In Indiana, ‘panic’ over raids led to boom in CBD sales, legalization

When Indiana excise police began scraping CBD products from retail shelves in 2017, some people panicked. And more panicked when the state’s attorney general declared that it was illegal in almost every circumstance. But since then, Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed a measure legalizing CBD for sale in the state so long as manufacturers have each batch of product tested for a THC level of under 0.3 percent and place a QR code on packages linking to a document that includes the ingredients used and the name of the manufacturer by July 1. Now the state has become a model for other states that want to make CBD widely available to customers. Read more at Natural Products Insider…

Finally, an alternative to plastic for labeling organics

In a move to reduce waste and appeal to eco-friendly shoppers, a Dutch company called Eosta is swapping out those little stickers on organic fruit and vegetables for a laser mark. It’s partnered with Swedish supermarket ICA and German supermarket REWE on trials of the technology. According to Eosta, the mark doesn’t have any negative effects on taste, quality or price, but it works best on produce with a hard shell, like avocados or cucumbers, but has a limited field of application. Read more at DW…

This woman is taking on the $120 billion cheese industry

Miyoko Schinner has been making a name for herself in vegan circles since the late 1980s as a restaurateur, cooking teacher and cookbook author. When she started plant-based cheese brand Miyoko’s Kitchen, she found a team of investors who were passionate about her vision, including the founder of Tofurkey, that helped her grow in the natural channel. Now she’s taking it mainstream. Read more at Forbes…

The great debate: Is influencer marketing worth the investment?

More than two-thirds of marketing decision makers say they’ll invest in influencer marketing this year, according to OnBrand Magazine. Yet there are still those who question the ROI of influencer marketing. Whether a brand should make this investment depends on its priorities. For brands that see customer experience as their top priority, investing in influencer marketing might not be the best fit, whereas those who prioritize customer experience or brand awareness might find more value in it. Read more at Forbes…

Sonoma County natural foods entrepreneur preps Tailor Made coffee, New Barn almond milk for big time

In a converted stone winery building in Sonoma County, California, reside Ted Robb’s ventures—Taylor Maid Farms coffee, New Barn almond milk and InHouse agency, which serves brands with creative design, strategy and sales services. For Robb, it’s all about storytelling. The Taylor Maid Farms brand is getting revamped to become Taylor Lane—the name of the road where the founders started the organic coffee company—and will have a strong local focus. Read more at North Bay Business Journal...