Episodes

What does it take for an emerging CPG brand to go from promising to investable?Brian Folmer, founder of FirstLook and FirstLook Ventures, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he evaluates the next generation of consumer brands. FirstLook is a “Shark Tank in a box” platform that vets hundreds of brands before putting a select group of products in the hands of nearly 100 investors, while FirstLook Ventures takes that deal flow a step further by funding emerging companies alongside its investor community.

Chicago’s CPG scene is thriving, and we got a taste of it firsthand.Fresh off our latest Taste Radio meetup, we spotlight the city’s vibrant brand community and sample a fascinating lineup of products discovered at the highly touted, unceremoniously shuttered and ultimately resurrected Foxtrot Market.

Functionality is everywhere – but are consumers buying the benefit or seeing right through it? This week, we dig into the rise of protein- and fiber-enhanced snacks from Khloud, Doritos and Smartfood, the growing buzz around colostrum, and a troubling new study on avocado oil authenticity.

What makes a brand worth betting on?Ken Sadowsky, affectionately known as “The Beverage Whisperer,” returns to Taste Radio with a sharp look at where the biggest opportunities — and potential pitfalls — are emerging across the beverage category. 

In this Taste Radio interview, Ray sits down with Colleen Zammer of Bay State Milling to talk about how nutrition trends are reshaping the food and beverage industry. Zammer brings deep expertise in ingredient innovation, particularly around Bay State Milling's HealthSense® High-Fiber Wheat Flour, a solution built to help brands meet growing consumer demand for functional, nutrient-dense foods without compromising taste.The conversation covers why fiber is emerging as a critical complement to protein, driven by rising interest in gut health and "nutrition efficiency," and how the protein-plus-fiber combination is becoming a defining trend for the year ahead. Zammer also unpacks the growing influence of GLP-1 medication users on food formulation, the opportunity ultra-processed food scrutiny creates for clean-label brands, and how Bay State Milling partners with founders from formulation through manufacturing and packaging claims. Listeners looking to explore how HealthSense Flour could fit their own products can reach Bay State Milling through baystatemilling.com or contact Colleen Zammer directly.

Even in a tough fundraising market, investors are still writing checks. The question is: to whom?This week, we break down the latest CPG investment data and examine why protein-packed, dye-free, and ingredient-conscious startups continue to stand out with investors.

The best founders know that great products don't win on their own. Investor, entrepreneur, and longtime business journalist Darren Rovell joins Taste Radio to share the lessons he's learned backing breakout brands like Athletic Brewing, PopUp Bagels and Biena Snacks, building his own company, Kickstand Cocktails, and evaluating hundreds of startups every year.