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
Analyzing America’s Grocery Carts
A new report by nutrition intelligence company FoodHealth Co. and NielsenIQ suggests U.S. shoppers are falling short when it comes to the healthiness of household food purchases.
Smash Foods Closes Seven-Figure Round To Fuel Further Growth
Smash Foods has closed a seven-figure funding round to expand availability of its superfood spreads and snacks, according to co-founder and chief operating officer Steve Ford. The round was led by Eclair Partners with participation from Label Capital and The Family Fund, alongside a strategic supply chain partner.
TreeHouse Foods Acquired In $2.9 Billion Deal
One of North America’s largest private label food and beverage manufacturers is set to become a private company. TreeHouse Foods will be acquired by an independently managed investment subsidiary of Investindustrial VIII in an all cash transaction for a total enterprise value of $2.9 billion, the companies announced today.
Taylor Farms Expands In U.K. With Acquisition
Packaged salad producer Taylor Farms is expanding its global footprint with the acquisition of Natures Way Foods, a fresh prepared food manufacturer based in Chichester, England. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Pizza Co-Manufacturer Urban Farmer Acquires Caulipower
Urban Farmer, a manufacturer of branded and private label specialty dough products, announced today its acquisition of gluten-free frozen foods brand Caulipower, best known for its cauliflower crust pizzas.
Fruitist Bags $150M In Funding To Build Berry Business
Fruitist closed $150 million in equity funding to accelerate retail expansion for its line of premium packaged berries. The round was led by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, alongside new and existing investors. The Los Angeles-based company is reportedly valued at $1 billion.
Celleste Bio Unveils Cell-Cultured Cocoa Butter
In an innovative step forward for the chocolate industry, Celleste Bio this week unveiled chocolate-grade cocoa butter produced using plant cell culture technology.
Tender Food Rebrands, Expands Processing Technology With $6.5M In Fresh Funding
Tender Food is rebranding and expanding into additional categories following a new $6.5 million funding round. Under its new name Lasso, the Boston-based startup will commercialize its patented food processing technology for applications in high-protein snacks and pet food.
How Celebrity-Founded Smash Kitchen Aims to Transform American Pantries
Since its springtime debut, Smash Kitchen has expanded nationwide into Walmart, Sprouts Farmers Market and Erewhon and launched over a dozen items ranging from organic ketchup to pure avocado oil.
Walmart Eliminating Synthetic Dyes, Dozens More Additives From Store Brands
Walmart U.S. announced this week its plans to remove synthetic dyes – alongside certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes – from its private brand food products by 2027. The company claims the shift stems from customer demands.