Nacho Average Podcast with Lauren Joyner, Founder of Loca Foods

The Startup CPG Podcast · 21 Nov 2020 · 33m · Episode 1

What this episode covers

Lauren Joyner, founder of Loca Foods, explains how her plant-based potato queso transitioned from a perishable MVP to a shelf-stable product through 8 months of R&D with a co-manufacturer. She details the formulation choices, including using potatoes and fresh vegetables to achieve a 12-month shelf life without refrigeration or artificial preservatives. Joyner discusses the strategic decision to target the food service and e-commerce channels to compete directly with dairy competitors like Velveeta, while navigating early-stage constraints as a solo founder.

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