# Nacho Average Podcast with Lauren Joyner, Founder of Loca Foods

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2020-11-21
- Length: 33m
- Episode: 1
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/34959130

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=31) Introduction: Lauren Joyner and Loca Foods
- [2:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=169) Startup CPG Pitch Event and Trial Runs
- [4:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=274) Transitioning from Perishable to Shelf-Stable Formula
- [6:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=378) Nutrition, Ingredients, and Manufacturing Process
- [8:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=491) History of Nacho Cheese and Velveeta
- [11:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=665) Launch Plans, Food Service, and E-commerce
- [12:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=736) Impact of COVID on Factory Farms and Dairy
- [15:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=937) Consumer Trends: Plant-Based Alternatives and Comfort Food
- [19:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=1198) Why Potatoes and Brand Philosophy
- [25:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2020-11-21-nacho-average-podcast-with-lauren-joyner-founder-of-loca-foods#t=1534) Launch Details, Packaging, and Team Structure

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Loca Foods (company)
- Oracle Park (other)
- Velveeta (product)
- Craft Foods (company)
- Beyond Burger (product)
- Impossible Foods (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [nutpods: Madeline Haydon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-13-nutpods-madeline-haydon) (How I Built This)
- [Siete Family Foods: Miguel and Veronica Garza](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-03-15-siete-family-foods-miguel-and-veronica-garza) (How I Built This)
- [What It Really Takes To Build a Food Business: Part 1](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-10-18-what-it-really-takes-to-build-a-food-business-part-1) (How I Built This)
- [350 - Beyond the Dieline - Dr Juan from PNuff Crunch joins Tom Seymour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-05-27-350-beyond-the-dieline-dr-juan-from-pnuff-crunch-joins-tom-seymour) (People of Packaging)
- [345 - Beyond the Dieline - The secret success behind Junebar! Tom Seymour and Keith McCullough](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-04-17-345-beyond-the-dieline-the-secret-success-behind-junebar-tom-seymour-and-keith-m) (People of Packaging)

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