In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to plant protein food manufacturer Harvest B’s co-founders Kristi Riordan and Alfred Lo about their aim to provide locally sourced plant-based meat and alternative proteins to Australian food manufacturers. We discuss the cost, taste, and textures of plant based proteins, with a focus on consumer habits, current market costs, and the processes that the proteins undergo. Kristi gives us a breakdown of how Harvest B developed its shelf stable products, the challenges its faced, and the current trends in the Australian market. We a ..read more

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to Fever Tree MD ANZ, Andy Gaunt, about the company and how it disrupted the little thought about market of mixer drinks. The discussion explores the history behind Fever Tree and its impending 20-year anniversary, and its focus on developing tonic waters – and other mixers – that are the best support act for gin and other spirits. We also get insights into how their tonics are produced, the logistics behind their global distribution network, and some exciting news about its presence in Australia. We wrap up by discussing the sc ..read more

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to the founders of ‘attention strategy agency’ Stanley House Studios, David Wasserman and George Redmond. The pair share their experience and insights working with food and beverage companies and brands to grow consumer awareness and market share. We discuss the chicken/egg dilemma regarding the timing of launching a campaign for a young brand and where to allocate funds and resources. David and George recount brand activations and ongoing content creation, looking at how the industry is constantly changing and the need to be ag ..read more

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Bronwyn Cheng, Head of World Foods ANZ at General Mills, to talk about its iconic Old El Paso range. We get an insight into Bronwyn’s journey to her current position in food and marketing, as well as Old El Paso’s market leadership in Australia. The discussion explores the popularity of its products, how Cheng and her team keep a heritage brand fresh and retain its consumer appeal and loyalty. We wrap up quizzing Bronwyn on how to eat a taco without making a mess, and take a snapshot of some of General Mills other brands ..read more

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to Coco & Lucas founder and CEO Diem Fuggersberger and managing director David Vu. In a wide-ranging conversation, Diem and David share the experience from start-up to leading national ready meal business. Diem and David recount the experience of getting started in 2016, the challenges Covid presented for the growing business, and the company's mission in developing plant-based and allergen free meals. LINKS: Coco & Lucas https://cocoandlucas.com.au/about/ Food & Drink latest news https://www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com ..read more

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by the co-founders of functional beverage Ārepa, Angus Brown and Zachary Robinson, to talk about the science and steps needed to make a beverage truly beneficial. We discuss the rapid growth of the market with a focus on nutritional drinks that aim to improve brain health, as well as boosts in energy and immunity. We get an insight into the development of Arepa, and the possible benefits it can provide to those with ADHD, dementia, and other neurological conditions, all whilst being natural and caffeine free. We also explore ..read more

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Emma Stride and Ali Farid from Kerry APMEA, to talk about consumer tastes for sweetness. We discuss consumer behaviours in relation to sugar consumption, with a focus on amount, type and products. We also get an insight into Kerry’s Sensibly Sweet campaign to inform businesses, and how regulations controlling sugar in foods changes the palette of a culture. The discussion explores functional ingredients and the flavour implications they can have on products, and the increased focus on health triggered by the COVID-19 pand ..read more

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by the co-founder and CEO of incubator and accelerator program Seedlab Australia, Hazel MacTavish-West, to discuss what it takes to help a micro business grow and succeed. We explore how Seedlab works with food, drink, personal and home care product businesses to get their products onto supermarket shelves. Hazel gives us an insight into their Bootcamp Incubator and Cultivate Accelerator programs, and the lessons and experiences that businesses can expect. The discussion also explores the trends that consumers and businesses ..read more

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Ray Hanly, CEO of Beak & Johnston, and Aiden Heke, CEO of Decision Inc Australia, about using data analysis services to expand businesses. We start off by discussing the role that data analysis plays in growing a business, and the move from lagging data to live data to better respond to changes in consumer behaviours. Ray and Aiden give us an insight into how they undertake analysis of sales and supply chain data, and the typical time frames that businesses can expect in preparation, implementation and utilisation of ..read more

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Lisa Rippon Lee, Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability for Australia, at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) and John Tortora, Group Chief Procurement & Sustainability Officer at Asahi Beverages. We discuss Circular Plastics Australia, the collaborative joint venture between the two beverage giants, Pact Group, and Cleanaway to close the loop on PET bottles. LINKS: www.circularplasticsaustralia.com/  www.cocacolaep.com/  www.asahi.com.au/  ------------------------------ T ..read more