Drew Henry

It’s no surprise that meat prices are up at the grocery store. Though a variety of factors are at play here, Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo can help mitigate price increases for Coloradans: Support the House Farm Bill that includes a fix to California’s damaging Proposition 12. #beef #marketdata #prices #meat #pork #analytics #data #meatindustry #cattle #hog #swine #markets #protein #news #blogs #ranchers #packers #retailers #foodservice #feedlotoperators #proposition12

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Looking for creating ways to cut empty carbs?! Replace your white rice sushi with this sushi waffle! As I build Living Prana, I get to enjoy playing with my food every day, creating new use cases for organic superfood pancake & waffle mix. I'm on a mission to break up with bread (refined carbs) - finding replacements for wraps, sandwiches and rice are a must. Here, I combined three of my favorite foods - sushi, avocado and buckwheat waffles - without the rice! Momofuku chili oil is an amazing addition to fuse sweet and savory elements. What are some of your favorite foods you'd like to see in a mash up? #healthyliving #healthyeating #healthyrecipes #cpg #innovation #creativity #foundersjourney

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Look Ma, we made it to Sprouts Farmers Market ! 🥂 3 flavors are landing in 30+ select locations in Southern California as part of Sprouts’ Innovation Table and we are thrilled! Big shoutout to the team at Pod Foods for including EATABLE INC. in their Box of Innovation which was instrumental in having us be part of this launch alongside other fab CPG brands. As much as we’re celebrating today, I also wanted to take a second to call out (esp to my non-CPG friends who may not realize this)… The road to mass grocery and retail is HARD AF. 😅 It has always been a dream of Vincent Li and I as founders to see EATABLE popcorn on the shelves of major grocery stores. But truth be told, this journey to bridge EATABLE’s brand identity from a premium gift/department store brand to mass grocery brand has been chock full of headwinds. We’ve pivoted countless times over the last 2 years to tweak: - Pricing (one of the BIGGEST hurdles for emerging brands) - Pack size - Pack design and branding - Distribution model - Logistics and supply chain - Channel strategy - Trade marketing support strategy - Balancing a lean marketing budget between online and offline to drive sellthrough and velocity Getting on shelf is an important first step, but there’s lots of heavy lifting to be done to ensure we sell OFF the shelf too! 🛒 Our journey has been full of small tests, lots of failures and rejection along the way, which have resulted in a TON of learnings (for future posts!) In the meantime, if you or someone you know is in SoCal - Please shop EATABLE INC. at your local Sprouts and grab a bag of popcorn that will POP a party in your mouth, and start conversations at your next gathering! How we perform in these next 90 days at their Innovation Table will determine whether we get to stay on the shelves for the long haul! 🥳 Any CPG friends who have experience selling into Sprouts I’d love to connect and learn from you! And if you happen to see us in store, help a girl out and send a quick photo or “shelfie” with EATABLE - it’ll make my day in more ways than you know! 🍿+🥂 #EATABLE #CPGbusiness #CPGfounder #foodstartup #RetailLaunch #Sprouts #SoCal

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Sorel Liqueur: The Ultimate Modifier Alcohol has a problem no one in the spirits industry talks about: alcohol doesn't taste good. This is by design. Taste (like most of our senses) doubles as a defensive mechanism: our body rejects things that are (or might be) poison. Pure alcohol, by definition, is poison: that's why every bottle of alcohol sold comes with a warning label; why it's a controlled substance. This has in no way diminished human desire to consume alcohol. Humans discovered the effects alcohol has on the body (both good and bad) and have spent thousands of years desperately trying to minimize the impact so we can enjoy the effect. Ancient Egyptians soaked botanicals in alcohol to make tinctures. The Celts began the practice of aging spirits in wood. Water, sugar, fruits; all things people have added over the millennia to make spirits more potable. Big liquor solves this problem by adding flavor to alcohol. This is why things like cinnamon flavored whiskey, blueberry flavored vodka, and jalapeño flavored tequila exist. At Sorel Liqueur we reverse the logic. Everyone else starts with alcohol and adds flavor: We start with flavor and add alcohol. The end result isn't just objectively delicious. It's also infinitely flexible. The combination of botanicals in Sorel effectively masks the flavor of ethanol. Practically, this means not only will it combine with any base spirit, it compliments the base by suppressing the flavor of ethanol, thus enhancing flavors. Gins have more botanical notes. Aged liquors (rum or whisky) have more barrel notes. Agave bases (tequila or mezcal) show more fruit and smoke. Don't believe me? Try mixing your favorite base 1:1 with Sorel. I've got a restaurant in Northern KY who's serving equal parts Sorel and Chartreuse. A spot in DC is serving equal parts Sorel and Sake. A dive bar in ATL is serving equal parts Sorel and peanut butter whisky (it's a perfect PBJ shot). And then there's this conversation from a decade ago, from my friend Matthew Sheinberg: Sorel and Laphroaig. Given modern drink trends, you may not need a base spirit at all in your favorite Sorel cocktail. Add a bit of Sorel to your favorite carbonated beverage, alc or non-alc. Top off your sparkling wine with Sorel instead of wasting your orange juice in a mimosa. Add Sorel to your seltzer with a spritz of lime. Ginger beer and Sorel makes a hibiscus mule that absolutely crushes summer drink menus. Or just drink it neat. The ultimate modifier requires no modification. #Caribbean #BlackOwned #ForTheCulture #DrinkSorel

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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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Good morning California Cannabis Industry, Today, in the economic evolution of cannabinoids (both cannabis and help), there's one question remaining: WHO WON THE RACE TO THE BOTTOM?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  

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If you're in the food or ag business.  If that business has any connection to nuts whatsoever. Then you need to join us, July 11, 2:00 Est for the 6 Seeds Intelligence on nut consumption. We'll cover: → Consumer Preferences → New Product Development → Industry Challenges Secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/dzdJMC9A #foodinnovation #futureoffood #fooddevelopment #foodtrends

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California just banned sell-by dates and will be enforcing standardized language going forward. That's a huge food sustainability win. "By requiring manufacturers to use the same phrases for date labels across products, ReFED estimates that in California alone, this law will annually save 70,000 tons of food from going to waste, saving consumers $300 million.” "The changes will take effect starting on July 1, 2026, and impact all manufacturers, processors, and retailers of food for human consumption." The impact potential of small changes -- especially when they are properly informed by both data and common sense -- can't be underestimated. #food #sustainability #leadership #climateaction Kudos to ReFED for your leadership!

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🚨 Regenerative Agriculture Trend Report 🚨 Socialike has just dropped a 50-slide presentation summarizing its findings from multiple podcast conversations with Big Picture Foods, Alec's Ice Cream, Nutrient Density Alliance, & ReGen Brands. Our focus at ReGen Brands is "to nourish brands that nourish all life." We do this by advancing the work of brands supporting regenerative agriculture. And we're focused on a B2B stakeholder group that includes brands, distributors, retailers, farmers, investors, and others. For us, it is always interesting and informative to see how folks in the CPG ecosystem learn about regenerative for the first time. Check out the report below! ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eMwVBXsu Socialike | A Creative Social Media Agency Since 2010 #regenerativeagriculture #regenerativefarming #regenerativefoodsystems #cpg #regenbrands #food #beverage #podcast #sustainability #innovation

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Deep breaths are needed with the current coffee price market. If you haven't been paying attention to it, please start now. Green coffee prices are at 47-year highs. As someone who lived through the skyrocketing prices in 1977, I can tell you to take a deep breath. Was it easy? Heck no! Did we come out the other side better? Absolutely. Start engaging your clients today. The sooner you start the better. Engage with your roaster partners. Find out what they foresee their plan to be. Can you still lock in at lower pricing. They might have contracts that you can add yourself to. Talk with industry experts who have lived this and can offer you solid advise. Look at the opportunity and not get hung up on the "what ifs". You must pass the pricing on or you won't be able to sustain your business. I'm happy to chat if you feel that I offer solutions. #coffee #prices #coffeeprices #consulting https://lnkd.in/dJQ-dAqX

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The #coffee prosumer market is evolving. "#Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. In fact, in the National Coffee Association USA’s most recent 2024 National Coffee Data Trends report, 67% of US adults said they drank coffee the previous day – marking a 20-year high for #coffeeconsumption in the country. The report also found that US specialty coffee consumption was up by 7.5% on the previous year, with #espresso-based drinks leading the trend. So as the global specialty coffee market grows, so too does consumer knowledge and interest – especially alongside a huge focus on #consumereducation following the pandemic." This article has great insights and data you can't miss. Matthew Hill spoke with Josh Hockin, Head of Coffee at Eight Ounce Coffee Co to learn more about how the coffee prosumer market has changed and how it could evolve further. https://lnkd.in/e3gi-_J6

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Two amazing days here in Monterey, alongside Patrick Riggs, our senior viniculturist, at the Organic Grower Summit. Sure, the trade booths and shiny new equipment were a big draw (what farmer doesn’t love checking out the latest tech?), but the real excitement was in the seminars!   One seminar asked a bold question: ❓ Can organic farming become a $144B market by 2032?  📣 My answer: Absolutely! Since I’ve been a certified organic farmer since 1984, I’ve been following the pulse of this movement. However,I’ve been saying for last couple-years, organic farming isn’t just on the tracks—it’s on a bullet train! Farmers across the U.S., this is your call to get on board. The demand for organic is only booming, and the next generation is leading the charge. And I’m sure in the near future they’ll be raising their children under the organic methods as well, from textiles to food.    Gen Z, I see you, and I love your passion for transparent products and foods, from how it is grown, the soil its grown in, how it is made and how it gets to the shelf. The details matter and your generation is focused on those details. Your demand for real, organic food is only growing. You’re driving this movement forward, and it’s incredible to witness. If you’re curious about what’s fueling this growth, check out this great read on consumer behaviors shaping organic consumption, especially with Gen Z: https://lnkd.in/gySzbm9T   Let’s keep building a healthier, more organically sustainable future—together. Let’s continue to explore ways we can create better processes, cleaner products and most of all, think of future generations.  #OrganicFarming #RealSustainability #OrganicGrowerSummit #FutureOfFarming

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Just increased the limit on our general liability insurance to meet KeHe's minimums (yes, Buzzkill Wines will be distributing through KeHe!!) and it got me thinking about other hidden costs new CPG founders should watch out for: 1. Samples to distributors and accounts - you will only see this money "back" if they place an order. The upfront costs can be steep for a small company. 2. Samples for events/in-store tastings - giving away free product adds up FAST 3. Amazon warehousing fees if you go over your allotted limit 4. Endless amounts of gas, Ubers, flights, hotels, and other unexpected, last-minute travel costs 5. Shopify plugins (they can get expensive) What am I missing?

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 Preserving Family Farming in Sonoma County: The Measure J Debate As food industry professionals, you’re likely aware of the critical role family farms play in our communities. Today, I want to shed light on an important issue centered in Sonoma County, California. Measure J, which will appear on the November ballot, aims to make Sonoma County the first in the nation to outlaw so-called factory farming. While the initiative frames itself as a step toward better animal welfare, it has far-reaching implications. 1.     Economic Impact: Measure J threatens economically viable family farming. By restricting Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), it could make egg and milk production unaffordable for local farmers. These operations are essential for meeting consumer demand while maintaining ethical standards. 2.     Weather Considerations: Measure J limits farms to moving animals fromopen fields to covered structures to a maximum of 45 days per year. Sonoma County experiences rainy winters, albeit not as much as Seattle or Portland. Ranchers move cattle indoors during inclement weather to ensure their comfort and health. Keeping cattle inside also prevents runoff into rivers and minimizes land damage caused by muddy fields. 3.     Local Agriculture: Having moved to Santa Rosa three years ago, I fell in love with our local agriculture scene—dairy, eggs, and wine, though possibly not in that order. Sonoma County farmers and ranchers lead the way in animal husbandry. Sonoma County egg producers were following cage-free practices before the rest of the country even heard about cage free.   4.     National Implications: Measure J’s impact extends beyond our county borders. The deep pockets behind this activist campaign are starting in Sonoma County but will push into other areas with positive signals. 5.     Take Action: Visit NoOnMeasureJ.com to learn more and sign your name in support of the “No on Measure J” effort. Talk to your company management about this issue—it’s not just about Sonoma County; it’s about preserving family farming nationwide. Let’s stand together to protect our agricultural heritage. 🌾🐄🥚

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Chef Terri's Tip # 225: How to create a successful, made-in-the-USA, plant-based CPG food brand & company. Embrace the spirit of the energizer bunny and keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles. Be like the energizer bunny and keep going and going and going. #Motivation #KeepGoing #EnergizerBunny #StayPositive #NeverGiveUp California will introduce a new bill in 2025 called the Mirena IUD Brain Tumor Act. This evil medical device will eventually be recalled in the USA. Shame on you, team Bayer. You know the truth and have covered it so your company can remain profitable. We are not pawns in your game of chess. We are mothers with families who love us. Our lives matter. The research proves it deteriorates organs, specifically our eyes and brains. Now, the Mirena IUD is linked to breast cancer in women. Your company must hate women. Why else would you hide the truth from us? "Thousands of women nationwide sued Bayer Pharmaceuticals over Mirena birth control after they say it perforated the uterus, damaged organs, and caused pseudotumor cerebri — an abnormal fluid buildup in the skull. These women said Mirena's complications led to diminished quality of life, and they live in fear of future complications." -Drugwatch.com https://lnkd.in/gJS3Y-YU

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Statista provides a great "wake up" for foodies in the US, where "local" often appears to be all the rage.....except that it matters more in most other countries! In the U.S. we can get a little myopic about consumer trends and interests, an understandable consequence of living and working in the world's most studied consumer marketplace...which means the most news stories about new studies and findings, and rarely compare the US to other markets https://lnkd.in/gPbf--8Q

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Colorado Food Business Builder Grants are open! These are specifically intended for smaller, scaling food businesses and shared kitchens! Funds can be used for: - Business planning: This can include creating business plans, doing studies to see if an idea will work, grant writing, or loan application support. - Value chain coordination: Covering costs for employees, equipment, and vehicles needed to connect different parts of the supply chain of your business. - Brand development: Creating a brand and marketing materials, like websites. Market research and outreach: Doing market studies, hiring brokers, and reaching out to potential customers. - Trade shows: Attending trade shows and buying supplies or creating marketing materials for them, focusing on local or regional markets. - New products and packaging: Creating new products, labels, or packaging, and testing new recipes. - Improving product handling and sales: Enhancing the way you process, market, or distribute your products. - Legal support: Getting legal help to make your business stronger, manage risks, and grow. - Food safety: Training, planning, and compliance to meet food safety rules for owners and employees. - Worker safety: Improving safety for workers during post-harvest activities, such as training staff or purchasing safety equipment. - Farm-direct sales: Building or expanding direct sales, like farm stands, U-Pick, or CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) platforms.

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Micro brewed soy sauce? I've known Matt Jamie for well over a decade. His products and stories were always one of my favorites to share with chefs across the country. Major soy producers are making 200,000 gallons per day. He makes 10,000 gallons per year that land in top kitchens across the country. How does one start it? How do you scale? Where do you find inspiration? Tune in later today as we dive into a conversation about life and business. Thanks for joining me Matt!

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The newest episode of #CHATCPG #thefoodedition is out now! I hope you enjoy this as much as we did 🫶🏼

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