Zevia CFO Steps Down, Neubauer Appointed as Interim
Zevia PBC announced that Florence Neubauer, Zevia’s current senior vice president, financial planning & analysis, has been appointed interim chief financial officer, replacing Denise D. Beckles, who will be leaving the company effective Sept. 4 to pursue another opportunity. The company has launched a formal search process to identify a permanent replacement.
Neubauer has over 25 years of finance and accounting experience in the consumer products industry including extensive experience in beverage. Prior to joining Zevia, she served as chief financial officer of Assouline Publishing, a book publisher and luxury lifestyle company, and held progressive roles of responsibility at PepsiCo, Pernod Ricard and Honeywell.
Neubauer holds a French MBA in International Business from ISG Insitut Superieur de Gestion. She will report to Amy Taylor, Zevia’s president and CEO, until a permanent successor is named.
“Zevia has a deep pool of finance and accounting talent,” said Taylor. “We are confident that under Florence’s leadership, working in close partnership with the rest of the team including Hany Mikhail, our chief accounting officer, we will continue to strengthen our business, drive growth and accelerate our path to profitability, capitalizing on the increasing demand for the Zevia brand. We wish Denise well in her future endeavors.”
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Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest Heralds Fall, Agritourism
Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest award-winning farm opens for annual family fun, attracting locals and tourists with immersive agritourism fall festivities. (Photo: Business Wire)
Move over pumpkin spice lattes, the new unofficial start of fall begins with the opening of Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest, an award-winning agritourism destination full of immersive autumn festivities for the whole family. Less than half an hour south of the Twin Cities, the family-owned farm opens its gates with the return of popular traditions including apple picking, a legendary Corn Maze, the thrilling Cow Train, and sensational new attractions such as the Cider Barn for adults, the Slippery Slope slides and an expanded Play Village for children.
“As a second-generation family-owned orchard we’ve been honored to be part of countless family stories, ingrained in the rich history of our orchard,” said Andy Ferguson, co-owner of Ferguson’s. “Whether it’s apple-picking, wagon rides, or simply savoring the simple joys of being together, we welcome all people to our family farm to experience the joy of the fall season one apple and one tradition at a time.”
Named the 2023 “Best Apple Orchard” in Minnesota, guests of Minnesota Harvest can enjoy family fun for only $15 per person, and children under 2 years old gain free admission. This one-time purchase includes a season pass allowing for unlimited daily entry from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the season from Aug. 19 to Nov/ 5. Tickets for active-duty military, veterans, and seniors are $13 per person. Online ticket purchases are required to expedite entry, www.minnesotaharvest.net.
Embark on a flavorful adventure at the quaint Country Store. Savor freshly made caramel apples, irresistible pies and pastries, and the iconic apple cider donuts. The Country Store is home to Harvest Bistro, an all-new culinary experience offering an array of options including the famous Ferguson Mac & Cheese topped with pulled pork and apple slices, chicken salad sandwiches, 10-inch chili dogs, and more. A visit to the country store isn’t complete without shopping the wide selection of local gifts, crafts and products – and of course, apples!
As a leader in the national agritourism industry, Ferguson’s takes great pride in being a family-owned farm that helps locals and tourists alike learn about the origins of their food and how locally produced foods make it to their kitchen tables. Through immersive on-farm activities such as apple and pumpkin picking, or getting up close and personal with real farm animals including goats, sheep, pigs and chickens, visitors experience a slice of life that is growing less common in our non-stop, digital screen-filled day. Led by authenticity and integrity, Ferguson’s connects people with the land and provides visitors with a farm experience that becomes an annual tradition for the whole family.
Snapshot of Minnesota Harvest Attractions
- Apple Cannons (weekends only)
- Apple Picking
- Barnyard Basketball
- caBARNa Rentals – farm-themed cabanas for children’s parties
- Cider Barn – hard cider and beer bar for adults (weekends only)
- Corn Maze
- Corn Pit
- Cow Train
- Caramel Apple Shoppe – watch them being made!
- Duck Races
- Farm Animals
- Gem Mining
- Harvest Bistro
- Harvest Plaza – fall decor and live music
- Pedal Tractors
- Pumpkin Jumping Pads
- Pumpkin Patch
- Slippery Slope Dual 40’ Slides
- Spinning Apple Ride
- Straw Bale Pyramid
- Sunflower Stroll
- Vine Bar on the Patio
- Wagon Rides
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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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