Monica Watrous
For more than a decade, Monica Watrous has covered the latest trends, innovations and developments in the food and beverage industry and has organized and hosted multiple events featuring emerging brands and cutting-edge concepts. She is a lifelong foodie and a champion of startups and disruptors in the consumer packaged goods landscape.
Posts by Monica Watrous
Nestlé USA Eliminates Artificial Dyes Across Portfolio
Nestlé USA has completed the removal of artificial colors from its U.S. food and beverage portfolio, marking a significant milestone in the company’s broader effort to align with shifting consumer expectations around ingredients, transparency and nutrition.
Archer Adds Chicken To Protein Portfolio Amid Meat Snacks Boom
Archer Meat Snacks is branching beyond beef and turkey for the first time, betting chicken can help fuel its next phase of growth as retailers devote more space to the booming meat snacks category.
JBS USA To Close Two Beef Plants
The affected sites include a beef production plant in Souderton, Pa., that employs 1,700 workers and a value-added facility in Memphis that employs 200 workers,
Children’s Snack Brand Cadootz! Charts Retail Expansion
Just six months after its direct-to-consumer debut, children’s snack brand cadootz! is launching nationwide at Target.
Red’s All Natural Enters Frozen Snacking Category
Rolling out to Kroger stores this month, Snackers is a line of smaller-format items made with simple ingredients including antibiotic-free meat and cage-free eggs.
The Only Bean Bets on Target to Revitalize a Sleepy Snack Set
The launch marks a major milestone for the Las Vegas-based brand, which has rapidly expanded into thousands of stores across the club and grocery channels since its debut six years ago.
UNFI Profit Surges Despite Sales Decline
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) delivered stronger profitability and margin performance in its third quarter despite a decline in revenue driven by ongoing network optimization efforts.
Second Nature Brands To Acquire Tillamook Country Smoker
Second Nature Brands is expanding into the meat snacks category with the acquisition of Tillamook Country Smoker from Insignia Capital Group and family shareholders.
Meat Snack Makers Cash In on America’s Protein Fix
Jerky and meat sticks have emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments in center store, fueled by consumers’ increasing focus on protein, convenience and portion-controlled eating.
Standing Tall Takes Aim At Soy Myths and Menopause
An industry veteran launched Standing Tall earlier this year with a line of roasted soybean snacks designed to support women’s health through midlife and beyond.