Member Highlight: Better Than Milk

To learn more about Better Than Milk, we asked their team some questions.

In 3 sentences or less, can you tell us about the work your company is doing and why it is important?

At Better Than Milk, we believe that plant-based milks should be smooth, creamy, delicious, and nourishing to our bodies while at the same time remaining respectful to our planet. That’s why our Oat, Almond & Rice drinks are soy free and are made with the best tasting, responsibly sourced, sustainable, 100% vegan, Non GMO & organic ingredients, which are free from preservatives, artificial flavors, emulsifiers, or artificial stabilizers, like carrageenan or other chemical additives.  Most importantly, our environmentally-friendly packaging is made from responsible and renewable sources all positively effecting climate change. We think Better Than Milk is better in two distinct ways: Better for Your Body & Better for the Earth.

What do you think others should be aware of with regards to the work your company is doing?

• We believe that what you put into your body should not only taste good and be good for you, but also respect the precious planet we call home. That’s why all Better Than Milk products are:
  • USDA Organic
  • Non-GMO Project Verified
  • Vegan, Plant-based
  • Kosher certified
  • FREE from: Dairy | Lactose | Gluten | Soy | Sulfites | Artificial Flavors | Carrageenan | Cholesterol
• We practice sustainable sourcing of all our ingredients & packaging, reducing our carbon footprint and positively effecting climate change.
• Our products are made with Italian spring water from the Lessini Mountains of Northern Italy that flows directly from the source, as nature intended, into our production facility, instead of using other water sourcing methods.
• We start with only organic plant-based renewable ingredients: Rice, Almond, Hazelnuts & Oats born from sustainable organic farms committed to not using pesticides or chemicals that would otherwise harm local bee colonies and contaminate local streams and tributaries.
• All of our ingredients are grown on self-sustaining organic farms focused on composting and on-site water replenishment, leading to less water usage & according to researchers releases 40% fewer carbon emissions compared to non-organic farms.
• From cap to carton our products are 100% recyclable, as we use earth friendly packaging made from renewable resources which capture CO2 and release oxygen into the atmosphere when grown. This includes paper that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified responsibly harvested from renewable forests and we use net zero – carbon neutral – bio-based, bottle caps made from renewable sugarcane, not petroleum, which are environmentally sustainable – only using rainwater to grow, not traditional irrigation.
• Our Better Than Milk drinks are 100% Shelf Stable which is convenient for stocking up, and beneficial in reducing food waste compared to perishable products.
• Our products are packaged in 1 liter multi-serve recyclable cartons which help eliminate single-use waste.

How have the current circumstances of the world changed your business plan?

With more people stocking up on food items recently and reducing the number of shopping trips, the shelf stable nature of our Better Than Milk drinks has been an asset for pantry stocking. Given that we are also accelerating our product development plans to provide more flavors.

Do you have any exciting news or launches occurring this year?

Yes, we take sustainability, renewability and the effects on climate change seriously at Better Than Milk. You can see it in everything we do, and as we continue to strive to reduce our carbon footprint, we also know that educating and motivating consumers to make subtle changes in their lives can play a big part as well. With that being said, we have some exciting news coming soon as we further our efforts to positively effect climate change!

What is one thing you wish you knew as you began your work that you think is important for othersworking in this industry to know?

When possible, look at how a product can not only be cleaner and better tasting but more sustainable in positively effecting climate change.

Where can others find you online?

Website: www.drinkbetterthanmilk.com 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkbetterthanmilk/  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drinkbetterthanmilk 

Member Highlight: Express Trade Capital, Inc.

To learn more about Express Trade Capital, Inc., we asked their Vice President, Ashley Orlando, some questions.

What is the name of your company? 

Express Trade Capital, Inc.

Overall, it is a fancy way of saying: we lend companies money against their orders and receivables to help keep their cash flows moving, all without taking equity. We also extend credit insurance on receivables (to protect against unforeseen customer bankruptcies), and act as our clients’ back office for collections.

In 3 sentences or less, can you tell us about the work your company is doing and why it is important?

In 2016, Ashley Orlando, Vice President & now our food / beverage industry lead (who also happens to be 8 years plant-based herself), started reaching out to her favorite vegan brands. It quickly became clear from the great responses received that this type of financing was not yet well-known in the industry. Considering all of the emerging & rapidly growing companies within the space, we knew we had to get the word out about what we do. In short, our services help small-to-mid-size CPG companies get their product out there on more shelves, enabling them to grow more quickly and sustainably, where they otherwise might be at a size/stage that is neglected by other options for financing.

What do you think others should be aware of with regards to the work your company is doing?

It’s a really great financing option for companies who don’t want to give up equity at the moment, but may not fit into the requirements that a bank would be looking for to secure a bank line. We’ve heard founders of some of the largest and most well-known CPG companies that we know today attribute their early growth to the type of financing that we do!

How have the current circumstances of the world changed your business plan?

It’s made the need to have a relationship with a reliable, yet flexible financier more important than ever. We are able to think and work outside the box in unforeseen situations, yet we heavily pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with our clients with the goal of remaining with them as they grow. It’s also made the need for having credit insurance on receivables (which is an integral part of our service) more important than ever as the retail environment continues to remain volatile.

Do you have any exciting news occurring this year?

Continuing to do what we do best in working hard to support great emerging brands!

What is one thing you wish you knew as you began your work that you think is important for others working in this industry to know?

How amazing & passionate plant-based food & bev entrepreneurs are. Some of our best clients at Express are those in plant-based food & beverage and we’re very proud to play such an important role in getting such thoughtfully created products out on the shelves, helping to change the supermarket landscape in a positive & compassionate way.

Where can others find you online?

Website: www.expresstradecapital.com/eco-financing

Feel free to contact Ashley Orlando ashley@expresstradecapital.com directly for inquiries & to chat further.