Blue Book's Kirk Soule sat down with co-founder and president Todd LaForest for the Weekend Interview — the path from Marquette law school to produce, why the family bet on branding in a category that has always competed on price, and what Molly Pop is trying to do for grapes that Cuties did for mandarins.
In a commodity business, everything is based on price. You either win on price or you lose. I wanted to win on something else.
Todd LaForest, Co-Founder & President
Co-founder and chief marketing officer John Cymbal joined The Packer's podcast to explain what happens when a produce company stops thinking like a commodity supplier and starts thinking like a consumer packaged goods brand — and why nostalgia turned out to be the lever.
Molly LaForest joined Omni Talk Retail hosts Anne Mazinga and Chris Walton to talk about the brand that carries her name — why most shelf juice is either loaded with sugar or tastes watered down, how pairing specialty grapes with matching juices changes produce merchandising, and why the beet-cucumber blend became the unexpected fan favorite.
We're here to wake up the category with our bold, beautiful grapes.
Molly LaForest, Brand Champion
A four-flavor cold-pressed lineup — Grape Cider, Grape Lemonade, Beet Bop and Veggie Bliss — built on the premise that juice should not have to choose between tasting like something and being good for you. Each 8oz bottle lands under 100 calories with no added sugar.
We set out to create something new for the world. Something with real integrity — clean labels, cold-pressed nutrition, and flavor so big.
John Cymbal, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer
Produce Business profiled Molly LaForest, marketing specialist at Molly's Grape & Citrus Company and the namesake of the Molly Pop brand, on growing up inside a produce family and taking on the brand that carries her name.
This wasn't an easy thing — that I knew it was my destiny. Actually, my dad's been in the produce industry for 35 years.
Molly LaForest
The first two juices — Berry Burst from green Molly Pop grapes, Berry Blush from red — launched at the 2024 IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show from Booth #C1136, extending the brand from the produce aisle into the cooler.
Our juices reflect our belief in the power of natural goodness. We're thrilled to offer a product that not only tastes incredible but is also a healthy, all-natural option.
Todd LaForest, Co-Founder & President
The company introduced two brands at once — Molly Pop for the candy-sweet specialty grape line, and Molly's Sun Select for premium year-round grapes and citrus. The moment the family business stopped selling a commodity and started selling a name.
Molly's Grape & Citrus is free to innovate because it's an agile and scrappy brand with a plan.
Todd LaForest, Co-Founder & President
Brief mentions in show-floor roundups and industry listicles.
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