27
Apr
2022
Standout brands at Expo East
The team at Startup CPG identified the most innovative products at the trade show.
Asarasi Sparkling Tree Water
"Extracted from maple sap, byproduct of maple syrup. Great tasting. This product just is one of the most interesting and unique that I've seen, because it actually is organic water. That just blew my mind."
— Daniel Scharff, founder of Startup CPG and chief executive officer of Machu Picchu Energy
Minor Figures
"Especially the matcha one. Love how clean, fun and delicious the product is/tastes. It's an easy option for on the go with only two ingredients."
— Patricia Menegoto, community manager at Startup CPG and brand experience designer
Papa's Pops Skinless Popcorn
"Another too-good-to-be-true innovation. Everything you love about popcorn, without the kernels getting stuck in your teeth. This fluffy, crunchy, craveable popcorn comes in awesome flavors too, like Honey Mustard + Onion."
— Jenna Movsowitz, editor at Startup CPG and publicist at Knack Public Relations
Bon AppeSweet
"Great story, brilliant package change, plant-based, sweetened by dates, dairy-free and tasty chocolate."
— Mary Allen, global business development manager at Startup CPG and president and founder of Natural Brands Works
Fifth Season
"These folks were great, and not just because they gave me a whole salad kit right at lunch time! Really neat concept — they’re pushing convenience with sustainability by growing their greens vertically in a greenhouse and packaging them into a kit with tasty dressings and add-ins that will totally fill you up. Design-wise, they went with a paper sleeve (instead of printed label or file) which gives the packaging a hand-packed/handmade feel. They’re also leaning into bright, unconventional colors and a simple ingredient-focused illustration style."
— Andy Kurtts, newsletter manager at Startup CPG and founder and creative director of Buttermilk Creative
Humm Kombucha
"Elderberry Honey... Don't like many 'booches' but LOVED this!"
— Kim Biddle, manager of strategic partnerships at Heart Creative
Thunderbird Real Food Bars
"These guys are crushing it. Super simple and effective branding that draws you in. The bars are great, lot of excitement."
— Daniel Scharff, founder of Startup CPG and chief executive officer of Machu Picchu Energy
Avec
"Loved seeing more and more brands create these flavor essence beverages that you can drink alone or mixed with spirits — but Avec has some of the purest, most interesting flavors out there. The Yuzu & Lime was my fave. Design-wise, I loved their simple, playful illustrations, and another color-forward brand with beautiful limited color combos."
— Andy Kurtts, newsletter manager at Startup CPG and founder and creative director of Buttermilk Creative
Oaza Coffee
"Electrolyte-infused cold brew! Love the innovation here of keeping you hydrated as you drink coffee. The taste is awesome, branding is beautiful, and the team is so kind. It even comes in two flavors, only going up to 30 calories per can."
— Jenna Movsowitz, editor at Startup CPG and publicist at Knack Public Relations
Fabalish
"Fabalish plant-based falafels are craaaaaaaazy! I could eat this every day all day. Super clean ingredients and easy to make it."
— Patricia Menegoto, community manager at Startup CPG and brand experience designer
Yishi
"I love the packaging, story, functional foods, keto-friendly and Asian influence. The founder and team’s energy was fun to see, and the booth was full of visitors during my time in the area."
— Mary Allen, global business development manager at Startup CPG and president and founder of Natural Brands Works
Forage Kombucha
"Their cans look like they’re all wearing different styles of Hawaiian shirts. The really pretty floral collage style drew me in, then I got to check out and sample their flavors — Jasmine Rose Kombucha, Blackberry Grape, Tropical, Grapefruit, etc. Bright interesting flavors that matched their design."
— Andy Kurtts, newsletter manager at Startup CPG and founder and creative director of Buttermilk Creative
Whoa Dough
"An incredible product founded by a dad who wanted to make gluten-free cookie dough for his kids. This product is gluten-free, vegan and soy-free and is an easy on-the-go treat that any kid or adult can enjoy. I love their range of flavors (including nut-free options), the texture, the macros, and the branding on these beautiful bars! Such an awesome product with a great founder and story."
— Jenna Movsowitz, editor at Startup CPG and publicist at Knack Public Relations
No Bull
"Vegan and gluten-free burger. Their patties taste amazing; some other plant based burgers taste like cardboard. All clean and premium ingredients. I will definitely buy their products from now on."
— Patricia Menegoto, community manager at Startup CPG and brand experience designer
Southern Recipe Small Batch
"I'm not a pork rind fan normally, BUT Southern Recipe Small Batch Spicy Dill Pickle were outstanding."
— Kim Biddle, manager of strategic partnerships at Heart Creative
Yolele
"A favorite since I met the founders at Fancy Food 2019; they continue to expand. I loved the new Fonio chips, flavorful with a fabulous package, story and mission."
— Mary Allen, global business development manager at Startup CPG and president and founder of Natural Brands Works
Firelli
"I didn’t know I needed a hot sauce from Italy until I tried this! It’s got familiar heat and flavor, but also totally different from traditional hot sauces. Design-wise, it has a very vintage/heritage-style brand feel from Italy; however, it's a brand new product, and they’ve tucked fun little modern elements into the design (the little figure on fire at the top of the label is my fave). Their color is 100% perfect — red and turquoise go so well together and will stand out on the shelf. Their bottle shape is also unique but will also be familiar to hot sauce connoisseurs."
— Andy Kurtts, newsletter manager at Startup CPG and founder and creative director of Buttermilk Creative
Mingle Mocktails
"Ready-to-go mocktail drinks that are not crazy sweet, taste good, natural and organic ingredients. Fun packaging and branding."
— Patricia Menegoto, community manager at Startup CPG and brand experience designer
Olyra
"Greek breakfast biscuits! These are like the waaaay cleaner version of belVita biscuits. Awesome ingredients, great for on-the-go, great crunch, yummy innovative flavors (like Cinnamon Tahini and Fig Anise) and delicious."
— Jenna Movsowitz, editor at Startup CPG and publicist at Knack Public Relations
Brave Good Kind Jerky
"Kudos to these folks for reaching out to a huge customer opportunity for jerky: millennial moms. Their brand and packaging design is light, playful and bright color driven, which is contrary to the conventional macho/masculine, dark, heavy design that is ubiquitous within the category. They also have interesting, trendy flavors."
— Andy Kurtts, newsletter manager at Startup CPG and founder and creative director of Buttermilk Creative
Odyssey Elixir
"Packaging catches me first, then the trendy mushroom ingredients. Taste was great with low sugar. Superfood ingredients — rose hips, chamomile, honey, organic elderberry juice concentrate powder, turkey tail mushroom extract, reishi mushroom extract, chaga mushroom extract, shiitake mushroom extract, maitake mushroom extract, white tea and rooibos."
— Mary Allen, global business development manager at Startup CPG and president and founder of Natural Brands Works
TumiBee
"I love their golden milk drinks. It's not too sweet and has a slight spicy taste at the end that is super delicious."
— Patricia Menegoto, community manager at Startup CPG and brand experience designer
"This is an amazing product and just a really fun story about the brand that won the free booth for Expo East through us! They had a great show and got a lot of contacts out of it."
— Daniel Scharff, founder of Startup CPG and chief executive officer of Machu Picchu Energy
"Turmeric tea with honey. Best golden milk I ever tasted."
— Kim Biddle, manager of strategic partnerships at Heart Creative
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