Every team loves the start of a new project. New ideas, new claims, new categories. But the path from concept to launch is not a straight line. It is five
Five Years In: A Few Things I’ve Come to Believe
Source86 turns five this week. Here is what the last five years actually taught me. Five years ago I could not have told you where I would be sitting today.
Five Years In, and I’m a Dad
Five years building Source86, a daughter who arrived early, and a few honest words about the relationship that makes all of it possible. Two big things
5 More Things You Didn’t Know About Monk Fruit Sweetener
Monk fruit sweetener has earned its spot as one of the most talked-about sugar alternatives on the market. But as research evolves and industry controversies
From 10K to 1M Units: 6 Mistakes That Will Collapse Your Supply Chain
Every brand wants the moment when demand spikes and production ramps from ten thousand units to one million. It feels like proof that the product works, that
4 Questions That Tell You Exactly Which Production Model to Choose
Every brand reaches the same decision point: build the next product through private label, or take it to a contract manufacturer? Both models work. Both scale.
Build It or Buy It? Check List to Choose the Right R&D Model
Let's Start with the FAQ Every food brand wants innovation that moves quickly, scales cleanly, and holds up under compliance and ingredient changes. But
Price Isn’t Everything: The Hidden Costs in Bulk Ingredient Sourcing
Why Cost Discipline Starts With a Broader Definition of Cost. Why Cost Discipline Starts With a Broader Definition of Cost Reviewing quotes and
2026 Ingredient Outlook: The Rise of Renewable, Low-Impact Ingredients
Renewable, low-impact ingredients are no longer a niche alternative. In 2026, they will become the more stable, more compliant, and increasingly more
Why Source86 Isn’t a Traditional Broker: An FSQA-First Approach
Most ingredient brokers focus on logistics: move product, pass along specs, collect the margin. But when food safety and brand compliance are on the line, that
Natural Products Expo West 2026: Product Trends and the Future of Food
Natural Products Expo West is returning to Anaheim, CA, scheduled for March 3-6, 2026. According to the Northhall 2026 Show Guide, the event continues to be the
The Geographic Map of Natural Food: Where Innovation Is Actually Coming From
Every March, Anaheim becomes the epicenter of the natural food world. Thousands of Expo West exhibitors travel from across the country and the globe to show
Supreme Court Strikes Down IEEPA Tariffs: What It Means for Food Importers
Big news in trade policy today. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not give the President the
What Proactive Account Management Actually Looks Like
In sourcing and supply chain, most account managers operate reactively. They schedule calls, relay updates, and surface problems after they have already created
A Performance Framework for Private Label and Bulk Ingredient Operations
In food and beverage supply chains, success is not a feeling; it is a measurable outcome. For private label developers, co-manufacturers, co-packers, bulk
Proactive Risk Mitigation in Food Supply Chains
In food and beverage supply chains, risks accumulate quietly. A missed regulatory change. A disrupted port. An unexpected allergen in raw materials. By the time
Why We’re Not Traditional Partners: The Logistics Lens
Why We're Not Traditional Partners: The Logistics Lens In global supply chains, traditional brokers often function as middlemen who connect buyers and
The Hidden ROI of Strategic Co-manufacturing Partnerships
Introduction: Why Co-manufacturing Partner Selection Determines Product Success Co-manufacturing is the practice of outsourcing food and beverage production
Strategic Sourcing for Bulk Buyers: How Modern Supply Chain Partnerships Differ from Traditional Ones
Introduction: Why Traditional Brokerage Models Fall Short for Enterprise Buyers Traditional food and beverage brokers operate on a transactional model: they
ADHD, entrepreneurship, and building with integrity.
I don’t think every founder story is about hustle. Mine certainly isn’t. In this episode of The Michael Peres Podcast, I talk about my journey with ADHD,
How Source86 Navigated Global Supply Chain Challenges in 2025: BRCGS Certifications, Tariff Solutions & Customer-Centric Growth
2025 will go down as a year when global supply chains were pushed from every direction. Tariff uncertainty spiked in Q1, ingredient volatility followed, retail
5 Ingredient Trends That Will Actually Change CPG Production in 2026
Every year brings new trend forecasts, but most of them never reach the production floor. In 2026, the shifts that matter will be the ones that change how
5 Things You Don’t Know About Wholesale Suppliers (That Quietly Power Your Growth)
Most brands underestimate how much of their success depends on what happens long before a shipment reaches their facility. Ingredient importing is a high-risk,
You Can’t Build Culture. You Can Only Co-Create It.
Running a company is a humbling reminder that you’re not the main character in the story. You might be the founder, the strategist, the one setting direction,
How to Choose the Right Coman and Copack Partner for Your Food Brand in 2025
Comanufacturers (comans) produce your product at scale. They handle batching, blending, cooking, and other core production steps based on your formula or
6 Steps to Build a Seamless Food Supply Chain (From Farm to Shelf)
Bringing a product to market might look easy from the outside, but behind every perfectly packaged jar of nut butter or neatly sealed bag of chili flakes is a
Why Top Food Brands Don’t Build Their Own Factories Anymore
Building factories used to be the mark of growth for food brands. Today, it’s often the mark of a slowdown.As regulations, consumer expectations, and production
Inventory Management From Source to Shelf.
Inventory management is more than keeping shelves stocked. It determines whether brands maintain healthy cash flow, meet customer demand, and prevent costly
The Human Element: What Sets Us Apart
Supply chain success isn't just about systems and logistics; it's about the people who make those systems work. Research shows that companies with strong
End-to-End Product Development Solutions for Food & Beverage Brands
Launching a new product requires seamless coordination across every stage of development, from ingredient sourcing and R&D to manufacturing partnerships,
