CPG Samples Box with Jordan Buckner of FoodBevy

Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

In this conversation, Jordan Buckner discusses the launch of the Food Bevy Insider Box, a curated quarterly subscription service designed to help CPG industry professionals discover and sample emerging brand’s products. Jordan explains how the products are selected, the importance of community feedback in the selection process, and the customizability of the boxes, including vegan and gluten-free options. Gage and Jordan then discuss trends in the food industry, including the growing demand for better-for-you options. The dives into Jordan’s CPG experience, including his related online community, FoodBevy, which offers free resources for CPG entrepreneurs, and his corporate gifting service Joyful Co. The conversation then wraps up with Jordan sharing his mission of supporting founders to create a better world through sustainable business practices.

Takeaways:

• The Insider Box features up to 15 emerging CPG products each quarter.
• It's designed for industry professionals like retail buyers, media, entrepreneurs, and investors, etc.
• The box addresses the challenge of trying new products you can’t find locally without having to commit to large online orders.
• Curating products involves leveraging the large FoodBevy community and by soliciting community and Insider subscriber feedback and suggestions.
• Future features may include community voting on products to include in the box, customization to your quarterly box, and more.
• The focus is on shelf-stable products to simplify shipping logistics, though in colder months some harder-to-ship products, like chocolate, might be included.
• Vegan and gluten-free options are available and will have heavy overlap with the regular box.
• Shipping refrigerated or frozen products presents significant challenges.
• There's a growing trend for better-for-you candy options in the market.
• Building community is essential for the food industry.
• Supporting founders helps sustain innovative businesses.
• Leveraging past experiences can lead to new opportunities.
• A clear purpose can guide multiple business ventures so they work together, synergistically.
• Helping businesses stay in business leads to greater impact.

Sound Bites:

"I end up wanting to support all these founders, but not ever being able to actually try the product.”

“So it's easy to just try one sample of a product before you decide whether or not to buy a whole case, and it gives people access to products all across the country that they can't find locally.”

“I’m curating the boxes based on kind of where I see trends are moving and where, which like new categories are really growing, what people would be interested in.”

“I feel like we have yet to see how big the better-for-you-candy market is going to blow up, because so many people have candy nostalgia and want their sweet treats, but they're getting tired of filling themselves with all the sugars and artificial coloring.”

“I love doing things that help people live a better life and build like successful products and businesses.”

“I’m always thinking, how can I help the larger community as well?”

"I love helping founders be successful."

"I'm in the business of keeping founders in business."

Links:

Jordan Buckner on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanbuckner

Insider Box by FoodBevy - https://insider.foodbevy.com

FoodBevy - https://www.foodbevy.com

FoodBevy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/foodbevy

FoodBevy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/foodbevy

FoodBevy on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCenY4faC-_51rfYjWUgEGAQ

Joyful Co - https://joyfulco.com/

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Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/

Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/

Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/

Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/

Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/

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Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/

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Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/

Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/

Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork

Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio

Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/

Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio

Chapters:

03:00 - Introduction to Food Bevy Insider Box

05:51 - The Concept Behind the Insider Box

09:12 - Curating Products for the Box

11:55 - Unique Products and Trends

15:04 - Future Features and Community Engagement

17:53 - Vegan and Gluten-Free Options

21:02 - Challenges of Shipping and Product Selection

26:57 - Innovative Preservation Technologies

32:32 - The Insider Box Experience

38:21 - Building Community Through Food

44:13 - Leveraging Past Experiences

47:38 - Creating a Better World Through Support