Latest news with #ExpoWest
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Investing in the Earth: Natural, Organic and Regenerative Food and Ag Surges in Popularity
Sales continue to grow, now at $325 Billion annually by Steve Hoffman of Compass Natural Marketing NORTHAMPTON, MA / / May 19, 2025 / The market for organic food and agriculture has grown significantly since the National Organic Program was first established in 2001, placing the USDA Certified Organic seal on products that qualify for this distinction. Today, it's a $70-billion market that's been growing an average of 8% per year. And while it may be maturing, younger consumers, including new parents and their babies, are eating it up. And now, in the post-pandemic era, investors are once again paying attention to the potential of organic and regenerative products and brands that take into account health and the environment, and how the way we produce our food and consumer products affects climate change. A survey released recently by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the industry's leading trade group, found that organic's benefits to personal health and nutrition are resonating deeply with Millennials and Gen Zer's, making them the most committed organic consumers of any generation. Also, a February 2025 study by the Acosta Group, one of the nation's top natural and organic products sales firms, reflected that 75% of all shoppers purchased at least one natural or organic product in the six months prior to the survey, with 59% responding that they think it's important that their groceries and/or household products are natural and organic because they "are better for them" and "they tend to have fewer synthetic chemicals and additives." Natural and Organic Industry is a Force. Overall, the natural and organic products industry combined has more than tripled in size since 2007, growing from $97 billion in sales in 2007 to over $325 billion in 2024, according to data compiled by New Hope Network, SPINS (a division of Nielsen), Whipstitch Capital and others. Read more investment insights in Steve's article and watch a Video from the 2025 Expo West here- ====== View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GreenMoney Journal on Contact Info:Spokesperson: GreenMoney JournalWebsite: info@ SOURCE: GreenMoney Journal View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Functional soda' seen in rude health as PepsiCo takes plunge
If anyone needed convincing that, in the US at least, 'better-for-you' soda isn't a flash in the pan, perhaps PepsiCo's latest acquisition will have persuaded them. On Monday (17 March), just under 72 hours after Bloomberg reported PepsiCo was in late-stage talks to buy US prebiotic soda business Poppi, the US food and drinks giant announced a deal worth just under $2bn. Poppi, formerly known as Mother Beverage, was set up in 2015 and, after receiving funding on US business pitch TV show Shark Tank three years later, relaunched under its current brand in 2020. Since then, Poppi, co-founded by Allison Ellsworth and her husband Stephen, has built what has become one of the more recognisable names in the growing market for 'better-for-you' sodas in the US. Robert Moskow, a beverage-industry analyst at US investment bank TD Cowen, says Poppi generated sales of just over $391m in tracked channels in the last 52 weeks. A company spokesperson says Poppi ran up annual sales of 'north of $500m' in 2024. Alongside Olipop, Poppi, with its low-calorie and low-sugar sodas in 15 flavours, has become a brand synonymous with 'healthier' soda in the US. The purchase of Poppi is PepsiCo's second $1bn-plus acquisition in six months and the food-and-drinks major's latest attempt to tap into a growing part of the market through M&A. Speaking at the annual CAGNY investment conference last month, PepsiCo chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta called out 'functionality' and 'multicultural' as two product trends that would be central to the company's investment strategy – and its recent deal-making underlines that thesis. In October, the Lay's snacks maker agreed to buy Mexican-American snacks maker Siete Foods for a fee of $1.2bn. 'More than ever, consumers are looking for convenient and great-tasting options that fit their lifestyles and respond to their growing interest in health and wellness,' Laguarta said on Monday. 'Poppi is a great complement to our portfolio transformation efforts to meet these needs.' After attending last week's Expo West trade show in California, Moskow highlighted better-for-you soda as an area the major players in conventional fizzy drinks needed to focus on. 'We believe carbonated soda leaders will need to take this segment of the market more seriously in 2025 rather than assuming it is a fad,' Moskow said at the time and, this week, he praised PepsiCo's move. 'We believe 'functional soda' is becoming a mainstream segment of the market with sustainable appeal,' he said on Monday. The transaction includes $300m of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65bn, PepsiCo said. The deal also features an additional potential 'earnout consideration' based on whether certain undisclosed 'performance milestones' are reached, the company added. Barclays analyst Lauren Lieberman says the price tag works out at around four times Poppi's sales in the last 12 months, which, she says, 'strikes us as more akin to a beauty valuation'. However, Lieberman adds: 'We see a lot of similarities between the fast-growth, emerging brand landscape of each industry. Poppi boasts both scale and credibility with consumers (the latter of which really coming to light in our data work), which screens particularly attractive, in our view, when considering the path for an internal build would be long and uncertain.' Not all consumers have been happy, however. Poppi confirmed this week it had settled a lawsuit in the US filed by consumers who claimed they were misled by the company (Poppi said it 'acknowledges no fault, liability, or wrongdoing'). The settlement will allow Poppi and PepsiCo to look forward. For PepsiCo, it's a chance to buy into a burgeoning market and attempt to grow the brand further. The company had planned to launch a similar soda under its Soulboost brand (which hit the market four years ago with a range of sparkling waters including 'functional' ingredients like L-theanine and panax ginseng) but decided against the move (it's said the early indications for the new product were not positive) and pounced for Poppi instead. 'A frequent strategic dilemma when entering a new segment or category is whether to build or buy your way in,' David Clark, a former General Mills executive and founder of the Avenir Strategies consultancy, says. 'Buying typically involves paying a premium based on anticipated growth derived from past performance – the more solid the track record, the higher the premium. Building avoids this purchase premium but has a slow build and a high failure rate, circa 80%." Last month, Coca-Cola introduced its first prebiotic soda line, launching the Simply Pop brand in the US. Simply Pop, initially set to go on sale 'at retail in select regions' and via Amazon, is targeted at a product set that includes brands such as Poppi and Olipop. 'Of course, Coke may also be pursuing acquisitions ... but these initial moves suggest that Coke and Pepsi may see the BFY soda opportunity and urgency differently. It'll be interesting to see how this unfolds,' Clark says. Last month, Olipop was valued at $1.85bn after raising $50m in a Series C funding round, led by JP Morgan Private Capital's Growth Equity Partners. In 2023, CNBC quoted Ben Goodwin, Olipop's CEO, as saying PepsiCo and Coca-Cola had made an approach about a potential sale. Olipop said the new cash injection marked its 'final anticipated round of equity financing', after becoming profitable 'in early 2024'. The company, however, also confirmed that it fell short of its $500m sales target projected in May, generating over $400m in revenue for fiscal year 2024. 'The other big player in this space is Olipop and we fully expect them to get acquired by one of PepsiCo's rivals in the near term,' Richard Wyborn, a partner at UK-based consultancy Food Strategy Associates, says. 'Interest in prebiotics and gut health isn't going anywhere and is a trend we expect to appear in more and more categories in the future.' In the main, PepsiCo's acquisition of Poppi is seen by industry watchers as a deal that could benefit both sides. PepsiCo has snapped up a significant player in a buoyant product segment – and a segment that's expected to continue to grow. Meanwhile, Poppi gets the benefit of PepsiCo's distribution muscle. It wouldn't be a massive surprise if we saw, perhaps with some tweaks to recipes and flavours, Poppi products in more international markets in the months ahead. 'They need to ensure they let management continue to do what they've been doing – if it ain't broke don't fix it – but also ensure that they don't turbo charge the growth too much,' Wyborn says. 'Distribution should be built up gradually all the while ensuring velocities remain high.' However, not everyone is sold on the prospects for such functional sodas. PepsiCo's scale will undoubtedly help Poppi in the medium term and this type of bolt-on acquisition has delivered the best ROI in the FMCG industry. However, I remain sceptical about the long-term viability of these sodas,' Ivan Torossian, a consulting director at GlobalData, Just Drinks' parent, says. 'At $2.5–$3 per can, Poppi lacks the 'instant gratification' factor. Red Bull gives you instant wings and electrolyte beverages instant hydration but prebiotics? Consumers too concerned with sugar and gut might as well stick to water for a quarter of the cost. Is there really enough differentiation to sustain Poppi's positioning?' "'Functional soda' seen in rude health as PepsiCo takes plunge" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Functional soda' seen in rude health as PepsiCo takes plunge
If anyone needed convincing that, in the US at least, 'better-for-you' soda isn't a flash in the pan, perhaps PepsiCo's latest acquisition will have persuaded them. On Monday (17 March), just under 72 hours after Bloomberg reported PepsiCo was in late-stage talks to buy US prebiotic soda business Poppi, the US food and drinks giant announced a deal worth just under $2bn. Poppi, formerly known as Mother Beverage, was set up in 2015 and, after receiving funding on US business pitch TV show Shark Tank three years later, relaunched under its current brand in 2020. Since then, Poppi, co-founded by Allison Ellsworth and her husband Stephen, has built what has become one of the more recognisable names in the growing market for 'better-for-you' sodas in the US. Robert Moskow, a beverage-industry analyst at US investment bank TD Cowen, says Poppi generated sales of just over $391m in tracked channels in the last 52 weeks. A company spokesperson says Poppi ran up annual sales of 'north of $500m' in 2024. Alongside Olipop, Poppi, with its low-calorie and low-sugar sodas in 15 flavours, has become a brand synonymous with 'healthier' soda in the US. The purchase of Poppi is PepsiCo's second $1bn-plus acquisition in six months and the food-and-drinks major's latest attempt to tap into a growing part of the market through M&A. Speaking at the annual CAGNY investment conference last month, PepsiCo chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta called out 'functionality' and 'multicultural' as two product trends that would be central to the company's investment strategy – and its recent deal-making underlines that thesis. In October, the Lay's snacks maker agreed to buy Mexican-American snacks maker Siete Foods for a fee of $1.2bn. 'More than ever, consumers are looking for convenient and great-tasting options that fit their lifestyles and respond to their growing interest in health and wellness,' Laguarta said on Monday. 'Poppi is a great complement to our portfolio transformation efforts to meet these needs.' After attending last week's Expo West trade show in California, Moskow highlighted better-for-you soda as an area the major players in conventional fizzy drinks needed to focus on. 'We believe carbonated soda leaders will need to take this segment of the market more seriously in 2025 rather than assuming it is a fad,' Moskow said at the time and, this week, he praised PepsiCo's move. 'We believe 'functional soda' is becoming a mainstream segment of the market with sustainable appeal,' he said on Monday. The transaction includes $300m of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65bn, PepsiCo said. The deal also features an additional potential 'earnout consideration' based on whether certain undisclosed 'performance milestones' are reached, the company added. Barclays analyst Lauren Lieberman says the price tag works out at around four times Poppi's sales in the last 12 months, which, she says, 'strikes us as more akin to a beauty valuation'. However, Lieberman adds: 'We see a lot of similarities between the fast-growth, emerging brand landscape of each industry. Poppi boasts both scale and credibility with consumers (the latter of which really coming to light in our data work), which screens particularly attractive, in our view, when considering the path for an internal build would be long and uncertain.' Not all consumers have been happy, however. Poppi confirmed this week it had settled a lawsuit in the US filed by consumers who claimed they were misled by the company (Poppi said it 'acknowledges no fault, liability, or wrongdoing'). The settlement will allow Poppi and PepsiCo to look forward. For PepsiCo, it's a chance to buy into a burgeoning market and attempt to grow the brand further. The company had planned to launch a similar soda under its Soulboost brand (which hit the market four years ago with a range of sparkling waters including 'functional' ingredients like L-theanine and panax ginseng) but decided against the move (it's said the early indications for the new product were not positive) and pounced for Poppi instead. 'A frequent strategic dilemma when entering a new segment or category is whether to build or buy your way in,' David Clark, a former General Mills executive and founder of the Avenir Strategies consultancy, says. 'Buying typically involves paying a premium based on anticipated growth derived from past performance – the more solid the track record, the higher the premium. Building avoids this purchase premium but has a slow build and a high failure rate, circa 80%." Last month, Coca-Cola introduced its first prebiotic soda line, launching the Simply Pop brand in the US. Simply Pop, initially set to go on sale 'at retail in select regions' and via Amazon, is targeted at a product set that includes brands such as Poppi and Olipop. 'Of course, Coke may also be pursuing acquisitions ... but these initial moves suggest that Coke and Pepsi may see the BFY soda opportunity and urgency differently. It'll be interesting to see how this unfolds,' Clark says. Last month, Olipop was valued at $1.85bn after raising $50m in a Series C funding round, led by JP Morgan Private Capital's Growth Equity Partners. In 2023, CNBC quoted Ben Goodwin, Olipop's CEO, as saying PepsiCo and Coca-Cola had made an approach about a potential sale. Olipop said the new cash injection marked its 'final anticipated round of equity financing', after becoming profitable 'in early 2024'. The company, however, also confirmed that it fell short of its $500m sales target projected in May, generating over $400m in revenue for fiscal year 2024. 'The other big player in this space is Olipop and we fully expect them to get acquired by one of PepsiCo's rivals in the near term,' Richard Wyborn, a partner at UK-based consultancy Food Strategy Associates, says. 'Interest in prebiotics and gut health isn't going anywhere and is a trend we expect to appear in more and more categories in the future.' In the main, PepsiCo's acquisition of Poppi is seen by industry watchers as a deal that could benefit both sides. PepsiCo has snapped up a significant player in a buoyant product segment – and a segment that's expected to continue to grow. Meanwhile, Poppi gets the benefit of PepsiCo's distribution muscle. It wouldn't be a massive surprise if we saw, perhaps with some tweaks to recipes and flavours, Poppi products in more international markets in the months ahead. 'They need to ensure they let management continue to do what they've been doing – if it ain't broke don't fix it – but also ensure that they don't turbo charge the growth too much,' Wyborn says. 'Distribution should be built up gradually all the while ensuring velocities remain high.' However, not everyone is sold on the prospects for such functional sodas. PepsiCo's scale will undoubtedly help Poppi in the medium term and this type of bolt-on acquisition has delivered the best ROI in the FMCG industry. However, I remain sceptical about the long-term viability of these sodas,' Ivan Torossian, a consulting director at GlobalData, Just Drinks' parent, says. 'At $2.5–$3 per can, Poppi lacks the 'instant gratification' factor. Red Bull gives you instant wings and electrolyte beverages instant hydration but prebiotics? Consumers too concerned with sugar and gut might as well stick to water for a quarter of the cost. Is there really enough differentiation to sustain Poppi's positioning?' "'Functional soda' seen in rude health as PepsiCo takes plunge" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Genius Gourmet® Announces Partnership with the Makers of SKIPPY® Peanut Butter & Introduces SKIPPY® Inspired Protein Nut Rolls to the Market
Celebrating their new partnership with the SKIPPY® brand, Genius Gourmet® unveils SKIPPY® Inspired Protein Nut Rolls at Expo West 2025 COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, March 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genius Gourmet®, the fast-growing creator of "Deliciously Smart Protein Snacks®", today announced at Expo West, America's leading trade show in the natural, organic and lifestyle industry, a partnership with the makers of SKIPPY® peanut butter. They also launched their first protein bar bringing the flavor inspiration of SKIPPY® brand's iconic peanut butter: the Genius Gourmet® SKIPPY® Inspired Protein Nut Roll with 0 grams of added sugar. "SKIPPY® Peanut Butter has been a beloved brand for over 90 years, which makes this partnership an incredible opportunity for growth," said Pete Vas Dias, President of Genius Gourmet.® "Bringing the flavor of SKIPPY® Peanut Butter into our protein snacks with their name prominently displayed on the front of our products will add to our shelf appeal and dramatically improve our sales and distribution points." SKIPPY® Inspired Protein Nut Rolls are a delicious addition to the protein market, delivering the sweet and salty taste and chewy texture of a nut roll candy bar. SKIPPY® Inspired Protein Nut Roll (10-count packages) Go nuts for the taste: perfect fusion of gooey caramel, salted roasted peanuts & a delicious peanut butter flavored core that tastes like SKIPPY® peanut butter. How it rolls: 210 calories, 11 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, 2g total sugar & 0 grams of added sugar per nut roll. Satisfy cravings: tastes like a candy bar but without the added sugar. Genius Gourmet® has a variety of products in development with the SKIPPY® brand in 2025, which will give more options to anyone who enjoys quality protein snacks: athletes looking to power up pre- or post-workout and families and individuals who want to snack at home and on the go. "We are thrilled to introduce one of America's most iconic peanut butter brands to the ever-growing protein snack category," said Kelsey Tynan, senior brand manager of the SKIPPY® brand. "SKIPPY® Inspired Protein Nut Rolls make the perfect snack, and we are excited to collaborate with the team at Genius Gourmet® on this tasty new venture." To order these deliciously smart protein snacks or to learn about wholesale opportunities, visit About Genius Gourmet® Genius Gourmet® is a family-owned company that started in 2019. The team set out to disrupt the protein bar and snack market. Over the last five years they've experienced extraordinary growth. Today Genius Gourmet® has a growing variety of protein snacks available in 6 of the top 10 grocery retailers nationwide and a growing fanbase of athletes, mathletes, and on-the-go superheroes who want to fuel their day – the smart way. Learn more at About the SKIPPY® Brand At its core, the SKIPPY® peanut butter brand brings fun to life, building the trust and loyalty of peanut-butter fans since 1933. This commitment to quality has earned us our rightful place among America's favorite peanut butters. SKIPPY® peanut butter, which was acquired by Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) in 2013, brings the perfect combination of sweet-and-savory peanut flavor to everything it touches. For more information on all SKIPPY® products, visit About Hormel Foods — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include PLANTERS®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE®, APPLEGATE®, JUSTIN'S®, WHOLLY®, HORMEL® BLACK LABEL®, COLUMBUS®, JENNIE-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Josh ChristensenGenius Gourmet® VP of Marketing833.472.6546Josh@
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ketone Labs & Blue Pacific Flavors Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation in goBHB Powered Functional Beverages at Expo West 2025
Anaheim CA - March 4-7, 2025 CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketone Labs, a leader in beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) innovation, has partnered with Blue Pacific Flavors, a premier expert in natural flavor solutions, to pioneer goBHB-powered functional beverages & nutritional products. These groundbreaking non-stimulant energy beverages featuring goBHB, offer clean, sustained energy without caffeine or taurine. The innovative beverage concept products are designed to support: - Brain Health – Since goBHB fuels cognitive function and improves mental clarity & focus- Gut Health- By being formulated to align with microbiome-supportive ingredients, and- Metabolic Energy- By providing a rapid efficient fuel source to enhance endurance & performance. This partnership brings together Ketone Labs' patented goBHB technology with Blue Pacific's deep expertise in flavor science and beverage formulation, creating cutting-edge solutions tailored to modern consumer demands for metabolic health, cognitive performance, and sustained energy. Experience the Future of Functional Ketones at Expo West- Booth #4373 to sample a groundbreaking non-stimulant energy beverage featuring goBHB. Several exclusive unique & innovative flavored products, developed by Blue Pacific Flavors will debut at Expo West 2025, showcasing how science-backed formulation meets best-in-class taste for superior consumer experiences. Industry veteran Donald F. Wilkes, Founder & CEO of Blue Pacific Flavors, will be at Expo West 2025, along with his team, to guide attendees through these latest advancements in functional beverage innovation. "In my 40+ years in the industry, I have never seen a technology as transformative as goBHB®," said Wilkes. "It's a game-changer in metabolic health, offering a science-backed, clean-energy solution that fits today's functional beverage landscape. Our partnership with Ketone Labs allows us to deliver the next generation of delicious, effective, and innovative products." Rob C. Rogers, Founder of Ketone Labs, echoed this excitement: "goBHB® is revolutionizing the industry, and our partnership with Blue Pacific Flavors is a pivotal step in unlocking its full potential. By merging our expertise in goBHB® formulation with Blue Pacific's mastery of flavor and beverage innovation, we are setting a new gold standard for functional nutrition." Why goBHB®? goBHB® is a scientifically validated, efficient energy source that is reshaping the health and wellness space. Its key benefits include: - Sustained Energy & Endurance – A clean fuel alternative for athletes, biohackers, and active individuals.- Cognitive & Mental Performance – Supports brain function, focus, and clarity.- Weight & Metabolic Management – Encourages ketosis without strict dietary restrictions. About Ketone Labs - Ketone Labs is a global leader in BHB production and innovation, pioneering patented goBHB® technologies and specialized formulations that power the next generation functional beverages and metabolic health products. About Blue Pacific Flavors - For over 32 years, Blue Pacific Flavors has been a trusted provider of natural, functional, and clean-label flavor innovations, developing world-class solutions for leading food, beverage, and nutrition brands. Join us at Expo West – Booth #4373 to experience the future of goBHB® and flavor innovation firsthand! For more information, press only: Courtney Key Adrian Lopez courtney@ adrian@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Blue Pacific Flavors
