🛒 Retail Rollouts
🥞 Start Right Foods expands into Raley’s Supermarkets
Start Right Foods, co-founded by Clint Matthews and Kyle Rood, is now available in Raley’s Supermarkets, bringing its protein-packed breakfast options to more shoppers. The brand, known for its better-for-you waffles and pancake mixes, continues to grow its retail footprint, thanks in part to partnerships with industry leaders like Jon Haduca and Joelle Hoffman.
🍦 CVT Soft Serve lands in 300+ Albertsons, Vons, and Andronico’s stores
CVT Soft Serve, founded by Joe Nicchi, has secured placement in over 300 Albertsons, Vons, and Andronico’s locations across California, making its premium soft-serve ice cream to-go more widely accessible. Known for its nostalgic, high-quality soft serve, the brand’s expansion marks a major milestone as it brings its signature flavors to even more ice cream lovers.
🧀 Myles Comfort Foods partners with Howard University
Myles Comfort Foods, founded by Myles Powell, is now available at Howard University, offering students a high-protein, clean-ingredient mac & cheese option on campus. As a Black-owned, DMV-based brand, this partnership is especially meaningful, aligning with the university’s legacy of excellence while bringing nutritious comfort food to the Bison community.
🚀 New Product Launch
🍋 Not Beer debuts three new flavors, ending its ‘Zero Taste Era’
Not Beer, founded by Dillon Dandurand, is shaking things up with the launch of three new flavors—Lemon Lime, Black Cherry, and Red White & Blue—now available on Amazon and rolling out to retailers. Originally marketed as a zero-carb, zero-alcohol, zero-taste “beer,” this new lineup ushers in what Dandurand calls the “Flavor Era,” a natural evolution for the brand.
🌽 Maïzly introduces the first-ever corn-based milk alternative
Maïzly, co-founded by Tim Leclercq and Marcel van der Merwe, is launching in the U.S. with its Original and Chocolate flavors, marking the debut of the world’s first corn-based milk alternative. Free from dairy, gluten, and major allergens, this shelf-stable beverage is packed with fiber and developed with sustainability in mind, offering a new option for plant-based milk lovers.
💧 Free Bird launches Southern Spring Water in sustainable cans
Free Bird, founded by Jay Williams, has officially launched its Southern Spring Water, now available for purchase on its website. Packaged in sustainable 19.2 oz cans, Free Bird is designed to celebrate the everyday heroes of America while providing a plastic-free alternative to bottled water.
🤝 Brand Partnerships
🍌 AN Supps and Chiquita team up for banana and pineapple sports nutrition
AN Supps, founded by Aaron Heidebreicht, has partnered with Chiquita to launch a new line of banana- and pineapple-flavored sports nutrition products, now available exclusively at The Vitamin Shoppe. This five-product lineup, which includes pre-workout powders, hydration drinks, and protein blends, marks Chiquita’s first foray into the sports nutrition space, blending its iconic fruit flavors with functional performance benefits.
🐟 Fishwife x Bixby Chocolate drop a Valentine’s Day gift pack
Fishwife, co-founded by Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb, has teamed up with Bixby Chocolate founded by KateMcAleer, to create a limited-edition Valentine’s Day pack featuring a trio of tinned fish and dark chocolate sardine-shaped treats. This unique pairing has already sold through 30% of its inventory in just two days, proving that seafood and chocolate can make an unexpected yet delightful gift.
💸 Acquisitions and Investments
🍪 NoBaked launches equity crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine
NoBaked, co-founded by Megan Feeman and Jimmy Feeman, is offering fans a chance to invest in its thriving edible cookie dough brand through an equity crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine. As the only edible cookie dough company that manufactures its product in-house, NoBaked is looking to scale its operations and solidify its leadership in the category.
🥤 Perfy’s Wefunder campaign fuels rapid retail expansion
Perfy, founded by Vasa Martinez, has launched a Wefunder campaign to support its fast-growing functional soda brand as it secures major retail partnerships. With placements in Safeway NorCal, H-E-B, and 7-Eleven, along with an upcoming new flavor debut at Expo West, Perfy is on track for a breakout year in 2025.
🎉 News to Celebrate
🍵 Sarjesa completes reformulation, enters regulatory approval process
Sarjesa, founded by Alexandra Sangster, has wrapped up a major product reformulation to enhance shelf life and efficacy while maintaining its commitment to ethical ingredient sourcing. With Health Canada and FDA approvals on the horizon, the brand is also refining packaging, improving customer experience, and seeing strong sales growth in key retail accounts.
🍷 Buzzkill Wines wins Silver Medals at San Diego Wine & Spirits Challenge
Buzzkill Wines, founded by Molly Fedick, has taken home Silver Medals for its non-alcoholic Sparkling Blanc de Blancs and Sauvignon Blanc at the San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge. Competing against full-alcohol wines, Buzzkill’s strong performance underscores its mission to prove that non-alc wines can stand up to the best.