Ushma Patel

As operator's attempt to appeal to varying consumers, Gen Z remains top of mind for many. Read the article below for tips on appealing to this group of young purchasers!  #Idahoan #FoodserviceIndustry #GenZ #DemographicTrends

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Mycoprotein can be blended with a variety of animal proteins.

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We have big news for #PowerClient Golden Chick! The brand's Hand-Breaded Big & Golden Sandwich has just been recognized by MSN as a must-try chicken sandwich! This customer favorite features juicy, all-white meat chicken breasts that are hand-breaded and fried to crispy perfection. Topped with its signature Lotta Zing® sauce and five pickles on a fresh-baked roll, it’s a sandwich that truly delivers on taste and texture. Read the full article below. #GoldenChick #ChickenSandwich #FastFoodFavorites

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💰VC-Funded vs. Indie Brands in NA💰 I recently wrote a piece that celebrates the pioneers of the non-alcoholic drink industry. My dear friend and colleague, Christopher Marshall, is one of the pioneers I listed. He and I talk about the NA industry regularly—especially the financials, the role privilege plays in business, and why it’s important to support indie brands. We decided to have one of these convos on camera to show folks what it’s like to work in the non-alcoholic drink industry without having VC-funding. Chris Marshall is the founder of Sans Bar (the first NA bar in North America) and Sans Bar Academy (a virtual, 10-week course where people can learn the essentials of launching an NA brand, opening an NA bottleshop or bar, marketing, and much more!). He’s been in the NA scene before the NA scene was even a thing. In fact, I consider Chris Marshall to be the face of the non-alcoholic drink movement. A crown he kindly says belongs to the NA community as a whole. 👑 I’ve reported on the sober curious/mindful drinking movement since 2015. Until recently, my work focused on mental health, sobriety, liquid courage, and how all three intersect with our interpersonal relationships, all while sipping lots of NA drinks. I even wrote a book about research called Dry Humping. Now I’m on the other side of NA as a co-founder and CMO of my very own drink, (parentheses). Grab some tea, get cozy, and watch Chris and I discuss the following topics: 💰How VC-backed brands get different opportunities from indie brands 💰How much money brands (and authors!) are actually spending on publicists 💰The unique experience a customer has in NA bottleshops and NA bars vs buying NA drinks from a chain retailer 💰And most importantly, his adorable dog, Dexter, weighs in on the NA space from a canine perspective. 🔗Watch the convo here: https://rb.gy/0rqjgr

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🍇 Marketing Manager Wanted – Pacific Trellis Fruit 🍉 (Base - $110k/yr. – $130k/yr. – Hybrid in Los Angeles, CA) Do you have a passion for crafting unforgettable brand experiences and leading our team to drive marketing excellence? At Pacific Trellis Fruit, we’re all about providing fresh, juicy fruit that makes people smile, and we’re looking for a Marketing Manager who’s ready to bring the same energy and creativity to our marketing strategies! Who we are? We’re one of North America’s top year-round growers and importers of delicious fresh fruit like melons, grapes, peaches, and citrus. From the fields of Argentina to the farms right here in the U.S., we ensure only the best fruit reaches our customers' tables. Plus, we’re all about sustainability—partnering with Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade Certified™ growers to make the world a little greener and sweeter. What You’ll Be Doing: 🧩 Lead the team: Direct and manage the marketing team, setting priorities, assigning tasks, and training staff for success. 📈 Drive brand strategy: Develop strategic plans to increase brand equity and improve communication with consumers and trade partners. 💡 Create marketing plans: Lead the execution of marketing campaigns targeting both B2B customers and B2C consumers. 🎨 Manage brand visuals: Oversee all aspects of packaging design, visual media, and point-of-purchase displays to ensure they align with brand guidelines. 📊 Analyze the market: Monitor industry trends and competition to identify opportunities for growth and maintain our competitive edge. 🤝 Liaise with media: Collaborate with media and advertising agencies to execute advertising campaigns, public relations opportunities, and social media events. 🚀 Grow with us: Optimize our eCommerce presence and promotional opportunities to generate sales and boost brand visibility. What You’ll Bring: Marketing expertise: You know the ins and outs of brand management, strategic planning, and marketing execution. Leadership skills: Your team looks to you for guidance, and you’re ready to mentor them to success. Analytical mindset: You’re skilled in market analysis and enjoy solving problems through data-driven insights. Creativity and communication: You excel at creating engaging marketing campaigns and have strong verbal and written communication skills. The Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Agriculture Business, or a related field, with 5+ years of marketing experience in the food industry and 4+ years in a salaried management role. Work Location: Hybrid Base Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000 Target Total Cash Range: $121,000 - $143,000 Target total cash represents this role’s annualized cash earning potential at target, contingent on company performance and individual attainment of goals. Click this link to apply: https://lnkd.in/gFSdZiNC

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Chandon – A Spirits Brand Looking to Consolidate Agencies CHANDON, a wine and spirits manufacturer was looking to make their lives simpler by consolidating their large roster of agencies down to only one or two. We took them through our agency search process and BPN/Pollinate out of Oregon was ultimately selected to support their business. #casestudy #beverageindustry #wines #spirits #fullservicemarketing #pr #digitalmarketing

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West Food Brands Indiegogo campaign will be featured on The Associated Press. I will be sitting down talking with contributors to discuss our products and mission to change the CPG landscape. When I started West Food Brands I was first black owned donut and cookie mix brand in the world. This is scary to think that this is a multi billion dollar industry and not one black person owned a donut or cookie mix brand since me. This article will discuss how I turned down VC funding in the beginning, and why my campaign on Kickstarter had been denied due to systemic barriers. My hope long-term is not only more black owned brands can start CPG brands, however other minorities as well. African Americans spend roughly 1.2 trillion dollars in the USA today, however have the highest business failure rate than any other racial group. Also, African Americans face the highest poverty rate and unemployment rates in the USA. From the beginning I tried to help bridge the cap and educate people on why people should support black owned businesses. Also debunk theories about bad customer service and quality products. Supporting black businesses statistically will actually improve the whole entire US economy by a few trillion. Let's create more jobs and build communities of hope. This press release will highlight some great information on how I am changing the CPG industry, and bringing more diversity to the baking mix industry. Follow us on the journey at West Food Brands and our Indiegogo campaign if you haven't already done so. Try our products today before the Indiegogo campaign launches once it launches you will be able to only pre-order our products. R.I.P Wally Amos- "Nothing is an obstacle unless you say it is" #ap #associatedpress #pressrelease #article #news #Sunday #campaign #cpg #diversity #food #contributor #crowdfunding #emergingbrand #Amazon #indiegogo #wallyamos #glutenfree #Baltimore #blackowned #sustainability

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In today's CBD: Two of the largest Black-owned breweries, California's Crowns & Hops Brewing Co. and Full Circle Brewing Co., have struck a watershed alliance to leverage its members’ strengths and show up at market in a much bigger way. The new shared resources platform is dubbed “Circle of Crowns Beverage Group” (CCBG). The alliance “combines two leading Black-owned brands and centralizes production, sales and marketing between the two companies,” per announcement. Production will be centralized at Full Circle. Currently, the brands produce about 10,000 barrels collectively. It’s about “unlocking untapped opportunities” in the craft market, by "leveraging retail and venue diversity programs." Historically, Black suppliers have lacked the infrastructure to address these opportunities on a wide scale. CCBG also includes the historic Speakeasy Ales & Lagers brand, one of the oldest in San Francisco, and Sonoma Cider. "As you know, there's 9,000-plus breweries out there, and there's only 1% that are Black-owned," Arthur Moye, Full Circle founder, told CBD. "And I think, during a good period of the last half a decade or so, people have wanted to support Black-owned businesses. So you have major retailers reaching out to those 1%; you have distributors reaching out to those 1%; but then there hasn't been a structure by which they could significantly respond, because that 1% is mostly represented by people that don't have production facilities and can't create the margins and the economies of scale to sit on the shelves throughout the distribution networks of the chains." This starts to solve that. More here, we left the story open to all. https://lnkd.in/gsHErbeK

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Unlock the full potential of your email marketing with our exclusive Maximize Mailchimp Webinar Series designed specifically for nutrition, health, and wellness professionals. Transform how you approach your email strategy, helping you confidently create newsletters and convert emails into revenue-driving assets. Turn Emails Into Revenue Date: November 20th at 1:00 PM CST Expand your understanding of Mailchimp by diving into all the features to maximize your efforts. Elevate your approach with proven techniques that turn your email list into a reliable revenue stream. Discover how to craft compelling content, optimize your campaigns, and harness Mailchimp’s tools to grow your business. https://lnkd.in/getQ4Z3M

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🚨 Attention Adult Beverage Industry professionals! 🍸🍺 Ever felt like you're shouting into the void during your job hunt? 😔 I want to hear about your experiences with "ghosting" and lack of communication from hiring companies. Your stories could spark change! Share your frustrations and let's amplify our voices together. #JobSearchStruggles #Ghosting #CommunicationMatters #AdultBeverageIndustry #JobSearch #ShareYourStory 🗣️📉

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Picture this: It’s 9 a.m., and your inbox is already filling with questions about supplier approvals, product updates, and audit requirements. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you open #FoodLogiQ to tackle the first task: updating supply chain information for a product launch. Sound familiar? Check out our new blog to read more about how Trustwell’s FoodLogiQ is solving today’s food safety and quality challenges. Read the rest of the story. ➡️ #FSQAAllDay #foodsafety #dayinthelife https://lnkd.in/gfyXErqB

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As younger consumers look for meals that are both flavorful and affordable, Filipino cuisine is drawing increased attention, according to the “Flavor Chase” trends report for 2025 from Tastewise. #foodbusiness #healthandwellness https://ow.ly/jtvT50TSOC6

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The beverage industry is experiencing a surge in innovation, fueled by the evolving preferences of Gen Z consumers. However, navigating the legalities and complexities of the alcohol industry requires careful planning, specialized knowledge, and strategic execution. In this guide, we delve into the essential steps and considerations to navigate this dynamic industry successfully. From identifying your market and positioning your product for success to formulating your product and navigating the regulatory landscape, this guide offers invaluable insights to strategically plan, execute, and launch your alcohol brand.

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Non-alcoholic options aren’t cannibalizing alcohol revenue… ..they’re complementing it. New report from NielsenIQ shows an astounding 94% of non-alc consumers buy full-proof spirits in the same visit. #Nonalc buyers also spend 59% more on Total Alcohol versus those that exclusively buy alcohol 🤯 In other words, they’re your most valuable #customers. So what are some Top Tips to make your no & low options fly off the shelves? 👉 Prioritize: Visibility can make or break your non-alc section. Make sure your leading products are at eye level and place best-sellers from left to right. 👉 Invest in high-impact #POS: Shelf talkers and aisle violators increase awareness and drive #sales. 👉 Display non-alc in a second location: The storefront window, an endcap, case stacker, floor display, and barge inclusion are all great options. 👉 Know your products: There’s a whole array of non-alc products from mixers and RTDs to direct spirit replacements. Do a tasting, speak to your reps, and educate your staff. 👉 Take advantage of seasonal opportunities: The ever-popular Dry January drives huge volumes of non-alc sales during a traditionally down month for liquor. Display non-alc options prominently with Dry January messaging to capitalise on the moment, in-store and on-menu. Even on holidays like Thanksgiving and Cinco de Mayo, you can expect a substantial surge. 👉 Align promotions & activations: Enhance market penetration by aligning promotions with key calendar periods and #innovative product pricing. 👉 and as always, invest in high-quality, #customised design.. What other tips & tricks do you recommend? https://lnkd.in/eyrN6AHB

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America’s Weight Loss Revolution: Are We Finally Turning the Tide? 2023 marked a pivotal shift—after nearly five decades of rising obesity rates, America got less obese last year. For the first time in modern history, we're seeing what might be the spark that ignites a nationwide health transformation. GLP-1 drugs are reshaping how we think about weight loss—no longer is it simply about willpower or diet fads. We're talking about real, measurable change at scale for our most vulnerable population—those who have been victims of the high-sugar, ultra-processed foods that dominate our grocery stores. But here’s the thing: this movement goes beyond just medications. Better-for-you food & beverage companies are driving significant change by making healthier options more accessible than ever, and consumers are voting with their wallets for these types of products. Categories that once seemed owned by the “big guys” are being transformed. From energy drinks like Celsius, C4, and Ghost to the meteoric rise of low-sugar sodas like OliPop and Poppi, consumers are finally being offered choices that align with their health goals—without compromising on taste— and are being found wildly available. Brands like Premier Protein and Core Power are leading the protein revolution with rapid double-digit growth, while supplement companies like AG1 and Bloom are redefining wellness routines with eye-popping annual sales numbers. At Super Coffee, we’ve been tackling our own challenge in the coffee space since 2015. A lot of our work has been time spent swimming upstream, as for many Americans, their daily coffee ritual is almost a sacred moment. We aim to show customers they don’t have to sacrifice their beloved hyper indulgent coffee flavors popularized by Starbucks and Dunkin’ to pursue a healthier life. Through years of product evolution and ingredient innovation, Super Coffee offers a way to enjoy your favorite coffee ritual without compromising your health goals. Enough about us — here’s the trillion dollar question: What does this whole conversation mean for our future? As more people begin their weight loss journeys in America, will we see a significant shift in our food system toward making healthier items more available at scale? Let’s not ignore the data— 1 in 8 Americans are now using* GLP-1 drugs. This is not just a trend; it’s a seismic shift. Yet, 1 in 8 products on grocery shelves don’t provide the benefits needed to combat obesity. The overwhelming majority of space is still dominated by high-sugar, highly processed, prepackaged obesity options that have contributed to this crisis. (And don’t even get me started on gas station shelves if you’re looking for decently healthier options.) What do you think? Is the tidal wave of GLP1 Drugs going to allow us to see real change in 2025 on the shelves of the institutions that feed America, or is there still a long road ahead? #JakesAirplanePosts4.0

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Question for my food industry hiring managers and candidates. From your perspective, what do you feel is the biggest benefit you get from utilizing a retained search firm vs. contingent? I ask because we are in discussions about offering retained search services in tandem with contingent but we truly want to understand what our clients, potential clients and candidates feel about the difference. I truly appreciate you all weighing in on this!:)

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Despite being a mere sliver of land, stretching just 30 miles long and only a few miles wide, Napa Valley packs a hefty punch in the wine world. This tiny powerhouse hosts a tapestry of microclimates and soils, expertly tailored for nurturing a roster of wine grapes that would make any sommelier's heart sing. Here, celebrated varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay don’t just grow; they thrive, putting this pint-sized region on the map alongside the giants. Though it contributes just 4% to California’s wine grape bounty, Napa Valley was the first region in the state to earn its stripes as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) back in 1981. And let's not forget, while the world's wine stage is vast, Napa holds a unique claim with its dry Mediterranean climate—enjoyed by only 2% of the globe. This climate gifts Napa with a consistency in quality that other regions can only gaze upon with envy. Thanks to its eclectic geological past, Napa is a playground of diverse microclimates and some of the most varied soils on the planet, making it a veritable Eden for an assortment of premium wine grapes. Despite its global fame, Napa Valley remains quaint in scale, sporting only a fraction of the vineyard acreage of Bordeaux but still managing to keep things all in the family—95% of its wineries are family-owned, no less! In this underdog of wine regions, the commitment to viticulture yields a small but mighty grape harvest, from which local winemakers conjure world-renowned wines. If you’re curious to explore more about these vinous veterans and their liquid craftsmanship, sidle over to [https://lnkd.in/g74He52i] for a deeper pour. Dive into the heart of Napa’s winemaking with just a click—your palate may just thank you profusely. Cheers to that tiny titan of terroir! #napavalley #wineries #winetasting #wine #travellover #winemaker #merlot

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Working in marketing turns all of us into accidental anthropologists. For the last 6 months I've gotten a bit addicted to studying #GenZ and the impact they're having on our industry, and more specifically, the food industry. The proliferation of food influencers is just one byproduct of this fascinating generation and who better to spill my guts to on that topic than Elizabeth Green + Food Ingredients First!? tysm 🧡↓ #foodindustry #influencermarketing #marketing

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