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
Khloud Will Be Sold at Starbucks, Says Coffee Giant
Starbucks is doubling down on protein, adding Khloud popcorn, the protein-enhanced brand started by celebrity Khloé Kardashian, to its store offerings.
Splendid Spoon Buys Mosaic Foods In Deal Backed By Gather Ventures
Splendid Spoon has acquired Mosaic Foods, backed by an undisclosed investment from venture capital firm Gather Ventures. The deal brings together two direct-to-consumer, plant-forward meal delivery businesses with more than $190 million in combined revenue.
David Protein Launches Indulgence-Positioned Bar, Bronze
The latest “masterpiece” – to borrow the brand’s words – in the David Protein portfolio is Bronze, an indulgent line of coated bars that debuted today.
The Year Protein Hit Its Peak – And What Comes Next
America’s protein obsession seemingly scaled to new heights in 2025, popping up in everything from instant mashed potatoes and pasta sauce to popcorn, chocolate bars and even Pop-Tarts.
Conagra Brands Sales Slide, But Snacks Strength Supports Outlook
Weak consumer sentiment, negative weather impacts and retailer inventory timing shifts dragged on Conagra Brands’ net sales in Q2. Still, executives struck an upbeat tone during prepared remarks ahead of the company’s quarterly earnings call today and reaffirmed previous targets for full-year organic net sales and adjusted earnings.
What Emerging Food Brands Can Learn From Poppi’s Mega Success
Will the Poppi playbook work for Jams? Stephen Ellsworth, who co-founded modern soda brand Poppi with his wife, Allison, has joined consumer products house The DropOut Companies as an operating partner. The DropOut Companies was established by Connor Blakley and Josh Franko to launch and scale reimagined childhood classics. Earlier this year, the Nashville-based venture… Read more »
GroundForce Capital Invests in Righteous Felon
Righteous Felon Craft Jerky secured an investment from GroundForce Capital, a founder-led investment firm that has previously backed Liquid Death, OWYN and Vive Organic. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Poppi Co-Founder Joins DropOut Companies
Stephen Ellsworth, who co-founded modern soda brand Poppi with his wife, Allison, has joined consumer products house DropOut Companies as an operating partner.
San Francisco To Sue Ultraprocessed Food Makers
San Francisco just declared war on America’s snack aisle, filing the nation’s first government lawsuit today against the largest manufacturers of ultraprocessed foods. City Attorney David Chiu claims local governments are footing the bill for chronic diseases linked to the companies’ products
Ritter Sport Expands in U.S. With Chocolove Acquisition
Ritter Sport Group is expanding its presence in the U.S. market with the acquisition of Creative Natural Products, the Boulder, Colo.-based manufacturer of the Chocolove premium chocolate brand. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.