AHPA President & CEO Confirmed as Keynote
American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) President & CEO Graham Rigby has been announced as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference. “I am honored to support the vital work of our longtime partners at the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition,” said Rigby. “Forest farming is essential to the long-term sustainability of native botanicals, and I look forward to discussing how we can collaborate to support these growers and strengthen industry supply chains.”
Taking place from October 23-25 in Blacksburg, VA, the event is hosted by the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition and welcomes all members from the forest farmers, research, and herbalist community. Available opportunities to participate and collaboratively support the 2026 program include:
- Call for Speakers & Topics: The event is accepting speaker and topic nominations to ensure a diverse, cutting-edge agenda. Industry experts and practitioners are encouraged to submit proposals.
- Sponsorship Opportunities: Businesses and organizations looking to support sustainable agroforestry and gain visibility among key industry leaders are invited to explore available sponsorship packages.
Early bird registration is available until July 15.
ADM Publishes Report on Longevity
In February, we reported on consumers shifting mentality from lifespan towards healthspan. Today, ADM has shared its latest proprietary consumer research on consumer outlook regarding longevity. With healthy aging becoming one of the top priorities in today's market, Aging Well: Consumer Perspectives on Longevity outlines three key areas for brands looking to innovate with ingredients and formats to address the segments wellness goals:
- Supporting the Brain While Staying Physically Capable: There is demand for supporting both mind and body, with emerging gut microbiome science spotlighting how postbiotics can support metabolic and emotional well-being.
- Preventive, Lifestyle-led Longevity: Sleep, nutrition and stress management are being recognized by consumers as affecting healthy aging, indicating opportunity for supportive lifestyle solutions.
- Everyday Formats and Whole-Body Support: Consumers want enjoyable formats that can fit into everyday routines for long-term consistency. Additionally, biotic ingredients are starting to gain momentum.
A full version of the report is available here.
CRISP POWER Invests in New U.S. Production Facility
Stafford, TX, will be the hub of CRISP POWER's new $15 million production facility. Once an import-based business operation, the new site will shift the company to a stateside producer, allowing it to meet the growing United States consumer demand for high-protein, low-carb snacks. The new domestic manufacturing hub of the 2026 NEXTY Award finalist for Best Functional Food or Beverage will replace the company's Israeli producer, Meir Bagel, and help support U.S. retail and digital partnerships. CRISP POWER Protein Pretzels deliver up to 28g of protein, 10g of fiber, and just 6g of net carbs per 1.75 oz. bag. The brand's current flavor offerings include; Everything, Sea Salt, Sesame, Cinnamon Crunch, Cheddar, and Flamin' Crunch.
"The U.S. market has validated everything we set out to do. Consumers are actively looking for snacks that deliver real protein and real fiber without compromise, and the retail response has confirmed there's serious appetite for what we've built. Bringing production stateside lets us move faster, respond to demand in real time, and get a fresher product to the people who want it," said Gilad Zilberberg, Founder and CEO of CRISP POWER.
Upstate Elevator Scales Distribution
Upstate Elevator is increasing its national retail footprint with the announcement of product availability at American supermarket chain, The Fresh Market. Fans of the clean-crafted, hemp-derived THC beverages will now be able to pick up the brand's THC-infused SKUs from the Tulsa, OK, Fresh Market store. Company CEO Dylan Rapp, shared his thoughts on the latest distribution deal between the two brands, "The Fresh Market is exactly the kind of retailer we look to partner with. Their focus on quality, thoughtful merchandising, and product discovery aligns naturally with Upstate Elevator’s approach to beverage innovation centered on natural ingredients, functional benefits and more intentional drinking experiences. We've been very selective about where we expand. The goal isn't to be in every store. We want to be in the right stores. The Fresh Market is a great example of that approach, and we're excited to introduce Upstate Elevator to their customers as we continue to grow the brand."
Nambawan Spain Debuts Natural Sweetener
Green-tech food innovator, Nambawan Spain, has announced the commercial launch of Thaûma, a plant-derived thaumatin II sweetener and flavor modifier. Created to assist food and beverage manufacturers overcome the challenges presented by sugar reduction, the non-caloric, non-glycemic, protein based sweetener and flavor modifier is good for functional beverages, nutrition products, dairy, confectionery, and other reduced-sugar applications. Backed by five FDA and FEMA GRAS approvals and JECFA safety certification, Thaûma provides the regulatory confidence needed to expedite product development and commercialization while acting as a powerful flavor modifier, masking bitter, astringent, licorice, fruity, and fermented off-notes while increasing sweetness perception and improving overall taste and mouthfeel.
With the continued growing consumer demand for healthier, lower-sugar products, companies are still struggling to find a solution that can solve the issues of taste, cost, ingredient availability, and formulation complexity. Thaûma delivers sweetness intensity up to 13,600 times greater than sugar, at 5 SEV (Sucrose Equivalent Value). At extremely low use levels of just 1–5 parts per million—75 to 230 times lower than stevia or monk fruit—Thaûma functions as a highly effective co-sweetener that enhances the performance of natural sweeteners while significantly reducing formulation costs.
"For decades, formulators have been forced to compromise between taste, cost, supply reliability, and sustainability when developing products with natural sweeteners," shared Dr. Yuri Gleba, CEO of Nambawan Spain. "Thaûma combines exceptional sweetness intensity, flavor enhancement, regulatory acceptance, and scalable production in a single ingredient platform, helping brands create healthier products without the tradeoffs that have historically limited natural sweetener adoption."
Cure Hydration Broadens Nationwide Availability
Cure Hydration is continuing to grow its distribution network by expanding product availability to more than 1,2278 Target locations. Made with natural ingredients like coconut water, pink Himalayan salt, and real fruit juice powders, the rapid hydration solution has no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or synthetic dyes. Created with modern lifestyle and everyday wellness enthusiasts in mind, the plant-based, vegan, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten-Free, Certified Kosher products will be available in three flavors. Since its debut, the brand has now expanded into more than 21,000 retail doors nationwide. “We’re watching wellness fundamentally shift from aspiration to daily ritual, becoming something consumers build into their everyday routines, not something they reach for occasionally,” commented Lauren Picasso, CEO and Founder of Cure Hydration. “Hydration sits at the center of that evolution. It’s one of the most foundational, and often overlooked, pillars of daily wellness, affecting how you think, move, and feel every single day. As consumers become increasingly ingredient-conscious and focused on measurable efficacy, they’re demanding products that truly work, and that’s exactly where Cure comes in. Our launch at Target is an exciting milestone in making science backed hydration more accessible to millions of families, and a meaningful step forward in Cure’s next chapter of growth.”
