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Beyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfFinding your niche within the food & beverage CPG industry with Kamaal Jarrett of Hillside HarvestFor new and emerging brands in the food & beverage CPG industry, finding success means setting yourself apart and filling a hole in the market. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Founder of Hillside Harvest, Kamaal Jarrett, about their line of Caribbean-inspired hot sauces. In this episode, we discussed why it is important for emerging food & beverage brands to find their niche within the industry. Kamaal gave us some background into why and how they selected the flavor profiles for their line of hot sauces, and how they overcame challenges with scaling their brand. We also...2023-02-0834 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfCurating the world's first eCommerce platform for health & sustainability-conscious shoppers with James Ren of Thrive MarketAs the world's first eCommerce platform for health & sustainability-conscious shoppers, Thrive Market has helped make healthier and more sustainable food & beverage, and grocery items accessible across the country. This week on Beyond the Shelf we spoke with the Director of Merchandising of Thrive Market, James Ren.  On this episode, James shared with us how he and his team curate the eCommerce platform's selection of over 5500 products to align with what their customers care about most. We discussed some of the tools and guidelines the company uses to select new brands for the eCommerce platform to partner with, and how o...2023-01-1133 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfInnovations in plant-based meat alternatives with Aakash Shah & Damian Felchlin of High Time FoodsPlant-based meat alternatives have been one of the fastest-growing trends in food & beverage for the past several years. However, with plenty of brands in the market, standing out takes careful planning and innovative products. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Aakash Shah (CEO & Co-Founder) and Damian Felchlin (COO & Co-Founder) of High Time Foods, creators of innovative plant-based meat alternatives for foodservice. Aakash and Damian shared with us why it was important for them to create a shelf-stable product that would give chefs the freedom to create interesting and diverse dishes. We also discussed how their product...2022-12-2835 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHarnessing the power of the lupini bean with Isabelle Steichen & Allie Dempster of LupiiThis week on Beyond the Shelf we spoke with Isabelle Steichen (Co-Founder & CEO) and Allie Dempster (Co-Founder & CMO) of Lupii. In this episode, Isabelle & Allie shared some insights into how they are utilizing the mighty lupini bean to create a line of protein- and fiber-rich plant-based products. We discussed some of the barriers that come along when using an ingredient that is mostly unknown in American food products. Isabelle & Allie also discussed why introducing a line of pasta products was a natural next step for the brand, and they shed some light on how they hope to expand their...2022-12-1442 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfUsing tech and coffee to foster community with Michael Sharon & Kal Freese of TaikaAlthough coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, there's a lot that most consumers don't know about the powerful bean. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Michael Sharon & Kal Freese, the Co-Founders of Taika - makers of a line of coffee and caffeinated beverages designed to address some of the common concerns about traditional coffee drinks. In this episode, Michael and Kal gave us some valuable insights into the coffee industry including why/how coffee can affect everyone differently, and why it was important for them to create a line of products...2022-11-3050 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfCreating unique and scalable beverage products with Tom Gibson & Scott Weddle of FlavormanOnce dominated by a handful of national brands, the beverage category has grown exponentially in the past few years. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Director, Flavor Architect and COO of Flavorman, Tom Gibson and Scott Weddle. Flavorman helps beverage brands formulate and develop products, ranging from energy drinks, seltzers, RTD cocktails and more. In this episode, Tom and Scott shared with us how recent innovations and advancements in technology have helped to create more space for unique beverage products. We also discussed why and how flavor is so personal to each and every consumer...2022-11-1647 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfUsing functional ingredients to promote brain health with Jonathan Wolfson of Brainiac FoodsFunctional ingredients are not new to the food & beverage world - but over the past few years, an influx of consumers are showing a growing interest in food & beverage products that don't just taste great but also serves a functional purpose. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Brainiac Foods, Jonathan Wolfson. Focused on promoting brain health, Brainiac Foods has a line of snack products for the whole family that is loaded with better-for-you ingredients. In this episode, Jonathan gave us some insights into the ever-growing better-for-you market, and we discussed why brain...2022-11-0232 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhy taste is key in better-for-you food & beverage products with Kristi & David Vartanian of TiDBiTS CandyBetter-for-you variations of traditionally indulgent food & beverage products have the unique challenge of overcoming shoppers' misconceptions about the quality n and taste of "healthy" products. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the founders of TiDBiTS Candy, Kristi and David Vartanian. On this episode, David and Kristi gave us some insights into what led them to create a line of better-for-you candy. We also discussed why candy was late to the better-for-you trend, and why it's extremely important for them to highlight their product's simple ingredient lists and great flavor in their marketing efforts.To...2022-10-1933 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow to balance education and entertainment in social marketing with Vasa Martinez of Perfy & growthbusterMost modern food & beverage brands utilize organic social marketing to some extent, but how many are actually getting the most out of their efforts? This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Vasa Martinez of Perfy, growthbuster, and Outer Aisle. In this episode, Vasa gave us some background into his extensive history in the food & beverage industry, including what led him to create growthbuster and Perfy. We also discussed what modern brands often misunderstand about organic social marketing, and why building a community is the best way to hit all points in a customer's journey.To...2022-10-0534 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhat's changed in the protein/nutritional bar category with Jennifer Maxwell of JAMBARNow seen as a very competitive market, the protein/nutritional bar category has gone through many ups and downs. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Founder and CEO of JAMBAR, Jennifer Maxwell. As an industry veteran, Jennifer walked us through how the protein/nutritional bar category has shifted since she first created the iconic PowerBar brand several decades ago. She also gave us some insights into her latest brand, JAMBAR, including why it was important for them to create a nutritional and artisan product that gives back to their community.To stay up...2022-09-2121 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhy brand education is important with Éva Pelczer of Del Maguey Single Village MezcalIn any new or up-and-coming categories within the food & beverage industry, a certain amount of brand education is necessary. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Director of Brand Education at Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, Éva Pelczer. In this episode, Éva took the time to clarify what the difference is between mezcal and tequila, and to debunk common misconceptions about the popular spirit. Éva also gave us some much-needed background on how mezcal is made, and why it's important to honor the indigenous communities in Mexico where the spirit is produced. As Director of Brand Edu...2022-09-0749 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfStanding out in the crowded beverage industry with Paul Voge of Aura BoraThe beverage industry is an incredibly crowded market. Standing out on shelves takes more than just having a great-tasting product. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Co-Founder and CEO of Aura Bora, Paul Voge. In this episode, Paul shared some of the common struggles that brands in the beverage industry face, and how their creative branding and flavor profiles are filling a void within the market. They also gave us some insights into their long-term goals which include getting into larger national grocery retailers and competing against legacy soda brands.To stay up...2022-08-1036 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfIncreasing supply chain predictability with data-driven solutions with Amit Noam of AgriTaskWith the current state of the global supply chain, having accurate and real-time data is important for any food & beverage brand when managing their ag-operations. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Chief Operating Officer of AgriTask, Amit Noam. In this episode, we discussed how AgriTask's innovative data-driven solutions help food & beverage companies manage their supply chains across the world. Amit also shared with us how data can be used to increase precision and predictability with resource and agriculture management and gave us some insights into the current state of the global supply chain....2022-07-2725 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfUtilizing sensory testing to develop products with Shawn Kapanke of Silver Spring FoodsSensory testing is a vital aspect of any food & beverage brand's research and development process - but how can brands utilize their employees, their most trusted asset, to help with sensory testing and product development? This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Business Development Manager at Silver Spring Foods, Shawn Kapanke. Founded in 1929, Silver Spring Foods is one of the largest producers of horseradish in the United States. In this episode, Shawn gave us some background into the family-owned business, and how the market for horseradish has shifted since the start of the company. We also...2022-07-1325 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfUtilizing co-branded products to expand an iconic Taiwanese brand with Young Chang of A-Sha NoodlesCo-branded products can be a valuable tool for many food & beverage brands. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Founder & CEO of A-Sha Noodles, Young Chang. Young shared with us how his previous experience in the computer sciences and tech world allowed him to think outside the box in the food & beverage industry. We also discussed what the process was like in bringing an iconic Tawaineese brand to the United States, as well as what sets their products apart from other noodles on the market. Young also gave us some valuable insights into A-Sha Noodles' co-branded...2022-06-2934 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhy private brands need to be bold with Chris Faridniya of ChefsBestThis week, on a very special episode of Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Chris Fardiniya, ChefsBest's Chief Business Development Officer. Last month, Chris had the pleasure of attending and representing ChefsBest at the 2022 Velocity Institute Innovation Expo + Conference, one of the largest gatherings for private brands, manufacturers, agencies, and other service providers. We sat down with him to discuss what leading experts in the private brand industry are discussing and what he learned from attending the conference. He shared with us why private brands are pushing the boundaries of the food & beverage industry by being bold and innovative...2022-06-1546 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfTrends in health & wellness with Sarah Marion of Murphy ResearchThis week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Director of Syndicated Research at Murphy Research, Sarah Marion. Murphy Research's State of our Health (SOOH) series is the largest syndicated health and wellness data tracker. They have been collecting data on consumer behaviors and attitudes around health & wellness, fitness, and nutrition since 2018, and have helped some of the largest food & beverage CPG brands make informed and data-driven decisions. Sarah gave us some valuable insights into the SOOH series and how the data has changed within the past few years. We also discussed some of the biggest trends in...2022-06-0140 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfImproving your gut health with tasty beverages with Rosa Li of wildwonderGut health is a huge hot topic in the food & beverage industry. Kombucha and cultured products can be found in many different grocery aisles. However, a consistent hurdle for brands in this space is taste. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Founder & CEO of wildwonder, Rosa Li. wildwonder has created a line of delicious, gut-healthy, immune-supporting prebiotic/probiotic beverages with complex and interesting flavor profiles. In this episode, Rosa shared her story of how the brand came to be and gave us some valuable insights into how gut health is a huge factor in our...2022-05-1827 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhat does "grass-fed" actually mean with Julia Joseph of Maple Hill CreameryTerms such as "organic", "grass-fed", and "natural" are used a lot in food & beverage marketing and branding - but what do these terms actually mean? This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Co-Founder and Head of Creative & Branding at Maple Hill Creamery, Julia Joseph. In this episode, Julia broke down the differences between "organic" and "grass-fed" meat and dairy, and explained why grass-fed dairy products are often considered higher quality. We also discussed some of the issues that the dairy industry is facing, and what the future of the industry may look like.To...2022-05-0433 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfSustainable online grocery delivery with Bentley Hall of Good EggsThe online grocery delivery market has grown exponentially since 2020. With more shoppers discovering the convenience of home grocery delivery, there's a growing interest for online grocers who provide sustainably sourced and local food & beverage products. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the CEO of Good Eggs, Bentley Hall. Good Eggs is a California-based online grocery delivery service that provides shoppers with access to local and sustainably sourced food & beverage producers. In this episode, Bentley gave us some background on Good Eggs' quality standards for producers and growers and why it's important for them (and their customers...2022-04-2048 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfCreating a fan favorite ice cream brand with Ben Van Leeuwen of Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice CreamIn the past few years, artisan ice cream brands have leveraged their unique and innovative flavor profiles and high-quality products to become a massively growing market across the country. This week on Beyond the Shelf presented by ChefsBest, we spoke with the Founder & CEO of Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, Ben Van Leeuwen. In this episode, Ben gave us some background as to how driving an ice cream truck as a teenager led him to open a fan favorite ice cream brand.  He also shared with us some of the lessons he learned along the way, including how creating a...2022-04-0632 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfScaling a plant-based meat brand with Max Elder of NowadaysCreating a plant-based meat brand that not only fills a void in the market but also serves a larger purpose, is the goal for many modern food & beverage brand managers.  This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Co-Founder & CEO of Nowadays, Max Elder. In this episode, Max shared with us how his background and experience in the Humanities helped him gain a different perspective on the plant-based meat alternative market. We discussed how the market has shifted in the past 10 years, and why it was important for them to create a plant-based meat brand with minimal i...2022-03-2338 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfBuilding a socially conscious brand with Rod Johnson of BLK & Bold Specialty BeveragesThere is a growing appetite for socially conscious brands. Shoppers want great products that support their communities and initiatives that they care about. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Co-Founder of the socially conscious brand BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages, Rod Johnson. In this episode, Rod shared with us how he and his friend/business partner, Pernell Cezar, created a line of specialty beverages that gives back to communities across the nation and internationally. He also shared how in just a few years their brand gained quite a bit of traction, which landed them partnerships with...2022-03-0933 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow local vertical farming can change the way we think about food with Eddy Badrina of Eden Green TechnologyAccessing fresh produce is a constant struggle for many Americans. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the CEO of Eden Green Technology, Eddy Badrina. In this episode, we discussed their greenhouse systems and vertical farming technology that are helping to bring nutritious, fresh, and safe food to communities across the country. Eddy shared with us how their technology differs from traditional greenhouse and vertical farming systems, why shortening the supply chain benefits retailers and consumers, and how their technology can produce fresh fruits and vegetables year around.To stay up to date on all...2022-02-2341 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfCan better-for-you products be indulgent with Sydney Chasin of Chasin' Dreams FarmsTypically, better-for-you products are often characterized by their functional properties but often aren't seen as indulgent. Although great strides have been made in the industry to make better-for-you products that taste great, overcoming that long-standing stereotype is a battle that many brands are tackling. This week on Beyond the Shelf presented by ChefsBest, we spoke with the Founder of Chasin' Dreams Farm, Sydney Chasin. In this episode, Sydney gives us some background into the farming and production of sorghum, an ancient grain that is extremely versatile and is considered to be environmentally sustainable. She also shares how Chasin' Dreams...2021-08-2526 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhat's new in the vitamin and supplement industry with Michael Vercelletto of Church & DwightIn this very special 100th episode of Beyond the Shelf presented by ChefsBest, we spoke with the Marketing Director of Vitamins, Minerals and, Supplements at Church & Dwight, Michael Vercelletto. In this episode, Michael shared with us how Vitafusion and L'il Critters have continued to share their core value of providing delicious vitamins for all. We also discussed how the last year has shaped the vitamin and supplement industry, as well as how their partnership with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation is helping to bring fresh affordable food options to underserved communities.  To stay up to date on a...2021-08-1130 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow is saffron harvested? with Mohammad Salehi of Heray Spice Known as one of the most expensive spices in the world, there's much about saffron that Western cultures often misunderstand. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the CEO & Co-Founder of Heray Spice, Mohammad Salehi. In this episode, Mohammad shared with us how their business is bringing equity to Afghani farmers through promoting sustainable farming practices as well as helping to de-mystify American's knowledge of saffron. They also gave us some much-needed insight into the global saffron market, and the variety of quality that can be found around the world. If you are interested in b...2021-06-3026 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow customers can help create new flavor profiles with Brian Tate of Oats OvernightInnovation products are often a risky move for food & beverage brands. Even with substantial market testing and research, your core customers may still not be receptive to new flavor profiles. But what if you could use your most dedicated customers to help beta-test new products? This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Founder & CEO of Oats Overnight, Brian Tate. Brian shared with us how Oats Overnight utilizes a subscription service to get feedback on new flavor profiles from their core customers. With over 20,000 people signed up for their monthly subscription service, and an internal collaborative work...2021-06-1627 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhy innovation is key in the hard seltzer category with Nate Medow & Zeke Bronfman of SESHThe hard seltzer category has exploded in the past two years. With dozens of national and regional brands on shelves and new products launching every month, the category has become highly competitive. However, the category seems to be lacking in variety and innovation in flavor profiles and ingredients - until now. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the Co-Founders of SESH, Nate Medow & Zeke Bronfman. In this episode, Nate and Zeke share their journey of making a low-calorie, low-carb, naturally flavored, diabetic-friendly hard seltzer with robust flavor profiles. The duo explained how they saw a void...2021-06-0231 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfNavigating Ad Claims: Episode 3 with Pamela Deese of Arent FoxThis week on Beyond the Shelf, we finish our conversation with Pamela Deese, Partner at Arent Fox in Washington DC. Last week, in episode 2, we discussed what happens when brands make claims that are not or cannot be substantiated, and how ad claim laws and regulations apply to social media advertising. This week is all about awards and certifications, including how brands can earn them, how they may be used in marketing, and why you should never create your own certification program. We also touched on how advertisers (and your legal teams) can keep up with recent NAD rulings...2021-05-1932 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfNavigating Ad Claims: Episode 2 with Pamela Deese of Arent FoxThis week on Beyond the Shelf, we continue our conversation with Pamela Deese, Partner at Arent Fox. In last week's episode, Pam gave us an overview of what ad claims are, who makes them, and what is needed to make them. This week, we discussed what happens when brands make claims that are not or cannot be substantiated. Pam shares how the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau works, and what brands need to know about the laws and regulations surrounding advertising claims. Also in the episode, we spoke about how social media factors into existing...2021-05-1237 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfNavigating Ad Claims: Episode 1 with Pamela Deese of Arent FoxThis week on Beyond the Shelf, we are extremely excited to release the first episode of a 3-part series on Navigating Ad Claims with Pamela Deese, Partner at Arent Fox in Washington D.C. In this first episode, Pam gave us an overview of what types of claims can be made in advertising, who makes them, and what is needed to make them. She also breaks down the process that food & beverage brands need to consider before making any sort of claim in their marketing materials and touched upon what happens if a claim is made without proper substantiation.2021-05-0526 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhy functional beverages are the future of the industry with Todd O'Gara of wanu water This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the President and Founder of wanu water, Todd O'Gara. wanu water has created flavored, nutrient-infused functional beverages that help boost your energy and metabolism. In this episode, we discussed the history of the beverage industry including how sugary drinks gained popularity throughout the 90s and 2000s, and how tides are quickly turning. Todd gave us some insights into where they felt the industry was lacking, and their functional beverages are hitting on a lot of the trends that consumers are interested in. If you are interested in being a...2021-04-2122 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow wildfires affect the wine industry with Philippe Langner of Hesperian Wines As one of the biggest wine producers in the country, every year California's wildfire season takes a huge toll on our local and national wine industry. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Winemaker and the Owner of Hesperian Wines, Philippe Langner. In this episode, Philippe gave us some insights into how California wildfires affect the wine industry in Napa Valley. He also shed some light on the extensive aging process of wine, and how environmental factors play a huge role in the production of high-quality wine - as well as how he is working towards overcoming l...2021-04-0732 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow to create a great tasting zero-sugar beverage with Jennifer Ross and Cristina Ros Blankfein of SwoonCracking the code of creating a zero-sugar beverage that still tastes great has been a challenge for many brands for many decades. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the co-founders of Swoon, Jennifer Ross and Cristina Ros Blankfein. Jennifer shared her experience living with diabetes and how that led them to create a line of diabetic-friendly lemonades and simple syrup that contains zero sugar and no artificial sweeteners. They also gave us some background into why creating a zero-sugar beverage is so tricky, and what the reception has been like since they launched.If...2021-03-2427 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhat does it mean to "go public" with Jaxie Alt of Stryve Biltong It's not often that we get to follow-up with brands we previously interviewed. However, after watching their business rapidly expand, one of their products qualifying for a ChefsBest Excellence Award, and seeing their recent announcement about going public - we just knew we had to have them back on. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we had the honor of speaking with entrepreneur and Co-CEO of Stryve Biltong, Jaxie Alt. In this exciting follow-up to a previous episode with the Co-Founder of Stryve, Gabe Carimi, Jaxie gave us an update on how the brand has been doing and gives u...2021-03-1028 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhat are fermented products and how can they help you? with Lauren Mones of Fermenting Fairy "Fermented" has quickly become one of the biggest buzzwords within the food & beverage industry. With an influx of new kombucha, kimchi, and other fermented products hitting the shelves in the past year, there's no shortage of these wellness-focused products. However, many consumers are still unsure as to what exactly does "fermented" actually mean, and why are these products so popular? This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with the CEO and Founder of Fermenting Fairy, Lauren Mones. She shared with us her personal journey with gut health, as well as how fermented products differ and why many consumers h...2020-08-1243 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow can brands plan for an uncertain future - with Walker Smith of Kantar 2020 has proven to be a challenging year for many brands. COVID-19 partnered with the growing demand for social justice has forced many companies to look inward and reconsider their business practices. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Walker Smith. Smith is the Chief Knowledge Officer, Brand & Marketing at Kantar. In this episode, they shared with us what food & beverage brands need to do in order to adapt to the ever-changing market. With the ongoing pandemic preventing long-term planning, and the Black Lives Matter movement placing necessary pressure on brands to reevaluate their business practices, Smith explains w...2020-07-2931 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhy are consumers stocking up on protein powders? with Claire Morton Reynolds of New Hope Network Once considered a product designed for athletes and muscle recovery, protein powders have evolved rapidly to fit into many consumer's daily routines. With the growing popularity of alternative forms of protein, this ever-changing market has been on the rise for many years now. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Claire Morton Reynolds about the data her team has collected about the rising and stable popularity of protein powders. Claire is a Senior Industry Analyst at Nutrition Board Journal and New Hope Network. In this episode, she shared with us how the protein category has been on a...2020-07-0828 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfWhat can new business owners expect when launching a brand - with Cindy Poiesz of Supernola Although still a relatively small brand, Supernola has taken the snacking world by storm. Focused on good-for-you ingredients, and promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle, they exude all the qualities an upcoming brand needs to succeed - especially during these trying times. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Cindy Poiesz, the co-founder and CEO of Supernola. She shared with us how they have created a superfood-packed snack that ticks a lot of the boxes that modern, wellness-focused consumers are interested in. She also gave us tips on what young entrepreneurs should expect (and plan for) when starting t...2020-06-2418 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow can private labels stand out? with Aimee Becker of DaymonIn the past few years, many companies have revitalized their private labels. With new modern packaging and increased consumer interests, private brands are on the rise. This week on Beyond the Shelf, Aimee Becker shared with us her recommendations on how private brands should maneuver through these tricky times in order to build a lasting relationship with their new (and existing) customers. As the Senior Vice President of Brand Development at Daymon, Aimee has over ten years of experience with helping brands build their private labels. In this episode, Aimee walked us through the history of private labels, and...2020-06-1038 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow are online grocery retailers faring through COVID-19? with Brandon Wehmeyer of BoxedOnline grocery retailing has been on our radar for many years now. But recently, as COVID-19 has forced consumers to seek out alternative shopping methods, many digital platforms have seen a boom in business. But how have online grocery retailers reacted to this sudden increase in traffic? This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Brandon Wehmeyer, the Senior Private Brands Product Development Manager at Boxed. He shared with us what has made this online retailer warehouse-style grocery retailer the "Costco for millennials". He also explained to us how COVID-19 has jumpstarted the rising interest in online grocery...2020-05-2730 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow can emerging brands get better distribution - with Larissa Russell of Pod FoodsIt's no surprise that most large distribution systems favor national brands. They have the funding and stable logistical systems that allow buyers to trust them. For smaller, emerging brands, this isn't always the case. Grocery buyers are less likely to purchase from these brands because of the uncertainty about whether they could consistently stock their shelves due to inadequate distribution systems. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke to Larissa Russell, the CEO & Co-founder of Pod Foods. She shared with us how small brands are often underrepresented on grocery shelves because of inaccuracies in common distribution systems, and...2020-05-1325 minBeyond the ShelfBeyond the ShelfHow can food waste be upcycled? with Daniel Kurzrock of ReGrainedDid you know that it takes 1 lb of grains to make 1 six-pack of IPA beer? And although many breweries donate their leftover grains to farms for feed, much of it is left unused. This food waste is often full of nutrients, and with the right technology could be turned into a superfood. This week on Beyond the Shelf, we spoke with Daniel Kurzrock, the Co-Founder and CEO of ReGrained. He shared with us not only how his company partners with breweries to turn leftover grains into delicious snacks, but also how their patented technology could revolutionize food waste throughout...2020-04-2932 min