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
Sweet Protein Sweelin Achieves GRAS Status
Amai Proteins announced today its sweet protein sweelin received GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Purely Elizabeth Launches Beauty-Inspired Granola
Purely Elizabeth launched Purely Glow Salted Vanilla Pistachio Granola, a limited-edition granola enhanced with collagen peptides and biotin. The item was inspired by beauty routines and TikTok trends.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Sidekick Gets Serious About Salsa
Guillermo’s – the fresh salsa startup launched by late-night television personality Guillermo Rodriguez – appears to be yet another celebrity-backed packaged food brand. The founding team of industry innovators behind the venture insists that it’s not.
Caulipower Debuts Single-Serve Offerings in Frozen Aisle
Caulipower is launching its first-ever single-serve options in the frozen aisle. The product expansion comes on the heels of the brand’s acquisition by Paine Schwartz Partners-owned Urban Farmer, a manufacturer of branded and private label specialty dough products.
Ex-Walmart Leader Named CEO of Kroger
Former Walmart executive Greg Foran was named CEO of The Kroger Co. and joined its board of directors. He succeeds Ron Sargent, who took over on an interim basis after Rodney McMullen’s departure last March.
TRUBAR Goes Private In $173M Acquisition
Publicly traded TRUBAR was acquired by an affiliate of privately held, Turkey-based snack company ETi Gida for $173 million in cash.
Inside Red’s Leadership Transition and Growth Strategy
Following months of conversations with the board about its next phase of growth, Michael Adair, the founder of Red’s All Natural, described handing off the reins of his frozen foods company in January to an experienced operator as a “natural evolution.”
Encore Consumer Capital Closes $350M Oversubscribed Fund V
Private equity firm Encore Consumer Capital closed its oversubscribed Fund V with $350 million in commitments from limited partners.
Epstein Revelations Create ‘Nightmare’ for Peter Attia’s CPG Brand Ties
Peter Attia was, until Friday, a great name to have on your corporate cap table or advisory board. Over the weekend, things changed.
McGuinness Steps Down At Impossible Foods
After four years, Peter McGuinness is stepping down as chief executive of Impossible Foods, the company announced today. No reason was provided for his departure. He will remain on the company’s board.