🍎 Why L.A.’s Vegan Food Bank Isn’t Preaching Plant-based

Hi friends! Monica Watrous here. Just wanted to remind you that you’re receiving the Lite Edition of the Daily Briefing. The full version is only available to our Insiders and includes direct access to every story on Nosh.com and BevNET.com as well as exclusive insights from our editorial team that you can’t find on our sites.

Join our community of Insiders to make sure you’re up-to-date on everything happening in the packaged food industry.

minisocial is the go-to UGC solution for brands like Imperfect Foods, Banza, Fly by Jing, and Olipop. minisocial partners your brand with micro influencer creators who produce fully-licensed content & share with their followers. Start at just $2k with no commitment. Mention NOSH to get 15% off! Learn more

Food assistance shouldn’t mean abandonment of principles, and as more people change the way they eat, there is now a dedicated vegan food pantry operating in the Los Angeles area. For one week each month the program takes over existing food pantry Hope on Union and has already amassed a crowd of supporters – serving over 400 individuals each week. But one thing it isn’t handing out: pamphlets promoting veganism.

The tortilla chip set is crowded, but with a total market share valued at $4 billion, one restaurant-backed, Boston-based brand believes there is plenty of room to build something “different.” 

🌶️ Meet El Nacho: the first CPG brand from The Alpine Restaurant Group, operator of popular Boston area spots such as The Painted Burro, Burro Bar and Posto. After constructing its Waltham, Mass. production facility, the team has been building the tortilla chip brand around a three-SKU line for the past nine months. 

⭐ It's still early, but El Nacho carries some serious category credentials: Tobe Armendariz, the original creator of Mi Niña brand tortilla chips, is behind the new brand and working to build it alongside restaurateur Joe Cassinelli.

🗣️ What they said: “It's like a tsunami – all your cash just gets pulled out in the undertow, but then this giant wave is coming, [and] I feel like I'm just standing on the beach. We have orders coming at us for next year, which is great, but we need to build another factory [and] we're still self-financed.” 

Nosh Insiders can access the full story to learn more about the team behind El Nacho and how it aims to scoop some whitespace.

You’re just a few clicks away from gaining access to:

• Exclusive Data Insights: We’re partnering with leading industry data providers to publish quarterly reports on category performance, consumer behavior, key trends, innovative products, emerging subcategories, and more.
• The Insider Daily Briefing: Dive deep into the day’s top headlines on investments, acquisitions, closures, and new product releases plus exclusive insights from our editorial team.
• Detailed Daily Coverage: Access every piece of content on Nosh.com and BevNET.com, including daily news, show coverage, and expert interviews.
• Special Discounts: Save on job listings and tickets for our live events, Nosh Live and BevNET Live.

Become a BevNET & Nosh Insider.

Sweet. Savory. Celeb. The hosts check all the boxes in an episode that looks at how consumers evaluate authenticity between brands and celebrity endorsers. We also feature an interview with Stephanie Reda, the director of brand development for fast growing snack and seltzer brand Hal's New York.

Listen to the episode now.

• A salty ceasefire? Two pickle co.'s find common ground
• Why the FTC and FDA are going after D8 THC again
• Details on a new bubble tea sweet treat deal

Become a BevNET & Nosh Insider to gain access to exclusive Insider-only newsletter content, as well as all digital content on BevNET.com and NOSH.com. Tap into our video archives, including Community Call and educational series, unlock event and job listing discounts, and engage with our community of  food and beverage professionals.