25 Things We’ve Learned in 25 Years
Twenty-five years ago, ROOT opened its doors in Boulder with a simple belief: good food deserves good storytelling. We still believe that. And after 25 years of pitching, placing, and building alongside some of the most passionate brands in food and beverage, we’ve learned a few things worth sharing. Here are 25 of them.
Trendspotting at Expo West 2026
The first week of March, we prowled the aisles of Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA with 70,000+ of our closest friends, combing the 3,700+ booths for the hottest new products that will hit your grocer’s shelves about 9 months from now. Here’s your sneak peek of what’s to come in the natural and organic products world!
AI in 2026: What Natural Brands Need to Know for PR
We realized AI would transform PR when we saw how it prioritizes earned media in searches. A Muck Rack report analyzed over 1 million AI-generated responses and found 96% of cited links came from content created by PR/corp comms teams. Earned media placements are heavily prioritized by AI search engines because they are seen as highly credible, third-party validation sources. Unlike paid ads or brand-owned content, AI systems rely on earned media to provide objective and trustworthy answers to user queries.
Outsmart the Hype: How Awards Give Brands a Competitive Edge
When a respected organization names a client “Best,” “Top,” or “Industry Leader,” it functions as undeniable third-party validation. Unlike advertising or brand messaging, awards are earned recognition, which builds trust faster with media, consumers, investors, and partners.
Beyond the Booth: How to Make the Most of Expo West
Planning to attend Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA (March 4–7) and want to maximize your time on the floor? Success at this massive trade show doesn’t just happen—it’s built on preparation, strategy, and intentional engagement. Whether you’re walking the floor, staffing a booth, or pitching investors, these practical strategies will help you get the most out of your Expo West experience.
Why Trade Shows Still Matter for Natural Products Brands (and the Ones You Should Attend)
By the time a natural products brand reaches “midrange”, the fundamentals are solid. You’ve earned distribution, refined your positioning, weathered operational curveballs, and learned—sometimes the hard way—how to spend your marketing dollars carefully. You don’t chase shiny objects. You make deliberate choices.
Ways to Eat Local (wherever you are) – Even in the Winter
You can still eat local even when the farmers markets close! Winter is a great time to connect with your local food community and fill your table with homegrown goodness while supporting the farmers and producers in your backyard. ROOT Founder Kuvy Ax and Boulder County Slow Food Chair Jodie Popma put together these ideas for happy, healthy, heartwarming holidays – and beyond:
Protein, Plants, and Pantry Reinventions: 2026 Food & CPG Trends You Can’t Ignore
Trend forecasting sits at the heart of our work at ROOT, informing everything from media storylines to what our clients spotlight across channels, activations, and product or menu development. But our trend work doesn’t start—or end—with reading reports.
Ways to Eat Local in the Front Range This Holiday Season
You can still eat local even when the farmers markets close! Winter is a great time to connect with your local food community and fill your table with homegrown goodness while supporting the farmers and producers in your backyard. ROOT Founder Kuvy Ax and Boulder County Slow Food Chair Jodie Popma put together these ideas for happy, healthy, heartwarming holidays – and beyond:
Trendspotting at Newtopia Now
By Julie Zagars, natural products industry expert, for ROOT. If you were unable to attend Newtopia Now in Denver in August, this blog will bring you up to speed on …
