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
Actual Veggies Roars Into Kids’ Aisle With Dinosaur Nuggets
Actual Veggies is stomping into the kids’ aisle with a new line of vegetable-packed Dinosaur Nuggets launching nationwide this summer. The three offerings – Cauliflower & Potato, Sweet Potato & Carrot and Broccoli & Potato – will hit shelves at several existing retail partners in one of the brand’s largest coordinated launches to date.
Target Removing Artificial Dyes From Cereal Assortment
Target announced today that it will only sell cereals made without certified synthetic colors beginning in May. The retailer said it has worked closely with both national brand and its owned brand partners to reformulate products.
Fancypants Goes Big With Smaller Pack Sizes
The Boston-based premium cookie maker is expanding into new foodservice channels with 1 oz. and 0.67 oz. trial packs designed for corporate cafes, hotels, universities and airlines.
What’s Big Food Cooking? A Peek Inside The Pipeline
Packaged food conglomerates detailed innovation plans for the coming year during the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference last week, and many of the new products previewed tap into today’s leading trends.
Glen Powell’s Smash Kitchen Ventures Into Snacks
Smash Kitchen, the celebrity-backed pantry staple startup, is venturing into the snack aisle with a line of kettle-cooked potato chips in Walmart stores nationwide.
Hungryroot Hits $700 Million in Revenue
Online grocer Hungryroot generated net revenue in 2025 of $700 million, which was up 55% over the prior year. The privately held company also said it achieved profitability last year behind the strength of its artificial intelligence technology.
Carbone Taps President, COO To Lead Next Phase Of ‘Rapid Growth’
Carbone Fine Food has tapped Jeff Stoeckel as president and chief operating officer. He will partner with chief executive Eric Skae to expand the brand’s retail footprint, accelerate new product development and lead the business into “the next phase of its rapid growth.”
Mighty Spark Charts Mighty Expansion
Mighty Spark, a producer of chicken snack sticks, is rapidly expanding with new distribution and product launches in the year ahead.
Tyler Ricks Joins Actual Veggies Board
Tyler Ricks has joined the board of directors of Actual Veggies. Ricks is a seasoned leader with nearly three decades of general management, marketing, and sales experience in consumer products organizations including PepsiCo, Bear Naked Granola and Plum Organics.
Primal Kitchen Unveils Grass-Fed Dairy-Based Dressings
Primal Kitchen has launched its first-ever dairy-based offerings – a line of shelf-stable, creamy salad dressings made with buttermilk from grass-fed cows, Romano cheese and yogurt, plus avocado oil. The range includes Creamy Romano, Buttermilk Ranch and Tzatziki Style.