MatchaBar is trying to turn the energy drink market on its head, and has even drawn interest -- and an investment -- from rap superstar Drake. Co-founder Graham Fortgang told Cheddar he and his brother/partner Max bet on live events and consumer packaged goods to give coffee the boot. “Whether we are doing a three-day activation out at Coachella, an event like TED Talks, [or] here on Cheddar TV,” he said, “a lot of what we do is get the brand into the spaces and into the communities that are influencing culture.” Not only has the family-owned business secured funding from Grammy-winner Drake, it also rolled out a national partnership with Whole Foods last September and teamed up with restaurant chain Dig Inn. This year, the team will be at festivals such as SXSW and New York’s Governors Ball. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-brothers-making-drakes-favorite-matcha).

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Small grocers and convenience stores feel an impact as customers go without SNAP benefits
Some small grocery stores and neighborhood convenience stores are eager for the U.S. government shutdown to end and for their customers to start receiving federal food aid again. Late last month, the Trump administration froze funding for the SNAP benefits that about 42 million Americans use to buy groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about 74% of the assistance was spent last year at superstores like Walmart and supermarkets like Kroger. Around 14% went to smaller stores that are more accessible to SNAP beneficiaries. A former director of the United Nations World Food Program says SNAP is not only a social safety net for families but a local economic engine that supports neighborhood businesses.
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