CPG Operator Podcast

As major food and beverage companies move away from artificial dyes, demand for natural colors is putting new pressure on supply, pricing and product development. Even brands that have used natural colors from day one could feel the impact. Can Koyuncu, Co-Founder and CMO of Chapter Foods; Tessa Porter, Owner and President of Sprinkk; and Maxi Heidenblut, Founder and CEO of Häppy Candy, break down what's changing, why natural colors are so challenging to work with, and how brands can protect their products, margins and supply chains. You will learn: How to secure natural color supply when larger brands are competing for the same ingredients Which colors are most vulnerable to shortages and what alternatives are worth exploring Why a color that passes R&D can still fail months later, and how to test for it When matching your product's original color is worth the cost—and when a different look makes more sense How to calculate the true cost of natural colors beyond the ingredient price, including formulation, processing and shelf-life risks

Today's functional beverage shoppers aren't just buying energy or hydration. They're buying a feeling, like focus to get through the afternoon or a calming ritual to wind down at night. In this episode, Melissa Traverse sits down with Brittney Strickland, Director of Marketing, Foodservice, and Emily Riha, R&D Scientist, of Vibrant Ingredients. They discuss how "tempo drinking" is reshaping product briefs, how to separate lasting social trends from passing fads, and the real trade-offs behind popular functional ingredients like adaptogens, magnesium and L-theanine. They also cover why flavor has to match function, and what it takes to get a formula from the bench to the production line. Sponsored by Vibrant Ingredients.

Consumers are increasingly turning to AI to discover products and decide what to buy. But how do you get your brand recommended? Deana Burke, co-founder of tech media company Boys Club, has studied thousands of AI shopping searches and even got a fictional brand recommended in just three weeks. She shares what she's learned about the new AI shelf and practical ways brands can improve visibility, stand out from competitors and get recommended. You will learn: How AI platforms decide which brands to recommend How to find searches where you can outperform competitors What website and product information improves AI visibility How to test your brand's visibility across AI platforms and spot missed opportunities How smaller brands can compete with established players for AI recommendations

What makes investors want to bet on a founder? Rogers Healy, founder of Morrison Seger Venture Capital Partners, sees countless investment opportunities a day but pursues very few. So what makes a founder stand out? This conversation reveals what investors look for beyond the numbers, the qualities and behaviors that attract them or send them running, and how founders can make themselves and their brands more attractive to investors.   You will learn: What makes an investor bet on a founder, even when they're not sold on the product How to demonstrate relentless drive without crossing the line into arrogance How to identify and leverage passionate consumer communities as proof of demand How your social media presence can attract investors or raise red flags Why knowing your weaknesses and surrounding yourself with the right people makes you more investable

The obvious path to growth isn't always the right one for your product. Burlap & Barrel has built a successful spice business by making some decidedly unconventional choices about where it sells, how it reaches consumers and what it refuses to compromise. Founder Ethan Frisch joins Sourcery founder Bhavna Kolakaluri, to dig into the creative ways brands can work around the realities of their products instead of forcing them into a growth model that doesn't fit. You will learn: How to decide whether coveted retailers like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's actually make sense for your business How to sell a product that's difficult to sample through traditional in-store demos How to make a premium product feel worth the money when consumers are watching their spending How to work around long production cycles using multiple sales channels and other operational strategies How changing something as simple as case-pack size can make your product work for smaller retailers