Backpack apps now open - apply + buy tix!

Your chance to win a FREE BOOTH at Expo West 2026 ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

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LEARN MORE + APPLY NOW BACKPACKS ARE BACK!!!​🎒 GET YOUR TIX TO ALLEY RALLY NOW! Hi Startup CPGers,   We're excited to announce Backpack Brands is BACK in 2025!   Every year at the Alley Rally, Startup CPG offers 14 free demo spots to "backpack brands" who are too small or too early in their journey to have a booth at Expo West, and dedicates a demo space for them at our annual Alley Rally party*.   If you or a brand you know is too small or too early in the brand journey to exhibit at Expo West, this is a great chance to get a taste of exhibiting!   On March 5th, at the Startup CPG Alley Rally party during Expo West, Backpack Brands will: 🤩 Get a unique demo opportunity among a select group of brands 😍 Showcase their brand in front of industry VIPs from 7-Eleven, BevNet, Beyond Brands, Bristol Farms, Central Market, DIELINE, Fresh Thyme Market, Good Eggs, gopuff, Misfits Market, Perfect 10 Foods, Town & Country, UNFI, Woodland's Market + MORE! 🏆 Get a chance to WIN A FREE BOOTH at Expo West 2026!   Submissions close on January 24th!   *Backpack Brands/Alley Rally are outside of the show. You do not need an Expo West ticket to attend, and participation in it does not get you a ticket to the show. GRAB YOUR ALLEY RALLY TICKET NOW! Last year, our Alley Rally party sold out to 1,200 attendees! This year, we're bigger and better - and we want to party with YOU!   Meet buyers from: Good Eggs Gopuff Woodland's Market Misfits Market Bristol Farms Central Market Fresh Thyme 7-Eleven and more! Pack up those samples, dust off those business cards, and block off your calendar for Wednesday, March 5th. See you then! Buyer Spotlight: Heidi Traore and Jeanette Bloss, National Co+op Grocers   Heidi Traore, Supplier Relationship Development Manager, and Jeanette Bloss, Category Manager, from NCG (National Co+op Grocers) provides an in-depth look at NCG's role as a powerful partner for natural channel brands and co-op grocery stores.   LISTEN HERE   Founder Feature: Katie Lefkowitz of Harken Sweets   Grace Kennedy speaks with Katie Lefkowitz, founder of Harken Sweets, about her journey from concept to creating a successful better-for-you candy brand. Katie shares how her personal health journey inspired the development of candy bars infused with superfoods like dates and oats, offering healthier alternatives to traditional sweets.   LISTEN HERE Ops Talk: 5 Things Brands Get Wrong   Jamie Valenti-Jordan, CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, tackleS the five biggest mistakes brands make in operations—and how to avoid them. Jamie shares why "planning for the unexpected" isn't just a saying, it's a survival tactic, and explains how treating your co-manufacturer like a real partner can save you from production headaches.   LISTEN HERE   Startup CPG Resources → Databases: Our lists of grocery chains, CPG brokers, 3PLs, distributors, etc. → Newswire: Submit your brand news as a press release (for free!) → Webinar Recordings: Learn from the best & subscribe to our YouTube channel. → Startup CPG Podcast: The world's top CPG podcast - buyer, brand & expert interviews → NIQ Data Drops: Free data on your category & competitors → Exclusive Discounts: Special offers for our community- NIQ, Grassroots and more

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