Guiding Brands on Their Innovation Journey
We understand the importance of staying ahead of the competition and constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers.
Our Services
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Fractional Leadership & Innovation Strategy
Your embedded innovation partner. We guide your team through every step of the innovation journey—from whitespace mapping to pipeline planning. Need executive-level guidance without a full-time hire? Our fractional leadership model keeps your strategy sharp and your go-to-market plans moving.
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Pipeline Execution & Project Management
Keep innovation moving. We manage the day-to-day flow of your pipeline—tracking timelines, aligning cross-functional teams, and flagging roadblocks early. If challenges pop up (and they will), we lean on our trusted Strategic Advisory Network of operators, formulators, and industry experts to help troubleshoot and adapt in real time.
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Ideation & Concept Development
Ideas worth building. We lead collaborative workshops to help you and your team uncover new product ideas rooted in consumer trends. Then we shape those ideas into viable, differentiated concepts using a combination of market insights and design thinking.
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Consumer Insights & Research
Built with your audience in mind. From exploratory interviews to packaging tests and in-market validation, we bring real consumer voices into your development process. Our research ensures you're solving the right problems—and doing it in a way that resonates.
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Prototyping & Product Development
From sketch to shelf. We turn concepts into tangible prototypes using rapid testing, iterative feedback, and technical support. Whether refining flavor, texture, or packaging, we help you align development with what consumers actually want.
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Go-to-Market Planning
Land it right. Launching something new? We’ll help define your positioning, audience targeting, channel strategy, and pricing approach—so your product lands with intention and momentum.
Taste Trail CPG Advisors was founded from a love of food and a passion for helping great ideas become great products. Led by Andrea Bouma—an experienced food scientist, marketer, and culinary professional—Taste Trail brings over 15 years of industry experience spanning startups to global brands. What began as a solo consultancy has grown into a trusted strategic partner for CPG teams ready to innovate with purpose and execute with precision.
We support food and beverage brands across the entire product development journey—from early concepting through launch and beyond. Our services include innovation workshops, consumer insights, concept development, prototyping, go-to-market planning, and post-launch evaluation. We also offer Fractional Innovation Leadership for companies that need senior-level strategy and execution support without the overhead of a full-time hire.
In addition, clients can tap into our advisory board of experts in R&D food formulation, packaging engineering, food safety, HACCP planning, and regulatory review—ensuring the right expertise is always within reach. Product categories of expertise include USDA organic, non-GMO, healthy snacking, beverage, alcoholic beverage, bread, bakery, dairy, and plant-based alternatives.
Whether you’re bringing a new product to life or refreshing a legacy line, Taste Trail offers a rare blend of grounded strategy, creative thinking, and hands-on experience. We believe in building thoughtful, collaborative partnerships that deliver both immediate wins and lasting brand value.
Let’s build what’s next—together.
About Taste Trail CPG Advisors
Organization and Management
Andrea Bouma, MBA, Food Science MS, Culinary Arts
Innovation & Business Strategy, Principal Consultant
Jennifer Willig, Food Scientist PhD
Food Safety Systems, Advisory Board
Kelly Connelly, Little Food Lab LLC
Food Systems Formulation, Advisory Board
Tracy Loughlin, Loughlin Packaging LLC
Packaging Engineer, Advisory Board
Amanda Borel, Borel Compliance & Quality LLC
Specialty & BRC Certifications, Advisory Board