this week’s show, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Adrianne DeLuca run down the shifting priorities and narrowing focus of large CPG corporations including B&G Foods, Kelloggs and Beyond Meat. Later, Adrianne sits down with Arturo Elizondo, co-founder and CEO of alternative egg protein food tech operation, The EVERY Company, to discuss his experience at the UN’s COP27 summit last week.

Show Highlights:

01:20: The NOSH team runs through a host of recent corporate restructurings including B&G which is seeking to divest snack brand Back to Nature and Beyond Meat’s shifting growth strategy. 

06:13: Carol explains the cause of layoffs at merchandising firm Dirty Hands. The team then discusses the challenges of the plant-based protein category’s growth and how Jeff is honing a true flexitarian diet with his plant-based preferences.

16:45: Arturo runs through his key takeaways from COP27 including how leaders from around the world are approaching climate change mitigation, where government support is needed and how natural food brands can help implement and execute the goals of the conference.

24:36: Although plenty of climate change mitigating ideas, innovations and solutions were presented at COP27, Arturo outlines the path, and challenges ahead, for international leaders and food companies to have an impact.

“There's a lot of interest by [large] companies that want to be able to [say] they've committed and achieved something. Companies in our space can help them achieve those targets.. especially now that there are solutions – it's no longer a deficiency issue.” 

- Arturo Elizondo

From the flavors of Thanksgiving in uncommon formats to priceless paintings covered in canned soup, the NOSH team talks about chaos in the food world. Then in this week’s interview NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg talks to Jason and Mia Bauer, founders of Crumbs Bakeshop, about relaunching the popular bakery brand and shifting it from a brick-and-mortar model to a CPG line of treats.

In this episode:

0:45 - Carol, Jeff and Lukas talk about making new Thanksgiving traditions around savory soda flavors, THC gravy and turkey ice cream.

5:53 - Lukas tells the team about the trouble Tyson’s recently appointed CFO, John Tyson, has found himself in after a wild night on the town in Arkansas.

8:05 - Jeff discusses how canned soup and fine art have found their way into the discussions on climate change.

10:20 - Carol explains how the cyberattack on Maple Leaf Foods might impact meat pricing in the coming months.

14:50 - Crumbs co-founders Mia and Jason Bauer talk to Carol about bringing the brand back from bankruptcy and the differences between running a CPG business as opposed to a retail baker shop.

About the NOSH Podcast

The staff of NOSH.com takes listeners inside the business of natural, organic, sustainable and healthy food during the NOSH Podcast. Using interviews and discussion, the team illuminates the news, brands, people, trends, and money affecting the world of packaged food.

On this week’s show, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg and reporters Adrianne DeLuca and Lukas Southard discuss the possible business plans of Feastables founder and YouTube creator MrBeast and the reasons creators, influencers and celebrities are embracing the CPG industry. Later, Carol sits down with Charley Cummings, founder and CEO of newly FDIC-approved bank, Walden Mutual to dive into Charley’s plans for creating a digital bank that can be “means to an end” for a more sustainable, inclusive, locally-focused food system.

Show Highlights:

01:16: The NOSH team talks about this week’s top stories including an upcoming fundraise and potential billion dollar valuation for Feastables founder and Youtube creator, MrBeast. That kicks off a discussion around the impetus for athletes and chefs to become involved in CPG, and wraps up with the team’s thoughts on chef-created vegetable brand, Row 7’s recent rollout.

13:08: How a mutual bank differs from a traditional, institutional bank and the goal Charley has for building a system that supports its clients values and uplifts local agricultural and food businesses with each deposit.

20:38: What gaps Charley sees within the current lending infrastructure and how he plans to use Walden to support strong operators so that the underlying businesses have a chance to grow.

“There's been a lot of talk over the last five years around impact investment. There’s a core set of consumers looking to align their investment portfolio with their values.” 

Charley Cummings

On this week's show, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Adrianne DeLuca discuss the latest news surrounding the Kroger/Albertsons merger, explain the challenges Instacart keeps having with going public and dive deep into some sea-faring food trends. Reporter Lukas Southard then sits down with Food and Beverage Investor Database (FABID) founder, Ryan Williams, to discuss the current investment climate and what brands should focus on before and after raising capital.

On this week’s show, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Lukas Southard discussed Nancy Pelosi’s favorite snack while in lockdown at the Capitol, more personnel shake-ups in the plant-based meat industry and how brand focus plays a big role in the growth success and failure for emerging food companies. Then Carol and Jeff sat down with retail experts John Maggiore and Errol Schweizer to talk about the implications of the biggest food business story of last week: Kroger’s announcement of its intent to acquire Albertsons, creating the largest supermarket chain in the country.

In this episode:

1:14 - Carol discusses what meat snack made a guest appearance during the Capitol Hearing on January 6.

3:10 - Lukas and the group talk about industry lay-offs occurring in the CPG food industry. Lukas reports on the news that Beyond Meat will be cutting another 20% of its workforce and Laird’s shutting down an Oregon production facility. The layoffs show that growing too quickly or not understanding a long term demand can force brands to restructure production models.

7:45 - Carol tells the team about her recent story revolving around Sweet Loren’s cookies bringing in a new president and how focusing growth in the right places to build a successful brand.

13:40 - Jeff and Carol host a panel discussion with CPG experts John Maggiore and Errol Schweizer to talk more about what the Kroger/Albertsons merger will look like for the grocery channel and what this means for emerging food brands.

About the NOSH Podcast

The staff of NOSH.com takes listeners inside the business of natural, organic, sustainable and healthy food during the NOSH Podcast. Using interviews and discussion, the team illuminates the news, brands, people, trends, and money affecting the world of packaged food.

New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected].

This week, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg along with BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Lukas Southard chatted about what trends Jeff saw in his trip to Las Vegas for the National Association of Convenience Stores’ trade show. The team also reflects back on the anniversary of a major deal and delved into the shake-ups happening in plant-based meats. Later, Carol talked with Japanese barbecue sauce maker Bachan’s founder Justin Gill about fundraising and the advantages of covert brand-building.

In this episode:

01:10: BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman talks about healthy options entering the c-store space, mingling with brand mascots and the number of new products featuring caffeine coming to the convenience channel.

8:50: The team wishes RX Bar a happy five year anniversary on the company’s sale to Kellogg’s and discusses innovation through acquisitions.

11:55: Lukas discusses the dissolution of JBS’ Planterra Foods division and how the broader pullback in plant-based meats reflects the future of the category.

19:53: NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg spoke with Bachan’s founder Justin Gill about the brand’s recent capital raise as well as how the brand grew into a profitable omnichannel business. Carol asked about how the company kept a low profile amidst its successful growth. 

On this week’s show, the team debriefs on its trip to Natural Products Expo East in Philadelphia and then sorts through the news around the White House and FDA’s evolving definition of “healthy.” NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg chats about Amazon’s first Prime Early Access Sale (or PEAS) with Chris Moe, the president and co-founder of the Amazon consulting group Cartograph. The two discuss how brands can utilize the ecommerce giant’s new day-long sale to build more visibility and velocity among potential consumers.

In this episode:

00:58: The NOSH team discusses trends they saw among food brands at last week’s Expo East, noing an emphasis on regenerative agriculture claims as well as product innovation versus rebranding and reinvention. Then NOSH reporter Adrianne DeLuca tries to sift through the FDA’s proposed new food label definition of “healthy”.

07:28: NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg chata with Cartograph’s Chris Moe about Amazon’s first Prime Early Access Sale happening on October 11. The conversation covers how some seasonal buying trends happen earlier than one might think and finding ways to reach new customers is one of the most important aspects of big ecommerce retail events.

This week, Kiva Dickinson, co-founder and managing partner of Selva Ventures joins the NOSH podcast team to break down how D2C has evolved from a pandemic-era must-have to an integral sales and brand development tool. The conversation dives deep into the expectations from investors and how they match up with reality as the industry lands firmly in an omnichannel world. 

The staff of NOSH.com takes listeners inside the business of natural, organic, sustainable and healthy food during the NOSH Podcast. Using interviews and discussion, the team illuminates  the news, brands, people, trends, and money affecting the world of packaged food.