How Datefix Landed A Dream Deal With Walmart... And What Comes Next
Taste Radio
When Walmart calls, you answer. When the retail giant offers you shelf space in 2,700 of its stores, you say “yes.” But turning that opportunity into success? That’s where the real challenge begins. Alan Scholnick, the founder of Datefix, a date-based nutrition snack brand, talks about how its two-year development from nascent idea to Walmart shelves has shaped the company’s path forward. Show notes: 0:45: Tax Day/TR Meetup. $100 In Your Pocket. Fonzie’s Shark. Not Your Father’s Ice Cream. Easy-ish Rice & Beans. – We’re 11 days away from Taste Radio’s NYC Meetup – . Oh,...
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Startup To $800M Sale. How A Three-Word Mantra Guided Kevin McCray.
Taste Radio
When Kevin McCray sold his namesake brand, Kevin’s Natural Foods, to Mars, Inc. for a staggering $800 million, it wasn’t just a milestone – it was the culmination of a business philosophy built on three simple words: humble and hungry. Now, with the launch of Wild Fox Foods, those same principles form the core of his new, better-for-you snack consumer brand. Kevin’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2012 with Chef’s Menu, a meal kit company that laid the foundation for what would later become Kevin’s Natural Foods – a pioneering brand offering clean, convenient, and nutritious...
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A Surprising Salvo On Artificial Colors. Plus, Ben Stiller... Pop?
Taste Radio
Is West Virginia’s groundbreaking move to ban artificial dyes in food the pebble that causes an avalanche? And, is Ben Stiller really leaping into an already crowded pool for BFY soda? Lots to discuss. We also sit down with Dan Grim, the CEO of functional drink manufacturer Lucky To Be Beverage Co. Show notes: 0:45: D2, Not 3. Sign Up, Meet Up. Pitch & Catch. Color Us Intrigued. Dogfight. Pouch Bites, Vodka & Saints. – The NCAA basketball tournaments generate some off-the-wall banter (wait, what’s Jacqui’s username?), before the hosts turn their attention to Taste Radio’s...
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Elevator Talk: Herb & Orchid, Drop Needle Drinks, Fast Pickle, Edenesque, Nutrisurg
Taste Radio
The latest installment of Elevator Talk features leaders from Herb & Orchid, Drop Needle Drinks, Fast Pickle, Edenesque, Nutrisurg. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Rebecca Bernard, the founder of Empire City Brand Builders, who shared her thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants. Founders and CEOs of early stage food or beverage brands are invited to join future shows to pitch their products, discuss recent news and get feedback from industry experts. It is free to participate and...
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Why A Financial Windfall Won’t Fulfill Caulipower’s Gail Becker… or Anyone Else
Taste Radio
Gail Becker has a bold message for CPG entrepreneurs: if your brand isn’t built to truly improve the lives of your consumers, “you should stay the hell out.” As the founder of the trailblazing frozen food brand Caulipower, Gail has changed the way that millions of Americans think about comfort food. Caulipower offers gluten-free, better-for-you versions of traditional favorites, including its flagship cauliflower-based pizza crust, as well as chicken tenders, frozen pizzas, and pizza bites. With $100 million in annual sales and a presence in tens of thousands of retailers nationwide,...
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What Fueled Poppi’s $1.65B Payday? Plus, Musings From Miami.
Taste Radio
Poppi just popped – big time. But was PepsiCo’s $1.65 billion acquisition driven by TikTok virality, perfect timing, or industry heavyweights like Rohan Oza? (Sorry, prebiotics, this one's not about you.) And now that the first major deal has landed, is the BFY soda space about to see a gold rush – or a bubble burst? The hosts break it all down. Plus, we revisit standout interviews from our Miami meetup with Koia’s Chris Hunter, Verlivest’s Ken Sadowsky, and Matriarch Wealth Management’s Stephen Santangelo. Show notes: 0:45: Ray, Animated. Talk The Talk. Humble Pie!...
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Wild By Nature, Strategic By Design. It’s Why Wildwonder Is Surging.
Taste Radio
Wild is woven into the fabric of her brand’s identity. But Rosa Li’s methodical, strategic approach to building a successful and respected CPG company stands in contrast to the untamed energy her products represent. Rosa is the founder and CEO of Wildwonder, a sparkling beverage brand that is infused with prebiotics and probiotics. Launched in 2020, the AAPI-founded company describes itself as “rooted in culture,” offering USDA organic drinks that taste as fresh and vibrant as a California produce stand. Flavors like Raspberry Lychee, Strawberry Passion, and Guava Rose come to life in...
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Elevator Talk: Big Mama’s, Cob, Tierra Negra, La Gringuita, Muria
Taste Radio
Elevator Talk, BevNET's bi-monthly video series that highlights early-stage and disruptive food and beverage brands, is now part of Taste Radio! Beginning today, you can listen to the audio from every new episode via the Taste Radio feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all of your favorite listening platforms. This edition of Elevator Talk features leaders from Big Mama’s Backyard Garden, Cob, Tierra Negra, La Gringuita, and Muria Foods. Our special co-host is Amrit Richmond, the founder of Indie CPG and Supermercato, who shared her thoughts, questions and feedback with the...
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Introducing... Nombase!
Taste Radio
We're launching something BIG at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound, and you're invited to be the first to see it! Introducing Nombase — a new digital community and directory built for the CPG world. Nombase connects CPG professionals with trusted industry partners, AI-powered insights, timely conversations, company announcements, and job opportunities — all in one place. Join us for an exclusive overview, product demo, and info on how to take advantage of what Nombase has to offer you.
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Did Expo West Actually Deliver? It Depends On Who You Ask.
Taste Radio
We're not exactly at odds, but there's definitely some healthy debate among the hosts around how to assess Expo West 2025. And it turns out, we're not alone. The biggest question on everyone's mind: how do we truly evaluate innovation, and what does it mean for the future of the food and beverage industry in the near term? Show notes: 0:25: Burner Apartment. ET x TR. Nom, Nom. Incremental Optimism. Snax & Bevs. Horny Goat Hummus. – Ray is in secret agent mode and shares a big announcement about Elevator Talk. Jacqui and Mike spill the goods on . John talks about why some folks misread...
info_outlinePoppi just popped – big time. But was PepsiCo’s $1.65 billion acquisition driven by TikTok virality, perfect timing, or industry heavyweights like Rohan Oza? (Sorry, prebiotics, this one's not about you.) And now that the first major deal has landed, is the BFY soda space about to see a gold rush – or a bubble burst? The hosts break it all down.
Plus, we revisit standout interviews from our Miami meetup with Koia’s Chris Hunter, Verlivest’s Ken Sadowsky, and Matriarch Wealth Management’s Stephen Santangelo.
Show notes:
0:45: Ray, Animated. Talk The Talk. Humble Pie! Zero Function. Founder Tok. The Oza Effect. More To Come? THSee, Puff Corn & NPP. – Ray has a tell or a tic – it’s his signature and shares a reminder to watch OR listen to Elevator Talk. John hands a slice to Ray – who gobbles it up – before opining on the value of Poppi’s prebiotics in its growth and how the company and Olipop cracked the seemingly impenetrable CSD category. Jacqui talks about the impact of Poppi co-founder Allison Ellsworth’s early adoption of TikTok on the brand’s development, Mike discusses how investor Rohan Oza affected its trajectory and John offers a prediction on what’s next for BFY CSDs. Ray shares another kind of “pop,” Mike and John crack open a couple of canna-bevs and Jacqui highlights a “salty” chili jam.
33:12: Interviews: Stephen Santangelo, Founder, Matriarch Wealth Management; Ken Sadowsky, Sr. Advisor, Verlivest; Chris Hunter, Co-Founder, Koia & Four Loko – Stephen and Ken discuss their investment strategies in food and beverage startups, emphasizing founder passion, scalability, and emerging trends like health-conscious drinks. Stephen highlights Matriarch’s focus on private investments in brands such as No Bull and Junkless. Ken shares insights on personal investments in emerging brands Neau Water and Parch, while also noting Miami's growing food and beverage startup ecosystem. Chris reflects on balancing entrepreneurship with family and how his businesses evolved alongside his lifestyle. He also underscores the importance of velocity in CPG success, advocating for strong regional traction before national expansion, along with strategic pricing, in-store promotions, and consumer engagement.
Brands in this episode: Poppi, Olipop, Culture Pop, SmartWater, Vitaminwater, Pop & Bottle, Gorilla, Brez, Pink Salt, Like Air, Neau Water, BodyArmor, No Bull, Junkless, Vive Organic, Parch, Koia, Four Loko