The Conagras and Nestlés of the world have business fundamentals and levers that drive smart innovation and product development, which aren't always available to smaller brands. Monica Watrous, managing editor of Nosh, and Glenn Pappalardo, co-founder of Integral CPG, clarify the attributes and themes big brands center their innovation strategy around to help smaller brands put together smart innovation strategy. This Community Call is a companion piece to an article on NOSH.com.

POD Foods offers a distribution solution that stands out from broadline options, particularly benefiting early-stage brands. Dan Rabens, Director of Growth at POD Foods, explains how their model emphasizes transparency, eliminates deductions, and improves speed-to-shelf. We’ll break down POD Foods' fee structure and discuss how they provide support with capital financing, warehousing, and brokering, making them a comprehensive partner for emerging brands.

Kimberle Lau, founder of Bake Me Healthy’s upcycled, allergen-friendly baking mixes, is preparing to launch a new product line but wants to set herself up for success by ensuring it answers a consumer need. Robyn Carter from Jump Rope Innovation brings her experience from big CPG to help Kimberly figure out what her core consumers like about Bake Me Healthy and how to use that information to launch a new set of products that will hit the ground running.

To succeed in retail, building direct relationships at the store level can grow your food or beverage business, creating valuable "eyes inside." Cedar's Hummus has its roots in DSD and store relationship building. Aimee Tsakirellis, EVP of Marketing at Cedar's, will share tips on forging strong relationships with store teams, expanding into new regions, and collaborating with retailers to boost sales.

We’ve all heard that owning your backyard and going a mile deep is key for gaining traction in CPG. The GNGR Labs team self sold their product into to every indie store and bodega in NYC, building a grassroots base. Their scrappy approach allowed them to test and refine their ginger shots before partnering with a distributor, leading to investment and wide-scale distribution. Join Daniel Chechelnitsky and Namik Sultan to understand how to use NYC's distribution system to your advantage, how to build a relationship with a new DSD, and how to make the most out of a modest marketing budget. 

The Nosh editorial team joins the Community Call to announce and honor our 2024 NOSH Notables—individuals who make the CPG industry enjoyable, successful, and fulfilling. Visit NOSH.com to see the full list!

Join Jamie Borteck, board member and advisor, and Matt Weiss from RIND Snacks as they guide you through assembling the ideal team to support your CPG brand's growth. We'll cover selecting advisors who complement your skills, building a board for exponential growth, compensation strategies, approaching potential partners, and maximizing your partnerships.

Lorena Arathoon and her team at Tasu Chips have launched their brand on Amazon and are looking to refine their strategy. Betsy McGinn, an Amazon guru and e-commerce strategist, joins Community Call to provide Lorena with ideas that will steadily grow sales.  Find out how to create the perfect listing, the advertising that's worth investing in, and what you should avoid at all costs on the platform.  Find Betsy's companion deck shared on this episode in our Slack Community, join us: https://slack.bevnet.com/sign-up 

Monica Watrous, Managing Editor of NOSH, and Amrit Richmond, CPG Strategist, join Community Call to discuss the key trends in food and beverage. We explore the ingredient consumers are avoiding, despite reassurances from the FDA, Harvard School of Public Health, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. We also delve into trends in production, distribution, eating for healthspan vs. lifespan, and alternative meats + proteins. This podcast complements NOSH.com's Trendlines series, so be sure to visit there for the complete series.

Sun Noodle, a global leader in ramen noodles and the preferred choice of ramen shops like Momofuku, has been pivotal in establishing the ramen industry in America. Founded in 1981, Sun Noodle began during a time when ramen in America was, for the most part, microwaveable Cup Noodles. Join Sun Noodle's President, Kenshiro Uki, and his team as they trace their journey from crafting premium ramen noodles to becoming a foremost producer nationwide. Find out their secrets to using customer feedback in both foodservice and retail to create the perfect product for every customer.