# #92 Behind the Dream [Pie] Collaboration of Ben & Jerry’s and Partake Foods with Marlo Giudice

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2023-05-23
- Length: 50m
- Episode: 69
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-05-23-92-behind-the-dream-pie-collaboration-of-ben-jerrys-and-partake-foods-with-marlo
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7e41788a

## Summary

Marlo Giudice, VP of Strategic Channel Sales at Partake Foods, details how a cold email from 2020 led to a collaboration with Ben & Jerry’s, resulting in the 'Oatmeal Dream Pie' flavor. She explains the rigorous R&D process, the transition of Partake into an ingredient supplier, and the strategic value of partnering with a major enterprise like Unilever. Giudice also shares tips on outreach persistence and discusses Partake’s growth from a 3-person team to nearly 20 employees, with products in over 13,000 stores.

## Chapters

- [1:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-05-23-92-behind-the-dream-pie-collaboration-of-ben-jerrys-and-partake-foods-with-marlo#t=88) Introduction and Guest Background
- [12:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-05-23-92-behind-the-dream-pie-collaboration-of-ben-jerrys-and-partake-foods-with-marlo#t=730) Partake’s Growth and Team Structure
- [16:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-05-23-92-behind-the-dream-pie-collaboration-of-ben-jerrys-and-partake-foods-with-marlo#t=1005) The Cold Email and Initial Outreach
- [20:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-05-23-92-behind-the-dream-pie-collaboration-of-ben-jerrys-and-partake-foods-with-marlo#t=1228) R&D and Flavor Development Process
- [23:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-05-23-92-behind-the-dream-pie-collaboration-of-ben-jerrys-and-partake-foods-with-marlo#t=1423) Supply Chain and Ingredient Supplier Requirements
- [33:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-05-23-92-behind-the-dream-pie-collaboration-of-ben-jerrys-and-partake-foods-with-marlo#t=1991) Production Scaling and Co-manufacturer Coordination
- [35:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-05-23-92-behind-the-dream-pie-collaboration-of-ben-jerrys-and-partake-foods-with-marlo#t=2108) Launch Strategy and Retail Rollout
- [39:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-05-23-92-behind-the-dream-pie-collaboration-of-ben-jerrys-and-partake-foods-with-marlo#t=2365) Outreach Tips and Future Foodservice Strategy

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Ben & Jerry’s (company)
- Partake Foods (company)
- Oatmeal Dream Pie (product)
- Unilever (company)
- Target (company)
- Shopify (tool)
- Social Nature (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ben & Jerry's: Ben Cohen And Jerry Greenfield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-20-ben-jerrys-ben-cohen-and-jerry-greenfield) (How I Built This)
- [Yasso: Amanda Klane and Drew Harrington](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington) (How I Built This)
- [Perfect Snacks: Bill and Leigh Keith](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-09-perfect-snacks-bill-and-leigh-keith) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Jeni Britton of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-03-27-advice-line-with-jeni-britton-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams) (How I Built This)
- [Halo Top Ice Cream: Justin Woolverton](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-04-17-halo-top-ice-cream-justin-woolverton) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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