# #210 - Commodity Boards 101 with California Walnut Board and Doosra

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2025-08-19
- Length: 47m
- Episode: 185
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-08-19-210-commodity-boards-101-with-california-walnut-board-and-doosra
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1c2a4a21

## Summary

Kartik Das, founder of the emerging snack brand Dusra, and Keith Seiz of the California Walnut Board discuss how commodity boards support food startups through R&D and sourcing. Das explains how the Board connected him with a grower of skinless walnuts to create a vegan, dairy-free snack mix featuring chickpea puffs and dark chocolate. Seiz details the Board's role in providing culinary expertise, flavor profiling, and connecting brands with growers to drive product innovation.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Commodity Boards and Dusra's New Product
2. The Role of the California Walnut Board
3. Dusra's Brand Story and Product Development
4. Sourcing Skinless Walnuts and Consumer Validation
5. Walnut Trends, Flavor Profiles, and Pairings
6. Go-to-Market Strategy and Retail Advice

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- California Walnut Board (company)
- Dusra (product)
- Fancy Food Show (other)
- IFT Food Expo (other)

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- [342 - Beyond the Dieline with Tom Seymour - Episode 2 with Benita Kasbo from Kasbo's Market](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-03-09-342-beyond-the-dieline-with-tom-seymour-episode-2-with-benita-kasbo-from-kasbos) (People of Packaging)
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- [Dang Foods: Vincent and Andrew Kitirattragarn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-01-24-dang-foods-vincent-and-andrew-kitirattragarn) (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)

## Citing this page

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