Brand Spotlight
Vespa’s 7 Spice Mix: Blending a Recipe into a Business
Inspiration to start a business arrives in many ways, like finding a spice recipe in your grandmother’s old cookbook. With Covid-19 locking down almost everyone and everything, Alise Ralston used that time at home to begin her journey to launch Vespa’s 7 Spice Mix in August 2020. Read more here.
Thanks to Chris Merlick of Label Solutions, Inc for a tremendous Huddle on June 8 and for highlighting label innovations from his 15+ years of experience in the printing industry. Chris has helped create best-in-class premium labels for DFW based CPG brands such as Mozzarella Company, Lakewood Brewing, and more on a local and national level. If you missed the Huddle, click here to see DFW CPG past events.
Rakkasan Tea Company, a veteran-owned business in Dallas, recently expanded its reach by adding Central Market as a retailer of its pyramid tea sachets. Rakkasan Black and English Breakfast biodegradable, plant-based tea sachets are now available at all 10 Central Market locations in Texas. “Central Market is not only beloved in Texas, but it’s committed to great products and sustainable sourcing, just like us,” said Rakkasan Tea co-founder Brandon Friedman, shown with partner, Terrence “TK” Kamauf.
Startup CPG just announced the winners of their Crisis Microgrants 2023 and Dallas-based White Rock Granola was one of 5 companies chosen (out of 60 applicants). See all winners here. Each company will receive a $500 grant in exchange for products that will be donated to a food bank to help those in crisis. Congrats to White Rock Granola co-owner, Andrea Ridout, and her team! Keep an eye out for Startup CPG’s BIPOC Microgrants, which will open later this year.
Food Based News announced that plant-based jerky maker, All Y’alls Foods, has secured their first major investor, Rizwan H. Bukhari, MD, a Dallas-area vascular surgeon. Dr. Bukhari will also serve as the brand’s medical adviser. Brett Christoffel, CEO of All Y’Alls Foods, relates “I met Dr. Riz six months ago and he liked what All Y’alls Foods is up to and how we focus on bold unique flavors and nourishing consumers.” Sounds like a match made in vegan jerky heaven!
Dave’s Gourmet LLC, well known for the last thirty years for its range of products in hot sauce, pasta sauce and more recently, their new line of extra virgin olive oils and Pink Sauce, has fully acquired Le Bon Magot (LBM), a gourmet line of specialty condiments and chutneys launched by food entrepreneur, Naomi Mobed. Read more here.
The H-E-B Supplier Diversity Team is hosting a free virtual Table Talk on July 20 from 11:30AM-1PM CST. The themes that will be discussed are onboarding, marketing & selling strategies, securing funding, and business development. The program is tailored towards current and potential, local, small, minority, woman, LGBTQ, Disabled and Veteran owned business. Register here. Thanks to Derin Raji of Green Sahara Chips for letting us know about this event!
An all-women Social Innovation Incubator cohort in partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Dallas College, SMU MADI and eqALL Business Solutions is now open for applications! This game-changing incubator seeks to correct the historical opportunity and resource gaps fueled by systemic racial and gender inequities. Apply here by July 28.
SUSTA 50% CostShare Program
Thinking of export? The Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) helps small companies in the Southern US promote food and agricultural products to foreign markets. They offer up to 50% reimbursement on certain marketing costs such as trade show booths. Learn more and apply here.
SPECIALTY FOOD ASSOCIATION:
The Summer Fancy Food Show returning to the Javits Center in NYC, June 25-27. The show will focus on everything from supply chain remedies to trending brands to new research, providing incredible insights into the state of our industry. Learn more here.
GET A MENTOR:
Applications to join the next cohort of the Women’s Business Council – Southwest’s Women of Color Mentorship Program are now LIVE! The program is a great no-cost way to learn about the benefits of certification and meet other women business owners. So if you’re looking to get certified but prefer a little more guidance, the mentor program is for you! Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/gcPqCX2D
SUMMIT IN VEGAS:
Emerging Brands Summit 2023 is a one-day event in Las Vegas on Sunday, September 10, 2023, prior to the start of PACK EXPO, designed for fast-growing emerging brands seeking to scale their manufacturing operations. One $50,000 grant will be awarded onsite at the Emerging Brands Summit. Learn more about the grant program at the Emerging Brands Alliance, or download a sample application.
Looking for Brand E X P O S U R E ? We’re on the look-out for a few highly-motivated Brand Founder/CEOs who are in need of free publicity. Are you interested in sharing your company’s journey? How you got to where you are and where you’re headed? If so, answer these 5 EASY QUESTIONS and spend a few moments talking to our very own in-house PR Guru Charles Nicolas and he’ll work his magic to create a high-impact Brand Profile of your dynamically-growing company.
DFW CPG Volunteer Huddle Coordinator
Volunteer Opportunity with DFW CPG – Are you interested in getting involved with DFW CPG, but don’t know where to start? We’re looking for a volunteer to partner with our Huddle Coordinator, Mason Ice, to plan, schedule and serve as liaison between our executive committee chairs and our virtual event hosts. We’re looking for approximately 2 hours of time per week and help facilitating virtual Huddles 2 times per month on the 2nd and 4th Thursday from 12-1pm CT. If you’re interested in learning more, please send an email to admin@dfwcpg.com for details.