Podcaster Ryan Invests in, Promotes Laird Superfood
Former U.S. Navy SEAL, CIA contractor and top-rated podcast host Shawn Ryan is partnering with Laird Superfood, Inc., as a shareholder and brand ambassador. This partnership kicks off Laird Superfood’s mission to amplify its voice through powerful ambassadors with passions for real, functional food.
The team-up is a strong connection for both Laird Superfood, leader in functional food, and Ryan, host of a #1 social and cultural podcast on Spotify and Apple, aligning their shared dedication to helping consumers optimize their daily performance with the natural, functional benefits of plants.
“I have incorporated mushrooms into my diet for some time now and seen the difference they can make in my personal wellness,” said Ryan. “I have also been growing my platform to tell the stories of people searching for the truth and challenging the norm. The chance to combine those passions by working with Laird Superfood and telling the story of its founder Laird Hamilton is an opportunity I am extremely excited to pursue.”
This partnership seamlessly integrates with Ryan’s personal lifestyle focusing on a combination of physical and mental wellness, as well as The Shawn Ryan Show’s new scope hosting guests in the fields of health and wellness, society and culture, philosophy and more. The podcast currently has 1.78 million followers on YouTube, with 5 million downloads on Spotify and Apple Podcast in July alone. The show also hit the top five globally on Spotify in July.
Laird Superfood has some of the highest ingredient quality standards in the consumer packaged goods industry to ensure they provide consumers with clean and functional foods that support energy, focus and balance.
The flavors in Laird Superfoods are derived from real foods found in nature; the products do not contain any artificial ingredients. All products are inspired by the lives of founders Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reece, including their active lifestyle, their quest to consume only the best foods on the planet, and their passion for making clean, plant-based foods accessible to all.
“Shawn embodies the lifestyle and mission of the Laird Superfood brand, and we are excited to welcome him to the team,” said Jason Vieth, CEO. “We look forward to creating a sustainable, long-term partnership with Shawn that will reinforce our shared values and goals.”
Ryan’s favorite Laird Superfood products include the Sweet & Creamy with Adaptogens Superfood Creamer and Organic Performance Mushrooms.
This news comes on the heels of Laird Superfood’s new packaging rebrand, which debuted at the Natural Products Expo West in March.
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Southern Recipe Aids Truck Drivers in Annual Campaign
In Southern Recipe’s Annual Truck Driver Appreciation Week campaign, the brand will once again shine a light on the truck driving industry and support St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund with a $7,500 donation plus an additional $5,000 donation from Rudolph Foods going directly to the wellness programs. Bringing awareness to the truck driving community and Truck Driver Appreciation Week has been a passion of Southern Recipe’s for more than a decade. Throughout August and into Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which is Sept. 10-16, drivers will be encouraged to sign up for free health screenings and services on the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund website.
This year, Southern Recipe will honor truckers by aiding in their overall wellbeing and encouraging sign ups to the free health programs available to them, such as Rigs Without Cigs and the Diabetes Prevention Program. Southern Recipe’s Truck Driver Appreciation Week celebration also invites fans to share the “Tune Up Challenge” with their social media communities to build awareness of the wellness programs offered by the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund. Every share accounts for an entry for free product from Southern Recipe, and every trucker who signs up for a program on the SCF website is entered to win a free case of pork rinds as well.
“Everything we do, and everything we buy, is touched by a truck driver. Every year, we strive to support drivers as best we can,” shared Mark Singleton, vice president of sales and marketing at Southern Recipe and Rudolph Foods. “These men and women help fuel our families with food and comfort. We’ve been celebrating these important road heroes for more than a decade now, with our incredible charity partner, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund.”
“We want to support our road warriors in their health journey and let them know that they’re not alone,” said Shannon Currier, director of philanthropy at St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund. “Partnering with brands like Southern Recipe helps us educate consumers and helps us share our wellness initiatives.”
Through the charity’s Rigs Without Cigs program, SCF helps drivers reduce their tobacco intake, and through programs that help with common health issues truckers face such as the Diabetes Prevention Program and Driven To Be Healthy, SCF helps drivers stay true to their wellness goals. SCF’s new GPS (Get Preventative Screenings) program gives truckers free cancer screening kits, helping drivers check in on their health from the privacy of their truck, home or at a lab of their choosing. The charity’s overall goal is to continue to build awareness of these programs so that America’s truckers are healthy and happy. Members of the trucking community and consumers across America are encouraged to celebrate Truck Driver Appreciation Week with Southern Recipe and SCF across the social space at SouthernRecipe.com and @SouthernRecipe.
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Midwest Growth Partners Invests in French Gourmet
Midwest Growth Partners, a West Des Moines- and Omaha-based private equity fund that specializes in succession planning and growth capital investments across the food and agriculture value chain, has invested in French Gourmet, LLC.
Based in Sparks, Nev., French Gourmet was founded by Patrick Novak in 1984 as a manufacturer of artisanal, all-natural, European-style pastries and Danishes. The company manufactures a variety of croissants, Danish pastries, dough shells and puff pastries with laminated dough in frozen and pre-proofed formats. The company services hotels, cafes, independent bakeries, diners, grocery bakeries and other foodservice businesses.
“French Gourmet is well positioned for its next phase of growth, and I’m excited for Midwest Growth Partners to help execute on the vision I’ve had for the company since founding the business,” said Patrick Novak.
Zane Hendricks, vice president of Midwest Growth Partners, said, “French Gourmet has a great product, culture, and impressive manufacturing capabilities. I’ve enjoyed working with the entire management team, and we are excited to be part of the company’s growth for years to come.”
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