Taste Radio

Manna Tree Partners, a private equity firm based in Vail, Colorado, describes itself as believing that "the future of health, well-being, and longevity is attainable through innovation in food." The firm's role in that vision? Invest in companies whose products are intended to make people feel and live better. Since its launch in 2018, Manna Tree has made mid-stage investments in 10 companies, including pasture-raised egg brand Vital Farms, indoor greenhouse pioneer Gotham Greens, organic kombucha maker Health-Ade, plant–based prepared food and beverage company Urban Remedy and The New Primal, a brand of clean-ingredient meat snacks and condiments. Manna Tree also holds stakes in tech-driven service and supplier companies including those focused on gut health and plant-derived ingredients. In an interview featured in this episode, Ross Iverson, the co-founder and chief investment officer of Manna Tree Partners discussed the firm's investment philosophy and how consumer education and accessibility factor into its funding decisions, why diligence plays a bigger role than innovation when evaluating companies and how Manna Tree assesses companies at pre-seed and Series A levels. Show notes: 0:44: Ross Iverson, Co-Founder & CIO, Manna Tree Partners – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif sat down with Iverson for an expansive conversation about Manna Tree's vision and focus, including the reason for the firm's office location, how the team incorporates its personal brand passions into the company's funding strategy and the notion that Manna Tree believes in "a food-based approach to health care." Iverson also discussed the firm's ESG+H investment philosophy, how Manna Tree continues to thoughtfully deploy capital from its $141.5 million fund, how its team identified synergies and growth opportunities among portfolio companies and why reaching out to the firm via its website is preferable to (literally) knocking on its door. Brands in this episode: Biena, Vital Farms, Urban Remedy, Gotham Greens, Health-Ade, KeVita, The New Primal

Carlton Fowler is back for another round. The co-founder and managing partner of Goat Rodeo Capital, a venture capital firm that holds stakes in several fast-growing beverage alcohol, non-alcoholic drink and premium snack brands first joined us for an interview in October 2020. Fowler's return to Taste Radio this week follows the recent launch of Goat Rodeo's second fund, from which the firm has made investments in hop-centric beverage company HopLark and premium canister snack brand The Good Crisp. Those companies joined a portfolio that includes ready-to drink cocktail brand DRNXSMYTH, canned wine company Archer Roose and Lemon Perfect, a brand of cold-pressed lemon water drinks. As part of our discussion, Fowler reflected upon the data and business criteria that influenced Goat Rodeo's initial investments and how that information is being utilized to make new funding decisions. He also spoke about how the firm evaluates non-portfolio DTC brands and their potential for omnichannel success, weighed in the continued blurring of lines within the non-alcoholic beverage and beverage alcohol industries and explained why Goat Rodeo's second fund will not include investments in cannabis beverages, despite Carlton being bullish about the future of the space. Show notes: 0:44: Carlton Fowler, Managing Partner, Goat Rodeo Capital – Fowler and Taste Radio editor Ray Latif riffed on the investor's role as a judge for BevNET's Cocktail Showdown 2 competition and a tweet about two of his two passions appearing in a limited-edition product. Fowler also spoke about how Goat Rodeo has and continues to deploy capital for its second fund, his perspective on brands that attempt to create a new category versus seeking an addressable market for their products and how he evaluates brand success on Amazon. Later, he explained why he celebrates greater crossover among non-alcoholic, spirit and beer brands, the reason he sees a big runway for zero-proof drinks and why cannabis drinks are on his mind, even if not part of Goat Rodeo's second fund. Brands in this episode: Golden Rule Spirits, Social Hour Cocktails, Arby's, Lay's, Guinness, HopLark, The Good Crisp, Lemon Perfect, Liquid Death, Tito's, Mountain Dew, Twisted Tea, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Monster Energy, Topo Chico, Seedlip, Heineken, Budweiser, CANN, Levia

Taste Radio's hosts reflected upon last week's highly publicized deal between the Coca-Cola Co. and Constellation Brands in which the soda and spirit giants collaborated on a new Fresca branded RTD cocktail line, as well as other headlines from the past week, including a legacy beer company's dip into a growing pool of hop-centric drinks and news of Liquid Death's colossal funding round. They also discussed a flaming hot line extension for a not-so-NOSHy snack brand, why this month could be described as "Cannuary" for one member of the team and highlighted several new beverages and bites, including pancake-flavored puffs and a line of small-batch chai concentrates. Show notes: 0:37: The Softest Tee Ever. Plus, A Mixed Bag Of Bevs, Burning Bites And Big Apple Booze. – The hosts reminded listeners to review Taste Radio on the Apple Podcasts app and the team will send you a free T-shirt. John Craven explained why Fresca Mixed makes more sense than Jack & (branded) Coke, Jacqui Brugliera discussed emerging hop-portunities in the beverage industry and Mike Schneider offered a suggestion for a new Liquid Death flavor. Later, Ray Latif broke out the snacks and the hosts collectively riffed on brands that are likely familiar to listeners and their versions of "Dry January." Brands in this episode: Fresca, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel's, Topo Chico, Sierra Nevada, HopLark, Liquid Death, Cocaine Energy, Doritos, Like Air, RIND, Fly By Jing, Recess, Kimbala, Jack & Annie's, Wunder, Moon Intergalactic, Waterford Whisky, Strykk, Everleaf, Great Jones Distilling

If you're not familiar with jackfruit, you're not alone. The fruit, while long valued by the vegan community for its sinuous meat-like texture, is relatively unknown among Americans. Annie Ryu, the founder and CEO of The Jackfruit Company and sister brand Jack & Annie's, is aiming to change that. Over the past decade, Ryu built the largest global supply chain for jackfruit, also referred to as "jack," a high-yield yet underutilized crop that grows in warm and tropical climates. Amid a growing number of Americans embracing plant-based lifestyles, jackfruit has gradually appeared in natural and conventional grocery stores across the U.S. where brands like The Jackfruit Company process, package and sell it as a plant-based alternative to chicken, pork and beef. Launched in 2015, The Jackfruit Co. markets jackfruit-based ready-to-eat meals and ingredients that are sold in approximately 6,200 stores across the U.S. In 2020, the company introduced Jack and Annie's, a spin-off brand designed for mainstream consumers. Jack and Annie's sells plant-based nuggets, wings, meatballs and sausages that are available at 1,500 stores including those of Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegmans, and Target. Last month, the company announced a $23 million Series B round which will be deployed to help expand distribution and build awareness of Jack & Annie's. In an interview featured in this episode, Ryu spoke about her initial vision to support farming communities in India by incentivizing production of jackfruit, how she began building the company while still an undergraduate student at Harvard, how Jack & Annie's is positioned within a competitive set for plant-based meat and what she's learned about entrepreneurship and the value of persistence. Show notes: 0:44: Annie Ryu, Founder/CEO, Jack & Annie's – Ryu and Taste Radio editor Ray Latif riffed on Jack & Annie's plant-based sausages, why the entrepreneur became a vegetarian, how she became the valedictorian of her class at Harvard and why she shifted focus from a career in medicine to public health. Ryu also discussed jackfruit amid the rise in awareness and consumption of plant-based meat, identifying the right messaging to attract retail buyers and consumers and how she initially raised funds for the company via pitch competitions and angel investors. Later, she discussed the development of the Jack & Annie's brand and its packaging, why she's never been discouraged by the length of time it took to build her company, why education continues to drive her and how she aligns with like-minded advisors and investors. Brands in this episode: The Jackfruit Company, Jack & Annie's, Impossible Foods, Beyond Meat

Todd Carmichael wants to add a bit more sparkle to your water. But not the kind you're used to. Nearly three decades after he co-founded pioneering third-wave coffee brand La Colombe, Carmichael is once again breaking new ground with the launch of innovative "shimmering water" brand Loftiwater. Launched in December, Loftiwater debuted a few weeks after Carmichael stepped down as CEO of La Colombe. In the months leading up to and following his departure, Carmichael, a serial innovator, spent dozens of hours in his basement lab attempting to find a way to create a different, better kind of sparkling water experience. The result was Loftiwater, a new brand of sparkling – but importantly, not carbonated – water. Instead, the company uses a blend of gases to create what it describes as "a galaxy of sweet velvety microbubbles." Packaged in 14 oz. plastic bottles and available in six flavors, the drinks contain no calories, sugars or preservatives, yet are "deceptively sweet," according to the brand's website. In an interview featured in this episode, Carmichael spoke about the reasons behind his decision to leave La Colombe, how the pandemic influenced his mindset and inspired a fresh start, his ambitious vision for Loftiwater as a third option for restaurant diners and why the brand's early start included a chartered plane to Venezuela. Show notes: 0:44: Todd Carmichael, Co-Founder, La Colombe & Loftiwater – Carmichael and Taste Radio editor Ray Latif began their conversation by riffing on the roller coaster that was 2021, their "dress down" business attire and why the La Colombe co-founder loves "The Matrix." Carmichael also explained why he's more driven by obsession than fear, why he believes that "if it's easy to climb a mountain, you shouldn't be climbing it," how he landed on sparkling water as the basis for his next beverage brand and how he intends to drive trial for Loftiwater. Later, he spoke about why he describes Loftiwater as "The Third Water," why he's optimistic about the future of La Colombe despite his departure, why he chose to build a production facility rather than work with a co-manufacturer and the musical analogy for explaining why he decided to stay in the beverage business. Brands in this episode: La Colombe, Loftiwater, Vitaminwater, BodyArmor, Stirrings, Spindrift

In Taste Radio's final episode of 2021, the hosts spoke about why entrepreneurs launching new and innovative concepts need to consider the addressable market for their brands and products in 2022. They also discussed the news that a high-profile kombucha company has leapt into the growing pool of probiotic sodas, a fast-growing snack brand's recent raise and a number of notable products that crossed their desks over the past week. Show notes: 0:37: Seltzers, Snacks And Scoops – The episode hosts, which included BevNET/NOSH reporter Adrianne DeLuca and BevNET managing editor Martín Caballero alongside Taste Radio regulars Ray Latif and Jacqui Brugliera, chatted about their respective college experiences, go-to-market strategies for innovative brands and whether probiotic sodas can win over consumers who shun kombucha. They also riffed on better-for-you chips, palate-pleasing juice shots and celebrity-aligned ice cream brands. Brands in this episode: Poppi, Culture Pop, Health-Ade, Olipop, Humm, The Good Crisp, Pringles, So Good So You, Vive Organic, Aura Bora, Taika, Ben & Jerry's, Babybel, Munchrooms, Tom & Luke, JD's Vegan

This special edition of the podcast features highlights from interviews with six founders, creators and innovators who joined us on the show during the second half of 2021. Our guests include award-winning television host, chef and writer Andew Zimmern; Vanessa Pham, the co-founder and CEO of Omsom; Erewhon chief growth officer Kabir Jain; Catherine Dockery the founder of Vice Ventures; Foxtrot Market co-founder and CEO Mike LaVitola; and Danielle LiVolsi, the founder and CEO of Nuttzo. Show notes: 0:42: Interview: Andrew Zimmern, Host, "Family Dinner" – We kick things off with award-winning television host, chef and writer Andrew Zimmern, whose latest TV series "Family Dinner" is now in its second season. In the following clip, pulled from our episode featured on November 30, Zimmern spoke about why he believes that great brands don't necessarily need to be the best brands, why he believes elitism is hampering solutions to issues of food accessibility and affordability, and his position that GMOs – applied within reason – continue to play an important role in the food system. 8:32: Interview: Vanessa Pham, Co-Founder & CEO, Omsom – Next, we're joined by Vanessa Pham, the co-founder and CEO of Omsom, an innovative brand of starter kits for cooking Asian dishes at home. In a clip pulled from an episode featured on October 26, Pham spoke about about the inspiration for and meaning behind Omsom, why she and her co-founder and sister Kim set out to build a brand for all consumers, why observers may be mistaken into thinking the company has a niche focus and how Omsom's PR strategy has been effective in attracting national media attention. 16:12: Interview: Kabir Jain, Chief Growth Officer, Erewhon – We continue with Kabir Jain, the chief growth officer of upscale L.A.-based grocery chain Erewhon. In the clip, from our episode published on November 9, Jain explained why Erewhon describes itself as an "idea," how the retailer defines innovation, why he describes brand selection as both "an art and science," and the reasons that the company will say "yes" to some brands and "no" to others. 24:12: Interview: Catherine Dockery, Founder, Vice Ventures – Next, we feature Catherine Dockery, the founder of seed-stage venture capital fund Vice Ventures, which describes itself as "conquering stigmas and striving towards superior returns by investing in good companies operating in 'bad' industries." In the included clip, from an episode published on August 31, Dockery explained what piques her interest in a first meeting and how she works with founders and operators to achieve their collective goals. 27:45: Interview: Mike LaVitola, Co-Founder & CEO, Foxtrot Market – We continue with Mike LaVitola, the co-founder & CEO and Foxtrot Market, a fast-growing chain of hybrid corner stores and cafés that is redefining convenience for modern consumers. In a clip pulled from an episode aired on July 27, LaVitola discussed how the company communicates its business model to consumers and industry professionals, the retailer's target consumer, how it cultivates an intimate understanding of its customers and how analytical and anecdotal data factor into the Foxtrot's product selection and merchandising strategy. 36:58: Interview: Danielle LiVolsi, Founder/CEO, Nuttzo – Finally, we close with a conversation with Danielle LiVolsi, the founder and CEO of Nuttzo, a brand of premium nut- and seed-based butters. In a clip pulled from an episode published on October 19, LiVolsi discussed why self-care is great for ideation, the benefits of bootstrapping and why she fears regret more than she does failure. Brands in this episode: Spindrift, Jeni's, Fly By Jing, Omsom, Dunkaroos, NuttZo

Years ago, Taco Bell implored people to "make a run for the border." It's a slogan that probably irked Hector Saldivar, a Mexican born entrepreneur who views fast food tacos and burritos as poor representations of his country's cuisine and culture. Moreover, he believes that menu items like those at Taco Bell have misled generations of Americans into thinking that Mexican food is cheap, greasy and lacking in nutritional value. It's one of the reasons that Salitivar launched Tia Lupita, a brand rooted in the flavors of his mother's kitchen and better-for-you, sustainable ingredients. Tia Lupita markets a flagship line of clean label hot sauces, along with grain-free and low carb tortillas and tortilla chips that are made with a base of cactus flour. The brand, whose logo features a caricature of Hector's bespectacled mother with a pink curling roller in her hair, is carried at retailers including Whole Foods and Central Market, and recently landed chain-wide distribution of its hot sauces at H-E-B. In an interview featured in this episode, Saldivar spoke about how Tia Lupita has positioned itself as both a modern and authentic Mexican food brand, how he's attempting to educate consumers around one of the brand's key ingredients, the retail strategy for three distinct product lines and what he's learned as an immigrant entrepreneur. Show notes: 0:44: Hector Saldivar, Founder/CEO, Tia Lupita – Saldivar spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about why he was especially excited about Tia Lupita being on shelf at H-E-B, why the first words in his LinkedIn bio are "I am an immigrant" and how recipes link generations of Mexican families. He also explained his decision to leave a corporate role at a large food company in order to launch Tia Lupita, using the brand's logo and labels to counter stereotypes about Mexican culture, and why the company is focused on updating and innovating authentic food. Later, he discussed his perspective on the growing number of better-for-you Mexican food brands and how Tia Lupita is promoting nutritional value as a way to differentiate itself from competitors, his mother's surprising admission about the brand's hot sauces, identifying white space for lower calorie tortillas, why he describes the company's tortilla chips as "a happy accident" and how he addressed an ever-present elephant in the room. Brands in this episode: Tia Lupita, Siete

Back at the BevNET HQ and WCB (West Coast Branch) offices, Taste Radio's hosts reflected on the nine-day, three-event, four-competition extravaganza that was Brewbound Live, NOSH Live and BevNET Live. As part of their conversation, the hosts discussed the value of in-person networking, connecting with entrepreneurs for the first time after two years of virtual meetings and why some attendees were surprised by Ray's height. Later, the hosts chatted about the decision of a well-known entrepreneur to step down as CEO of his company and riffed on new products that came to market over the past month. Show notes: 0:38: Home Again, Ray ≠ Roy, The Most Beloved Person In Food & Bev – While happy to be home, Ray was confused as to why event attendees believe he looks like a certain character from the TV show "Ted Lasso." The hosts praised and thanked Stephanie Haughey, a Whole Foods veteran who is known in the food and beverage community for championing and mentoring early-stage brands. They also celebrated the founders of ginger beverage brand Ginsation, True Scoops, a maker of DIY ice cream and Essential Candy, which markets hard candy infused with essential oils and spoke about why the industry applauded Ugly Drinks co-founder Hugh Thomas' decision to exit the company to focus on self-care. Brands in this episode: Natural Delights, True Scoops, Ginsation, Essential Candy, Nemi, Nana Joes, Waju, Funkytown Brewery, Kokada, Golden Rule, Hiyo, Super Coffee, Athletic Brewing Co., Poppi, Dokkebier, Ugly Drinks, Organifi

An early-stage investment in Sweetgreen helped set the table. Now, Maxine Kozler Koven is focused on funding companies whose brands will complete the meals of future generations. Koven is the co-founder and co-managing partner of LDR Ventures & Consulting, a female-led, California-based venture capital and management consulting firm. LDR invests in and advises consumer brands, technology and service companies at the seed and Series A level. In addition to Sweetgreen, the firm's portfolio includes stakes in online grocery platform Thrive Market, organic herbal tea brand Shaka Tea, better-for-you meal kit company Territory Foods and Moku, a brand of mushroom-based jerky. LDR's primary focus is providing mentorship and investment in companies led by female and BIPOC entrepreneurs. The goal, according to the firm, is to address systemic shifts and emerging behavioral trends, and simply "make people's lives better." In an interview recorded at BevNET Live Winter 2021, we spoke with Koven, who was a speaker and judge as part of the event's New Beverage Showdown 22 competition, for an insider's perspective on LDR's funding history and investment philosophy. As part of our conversation, she spoke about the importance of nurturing the development of early-stage founders, the relevance of innovation when evaluating new concepts and her answer as to why there has been an historical lack of funding for female-led companies. Show notes: 0:44: Maxine Kozler Koven, Co-Founder & Co-Managing Director, LDR Ventures & Consulting – Koven and Taste Radio editor Ray Latif chatted about her first experience at BevNET Live and notable conversations from the event, their shared history as graduates of Boston University and how her background as a music/talent manager relates to her roles as an investor and advisor. She also spoke about how she met the founders of Sweetgreen and evaluated the company's business model, why LDR's ethos evolved as the firm met new founders and why Koven says that LDR invests in brands "for the reasons that they might not get investment from traditional VC firms." Later, she explained why LDR invested in Thrive Market despite its very lean beginnings, how the deal with Shaka Tea came together and what impressed Koven about the founders, missing out on investing in Health-Ade, enlisting a sampling team from across the U.S. as part of the process for evaluating new brands, why she encourages more wealthy people to invest in early-stage startups and why consistent communication between entrepreneurs and investors is key to a successful relationship. Brands in this episode: Sweetgreen, Shaka Tea, Moku, Thrive Market, Sourse, Zico