{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"[Expo West Series] The Rise of Purpose-Driven Food Brands","description":"Serenity Carr is the Co-founder and CEO of Serenity Kids, a brand transforming the baby food aisle with nutrient-dense, protein-forward products. She co-founded the company to challenge the norm of sugar-heavy, low-nutrition options and instead prioritize healthy fats and balanced macronutrients for early development. Through Serenity Kids, she is on a mission to help raise healthier children by redefining what quality nutrition looks like from the very beginning. Jose Pablo Madrazo and Patricio Madrazo are the Co-founders of San Miguel Family Foods, a brand rooted in generations of farming and food production. Having grown up working closely with food at its source, they bring deep agricultural knowledge and hands-on experience into building their company. Their mission is to translate their family heritage into high-quality products that connect traditional food practices with today\u2019s market. Matthew Kemper is the Founder of LEVL, a clean hydration brand focused on natural electrolytes and functional ingredients. He created the company to offer an alternative to artificial sports drinks by using simple, effective components like Himalayan salt, adaptogens, and organic fruit. His work centers on delivering balanced hydration that supports everyday performance and wellness. Isabella Hughes is the Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Better Sour, a modern candy brand reimagining sour gummies for today\u2019s consumer. Alongside her co-founder, she built the company around a shared love of bold, unique flavors and a desire to create a better-for-you indulgence. Better Sour combines playful taste experiences with thoughtful ingredients, including low-sugar, high-fiber, and plant-based formulations. In this episode\u2026 The future of food is being shaped less by trends and more by intention \u2014 what we feed our bodies, where ingredients come from, and how products actually support everyday life. So what does it look like when founders prioritize function, family roots, and real nutrition over empty hype? At Expo West, that shift is everywhere. From baby food brands reimagining early nutrition with protein and healthy fats instead of sugar-heavy fillers to founders launching products rooted in generations of farming and food production, there\u2019s a renewed focus on substance over shortcuts. Functional beverages are also evolving, with clean hydration drinks featuring natural electrolytes and adaptogens instead of artificial blends. And even indulgent categories are getting a rethink, with candy brands delivering bold, custom flavors alongside benefits like low-sugar, high-fiber, and plant-based ingredients. Across the board, these brands are proving that better-for-you doesn\u2019t have to mean boring \u2014 it can be thoughtful, flavorful, and deeply personal. On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney is at Expo West connecting with founders who are building purpose-driven food and beverage brands. From nutrient-dense baby meals to family-founded food companies, functional hydration, and modern better-for-you treats, this episode highlights how today\u2019s CPG innovators are redefining what it means to create products that truly serve people. ","author_name":"The Firebelly Social Show","author_url":"http:\/\/wearefirebelly.libsyn.com\/website","html":"