Linda Boardman

Kefir-- a fermented dairy beverage-- is rising in popularity. I weigh in on this good-for-you drink in this article via Layla Khoury-Hanold via Food Network where it takes about: --What is kefir? --How is kefir made? --What does kefir taste like? --Health benefits --The difference between kefir and yogurt --And of course, HOW to pronounce it!

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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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Checkout this article about our sushi that we make in-house for our retail shops. We are using technology in a way that allows us to have the highest quality seafood and rice available for our sushi. My big business bet is that people will eat more sushi when it is: quality, transparent, and free of carbon dioxide gas. What do you think?

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We discussed this on our latest episode of CPG Vibes, BIG BIG news from KeHE Distributors on 11/22, a new program dubbed 'AAP' (administrative allowance program). A flat 2 % off-invoice allowance for specific fees including New item intros, extra performance fees, MCBs, new item set up fees, and lumping fees. My quick thoughts: This is a step in the right direction for sure. UNFI implemented SSI which is a similar program to help brands budget for costs and fees associated with doing business with large national distributors. With all that said, these categories are pretty large and encompassing, so for all the other fees associated with Kehe that can chop down a brand's margin, will this program truly cover it? Likely not, but at least it covers some. What are your thoughts?

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Not quite West Coast or New England–style, the reemerging label is confusing at best … For a long time, two regionally termed IPA subcategories have dominated U.S. beer cans: “West Coast” signaled clear and bracingly bitter with a piney, citrusy, resinous hop profile, and “New England” meant juicy, hazy and sweeter with tropical hops. Suddenly, however, a label that’s maintained alower profile since craft beer’s early days is showing up on more tap lists … muddying that understanding: “American IPA.” What even is this style? The name suggests some overarching combination of the two coastal substyles, a less-than-helpful and vague umbrella term, or, potentially, its own new thing. The answer, it seems, is all of the above. From the late 1970s into the 1990s, brewers started making IPAs based on their knowledge of English IPAs, but with an American twist. Thus “American IPA” made sense. But two things happened to erode that simple definition. For one, American craft beer took off, and American-brewed IPAs overtook English-style ones. For another, West Coast and New England substyles appeared, further delineating the category. “American IPA” all but disappeared as a label. Now, we’ve started to see the ‘American IPA’ return as a ‘style.” Yet did it ever really leave? While it’s agreed that an American IPA should not be hazy or as sweet as a New England IPA, an American IPA can still capture certain NEIPA notes with tropical fruit characteristics. “It can embody the West Coast’s visual clarity while incorporating the hop profile typical of the East Coast,” says Daniel Sickmen, head brewer at Virginia’s Lost Barrel Brewing, where an American IPA is a menu staple. The “American IPA” label leaves the door open for people to explore some range in terms of bitterness, sweetness, malt character and hop character, and learn what they like. For that reason, American IPA might at this point be more of a vibe than a style. It’s an IPA living in the middle of the tropical-sweet and piney-bitter extremes, open to brewer interpretation as well as to consumer discovery. It’s big, it’s bold, it’s intense. And you know it when you taste it. “The best IPAs are ones we drink with friends.” — Stephen Carter King Read the entire article at: Punch Drink .com Cheers🍻! #ConsumerBehavior #EmergingTrends #BrandAwareness #BusinessIntelligence #Beer #CraftBeer #IPA #AmericanIPA #Microbreweries #Pubs #Taprooms #Brewpubs ✦✦✦ Stephen Carter King Chief of Growth and Marketing and Strategy • Beer Market Analyst • Beerconomy & Co. CEO • Thought Catalyst • Sherpa • Advisor & Speaker sharing beer market trends, insights, forecasts and scoop via The Beerconomist

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Tequila!   Many large players such as White Claw, and The Boston Beer Company (maker of Truly) are expanding their offerings and releasing tequila-flavored ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails as consumers are increasingly turning to tequila offerings in the beverage alcohol sector.   I had the opportunity to share my insights and thoughts on this surging trend with The Food Institute. In the article, I emphasized how innovations in ready-to-drink (RTD) formats, including tequila-based seltzers and margaritas, are meeting consumer demand for novel flavors. Additionally, I pointed out that tequila production has remained stable despite global supply chain disruptions and highlighted the increasing consumer preference for high-quality artisanal spirits.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gB9f-3Ci   #Tequila #BeverageIndustry #MarketTrends #ConsumerInsights #RTDCocktails

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Build in Public Update: We have a distributor! This means we can sell Currently into retail and restaurant locations in MA, RI and CT. Distributors are legally required “intermediaries” that are basically like a channel partner (and you can only sell through a channel partner). So the distributor buys the wine from the supplier (me). They then legally own it, and then they sell it to retail and restaurant. Which means that today we’re celebrating our first sales: a pallet of Currently (70 cases). It means nothing if we don’t create “pull through” of the product, but it does technically mean we have our first “check” of revenue. Celebrating the wins. Oh, and already have sold it into 6 accounts. That helped convince them to buy :-). Here we go, team! Wish me luck on my sales calls! #wine #distribution #sales

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It’s time to restock Amrita Health Foods Protein Bars after a very strong Prime Day. We may run out of inventory 😔 later today .. live and learn We have a heat advisory today for Bridgeport, CT! The dehumidifiers are just not able to keep up 95+ degrees and close to 90% humidity. But we put a heads down and get the job done and take frequent icrecream breaks! Recent protein bar improvements and relaunch are paying big dividends. Being vertically integrated is a lot of work - staffing, etc .. but it’s keeping costs down which is allowing us to be profitable and scale. So much of success is operational efficiency- the boring stuff that’s drives profit.

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Check out the latest buzz at Semper Foods with our very first blog post by the talented Laura Zinger! 🌟 Dive into the insights and updates straight from the heart of our team. Click here to read: #SemperFoods #BlogLaunch #TeamUpdates #IndustryInsights

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Sharing a nice little article about Friends' Marketplace from the Shelby Report (a food and grocery industry magazine)!

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Taste the Evolution: Cajun Steamer’s Fresh Take on Deep South Flavors Cajun Steamer’s new menu update is a perfect example of how even iconic cuisines like Cajun/Creole need to evolve to stay relevant. 🍤 While deeply rooted in tradition, this subtle revamp shows how paying attention to trends can keep a brand fresh and engaging for today’s consumers. It's not about abandoning heritage, but about finding the right balance between authenticity and innovation. And in case you were not aware, the 2025 World Soccer Championships are being held in the USA. There are 12 host cities and 6 of them are in the South.🎣🔥 #CulinaryTides #SuzyBadaracco #FlavorInnovation #CajunCuisine #TrendSpotting #DeepSouthDelights Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ecFncMTD

The Double-Edged Sword of On-Premise Sales for Small Liquor Brands The on-premise market, while offering significant potential for small liquor brands, comes with unique challenges related to time, cost, and inventory turnover. Securing on-premise placements often requires extensive relationship building with bar owners, managers, and beverage directors. This can be a time-consuming process involving networking, cold calling and attending industry events. To introduce a new product to on-premise establishments, brands often need to invest in sampling events, cocktail competitions, and other promotional activities including a huge investment in time make account visits. These can be costly, especially for smaller brands with limited marketing budgets and employee resources. To address these challenges, small liquor brands should consider targeting specific bar segments or regions, leveraging social media and content marketing as well as collaborating with influencers, bartenders, and other industry professionals to accelerate brand visibility and drive sales. By understanding the time and cost associated with on-premise placements, small liquor brands need to develop effective strategies to navigate this competitive market and achieve long-term success. Alternatively, a targeted spend and off premise strategy might prove more effective to meeting corporate revenue objectives.

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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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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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Pennsylvania's new Senate Bill 688, effective September 15, 2024, modernizes alcohol sales by allowing a broader range of retailers to sell ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. With this change, businesses like grocery stores and restaurants can now sell canned cocktails made with spirits. But compliance is key—SB 688 mandates age verification through ID scanners for customers under 35, offering legal protection for retailers using the technology properly. Minor Decliner’s ID scanners are the perfect solution to this new requirement. Our mobile and countertop solutions ensure fast, accurate age checks, reduce human error and help you stay compliant. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/efxUG8_r #IDScanners #SB688 #RTD #AgeVerification #Compliance

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Tequila & Whiskey are two of the growing flavored spirit categories and thats what Beverage Solutions || Big Dog New York LLC specializes in. And now with our flavor chemists onboard the sky is the limit. Rising demand for high-end flavored spirits, especially among the millennial population, is on the rise. The strong economy in various countries has led to increased consumer interest in high-end flavored spirits and more expensive drinks. This trend is fueled by easy access to information and a willingness to spend on desired products. As a result, the demand for flavored spirits is growing, with whiskey maintaining its popularity and securing a strong position in premium mixers. This trend is expected to significantly boost the growth of the flavored spirits market. Additionally, the demand for flavored spirits is further supported by the strong sales of high-end and super premium products. Learn more about this trend in the flavored spirits market: [Link to the report](https://lnkd.in/eBt-GQCm) 🥃📈 #FlavoredSpirits #MarketTrends #Millennials #Economy #Whiskey James Gracey Teng Zhao #abvcorp

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There are so many ways that Clif Family can help you share the holiday spirit with your employees, clients and business partners this season! #gifting #holidaygifting #groupgifting #corporategifting #businessgifting #winegifts #foodgifts

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We are alternative under the adult beverage umbrella. At SōRSE Technology, we've always considered ourselves as a food and beverage ingredient technology company versus a "cannabis company". Many of our clients identify more with the general beverage industry than the cannabis industry - And many of our target customers (when it comes to low dose beverages) don't identify as a cannabis consumer yet either! The positioning of the Adult Beverage Alliance is spot on and helping us align more with alcohol and other adult beverage alternatives. If you're in Massachusetts, check out this association and how you can get involved. https://lnkd.in/euuiBaAJ #drinkcannabis Craft Collective, Inc. Atlantic Beverage Distributors Cannabis Beverage Association Hemp Beverage Alliance

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