Arif Fazal

Great introduction to the inevitable advantages of using #incredo sugar-based sugar reduction solutions!

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“Growing a CPG company, especially in the food and beverage space, ‘is astronomically harder today,’. ” Paul Voge you said it, man. So many truth bombs dropped in this article about the challenges and difficulties growing and scaling a CPG brand in today’s world. The cruel reality is that it takes a whole lot of money or a whole lot of time (and most times both) along with a fair amount of luck to have a chance at making it. If you dont have a ton of money then you better have a ton of time, some good fortune, and a product that can withstand many changes of the seasons (and "trends"). For most emerging brands today its all about survival and just finding a way.  There are lots of traps out there– lots of shiny objects– lots of vanity metrics hoping to be noticed and cared about–but at the end of the day sometimes its just about living to see another one. Here’s to all you day-to-dayers and week-to-weekers out there that are all just finding a way. Keep finding it.

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"What truly excites me at Clif Family is creating unforgettable wine and food experiences that connect people to each other and to our planet." Did you catch our interview with Clif Family President Linzi Gay? We are excited to feature Clif Family's delicious mixed nuts in our new Subscription "Coffee Break" Boxes, designed to help remote and hybrid teams connect through the power of food. When you work with Narrative Food and our community of small-batch makers, it shows just how much you care about people and the planet. https://lnkd.in/eqCGwHJT #supportsmallbusinesses #shopsmall #smallbusinessmatters,#bcorp #b1 #climateneutral #1percentfortheplanet #wethechange,#employeeappreciation #employeeengagement #employeeretention #teamappreciation,#giftsthatgiveback #giftwithpurpose #impactfulgiving,#sustainablefood #eatkind,#corporatewellness #workplacewellness,#remoteworkers,#corporategifting,#businessasaforceforgood #consciouscapitalism

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Invest in Premium Spirits – High-Yield, Leveraged Returns with Full Risk Coverage The market for aged premium spirits is thriving, driven by strong demand and a high premium created through the aging process. We’re offering a unique, leveraged investment opportunity targeting a 331.3% total ROI with up to 66.3% return per year for five years (depending on how much debt financing can be secured). This investment combines $6.5 million in equity with $6.5 million in debt financing to maximize returns, delivering quarterly distributions and principal repayment in tranches over the final installments. We are seeking a total commitment of $13 million from qualified investors. Projected Timeline: Capital is deployed in five equal quarterly tranches, with investor distributions beginning in month 16. Quarterly payments continue over five years, with principal repayment structured over the final five installments to ensure steady cash flow throughout the term. Security You Can Rely On: Our investor's capital and returns are fully protected by surety bonds from a respected A-rated insurance company, backed by one of the largest reinsurers in the world. Coverage is established before any funds are deployed, safeguarding both principal and all projected returns. This opportunity is crafted for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and industry professionals seeking substantial, surety bond-backed returns in a secure, high-demand market. Interested in learning more? Click here to explore this exclusive opportunity. #AlternativeInvestments #HighNetWorthInvestors #FamilyOffices #PremiumSpirits #AssetBacked #HighYieldReturns #Investing

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Despite the challenges of the last three years, there are commercial and economic opportunities presented by the plant-based sector as does the environmental, health and societal imperative to diversify our protein supply with more familiar and convenient alternatives. This report provides quite a detailed in-depth explanation of the plant based sector in Australia in both retail and foodservice. The Australian foodservice sector presents the most immediate opportunity for plant-based meat manufacturers to continue to grow in coming years. Wiith relatively small penetration of plant- based meat in just a few segments of the foodservice category, such as in QSRs and fast casual outlets, a large share of the foodservice market remains untapped for the plant-based meat industry with the potential to generate sustained and long-term growth across the next decade. Thanks to the team Food Frontier for this detailed analysis of the Australian market. https://lnkd.in/ggQ9r4Rb FoodFrontier-2023-State-of-the-Industry-report

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🌱 Exciting News for FoodTech Enthusiasts! 🌱 Check out Christina Senn-Jakobsen in the latest episode of the FoodTech Junkies podcast! Dive deep into the evolving world of food systems with an expert who is at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in the industry. 🎙️ In this episode, Christina will share her insights on: 📈 The latest trends reshaping our food systems 🚀 Innovative technologies and startups 🌱 How consumers and companies can make impactful choices 📅 Don’t miss this enlightening discussion that promises to fuel your thoughts and inspire action in the agrifood tech space. Whether you’re a professional in the industry, a budding entrepreneur, or simply a curious foodie, there’s something in it for everyone. 🔗 Tune in by clicking the link in bio/ Edible Planet Ventures or any podcasting platform. Let’s explore how we can collectively enhance our food systems for a better tomorrow. #FoodTech #Sustainability #Agtech #Innovation #ClimateChange #Podcast #FoodSystems #FoodTechJunkies #EPV

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Millennials make purchasing decisions that reflect their ethical beliefs and budget constraints. Brands can cater to Millennials' ethical and budget preferences by offering functional foods and multi-benefit products. These products not only resonate with the health and wellness values of Millennials but also provide significant additional value, making them highly appealing to this cost-conscious demographic. As Millennials seek products that align with their values without breaking the bank, there’s a unique opportunity for innovation in the functional food sector. Understanding this shift is key to meeting their expectations. Read more about this consumer group here: https://bit.ly/3VCHrDQ FoodNavigator USA Ryan Daily #valueshoppers #consciousconsumers #functionalfoods

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In today's episode of the Business of Drinks podcast, we talk with Issamu Kamide, co-founder of the LA-based Wonderwerk House of Fermentation. What the heck is that, you might ask? "We are primarily a flavor-forward, progressive wine company," Issamu explains. Wonderwerk is innovating with new-to-world wine products by focusing on flavor and occasion. In doing so, they’re making wine more accessible and appealing to younger consumers, who are less concerned with traditional markers like appellation, vintage, and varietal. In fact, most of Wonderwerk’s audience is Gen Z and Millennials. Wonderwerk’s breakout hits include Lite Werk, a line of 7% alcohol sparkling wines flavored with yuzu, hibiscus, and lemons; and Marinara, a lively red with a label sporting a big bowl of pasta. The latter is a fantastic example of a product that clearly articulates “here’s how and when to drink this wine.” And they’re one of wine’s latest success stories, bucking the trend of sales decline among smaller independent producers. Wonderwerk has shown the opposite: 50% YOY sales growth for the past two years running, now at 11K cases and distribution in 23 states. Wonderwerk’s biggest challenge? Keeping up with demand. We discuss: - How traditional wine brands are struggling due to changing consumer preferences - What Millennials and Gen Z are looking for in wine - How innovation products and natural wine positioning are key to Wonderwerk's success - Why easy-to-understand labels are crucial for attracting new wine drinkers - The brand’s laser focus on flavor-forward and occasion-based wine design - How the self-funded company is planning to expand in a forthcoming capital raise - The founders’ unconventional CPG and distiller backgrounds that unlocked product innovation - Why IRL events and direct consumer engagement are essential for brand awareness and sales growth Listen in: https://lnkd.in/e-87GdTM Business of Drinks Scott Rosenbaum Caroline Lamb

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https://lnkd.in/g9wjBiwY Laura Katz is changing the future of #HumanNutrition with Effera and Helaina. Barrel Ventures is lucky to have been along for the ride for almost 5 years now, and many more into the future. #Food #foodInvesting

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In light of some.conversations I've been having in different circles about the state of plantbased foods, acceptance, perception, growth, etc. https://lnkd.in/gYQp9veN

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What leaders do you look up to the most? I'm preparing the next season of Future Food with Analisa Winther and looking to feature companies who have "how I built this" stories that you are dying to hear. Over 150 pioneering visionary Founders and executives from the food industry have appeared on Future Food so far sharing their entrepreneurial journey and how their work has led to transformation. Some of the most popular episodes have included the Founder of Oatly, Pasturebird, World's 50 Best Restaurant Leo, WWF, Tony's Chocolonely, Climate Farmers, and more. The show has a dedicated listener base of entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and enthusiasts who view food as a powerful vehicle for change. Listeners come from over 80 countries and the show is in the top 5% of most downloaded podcasts globally. 👇 Tag a leader you want to know about with 1-2 sentences about what makes their story amazing and how they're transforming the world through food. Your rec could get them featured on the show!

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Interesting take on the battle for consumers during months like Sober October and Dry January from Stephanie Cain 👇 Her commentary below with link in comments 🍻🥂🍹 The wine industry has launched an assault on #SoberOctober and non-alcoholic beverages as if the sole existence of the booze-less category is to put a hit against wine. With its new campaign, Come Over October, wine folks are declaring you should grab a glass instead of going sober, because wine brings people together. Instead, #wine should really be looking at their core messaging because that's why wine is declining. At the #ComeOverOctober kick-off party, I had a conversation with a salesperson of a wine distributor. He attempted to be ok with the evolution of wine by explaining that ready-to-drink, single-serve wine brand, BeatBox, marketed to the 21 to 25-year-old set, was crushing the market. He was all for it. While the brand has wacky flavors like blueberry lemonade wine, he felt that every wine consumer “starts somewhere.” It was promising to him because he said they would “continue their wine journey” and start “drinking real wine.” So many problems here but here is the big one: They don’t often continue the wine journey. News flash, wine people! Consumers don’t have time. We don’t desire it. We want to build connections, not spend the evening only discussing what we want to drink. We have jobs and travel and bills to pay and kids and dogs and aging parents and hell, we just want to buy a house. We have no job security. We have been hit with recession after recession. Right now, inflation is making our groceries cost some 40% more. You really think we are jumping at the time-consuming task of learning about wine? Get real. We’ll grab a #Martini. And start ranting. Which is exactly what I'm doing in today's The Mad Ones 👇 Link in comments. #health #wellness #marketing #alcohol #alcoholfree

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Boxed wine is exploding. This is one of the most important categories in the wine industry, and maybe even the overall alcohol market. The next 1-5 years will be massive for this category; expect new brand launches, M&A activity, and most importantly, lots of new consumers flocking to the space. Some thoughts on why it's so important and what it means for the industry 👇 cc: Top Shelf Ventures Gratsi

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meati™ Raises $100 Million! 🌿 Embracing Opportunity in Plant-Based Innovation 🌿 Despite the current slowdown in VC investment in plant-based foods, Meati Foods recently secured a $100M Series C round, led by Revolution Growth and Grosvenor Food & AgTech (see article below). Key Takeaways for Startups & Brands: - Innovative Technology Matters: Meati’s MushroomRoot™ tech sets them apart in a crowded market. - Strategic Expansion is Key: Scaling their production and retail presence is driving momentum. - Investor Confidence: Large investments signal that there’s still trust in unique, scalable concepts. At PlantBased Solutions, we understand these trends and can help international plant-based companies launch and thrive in the USA. With experience in launching Better Foods, You Are What You Eat by Shinsegae, we're ready to support your expansion strategy. Let's connect to discuss how we can help find solutions for your business. #PlantBasedSolutions #MeatiFoods #PlantBasedMeat #FoodInnovation #VentureCapital #CPG, #VeganBusiness

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🔮 Exciting news! Our team at CULTURE ADVISORY GROUP INC. has analyzed Whole Foods Market's 2025 Food Trends Report, and the future of food looks incredibly innovative! Here are the key trends that will shape the industry: 🌏 International Snacking Takes Center Stage Watch for chamoy candy and mango sticky rice chips "Pocket foods" (savory dumplings) are gaining momentum Texture innovation with dehydrated fruits and crunchy grains 💧 Hydration Evolution Enhanced beverages with electrolytes, antioxidants, and protein Tea expanding into new formats and applications 🌱 Sustainability Push Home-compostable packaging solutions Wine bottles getting 25% lighter by 2026 Ocean-derived ingredients (sea moss, duckweed) entering mainstream 🥖 Sourdough Renaissance Moving beyond bread into crackers, pasta, and more Commercially prepared options meeting consumer demand 🥩 Protein Innovation Blended organ meats for convenience Focus on cottage cheese, yogurt, and bone broth What excites CULTURE ADVISORY GROUP INC. most is how these trends reflect both consumer wellness priorities and environmental consciousness. The food industry is clearly evolving to meet the complex demands of tomorrow's consumers. Need help in funding and or implementing a health twist to your brand reach out to CULTURE ADVISORY GROUP INC. Thoughts on these trends? Which ones do you think will have the biggest impact on your industry? #FoodTrends #Retail #Innovation #Sustainability #ConsumerInsights #WholeFoods #FoodIndustry #2025Trends  

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Check Out my latest podcast with John Robert Sutton on "Foods That Matter". I had a great time with this foodie and luminary in the CPG world. It's always a pleasure to sit down and discuss the science behind sprouting. #sprouted #organic #podcast #bestmutsever

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Care Like It’s for Your Mother-in-Law This past Thanksgiving weekend, we took my wife's stepmom to the iconic Public Market in Seattle, where the infamous fish toss always draws a crowd. It’s fun, energetic, and feels like pure chaos—but when you look closer, it’s a masterclass in teamwork. (my apologies to my vegan friends out there) I had the chance to chat with the owner of the fish market, and one thing he said stuck with me: "Every position matters. Whether you're tossing fish, packing orders, or prepping for shipment—you need to care. Care so much that you pack that box like you’re sending it to your mother-in-law." That really hit home. This post isn’t about fish. It’s about showing up for your team, your customers, and your work with the kind of care and pride that leaves no room for half-measures. When we treat every task, no matter how big or small, with that level of intentionality, the impact is undeniable. It’s not about perfection; it’s about respect. Respect for your craft, for the people you serve, and for those who depend on you. So here’s my challenge for the week: 👇 ==> Where can you bring that mother-in-law-level care to your work or your team? (P.S. Video capture of the fish toss—it’s teamwork in action!) #cultureFIRSTLeadership

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Casalú- Named "Best Rum Seltzer" by Rolling Stone. How we got to our final flavor profile was a crazy ride. No expert advice followed, no industry experience. Just culture...and a keg. Here's the story: In 2020 Ricardo A. Sucre is sitting by the pool, Bad Bunny blasting in the background and High Noon in hand. That was the light bulb moment: "Why in the world is there no hard seltzer for latinos (or like fancy industry people like to call them now: RTDs) and why in the world is there none made with what we drink, real Rum??" He goes full Breaking bad mode and heads to Target to buy a Soda Stream. He starts mixing ron añejo, sparkling water, and juices which gave us the first versions of Casalú. Fast-forward a year and we find ourselves in North Carolina State University startup Accelerator. Our peers were all tech companies who could validate demand pretty quickly. Us...well, we were trying to explain the relevance of Latino Culture and brand. We had to do something! We packed our bags and headed to Miami. A second(or first) home for many of us Latinos. We rented a tiny house that was behind a tiny house in a semi-ghetto area (will tell you that story another day). But basically, we start crashing parties and get feedback directly from customers. We tweaked our ABV and lowered our Lemon concentration from our home made formula. That's the true beginning for what's in our Limón can of Casalú today. We still listen to our customers and make tweaks accordingly. But more importantly, with the flavors coming, we keep the same principles. We crash parties and do our grassroots events with home made mixes and see what happens. That's our R&D and we wouldn't change it for anything else. If it connects with our roots, then we know it will work. And who knows, it might actually make it to a major spot in Rolling Stone - Salú https://lnkd.in/ewF35PPB

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