Modern Pop

Modern Pop, Inc. is a food brand operating in the consumer packaged goods sector with a focus on healthy, frozen fruit-based nutrition bars. The company was founded in Laguna Beach, California, in 2013 by Julie and Brad Podolec. The inspiration for the business came from the founders' personal experience as new parents searching for a healthy frozen treat for their teething child. Dissatisfied with existing options that were high in sugar and contained artificial ingredients, Julie began creating her own fruit bars at home. This direct, needs-based origin story is central to the brand's identity.

Julie Podolec, who serves as the company's CEO, has a background in sales and marketing, which she leverages to build the brand's presence. Her early career in New York City and a subsequent move to Southern California informed the brand's lifestyle-oriented marketing approach. The business began with Julie selling the homemade bars from a pushcart in Laguna Beach before expanding. The company's business model is centered on producing and marketing these fruit bars, which are sold through a wide network of retail partners. By 2019, Modern Pop products were available in thousands of stores nationwide, including major retailers like Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Publix. The company generates revenue through the sale of its products to these retail distributors.

The product line consists of plant-based, non-GMO, and dairy-free frozen popsicles. A core tenet of the brand is its "Putting Fruit First" philosophy, emphasizing whole fruit as the primary ingredient with minimal additions and low sugar content. The pops are sweetened with organic agave and feature simple ingredient lists, such as strawberries, water, organic agave, and organic lemon juice for their strawberry flavor. This straightforward approach to ingredients is a key differentiator in the better-for-you frozen dessert market. To fuel its expansion, Modern Pop has raised a total of $1.04 million in funding over five rounds from institutional investors including Steelpoint Capital, Cambridge Companies SPG, and Rocana Ventures.

Keywords: frozen fruit bars, healthy snacks, natural ingredients, CPG food brand, plant-based dessert, low sugar snacks, kids snacks, Julie Podolec, Southern California lifestyle brand, retail food products, whole fruit bars, dairy-free frozen treats, non-GMO snacks, grocery retail, consumer packaged goods, frozen novelties, health and wellness food, clean label snacks, family-owned business, better-for-you products