The beverage aisle is getting a buzzworthy upgrade. In this episode of State of the Plate , we sit down with Matt Swanson, co-founder of Drinkin’Buds , the Midwest-based THC beverage brand that's quickly becoming a standout in the functional drinks space. From the agricultural roots of hemp to demystifying Delta-9, Matt walks us through the science, the stigma, and the surprising growth of this low-dose, high-impact category. Whether you’re curious about cannabis drinks or exploring what’s next in consumer preferences, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss.

00:00 Rochelle Ripp Schnadt and Kelli Calkins, Functional Beverages
19:55 Matt Swanson, Drinkin'Buds

From policy to weather phenomena to industry cycles, there are a lot of factors that impact the U.S. beef market. In this episode of the State of the Plate podcast, Rabobank Senior Analyst of Animal Protein Lance Zimmerman joins us to talk about the state of beef today and tomorrow and what that means for ranchers, restaurants, consumers and all throughout the food value chain.

Also, C.O.nxt PR expert Rachael Glaszcz sits down to advise food brands on what they can do to stay prepared for crises and unexpected adversity.

00:00 Lance Zimmerman, State of Beef
57:40 Rachel Glaszcz, How to Prepare for Crisis

Two of our 2025 Trends Episode predictions come to life in one interview: the rise of beef tallow and the year of women in agriculture. In our latest State of the Plate podcast, we talk to a couple of “mompreneurs” riding the beef tallow wave with their own product line—Farm Wife Tallow. Hear how these wonderful women of agriculture, Katie Carothers, Amanda Kather and their other partners, turned an inspired idea into a successful Farm-to-Table product that they can’t seem to keep in stock.