In an interview on Taste Radio, ColdTrack's Chief Revenue Officer, Warner Seabird, explained how brands can profitably ship cold and frozen products directly to consumers. He outlined five key strategies: using multiple carriers and regional shippers to get better rates, setting up multiple distribution centers to reduce shipping distance, optimizing packaging size and coolant to lower weight, utilizing technology and algorithms for logistics, and increasing average order value to improve profit margins.

Ray from Taste Radio interviews Jillian Wishman of Bay State Milling, a 125-year-old, family-owned company specializing in grain-based food solutions. Jillian highlights their innovative product HealthSense, a high-fiber wheat flour with 10x the fiber of traditional wheat, offering the nutrition of whole wheat in a white flour format—without affecting taste or texture. It’s being used in products like bread, pasta, and tortillas. Bay State Milling supports brands with formulation, prototyping, and scaling. Learn more at BayStateMilling.com or Wheat-Better.com.

In this episode, David Ames, founder and CEO of Sovereign Flavors, shares how the company partners with CPG brands to develop standout beverages and flavor solutions. With facilities in California and Texas, Sovereign Flavors offers custom formulations for drinks, gummies, bars, and more, helping both startups and global brands bring ideas to market.

David discusses the company's recent expansion in Texas, including a new R&D lab in Kyle and plans for an additional 60,000-square-foot facility. Texas provides a strategic advantage with lower shipping costs, quicker turnaround times, and access to a growing hub of food and beverage innovation.

Rather than focusing solely on growth, David emphasizes empowering his team to better serve customers. This people-first approach, combined with industry expertise, continues to drive Sovereign Flavors forward. To learn more or start your own product journey, visit sovereignflavors.com.

In a recent episode of Taste Radio, John Bissell, CEO and Co-Founder of Origin Materials, introduces a game-changing innovation: a fully recyclable PET cap designed to replace traditional polypropylene (PP) closures. Built for performance, aesthetics, and scalability, Origin’s PET caps offer compatibility with standard formats like 1881, work with off-the-shelf PET (including recycled materials), and remove the common “except the cap” footnote from recyclability claims.

What sets Origin’s solution apart is its performance on the line and shelf. These PET caps not only meet the technical demands of bottling but also present a premium, crystal-clear look that’s difficult to replicate with PP or HDPE. With applications across beverages, solid foods, and more, the caps are especially valuable in high-barrier and eco-conscious markets. Origin collaborates directly with both brands and co-packers to ensure seamless integration and functionality.

Want to learn more or request a sample? Visit originmaterials.com and click the contact button.

Mark Webster, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at T. Hasegawa USA, joined Taste Radio to spotlight Hasearoma, a cutting-edge analytical flavor technology developed in partnership with their Tokyo-based parent company. This proprietary innovation enables beverage brands to replicate “gold standard” flavors, from Maui pineapple to Japanese Wagyu, delivering unmatched authenticity and impact.

With a robust portfolio of ~70 flavors (and growing), Hasearoma covers a wide spectrum including fruit, sweet brown, dairy, meat, spice, and more offered in multiple delivery formats like liquids and powders. T. Hasegawa collaborates closely with brands, offering hands-on support through lab sessions, product demos, and sample requests to bring custom flavor visions to life.

Interested in exploring how Hasearoma can elevate your next beverage innovation? Visit thasegawa.com or head directly to the Hasearoma page to request samples and connect with the team.

In this Taste Radio interview, host Ray Latif interviews Ed Fish, SVP & General Manager of Varietal Solutions at Bay State Milling. Ed discusses the company’s commitment to providing innovative plant-based ingredients, including HealthSense high-fiber wheat flour and SowNaked oats, to food manufacturers and restaurants. He highlights how Bay State Milling’s extensive expertise in food science and culinary innovation helps brands create better-for-you products without sacrificing taste or functionality.

Ed explains how HealthSense, a non-GMO wheat flour with 10 times the fiber of traditional wheat, is already being used in products like pizza, tortillas, and pasta to enhance nutrition while maintaining familiar flavors and textures. With consumer demand for healthier options on the rise, Bay State Milling continues to support brands looking to improve their ingredient profiles. To learn more about Bay State Milling or connect with Ed, visit wheat-better.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

In this Taste Radio interview, host Ray Latif interviews Alexis Guetzlaff, Director of Marketing Beer and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at O-I, a global leader in glass packaging. Alexis discusses the benefits of glass packaging in the beverage industry, emphasizing its ability to create a premium experience for consumers.

Alexis explains how O-I helps brands differentiate themselves by using glass packaging, which stands out in crowded categories dominated by cans and plastic. She also shares insights on how consumers perceive glass as a sign of quality and are often willing to pay a higher price for products packaged in glass, allowing brands to justify premium pricing strategies.

To learn more about O-I or connect with Alexis, visit O-I.com, or connect with Alexis on LinkedIn.

In this Taste Radio Interview, host Ray Latif sits down with David Ames, President and Co-Founder of Sovereign Flavors, to discuss the company’s role in fueling innovation in the food and beverage industry. David shares his insights from over 30 years in the flavor industry, emphasizing the importance of serving entrepreneurs and offering tailored solutions, regardless of business size. With a commitment to delivering fast, high-quality flavors, Sovereign Flavors has become a go-to for companies of all scales, providing custom formulations and industry expertise.

David also discusses the company’s rapid growth and recent expansion into Texas, positioning Sovereign Flavors as a key player in one of the hottest regions for food and beverage innovation. Whether it's a large multinational company or a small startup, David and his team are dedicated to helping brands bring their products to market quickly and efficiently. For those interested in learning more, David invites entrepreneurs to connect with his team at SovereignFlavors.com to discuss your project needs.

Ray Latif sits down with Alexis Guetzlaff, Director of Marketing for Beer and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at O-I, to explore the enduring appeal and strategic value of glass packaging in the beverage industry. With over 15 years of experience in the packaging manufacturing sector, Alexis shares insights into how glass packaging can elevate brand perception, drive consumer engagement, and support premium pricing strategies.

Alexis discusses the advantages of glass in standing out on crowded shelves, particularly in fast-growing categories like RTD cocktails and seltzers. She emphasizes the importance of integrating glass packaging into product planning from the start to ensure alignment with pricing strategies and consumer expectations. Additionally, she provides actionable advice for brands looking to introduce glass into their product lines, whether as a premium extension or a core offering.

For those interested in learning more about leveraging glass packaging to create compelling and sustainable beverage experiences, visit O-I's website or connect with Alexis on LinkedIn.

In this interview, Ray chats with Mark Webster, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for T. Hasegawa. Mark provides an overview of T. Hasegawa, a global leader in flavor and fragrance manufacturing since 1903. He discusses the company's journey from its origins in Tokyo to its expansion into North America in 1978, emphasizing their focus on developing custom flavors for food and beverage brands.

Mark highlights T. Hasegawa's unique position in the market, combining the resources of a top global manufacturer with the agility of a mid-sized company. He attributes their success to a strong team culture and a commitment to quality. Mark also introduces listeners to some of T. Hasegawa's innovative products, including Boostract, a flavor enhancer; Mullsatract, a fat mimetic technology; and Hasoroma, an enhancement technology for isolating and amplifying specific flavor molecules.

Ray and Mark discuss the importance of technology in flavor development, as well as the challenges and opportunities in adapting flavors for different markets. Mark underscores the company's dedication to improving the sensory experience of food and beverages. Listeners can learn more about T. Hasegawa and connect with their team at www.thasegawa.com.