Dave Foley

🚨🚨Applications are open for The Big Connecticut Food Event $50k pitch competition for emerging CPG food & bev brands, happening on 3/1/25 at the Yale School of Management. Visit ctfoodevent.com to learn more about the event and submit a participation request. Deadline to apply is 12/1/24. More info 🏆Applications will be scored by our judging committee then ranked. The top 5 scoring brands will be invited to participate in the pitch competition, and the top 30 scoring brands (including the finalists) will be invited to participate in tabling and sampling. 📍All food & beverage brands that are interested in participating in the pitch competition or tabling/sampling must be headquartered in Connecticut (it's okay if you were incorporated in a different state). Food & bev brands based outside of CT are welcome to participate in expert coaching sessions and attend the event. 🔎The following factors will be considered when scoring food & bev brand applications for consideration in the pitch competition. --Target market: Addressable target market is large and/or growing, or is a high-priced niche. Customer is well-defined. --Solution: Product is differentiated vs. competition: better, faster, cheaper, quality, efficient, convenient, focused. --Team/board/advisors: Evidence of more than just founder-led and -run. Relevant industry knowledge, skills, leadership experience, key relationships, prior successes and/or failures. --Traction: Stated planned milestones, minimal viable product built, market validation, key success metrics, revenue growth, partners. --Impact on the company: Would this company stand to gain significant advancement and opportunities by being featured at our event? Will an award help them move their stated project along and help take the company further? --Woman- or BIPOC-owned: Business owners represent one or more sytemically disadvantaged identities (race, gender, etc.). --Sustainable or regenerative: Sustainable/regenerative practices are a significant component of product and business (ingredient sourcing, packaging, energy use, etc.).

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Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Issues Bulletin on Ground Cannabis Dust and Workplace Safety   Wondering what you need to meet the requirements of the CCC’s Ground Cannabis Dust and Workplace Safety?   Tenax Strategies, based in downtown Boston, has been a leading consultant in the Massachusetts Cannabis industry since 2012, including working to implement the Adult-use Cannabis Law in 2016. We’ve partnered with businesses of all license types to help them Get Licensed. Get Open.   Tenax has deep expertise in OSHA General Industry standards, including Respiratory Protection requirements. We can assist you in drafting a comprehensive protection program, choosing the best respirator and filters for your license type, and training your team in fit, cleaning, storage, and maintenance to ensure compliance with both the Massachusetts CCC Cannabis Bulletin and OSHA regulations.   The OSHA Standard for Respiratory Protection is General Industry 1910.134 and it requires: - Respiratory Protection Program - Selecting appropriate respirators - Respirator Fit Testing - Respirator Cleaning & Maintenance - Respirator Program Training for all employees   But there’s more to consider to be compliant. Tenax Strategies can also help you: - Evaluate hazards of chemicals produced and prepare Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - Avoid OSHA citations - Assess and classify workplace safety and health risks - Implement and follow detailed workplace safety and health standard operating procedures - Comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 - Achieve compliance with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, including SDSs for chemicals like ground cannabis dust - Provide employee training for the hazard communication program   Are you prepared?   Protect your employees, protect your investment. Tenax Strategies.   Contact us at 617-388-6477 or [email protected] for more information on becoming compliant with the latest CCC bulletin and related OSHA requirements.   To learn more about Tenax Strategies Regulatory Compliance Services, visit: https://lnkd.in/ekjb9cRf

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C3 Industries’s first Connecticut adult-use cannabis storefront, High Profile Canton, opened Tuesday at 195 Albany Turnpike. The new dispensary is Canton’s first and one of several planned for C3 Industries; it plans to open another dispensary in Hamden. While the Canton store is C3’s first in the state, the company has had other plans for a few years. C3 was awarded a “Section 149” cultivator license in late 2022, which allows for large-scale cultivation sites to locate in areas disproportionately affected by the federal “war on drugs.” The company last year won local approvals to establish an East Hartford cultivator business at 241 Park Ave. and 217-221 Park Ave., and has been preparing the facility since then. In May, C3 agreed to a $16 million sale-leaseback with NewLake Capital Partners. The deal includes $4 million for the acquisition of a 58,500-square-foot industrial property in East Hartford, and a $12 million construction build out to repurpose the former cold-storage facility into a cannabis grow operation. Connecticut is the sixth market C3 Industries has entered, following Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts and New Jersey. https://lnkd.in/e69ZQzEU https://lnkd.in/ge6dE6ga

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Cauliflower has climbed the ranks from being a mere side dish to a central ingredient in a wide range of culinary applications. With its versatility, rich nutritional profile, and adaptability to various cuisines, it's no wonder #cauliflower has gained such popularity. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about this #cruciferous #vegetable. https://lnkd.in/eYDKCwEv

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If you have ever spent time at a cannabis event with Bill Levers and Jeff Levers of Beard Bros Pharms, you have likely seen how many friends and colleagues they already have, but also how many new ones they meet. So, when the Bros bumped into Matt Besonan – Manager of Product Manufacturing and R&D for United Cultivation – at the Emerald Cup in Richmond, California in 2023, Matty must have said something that encouraged the Bros to dig deeper. Now, in 2024, United Cultivation has announced a partnership and distribution agreement to offer award-winning Beard Bros Pharms products to cannabis consumers across Massachusetts. Let’s take a look at the path United Cultivation has taken and how, in many ways, it parallels the one being blazed by Beard Bros Pharms. Assembling a team that can navigate the twisted paths of cannabis regulation, production, and sales is not an easy task, but if we could build our own A-Team, it might look something like this. First, you’ve got The Plug. Every good squad needs one, United Cultivation found a real one. Next, The CEO, the brains of the operation because buying and selling weed is only half the battle these days. Of course, there must be a Mad Scientist cooking up new products, partnerships, and more. Continue reading about United Cultivation at the link below.

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The Long Island Cannabis Club, a new cannabis dispensary located at 94 East Industry Court in Deer Park, is set to host its grand opening on December 6, 2024. Spanning 4,200 square feet, the dispensary is owned by a diverse group of five entrepreneurs with backgrounds in consulting, alternative medicine, engineering, and retail management. This eclectic team offers over 500 cannabis products, including flowers, edibles, vapes, and accessories tailored to various dietary needs such as gluten-free and vegan options. The dispensary also plans to add delivery services soon. The opening of the Long Island Cannabis Club marks another milestone in the region's cannabis industry, which has seen slow but steady growth. Overcoming obstacles such as local regulations, permitting challenges, and landlord disputes, the dispensary reflects the determination of its owners to capitalize on the expanding cannabis market. Its launch aligns with other significant developments in the area, including the opening of additional dispensaries such as Strain Stars in Riverhead and Beleaf in Calverton. The cannabis industry on Long Island continues to evolve, with these new openings contributing to increased accessibility for consumers. The dispensaries aim to cater to a broad audience, from novice users to experienced enthusiasts, offering a wide range of high-quality, safe products. These efforts are part of a larger trend to normalize cannabis use and integrate it into local economies. As the industry grows, Long Island dispensaries are positioning themselves to become key players in a competitive market. Their focus on quality, innovation, and consumer education reflects the broader goals of the cannabis sector to meet both regulatory standards and community needs. https://lnkd.in/g3P9jPcn

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CCB Meeting June 11, 2024 - 46.2 million in retail cannabis sales in ONE month New York’s cannabis industry is looking better than ever! Today’s CCB meeting featured a very positive market update showing the profitability of NY’s cannabis Industry. The month of May 2024 closed with an astonishing $46.2 million in retail cannabis sales, with weekly sales revenue reaching a record-high average of $12.5 million! This is a massive jump from the $6.7 million in retail sales made during the entire month of May 2023. With a grand total of $357.3 million in cannabis retail sales generated by 132 open and operating adult-use dispensaries, the New York market is poised for a future of continued growth. There’s no better time to start your New York cannabis business. Learn more about New York's cannabis market below! https://hubs.la/Q02Br-tY0 #NewYorkCannabis #NYC #CannabisBusiness #CannabisCulture

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Register today for next week's free webinar! Discover how our food choices can drive impactful climate action! Join Juli Schulz from Better Food Foundation and Jamie Gallant from Sodexo at Lehigh University for an insightful discussion on the power of plant-based food defaults in reducing carbon emissions and transforming our food systems.   We’ll dive into the groundbreaking, peer-reviewed case study recently featured by Bloomberg, where three universities successfully slashed food-related carbon emissions by 25% simply by making plant-based dishes the default. This study, led by Better Food Foundation and Food for Climate League in collaboration with Sodexo and researchers from Boston College, reveals how small behavior changes, like “nudges” and default options, can help institutions meet ambitious climate targets while maintaining customer satisfaction.    With proven success stories from over 500 institutions, this webinar will provide practical, actionable strategies to implement plant-based defaults as a powerful, low-cost, and high-impact solution to reduce Scope 3 emissions. Join us to gather the tools and insights to help make every meal count for the climate. Register: https://lnkd.in/eq543RtT #ClimateAction #PlantBasedEating #SustainableFood #CarbonReduction #Scope3Emissions #Sustainability #PlantBasedSolutions #GreenInitiatives #SustainableProcurement

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💫 Rising Seafood Distribution Star Stephanie Pazzaglia joins us on Culinary Connections: Distribution Dialogues where we talk about sales, marketing and the journey distribution can provide. She helps lead business development at JJ McDonnell a premier seafood distribution company out of Maryland. Stephanie shares her background in the seafood industry and her passion for the seafood community. She discusses the importance of shellfish in our waters and how JJ McDonnell is committed to sustainability and nurturing the fisheries. Stephanie emphasizes the consultative sales approach of JJ McDonnell, where they focus on educating their sales team and customers about the sourcing and quality of their seafood. She also talks about the impact of technology on the seafood industry, including order apps and traceability platforms. Stephanie highlights the importance of marketing in the seafood industry and how it helps connect customers with the source of their seafood. The conversation explores the importance of collaboration between distributors, chefs, and brands in the food service industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for brands to invest in their distributor partners and be proactive in their involvement. The discussion also highlights the misconceptions surrounding farmed seafood and the importance of promoting and educating consumers about its benefits. We touch on the challenges of pricing and availability in the seafood industry, the need for realistic expectations, social responsibility aspect of the seafood industry and the importance of transparency and communication between procurement and sales teams. The conversation concludes with a focus on the future of the industry, including the need for more youth involvement and the challenges and opportunities presented by data and technology. Episode Drops tomorrow on Apple Podcast, we have a dozen great conversations you can listen to now while you drive, run, walk, work or however you take your podcasts! Thank you for taking time to join the show Stephanie!

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Lentils are a powerhouse of nutrition, flavor, and heritage! In African cuisine, lentils shine in a variety of dishes that celebrate both health and history. This New York Times article dives into how to cook lentils, but African food traditions have long known how to make the most of this humble ingredient. Across East Africa, particularly in Ethiopian cuisine, lentils take center stage in dishes like misir wat (a spiced red lentil stew), a staple that’s both comforting and rich in flavor, thanks to berbere spice. North African cuisine also uses lentils in hearty stews alongside tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, infusing Mediterranean influences. Even in West Africa, lentils are finding a home in modern fusion dishes, adding a new layer to regional flavors. At WANDA, we’re excited to see lentils and other nutrient-rich ingredients gaining more recognition in global cuisine. As we continue to support women in food and agriculture, our focus on these traditional foods highlights the potential for culturally relevant ingredients to promote health across communities. Lentils aren’t just good for us—they connect us to rich, diverse food histories that remind us how food truly is medicine. Read more on the versatility of lentils in the NY Times: How to Cook Lentils https://lnkd.in/ePgFhGkv

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repost from Pittsburgh Yards® based #urbanoakfood This seminar is designed for aspiring food entrepreneurs eager to enter the food industry. Whether you have a unique recipe, an innovative food concept, or a passion for sharing culinary creations, this session will guide you through the essential steps to launch your food business successfully. Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024 Time: 11 AM - 3 PM Location: Pittsburgh Yards | The Food Studio Address: 352 University Avenue, SW | Atlanta, GA 30310 Goals: Equip participants with the knowledge needed to start a food business. Provide practical insights into opening a storefront, participating in events, or starting a catering business. Understand the licensing requirements and regulatory landscape for food businesses. Offer a platform for entrepreneurs to ask questions and learn from industry experts. See you there! https://lnkd.in/e4nwwMup Food For Thought Food Entrepreneur Seminar - 2024 Series Overview: This seminar is designed for aspiring food entrepreneurs eager to enter the food industry. Whether you have a unique recipe, an innovative food concept, or a passion for sharing culinary creations, this session will guide you through the essential steps to launch your food business successfully. Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024 Time: 11 AM - 3 PM Location: Pittsburgh Yards | The Food Studio Address: 352 University Avenue, SW | Atlanta, GA 30310 Goals: Equip participants with the knowledge needed to start a food business. Provide practical insights into opening a storefront, participating in events, or starting a catering business. Understand the licensing requirements and regulatory landscape for food businesses. Offer a platform for entrepreneurs to ask questions and learn from industry experts. See you there!

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The humble #leek is an underrated vegetable that deserves more recognition. Find out the nutritional benefits of #leeks, how to prepare them, and how to use them in meals. https://lnkd.in/eMNU2Nw7

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Important Compliance Update: The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has issued a bulletin on ground cannabis dust and workplace safety, following the death of a cannabis employee in 2022. Cannabis dust is now identified as a hazardous chemical, and licensees must inform employees about ground cannabis dust hazards. Read the bulletin here, and contact Stratacann today for assistance in updating your Standard Operating Procedures in applicable departments, no matter what market you operate in. #cannabissafety #cannabistraining #cannabisindustry

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Convenience stores have experienced a surge in alcohol sales, notably in categories like ready-to-drink cocktails and flavored malt beverages, with some retailers observing a 109% increase in RTD cocktail sales. This trend reflects changing consumer preferences, particularly as shoppers opt for convenient options amidst potential inflation concerns, foregoing traditional ingredient shopping for homemade cocktails. By aligning commercial real estate investments with evolving consumer preferences, investors can maximize the value and performance of their properties. Full insights available at forbes.com

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