Social Brew Blends Gourmet Coffee, Serious Mission to ‘Awaken’ People

BY A J FLICK Simone Ispahani’s faith and trav-

shaped her childhood and

eventually led her to create a gourmet coffee company with a serious mission

“I was born in Colorado and grew up all over the world,” said Ispahani, CEO and founder of Social Brew, whose journeys include such countries as the Netherlands, Australia and Hawaii “It’s been a huge blessing and a privilege to me Travel- ing really expands your perspective on other people It makes you more adaptable and just more open minded and open to new experiences ”

Social Brew takes advantage of Ispahani’s home of choice: Hawaii There are four coffee products so far: Kona, Waialua, Hawaiian Blend and Decaf Brazil

The Kona is 100 percent single-origin, a mild Arabica with a

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For 1 in 6 Americans, healthy, fresh food is either too expensive, too far away or both, according to the U S Department of Agriculture Pair wise is working to change that, through both its support of PHA and its overarching mission to drive change within America’s food system by leveraging CRISPR and other technology to bring tastier, more nutritious or more convenient produce to market

Pair wise’s first food product, Conscious Greens, will launch later this year in both the foodservice and retail channels

“We are pleased to partner with PHA, whose impactful work aligns so closely with the Pairwise vision of reducing barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption,” said Tom Adams, cofounder and CEO at Pair wise “The challenge of ensuring access to healthy food is multifaceted and complex

“At Pair wise, we are using technology to reduce barriers to

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Premier Craft Beverage Equipment Suppliers Merge in $100M Deal

Lotus Beverage Alliance, a collective of experienced craft beverage equipment manufacturing companies, has officially launched as a company Six leading American craft beverage equipment suppliers have merged in a $100 million deal to create Lotus Beverage Alliance

The combined capabilities of Lotus Beverage Alliance will enable beverage manufacturers of all sizes to access the most comprehensive array of products spanning ever y step of production for craft beer, wine, hard cider, spirits, cold brew coffee, ready-to-drink cocktails, kombucha, CBD/THC-infused drinks and sake beverages

The six merged companies –Alpha Brewing Operations, GW Kent, Twin Monkeys, Stout Tanks and Kettles, Brewmation and Automated Extractions – are leaders in craft beverage equipment manufacturing and offer essential infrastructure and technology for diversifying the craft beverage industry

The five founders of the six companies will remain in senior leadership positions at Lotus: Matt Rennerfeldt, John Watt,

Kevin Weaver, Josh Van Riper and Randy Reichwage John Ansbro, an industr y veteran with more than 30 years of experience in equipment manufacturing, was named chief executive officer Ansbro has held senior executive positions at Alfa Laval, Johnson Controls, and the GEA Group

“Lotus has ever ything craft beverage creators need to produce the amazing artisanal products they love, for people who love them,” Ansbro said “Our team’s proven industr y experience includes a deep bench of ex- perts helping to optimize the production of handcrafted beverages for consumers to enjoy ”

Lotus Beverage Alliance brings these leading equipment makers under one roof to become the only end-to-end provider dedicated to crafting possibilities for beverage makers, from nationally distributed beverage purveyors to the ever yday craft enthusiast Lotus Beverage Alliance produces more than 1,500 top-shelf products, including turn-key brewhouse production equipment,

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