Branchfood

🍴🤖 The future of food innovation is here, and it’s being powered by #AI! In our latest article, we explored how #artificialintelligence is reshaping food development. From creating recipes in record time to optimizing processing instructions, AI is unlocking new possibilities for speed, efficiency, and creativity in the #foodindustry. Check out our recent conversation with Thomas Hayes, Branchfood member and Co-Founder of Agilitas, to learn how his team is transforming the food formulation process and what the rise of AI means for the #futureoffood. #weekendreading https://lnkd.in/ebSnCzwF

Leading research group Cadent Consulting Group estimates that #CPG brands can save 5-20% by using a deductions management tool (1). ⁠ ⁠ We spoke with Kyle Barnholt, founder of deductions management platform TrewUp, about what #entrepreneurs need to know about optimizing #tradespending. Check out our conversation to find answers to all of your questions and practical techniques that will enhance your financial acumen and allow for maximized profits in the year ahead.⁠ ⁠ https://lnkd.in/eW9MShBc ⁠ (1). https://lnkd.in/dwmkjheh

🌟 Ready to kick off 2025 with purpose and momentum? Join our virtual Community Table on Thursday, January 9th at 12pm EST to connect with a room full of #foodbusiness founders and industry #experts who are eager to share their expertise and help you thrive.⁠ ⁠ This isn’t just networking—it’s actionable insights and conversations designed to equip you for the year ahead. Don't miss your chance to get inspired, find solutions, and set the tone for a successful 2025.⁠ ⁠ 📅 RSVP now and bring your biggest questions! https://lnkd.in/e2krKrnZ

Cut through the noise and find the most important headlines about the #foodindustry this month! Check out the December edition of our #newsletter, which was sent earlier this week: https://lnkd.in/ehu2BWee We included articles highlighting: 📰 49 states are in drought conditions 📰 Trump's tariff plan threatens to make Modelo and Corona more expensive 📰 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee omits ultra-processed food guidance 📰 The fight to better regulate forever chemicals in food manufacturing We also curate a monthly list of upcoming food industry events. Do you have these events on your calendar yet? 📆 How To Start and Scale A Boston-Based Startup, 1/3, Online - Startup Boston 📆 Branchfood's Community Table, 1/9, Online 📆 Cellular Agriculture Innovation Day, 1/9 - 1/10, Medford, MA - Tufts University 📆 Winter Fancy Food Show, 1/19 - 1/21, Las Vegas, NV - Specialty Food Association View this month's edition for more news and events 🚀

Our recent #webinar with TrewUp was packed with actionable insights from Kyle Barnholt, a seasoned expert in #tradespending and promotions management. If you're a growing #CPGbrand, check out our event recap to discover tools and strategies you can use to maximize your profitability and drive sustainable #growth. Learn how to optimize your trade spend, minimize unnecessary deductions, and make smarter financial decisions to help your business thrive! https://lnkd.in/eW9MShBc Startup CPG, Hot Bread Kitchen, Fork Food Lab, Remain, CommonWealth Kitchen, Hope & Main, Jordan Buckner (Foodbevy), The Hatchery Chicago, Brandjectory

🚀 Ready to take your food business to the next level? Check out Santander’s Cultivate Small Business, a program designed to support the growth of early-stage woman-, BIPOC-, and immigrant-owned food businesses in emerging neighborhoods. This 12-week, fully virtual program is FREE and offers industry-specific education and networking, along with capital grants for food industry entrepreneurs in Greater Boston, Rhode Island, and New York City! Whether you’re in food processing, manufacturing, technology, or food services, Cultivate Small Business brings the essentials you need for success: 🍎 HANDS-ON CURRICULUM led by Babson College professors, focusing on real-world strategies tailored to food business challenges. 🤝 NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES with industry experts and fellow entrepreneurs, making connections that last beyond the program from all three markets included in each cohort. 💸 CAPITAL GRANTS: Successfully complete the program and you’re eligible for a $2,500 grant! Plus, nine exemplary graduates graduates will be awarded grants of up to $13,000! CSB PROGRAM CRITERIA: 📍 Participants should reside in or represent a business located in a low-to-moderate income, urban area in the Greater Boston, Rhode Island, Bristol County MA and New York City areas. 📊 Annual revenue of $25,000 - $1M, with at least 1 year in business as of January 1, 2025. 👥 Between 1 to 10 employees in food-related industries, including processing, technology, manufacturing, and food services. 📆 Classes run from late March to June 2025, so don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! 💻 Sign up for an info session or APPLY NOW! Applications close on JANUARY 30th! https://lnkd.in/epAPSXtB CommonWealth Kitchen, Hope & Main

What an invigorating evening! Branch Venture Group hosted our annual investor convening where we heard from industry experts Nicolas McCoy from Whipstitch Capital, and George Beal from The Boston Family Office, about the state of the food industry, why the natural category is a great place to grow a brand, and how tech is expected to accelerate growth in the food sector. Some food for thought from the presentations: 📊 #Organic certifications continue to drive outperformance 📉 #Grocery spending (as a percent of all food and beverage spending) is now below pre-pandemic levels 📈 Gen Z saw the highest growth in share of organic spending in 2023 ⬆️ The demand for #protein and clean-label foods continues to grow Thank you also to all of the Rhode Island businesses that came out to share samples of their products and to the team at Foley Hoag LLP for hosting us. If you are interested in getting involved in #BranchVentureGroup, check out our website: branchventuregroup.com Rhode Island Commerce, Meredith Haviland, Lauren Abda, Marcia Hooper

Join the Holiday Heritage Market at Farm Fresh RI (50 Sims Ave, Providence, RI 02909) for a vibrant celebration of Rhode Island’s diverse small businesses. Presented by the Business Empowerment Alliance of Rhode Island (BEARI), this event is dedicated to highlighting and supporting small, minority, and women-owned businesses.   What to Expect: – Over 50 Local Vendors offering unique, handcrafted, and thoughtfully curated gifts for everyone on your list. – Delicious Local Food and Treats! – Live Music by JEM to set the festive mood. – Holiday-Themed Kids’ Activities for the little ones to enjoy. – A welcoming space filled with community spirit, perfect for intentional holiday shopping. Admission is Free! Want to make it even more exciting? RSVP in advance for a chance to enter our door prize raffle! RSVP With the link for tickets! Support local, shop small, and celebrate the season with BEARI! https://lnkd.in/e_Uh5ZS8 Hope & Main, Lauren Abda, Karen Macumber, Lisa Raiola MPH , Luca Carnevale, Mike Mowry

Our final Branch Venture Group investor meeting of the year featured a stellar lineup of Rhode Island-based women and minority-founded businesses that offered samples and shared their stories of success: 🍪 Bellicchi's Classic Biscotti: Classic, family-made biscotti, including gluten-free options (Kathleen Bellicchi). 🫖 Black Leaf Tea: High quality tea blends and The Black Leaf Tea Cafe (Amber Jackson). 🥘 Gnarly Vines Farm: Pasture-raised, regeneratively grown foods, and "farm to food truck" catering service (Ester Bishop). 🍹 The Granny Squibb Company: Iced tea, unmatched in taste and freshness, sold in grocery retailers across New England (Kelley McShane). 🍫 Lore Mighty Mushrooms: Chocolate bites leveraging the power of functional mushrooms (Hope Parish). 🥣 Newport Chowder Company: Seafood chowder served from the only chowder food truck in Newport (Newport Chowder Company, LLC Katie Potter). Head over to their pages to purchase exceptional gifts for the holidays, and check out our resources for RI businesses on our website (link in bio): https://lnkd.in/ek-C63yC @bellicchisbest Kathleen Bellicchi @theblackleaftea Amber Jackson @gnarlyvinesfarm Ester Bishop @grannysquibbsicedtea Kelley McShane @loremushrooms Hope Parish @newportchowdercompany

Get ready for the 2025 Local Food Trade Show, hosted by the #Boston Local Food Program, a program of the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts! The show will take place at Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland, MA on Tuesday, January 28th from 10am-2pm. The #LocalFood Trade Show is a select cross-section of 100 New England farm and food producers, dedicated to Local, Green and Fair practices, and a selection of 200+ wholesale buyers, across industries, who are seeking local food products and ingredients, from small to large scale. The application deadline is Friday, January 10th, or when all booths are taken. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/egK3brH2 Jen Faigel, CommonWealth Kitchen, Boston Public Market Association