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
Utz to Go Private in $2.9B Deal as European Snack Giant Intersnack Bets on U.S. Growth
Utz Brands has agreed to be acquired by Germany-based Intersnack Group in a transaction valued at approximately $2.9 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border snack deals in recent years and underscoring the continued appeal of U.S. packaged food brands to global buyers.
Lioness Founder Believes Women Deserve More Than Another Protein Bar
Lioness debuted in June in more than 1,900 Target stores nationwide with a line of functional gummy snacks formulated around different moments in a woman’s day, from morning energy to afternoon cravings and evening relaxation.
New CEO Promises ‘Radical Simplicity’ as Conagra Brands Resets Strategy
In his first earnings call since taking the helm, John Brase outlined a sweeping turnaround strategy centered on restoring margins, investing more heavily in brands, simplifying the company’s portfolio and organization, and resetting capital allocation.
Big Food’s Big Bets: Welch’s Takes on Uncrustables, Campbell’s Pushes Protein in Soup
Established food companies are reshaping familiar staples around the growing demand for protein and fiber.
IFT FIRST: Protein, AI and the Reformulation Race Dominate Food Innovation’s Biggest Stage
Many of the technologies debuting at IFT FIRST this week in Chicago aren’t chasing the next superfood or trendy ingredient.
Carbon-Based Fats Move Toward Scale as AAK Invests in Savor
Savor is teaming up with specialty oils and fats supplier AAK to accelerate commercialization of fats made directly from carbon, marking a significant step toward bringing the climate-focused ingredient technology to mainstream food manufacturers.
McCormick Uses $28M Tariff Windfall to Counter Iran-Linked Cost Pressures
McCormick & Co. received $28 million in tariff refunds during its second quarter and expects an additional $3 million in the back half of the year, offering some relief as the company contends with mounting inflationary pressures.
The Only Bean Hit With Class Action Over Protein Claims
The Only Bean is facing a proposed class action lawsuit, alleging the dry-roasted edamame snacks producer misled consumers by overstating the usable protein content of its products and failing to comply with federal labeling requirements.
General Mills Bets on Innovation, Protein and Cost Savings to Restore Growth
The Minneapolis-based food giant reported fourth-quarter results that met expectations, but its full-year sales and earnings declined as inflation-weary consumers sought out discounts.
ACON Investments Acquires YumEarth, Partners With Fini to Fuel Next Growth Phase
YumEarth has built its business around organic, allergy-friendly candy made without artificial dyes, high-fructose corn syrup or the top nine allergens.