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Sparkles and Hybrids: 2 Beverage and Flavor Trends for 2015

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The Rise of the Bubbles When the convenience store a convenient two-block walk from my house opens a refrigerator slot for that old stalwart LaCroix, then we’ll know that flavored sparkling waters have graduated from trend to fixture. Until then, it’s fair to say that we’re in growing trend territory. Consider, briefly, the quick rise… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>

The Sweet Potato Story

sweet potatoes harvested

We arrived in North Carolina on a Tuesday evening, ready to eat, understand, and film sweet potatoes in all their natural splendor. The eating went well (so, so well), and the understanding was a success (I didn’t know sweet potatoes are so delicate!), but filming the splendor, well, it rained pretty much from touchdown to… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>

What Does a Clean Label Mean to Consumers?

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A clean label: the aspiration of the formulator, the obsession of the food executive, the love of the marketing department. Consumer advocates and shifting tastes have pushed the industry toward ingredient statements that are simpler, shorter, and more comprehensible to ordinary consumers—in short, “cleaner.” In response, ingredient companies market their offerings as promoting a clean… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>

The Trouble with Marketing Natural Foods

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It’s widely recognized that consumers are seeking more “green” options, from organic produce to low-footprint proteins. Retailers are stocking more of these products, making the sector one of the fastest-growing areas of the food business for farmers, distributors, and retailers alike. It’s a good time to be selling anything perceived to be green, and companies… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>

Fruit, Not Labor: How to Market Functional Foods

fruit and functional food powder

As a category, functional foods is among the biggest trends in the food industry, as consumers seek products with added nutrition and food companies attempt to differentiate their offerings. For marketers, these products pose a challenge: talking about benefits which are often couched in confusing (or outright offputting) scientific jargon. Although many nutritional terms have… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>

MarketPlace + RiceBran Technologies

rice field

We’re excited to announce our partnership with RiceBran Technologies, a leader in food ingredients produced from rice bran. With its innovative technology, RiceBran converts what would otherwise remain unused during the production of white rice into highly nutritious ingredients. RiceBran’s ingredient line includes everything from rice bran oil, which is flavor-neutral and useful for frying,… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>

Corporate video or dating profile?

marketplace conference room

Online dating is difficult due to (among other reasons) its dependence on the written word. It’s difficult, through writing alone, to communicate important things like tone, temperament, and personality—characteristics crucial for compatibility. Photos, too, have significant limitations. Early matching services knew this and used video profiles (a lot of mainstream dating sites, for many—and we… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>