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
Three First-Time Exhibitors To See At Summer Fancy Food
The Summer Fancy Food Show kicks off this weekend in New York City, and we’ve got our eyes on a handful of standout brands. Here are three on our radar.
Mamame Raises $2M To Fuel Expansion in Modern Tempeh Snacks
Tempeh snack maker Mamame Whole Foods has raised $2 million in a funding round led by Granite Asia, a multi-asset investment platform headquartered in Singapore. The family-owned and operated startup has helped translate a centuries-old superfood into a modern on-the-go snack that entered the U.S. market last fall.
Aria Growth Partners Closes $152M Fund-II
Buoyed by strategic exits of portfolio companies LesserEvil and Hero Cosmetics, Aria Growth Partners announced today the close of its second fund with $152 million in capital commitments.
With No-Stir Package, Can Brand Win Natural Peanut Butter Race?
By literally turning the problem on its head, One Trick Pony founder Lucy Dana thinks she’s solved the oil crisis. No, not that one.
Mealogic Raises $16 Million To Scale ‘Food As Medicine’ Delivery Platform
Mealogic, a white-label meal delivery platform, has secured $16 million in a funding round led by S2G Investments, with participation from Dohmen Company Foundation, U.S. Venture Partners and Unilever Ventures.
Taste Tomorrow Ventures Marks First Food Investment With Better Sour
Taste Tomorrow Ventures, the early-stage investment fund established by beverage incubator L.A. Libations, has taken a minority equity stake in better-for-you candy brand Better Sour. Financial terms were not disclosed; however, Better Sour’s founders confirmed the startup is raising a seven-figure round to support new product launches and expanded distribution.
Snack It Like Beckham: Soccer Legend Launches Kids’ Brand
Honey is the hero ingredient in a new children’s snack brand co-founded by former professional soccer player David Beckham and serial entrepreneur Shaun Neff. Launching today in Target stores nationwide, BEEUP offers fruit-flavored snacks geared toward youth sports, a market the founders say has been largely overlooked in the snack aisle.
The Cost Of UNFI’s Breakup With Key Food
While last week’s cyberattack dominated the discussion during UNFI’s third-quarter earnings call Tuesday, executives also shed light on the company’s decision to exit its “unprofitable” long-term supply agreement with grocery operator Key Food Stores Co-operative.
Food-as-Medicine Startup Raises $3.6 Million To Scale GLP-1 Solution
Lembas, which describes itself as an artificial intelligence-powered peptide discovery company, aims to offer a more accessible alternative to high-priced injectables sold under brand names like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy with its first solution, GLP-1 Edge.
UNFI Shipping On ‘Limited Basis’ Following Security Breach
Wholesale distributor UNFI is shipping on a “limited basis” in the wake of last week’s cyberattack, executives said during an earnings call today to discuss third-quarter financial results.