Cranberry producer co-op Ocean Spray has created an ‘innovation incubator’ to develop new brands – starting with health drinks line Atoka.
The plant-based herbal drink is Ocean Spray’s first-ever new brand and comes from the Lighthouse, the co-op’s innovation incubator based in the Seaport district of Boston.
“Our Lighthouse incubation team is set to tackle the most interesting challenges we face as a food and beverage industry today and position Ocean Spray at the forefront of change,” said Rizal Hamdallah, global chief innovation officer at Ocean Spray.
“Atoka is the first new brand to be incubated here at the Lighthouse. It’s indicative of our emphasis on an intensely innovative, agile approach to product development and cultivating a culture of innovation throughout the organisation.
“Atoka brings Ocean Spray into an entirely new category of wellness drinks, including a variety of oatmilks, tea tonics, and herbal shots offered in different herbal blends.”
The Atoka drinks combine cranberry juice with a variety of ingredients including gingseng, guayusa, ginger, chamomile and lemongrass. The brand will launch as a test market in the Boston area and Ocean Spray plans to roll it out in January 2020.
