Ryan has a new job! We talk through what else is new and a quick preview of the upcoming season

In this episode, Lewis Goldstein, CEO of Better with Buckwheat, shares his journey from Maine Crisp to rebranding the company. He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in the rebranding process, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and the reception from retailers. Lewis emphasizes the need for simplicity in marketing and the significance of consumer engagement as the brand expands its product offerings.

As Isaac and I continue to deep dive regenerative agriculture we caught up with David Brown who is the Chief Marketing Officer at Alec's Ice Cream. We delve into the concept of creating an emotionally healthy brand and the unique positioning of Alex Ice Cream. Also, the retail and social strategy that the team deploys in this growth stage. A little buyer perspective sprinkled in and finally we end the podcast with a parent corner.

Our first returning guest Ryan Blad comes on to talk through his teams viral video for Sun Warrior. We talk all about how this video came to life and what's next for the video and the brand.

In an effort to continue our deep dive on Regerenerative Agriculture we invited Mary Purdy, from the Nutrient Density Alliance to discuss the importance of connecting regenerative agriculture with nutrient-dense outcomes. We explore the challenges of getting buy-in from various stakeholders, including consumers, farmers, retailers and food industry leaders. It also delves into the need for education and communication to help consumers understand the benefits of nutrient-dense food and the importance of regenerative farming practices.

In this episode, we interview Daniela, the founder of Big Picture Foods, a brand that focuses on regenerative farming and produces olives, peppers, and capers. Daniela explains the traditional slow curing process of olives using salt and how it has been replaced by industrialized methods. She emphasizes the importance of natural fermentation and the use of wild native cultures derived from the soil. The conversation also covers the challenges in the food system, the need for clean ingredient products, and the impact of regenerative agriculture on soil health and carbon sequestration. The sourcing and supply chain of Big Picture Foods are discussed, highlighting the partnerships with small farms and the focus on nutrient density and resilience in the face of climate change. Big Picture Foods is a regenerative food company that focuses on creating clean, healthy, and sustainable products. They are committed to educating consumers about the importance of reading ingredient labels and making informed choices.

We are joined by Alex Temple from Mable Marketplace. Mable is turning itself into a valuable tool for emerging brands and Alex tells us how. Mable is a marketplace technology for distributors and a selling platform for brands in the food and beverage industry. They enable distributors to sell third-party products to their customers without warehousing them, and they enable emerging brands to drop ship products to customers they couldn't otherwise reach. We chat with Alex about how Mabel started as a B2B marketplace connecting emerging brands directly with retailers but pivoted to partnering with distributors to make restocking seamless for buyers. And then how they work with distributors like McLane and help brands get into convenience stores and other retailers. She shares how Mabel's platform provides data sharing, forecasting, and support for brands to scale their businesses.

Marcus Lasky from FDM Sales discusses his background and the role of FDM in the consumer goods industry. He highlights the importance of supply chain and omni-channel strategies in the CPG business, as well as the role of social media in brand marketing. Marcus emphasizes the value of FDM's personal touch and its role as an extension of the brand. He also provides insights on trade shows, including the importance of being memorable and the value of attending category-specific shows. Marcus mentions Pop Daddy as a brand that has gained buzz and success in the industry.

In this episode, Isaac and Ryan are joined by Anthony Corsaro and Kyle Krull, hosts of a ReGen Brands Podcast. They discuss the concept and benefits of regenerative agriculture, the challenges of defining and certifying these products, and the importance of building a supply chain. Brands like Kettle & Fire and Zack's Mighty are highlighted as examples incorporating regenerative principles. The episode also explores the market potential for regenerative products, the connection to nutrient density, and the regulatory challenges of making health claims. Additionally, they discuss the adoption of regenerative practices by retailers, the need for clear messaging, and the relationship between regenerative and organic agriculture. They recommend watching documentaries like 'Kiss the Ground' and 'The Biggest Little Farm' to learn more about regenerative agriculture.

Isaac discusses the social influence scorecard created by him and his team at Socialike. The scorecard focuses on midsize retailers and their ability to help CPG brands. Isaac explains that retailers can be considered influencers, as they already have a social following and a level of trust from consumers. The scoring methodology takes into account factors such as the number of stores, follower count, engagement rate, and the quality of community management. The top five retailers on the scorecard are Green Natural Foods, Kimbertons, Deer Bergs, Harmons, and Fresh Thyme. The conversation concludes with a discussion on personal shopping habits and appreciation for the report.