The Food Startups Podcast

A mini-episode to kick off the summer. We talk about:

  • Fancy Foods Show NYC
  • FSP media affiliation with the Food Bytes Summit
  • An Agro-Tech podcast that reached out to us from Trinidad and Tobago!
  • Changes to the podcast for more learning and entertainment value

Mentioned in the show:

Photo taken mountain biking last week in the Poconos, PA.

Direct download: 54point5_mixdownFINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:49am CDT

I've always wondered about artisanal brands that "go big". Can they keep the same quality and authenticity? Bearded Brothers out of Austin makes hand-crafted energy bars. No BS ingredients. Really good stuff (I just ate one). Caleb walks us through the early stages of the company up to the nationwide brand they are today. We cover:

  • How they "formulate" bars
  • Creating a following outside of the Austin area
  • Turning Instagram and FB into sales
  • Hiring methodology - finding good people

Mentioned in the episode:

Bearded Brothers
Bearded Bros Employment
2012 Company Profile
REI
Food Launcher

Direct download: Episode_54_FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm CDT

Recent college grad Evan Lutz co-founded Hungry Harvest to solve a major problem in the US: surplus produce. Also laziness (delivered to your doorstep!). This is edible produce that doesn't even make it to restaurants or the grocery stores. Only because it is "shaped" differently. Evan sheds light on:

  • The food wasting cultural norms in the United States
  • Community Service Agriculture (CSA) and the Hungry Harvest model
  • Breaking down the logistics of a fresh produce delivery service
  • Why we have a warped concept of what fruits and veggies should look like
  • Addressing social stigmas with food
  • Bonus 1: on the calming effect of L-theanine tea
  • Bonus 2: Evan and Matt predict the fate of Maryland Terps Men's Basketball 2016

 

Mentioned in this episode:

Hungry Harvest (Twitter)

Fruit Cycle

Why entrepreneurs are suddenly finding the beauty in ugly produce

Mid Atlantic Gleaning Network

L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state

Direct download: Ep_53_HungryHarvest.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:54am CDT

Today we get a behind the scenes look at an alternative food business model. 2 Degrees Food is growing rapidly: they are in 2500 stores as well as United and JetBlue airways. Co-founder Lauren Walters walks us through the company philosophy and their keys to success:

  • The why/how of a 1-for-1 food business model
  • How they were able to get their product onto major US airlines
  • Why "packaging is a hard story to tell"
  • The challenge of competing with much larger companies for shelf space

Mentioned in this episode:

2 Degrees Food

TOMS One for One Shoes

 

Meal Production and Distribution Partners

Direct download: Episode_52_FINAL_v2.mp3
Category:Food -- posted at: 11:42am CDT

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