April 22 is Earth Day and it’s a great time to think about our own sustainability efforts as well as highlight some companies who are using eco-friendly packaging and (or) ingredients. Locally, White Rock Granola has been testing biodegradable clamshells, made by Good Natured, in some of their retailers. On the national scene, The Bumble Bee Seafood Company has replaced the shrink wrap around multipacks of their canned tuna with paperboard cartons. By doing so, they not only achieved an ambitious sustainability goal but also unlocked unexpected marketing benefits. Read more here. Are you going green? Tell us about it and we will possibly feature you in an upcoming newsletter.
Congratulations to DFW’s Quynh Thoa (“QT”) Truong, founder of QT Cook Shop. QT has been selected as one of 22 fellows at Naturally Austin’s M/O Fellowship Program, a six-month program that brings together resources, tools, and community to accelerate diverse consumer product founders.
Thanks to Felipe Vega and Elsa Reyes of DFW CPG Sponsor, IronClad Consulting, and all who participated in last week’s Huddle. Felipe and Elsa provided our group with the important financial factors brands must consider as they build their businesses.
SKU is kicking off its second SKU Elevate track for BIPOC-CPG founders. SKU Elevate is an 8-week program starting June 2022 that fosters a more inclusive community by providing crucial education, networking, mentorship (provided by a who’s who of national CPG leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and subject-matter experts). The track culminates with the Elevate Showcase Pitch Event. Apply here by April 15.
SMU is hosting an Earth Day Springfest on April 21st from 11am-2pm near the large flagpole on the SMU campus. Approved vendors are welcome to set up and sell their CPG products to students and faculty. SMU will be providing tents and tables. Space is limited. Click here to contact Jaci-Lee El Maadi for more info.
Whole Foods Market has announced a business accelerator to help promising local and emerging producers grow their companies. The program includes a 10-week curriculum taught by Whole Foods Market experts, a yearlong mentorship with a Whole Foods Local Forager, and access to other growth-related supplier benefits as well the potential to receive a $25,000 equity investment from a doner-advised fund managed by the Austin Community Foundation. Click here to apply.
A bit more Whole Foods news: the company has announced the location for a new store in McKinney. Click for more.
Also, it’s wonderful to see some local CPG products making a splash at Whole Foods!
DFW’s Impact Ventures has partnered with Santander Corporation’s Cultivate Small Business Program for food-industry or food-adjacent businesses, taught by Babson College. The program will have a focus on women-, immigrant-, and BIPOC-owned businesses and includes a FREE 12 week (September-November) mini-MBA for eligible food entrepreneurs. Apply here through June 15th. Click here to attend an info session on April 19.
MassChallenge’s 2022 early-stage accelerator program provides entrepreneurs with the opportunity to grow their startups for zero equity/cost. Interested founders can apply here (due April 20). The virtual program runs from July-September. Startups should be ready to make a big impact in their industry and have raised less than $1M in equity-based funding and generated less than $2M in revenue. There is a Meet MC event on April 12th at BioLabs Pegasus Park in Dallas where interested founders can meet alumni and have their questions answered.
Interested in International Sales? Join the University of Texas San Antonio’s SBDC International Trade Center and SUSTA (Southern United States Trade Association) for a FREE online webinar to learn about the available opportunities and tools for expanding your business into global markets. April 12th, 2022 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Register here.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the sign-up period for opportunities in the GO TEXAN Pavilion at the 2022 State Fair of Texas in Dallas on Sept 30th – Oct 23rd. Interested in a sponsorship? Click HERE for 2022 GO TEXAN State Fair sponsorship opportunities.
Walmart’s Open Call registration closes tomorrow for suppliers with items made, grown, or assembled in the U.S. Start your application now for a chance to pitch your new, innovative U.S. manufactured items to a Walmart or Sam’s Club merchant and potentially sell in thousands of Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs and/or online. Apply by April 8th.
SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) is looking for small business owners & entrepreneurs to compete in the SCORE Tank Pitch Competition at this year’s Business Symposium. The event will take place on Monday, May 02, 2022 at The Clubs of Prestonwood in Dallas. If you have a “special and/or unique” product or business, click here to apply by April 22. Space is limited. Contact the Event Manager for more details.
If you have recently noticed a certain improvement in The Insider it is due to our new Editor-in-Chief, Andrea Ridout, owner of White Rock Granola! A big thanks to Andrea for assuming this important role in keeping our community informed.
If you have something you would like to share with the DFW CPG community, send us an email.