March 22, 2023
![(included) ACCESS: Ten brands' Expo West exhibition booths (included) ACCESS: Ten brands' Expo West exhibition booths](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/blte2a7adc411e74b72/64f23ad7de206f32eeca4bc0/11_53.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
“Indian music is deeply rooted in the natural relationships of energetic frequencies,” Hany El Diwany says. “It has complex rhythm patterns that stimulated parts of my mind in ways no other activity ever had before.” Read more at Hany’s Harvest: Plant-powered tonics invigorate lives
"Traditionally, the natural products industry has been stagnant in its growth in terms of diversity. We hope to change that—starting with more access to venture capital funding, eliminating ethnic aisles and true mentorship programs for people of color," Yasameen Sajady says. Her mother, Fatima Sajady, on the left, created the brand's chutney recipie. Read more at Maazah: Afghan American family shares chutney sauces with the world
"He offered me a soda water with lime, and I was disappointed that I wasn't given sophisticated options for an adult palate. Serendipitously, the man beside me said, 'You should do something about that during your maternity leave.' So that's exactly what I did!" Pauline Idogho says. Read more at Mocktail Club: Adult, not 'virgin,' nonalcoholic beverages
"Both of us grew up eating seaweed, and our mission for Sea Monsters is to normalize the idea of eating seaweed in our daily diet. We believe wholeheartedly that doing so can contribute positively to helping save the planet," says John Lee, who is also referring to his wife, Jiae Kim. Read more at Sea Monsters: Bringing seaweed snacks to American kids
"If we can make it better for the next person, then the world will be a better place. It'll just be better if people have an easier road as opposed to 'I had to struggle, you struggle too,'" says Orleatha Smith. Read more at Sip Herbals: Coffee for people who can't drink coffee
"Access to capital has been really, really challenging. When you’re from a diverse background, not having those warm intros that others may have can be challenging," says Allison Escovedo Owen. Read more at Sweet Logic: Making microwavable mug cakes low carb, high protein
"I did a lot of clinical research that's been approved by the FDA showing that absorption of protein into your bloodstream is very low when it's not combined with probiotics. We do a superfood blend that's unique to us to make sure that you're getting all kinds of other nutrition and they're being absorbed into your bloodstream," says Ehime Eigbe-Akindele. Read more at Sweetkiwi: A tasty treat that supports a sweet tooth and a healthy gut
“We’ve set the industry standard for seeds because we source organic ingredients from suppliers who offer unique processing like cold-milling, and we test every batch for heavy metals and safety," says Kim Pabla. Read more at Tiny Sprouts Foods: Boosting children’s health with ‘superseeds’
"Our Asian American heritage is 100% integral to our brand. We have roots in Hong Kong and Taiwan and drank milk tea as children. As adults, we were nostalgic for our childhood drink," says Olivia Chen. Read more at Twrl Milk Tea: Bringing Asian flavors to American tea lovers
"Mondays get a bad rap. So does cheesecake. Filled with calories, sugar and junk? Not for us. We're on a mission to challenge the status quo with healthy snacks that taste impossibly delicious," says co-founder Candace Wu. Read more at Wonder Monday: Low-carb cheesecake snacks for every day of the week
"Mondays get a bad rap. So does cheesecake. Filled with calories, sugar and junk? Not for us. We're on a mission to challenge the status quo with healthy snacks that taste impossibly delicious," says co-founder Candace Wu. Read more at Wonder Monday: Low-carb cheesecake snacks for every day of the week
Last year, (included) CPG, a collective of BIPOC founders and executives in consumer packaged goods, launched (included) ACCESS, a retail growth accelerator that prepares BIPOC food and beverage founders for trade shows.
Ten emerging brands were chosen for the first cohort; their founders include Asian Americans, African immigrants, an Afghan-American family and more.
New Hope Network, as part of its mission to create health, joy and justice for all people while regenerating the planet, has been a partner in this accelerator, providing sponsored exhibitions and programming at Natural Products Expo West in March.
As New Hope's writers interviewed the founders of these 10 brands, we discovered women motivated by their own health conditions; men sharing childhood favorites with their own children; and couples developing healthier versions of favorite treats. They all have fascinating stories that we have shared with our readers since Feb. 1.
But what would Natural Products Expo West be without the trade show floor, where buyers can taste, smell and feel each brand's products, meet the founders and hear their stories? While we can't give you those exact sensory experiences, we can, finally, show what the (included) ACCESS booths looked like in this gallery from the show floor.
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