Ranwei Chiang

From cottage cheese to whole milk, find out why dairy foods are back in the spotlight and here to stay in this new article written by Dairy Council of CA CEO Amy DeLisio. #CAdairy #SustainableEating #NutritionScience

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Did you see our feature in the Sacramento Business Journal? We are sharing how Exceedient Foods, the innovation arm of Farmers' Rice Cooperative, is revolutionizing the food industry with single-source gluten-free ingredient solutions. 🌾✨ Dive into the full article to explore our commitment to shaping a future of delicious and sustainable food:https://lnkd.in/gkUarX24

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In this episode of The Natural List, co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith are joined by nutrition experts Jessie Shafer, RD and Debra Eschmeyer. According to Eschmeyer, two out of three children on average drink a sugary beverage every day. Moreover, children consume approximately fifty-three pounds of added #sugar per year. To combat this acclimation to extremely sweet products, many #CPG brands are starting to reduce added sugar and natural sweeteners in children’s products and increasing nutrients like fiber and protein. Bottom line: when it comes to sweetness, less is more. Listen here: https://utm.io/ugPXr #naturalproducts #brands #lowsugar #childrensnutrition

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The resurgence of dairy foods is just beginning, and there is much to anticipate. Take a look at our newest column from Amy DeLisio, MPH, RDN, the CEO of Dairy Council of California, to learn more. #DairyCouncilofCalifornia #AmyDelisio #DairyFoods #DairyResurgence https://lnkd.in/g7Rd4Dtg

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Ventura Foods is a California-based joint venture between CHS and Mitsui & Co. that produces oil-based ingredients and food products for the foodservice industry. Co-owning Ventura Foods directly connects CHS farmer-owners to the food supply chain, says Todd Biedenfeld, director of vegetable oil and sunflower sales with CHS. “CHS has had incredible returns from our soy and canola processing businesses over the last few years and Ventura Foods is a large contributor to that success,” he says. “Rewards to owners traditionally end when we ship out the refined oil and meal from our facilities. Owning 50% of Ventura Foods allows CHS to participate more completely in the supply chain and when Ventura Foods is profitable, we share in that success.” Learn more about Ventura Foods and how it is driving oilseed demand: https://bit.ly/3Uzm1H8.

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Check out this great summary of what we served up at Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) FIRST this week in Prepared Foods Magazine. #SugarReduction #FunctionalBeverage #Food #Beverage #TasteBlazers #IFT2024 #Health #Wellness #ProductDevelopment

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Dive into the latest edition of Dairy Processing Magazine, featuring Dairy Council of California's Nutrition & Industry Affairs Officer, Ashley Rosales, RDN. Discover her insights on consumer behavior and the functional health benefits of dairy across the lifespan. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q02Gh9D80 #dairy #dairynutrition #dairycouncilofca #dairyprocessing #health

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Since my talk at IFT, I've been seeing ashwaganda EVERYWHERE, even more so than what I did before. Could it be the next ingredient in our longevity toolkit? This article says yes! Review reveals benefits of ashwagandha on 'inflammaging' https://buff.ly/4c8V97E

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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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Excited to be featured in AndNowUKnow! Check out this article to learn more about AvoIntel and what Mission can do for your avocado (and mango!) categories!

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How is the rise of GLP-1 drugs and health-conscious consumers impacting the grocery and food industry? We explore this and more in the latest issue of California Grocer magazine, “The New Food Frontier.” Read on page 16: https://lnkd.in/gMy24NSS

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As consumers seek healthier options in their food choices, fermented foods have seen a resurgence in popularity, and Fermented Food Holdings (FFH) hopes to take advantage of the rising demand. The company recently promoted Jorge Azevedo from chief operating officer to be its first CEO, and he joins the Food For Thought podcast to discuss the company’s growth and its mission moving forward. In addition, Azevedo offers his insights into the fermented foods marketplace and the demand for those products from consumers, and how FFH is looking to grow not just in the fermented foods space, but also as a functional foods company. Listen to the episode with the link below or find us on your favorite podcast streaming service! #FermentedFoodHoldings #FFH #fermentedfood #fermentedfoodmarketplace #functionalfoods #FoodForThought #foodpodcast #foodprocessing #foodnews https://lnkd.in/gN_kpxT3

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Key Fundraising Announcements In The Food Industry - Q1 2024 (CPG Wire) Voyage Foods, a purveyor of alternative pantry staples that are better for people and the planet, raised $22M from Valor Equity Partners, Horizon Ventures, Level One Fund, and others. Honey Mama's, an Oregon-based purveyor of refrigerated truffle bars, raised $8.7M in equity funding. Irresistible Foods Group led the round with additional participation from Oregon Venture Fund and Amberstone. Mezcla, a producer of plant-based, globally-inspired protein bars, raised $4M in Series A funding. The round was co-led by Dream Ventures and Santatera Capital. Rivalz™, a Sonoma-based functional snack brand, secured $6.1M in seed funding led by The March Group. Rivalz produces a better-for -you version of Combos that’s high in both protein and fiber. Daily Harvest, a producer of chef-crafted meals and smoothies, secured $11.5M in debt and equity funding from undisclosed investors. Serenity Kids, a leading shelf-stable baby & toddler food brand, raised $52M in Series B funding from Stride Consumer Partners. Amara , closed a $20M Series B round led by HumanCo. Other investors include Melitas Ventures and Touch Capital.

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SKU's mentor community has deep experience building brands and disrupting categories, whether that be Matthew OHayer, who upended the egg industry with Vital Farms, or Jeff Richards, who launched Mooala, which has created new innovations within the plant-based milk segment. SKU Fall '24 mentor Jill Talcott  is a passionate food and beverage lover and creator with a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. During her time as a leader in innovation, commercialization and development at Starbucks for over 16 years, working on CPG and food-service projects for the U.S. and International markets. She developed and launched coconut milk to over 15K stores, pioneered the development of alternative milks to replace traditional dairy bases and delivered a breakthrough beverage innovation through a new chocolate strategy. During her time as a leader in innovation and development at Starbucks, Jill is most proud of her work in taking the cold coffee experience to new levels through innovative thought leadership, passion, teamwork, and a devotion to finding solutions. She was the winner of Starbucks' “Trail Blazer” and “Courage” awards for Innovation (championing and driving big ideas to life). As a Food Tech Evangelist at Amazon, Jill developed and trained the team on the product development process and established trained panel to guide rapid product and packaging decision making .   In 2021 she started UpCup Creations, a beverage development consulting firm. She has helped small brands bring numerous products to market from coffee beverages to cocktails in can, and many things in between. Her specialties are beverage innovation, product development, including ingredient sourcing and Commercialization. If you would like to work with passionate founders and rocks stars like Jill, we have a small number of mentor spots left for talented CPG leaders. If you would like to learn more, fill out our Mentor Interest Form and we will schedule an interview. https://lnkd.in/grvpPD8e Michelle Breyer Buff Greebe Maddie S. Brooke Wilson #mentors #mentoring #mentorshipmatters #accelerator #cpgaccelerator #startups #cpgstartups #founders #cpgfounders #entrepreneurship #cpg #cpgs #consumerpackagedgoods #consumerproducts #foodandbeverage #innovation #commercialization #productcreation #productlaunch #coffee #coldbrew #coldcoffee #coffeeinnovation #productinnovation

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When Consumers Pull Back, Only brands with high perceived value earn the right not to be traded down. This WSJ article (may be paywalled) made me reflect on how food companies adjust to consumer feedback. - Consumers are pulling back in the U.S. and China, indicating a slowdown in spending. - Restaurant chains and food manufacturers are responding to consumer dissatisfaction with high prices by offering deals and introducing new products. - Companies like Domino's Pizza are raising prices at a slower pace and implementing more discounts to attract customers back to their brands. Profit Margins Remain Strong for Food Industry: - Major restaurant chains and food manufacturers have seen profits soar, with some reaching or surpassing 2019 levels. - Gross margins for many food makers are at or near prepandemic levels, indicating financial stability. Economic Growth Boosts Food Company Earnings: - Food companies have enjoyed record quarterly profits, aligning with economic growth trends. - Efforts to become more efficient and scale back pandemic-era measures have contributed to increased profits. Consumer Response to Pricing Strategies: - Consumer sentiment on food prices is mixed, with concerns about overcharging and shrinking product sizes. - While some consumers are cutting back on dining out, others are adjusting to higher prices and looking for value deals. Promotions and Discounts to Drive Sales: - Companies like McDonald's and Starbucks are launching promotional offers to attract customers back and improve sales volumes. - Food makers like Mondelez and General Mills are lowering prices, offering discounts, and enhancing product taste to drive consumer interest. Challenges in Winning Back Consumer Trust: - Executives acknowledge the challenge of winning consumers back post-inflation, requiring sustained efforts and investments. - The slow pace of consumer trust rebuilding highlights the complexity of addressing pricing concerns and ensuring affordability. Focus on Value and Affordability: - Restaurants are emphasizing value meals and affordable options to retain and attract customers. - Food manufacturers are reducing prices, offering discounts, and improving product quality to maintain competitiveness. Future Strategies and Consumer Engagement: - Companies anticipate a gradual process in winning back consumer trust post-inflation and emphasize the need for sustained investments. - Enhanced promotions, discounts, and product improvements aim to engage consumers and drive sales growth. Hiring Slowdown Fuels Bets on Rate Cut: - A hiring slowdown is fueling expectations of a larger rate cut by the Federal Reserve. - This development reflects concerns about the economic outlook and the potential need for monetary policy adjustments. I write about training marketers so that CMOs have a focused team to build profitable brands. Get a copy of my BrandTips® newsletter. See more in the comments. #marketing #branding #management #mentoring

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This one daily habit helps me stay focused as a CPG entrepreneur: (Spoiler alert: it’s not “cold plunging”) Can you guess what habit this is? If you guessed “journaling,” you’d be right! Everyone’s favorite productivity hack didn’t work for me. In fact: I was against it for a long time. (I have dozens of unfinished notebooks in my office right now, gathering cobwebs in my drawers) My problem is that I would be consistent, write every day, and then fall of it for a bit… for seemingly no reason. I just thought maybe journaling didn’t work for me. I was wrong. I found a system that actually works: An electric notebook. This helped me build a daily writing habit: To-do lists, goals, my self-development journey, etc. I started writing whatever I wanted. Almost immediately, I was: • Checking in with myself, morning and night • Reflecting on my day with intention and gratitude • Being more present, conscious, and aware of my goals Most of all: Journaling has helped me stay aligned with my core values, mission, and vision—as a CPG entrepreneur, and not-too-serious human. If you’re building a business, you need to stay focused on your long-term vision. Whether you use journaling, meditation, to-do lists, or another form of reflection to stay on track… Just try sticking with it. See what happens in a few months, or even a year. You never know what could happen. P.S. Do you journal? If so, are you Team Electric or Team Ordinary Notebook? 

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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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Thinking of Building a CPG Brand? Here’s How to Create Something Customers Didn’t Even Know They Needed. Having spent over 20 years in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) space, here’s a piece of hard-earned advice: great brands solve unspoken needs. Sometimes, customers don’t realize what they’re missing until you provide it. But before you dive in, here’s a roadmap that can help you avoid common pitfalls: 1. **Identify Hidden Needs**: Instead of reimagining the wheel, focus on making something *better*—a unique, healthier, or more affordable twist on a product people already use. It’s about filling a gap they didn’t know was there, without trying to create a brand-new category that demands massive marketing spend. 2. **Validate Early**: Too many CPG players skip the Proof of Concept and MVP stages, launching without truly knowing if the product fits. Test and refine to reach Product-Market Fit before scaling. This ensures not only a solid product but also a healthy P&L, setting you up for a profitable and sustainable business. 3. **No Frills, Just Value**: Stick to the essentials. Emphasize the unique selling point that genuinely matters to your audience. Every dollar saved from avoiding “bells and whistles” is a dollar that can support growth. 4. **Cause-Driven, Cost-Effective Marketing**: Paid ads can quickly drain your budget. Instead, collaborate with purpose-driven initiatives and content creators whose audiences align with your brand. This builds trust and creates authentic connections at a fraction of the cost. In the end, success in CPG is about creating value that resonates, scaling thoughtfully, and building profitability from day one. Keep it simple, impactful, and truly customer-focused. #CPG #BrandBuilding #ConsumerGoods #ProductMarketFit #MVP #ProofOfConcept #NoFrills #CustomerNeeds #CollaborativeMarketing #BrandGrowth #SustainableBusiness #UniqueSellingPoint #AffordableInnovation #HealthyProducts #MarketValidation #CauseMarketing #ContentCreators #CustomerCentric #ScalableGrowth #LeanLaunch #Profitability #CustomerExperience #BrandLoyalty #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #ProductDevelopment #CPGIndustry #BrandAwareness #PurposeDriven

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