CPG Week Podcast

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery examine four stories shaping the packaged food industry: the seed funding round fueling a drink mix startup’s retail expansion, The EVERY Company’s latest step toward commercializing precision-fermented egg white proteins, Welch's bid to disrupt the frozen sandwich category, and the FDA's push for greater transparency around caffeine content.

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss the acquisition of organic candy maker YumEarth, a trademark case brewing between ready-to-drink coffee brand Rise and PepsiCo, fresh funding for protein ice cream startup Frozen One and a licensing deal that brings Four Loko into the intoxicating hemp beverage set. The hosts also chat about trends and new products at the recent Summer Fancy Food Show.

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss how Gatorade is courting dehydrated non-athletes, Laird Superfood’s acquisition strategy, the impact of GLP-1s on consumer purchasing behavior and what’s happening in hemp. Show Highlights: 0:20 – Gatorade is entering a “transformational new era” as it broadens its addressable audience beyond elite athletes and platforms with multiple tiers of hydration products. 2:45 – With help from its new majority investor, Nexus Capital Partners, Laird Superfood has made its second acquisition in less than six months, establishing itself as a buyer in the functional wellness set. 6:00 – How are GLP-1 drugs impacting CPG food and beverage? Monica dives into recent data from sales and marketing company Acosta Group, tracing purchasing trends. 9:45 – Lukas goes through the latest intoxicating hemp category news, including a legislative solution proposed by Sen. Rand Paul and how industry stakeholders are safeguarding against the impending November ban. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard gear up for the annual trek to Anaheim for Natural Products Expo West. Listen in to learn about the brands, products and trends on our radar this year. Show Highlights: 0:20 – The podcasters discuss what they are looking forward to checking out at Expo West. Lukas has his eye on the meat snack category and creatine creeping into new applications. 2:50 – Monica shares the themes she’s tracking at the show, including global flavors, functional benefits and the evolution of familiar categories and new twists on pizza, candy and other everyday staples. 4:40 – Brad shares his hacks for conquering the Anaheim Convention Center in three days. 8:20 – The trio is excited to try new items from Spindrift, Mid-Day Squares, Evergreen, Like Air and more. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts  

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a leadership shakeup at Lemon Perfect, the acquisition of snacking platform The Good Crisp Company, and Koia’s entry into the modern soda category. The podcasters also share highlights from the Winter FancyFaire show in San Diego. Show Highlights: 0:15 – The Trump Administration has released the new Dietary Guidelines, which inverts the former food pyramid. Not everyone is happy with the new recommendations. Monica explains more. 2:10 – An investor-driven shakeup at Lemon Perfect has resulted in significant headcount reduction – including company leadership and several of its employees – and forced founder and board chair Yanni Hufnagel from any operational role at the company. Lukas details the beverage maker’s challenges. 3:50 – The Good Crisp Company has been acquired by MPearlRock, an investment group formed by MidOcean Partners, Kroger and its data analytics platform, 84.51. Monica shares what’s next for the snack brand. 5:25 – For a decade, Koia has positioned itself as an innovator in plant-based protein drinks. Now, the brand is bringing that focus to the Modern Soda set with its latest line launch: Koia Protein Pop. Lukas discusses the launch and category. 7:05 – Monica and Lukas highlight trends and standout products sampled at the inaugural Winter FancyFaire in San Diego. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts  

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss a spate of funding news for a hot sauce brand, a hummus startup and a functional beverage company. The hosts also chat about what an executive order to reschedule cannabis could mean for the hemp drink market. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Former NFL player Jason Kelce is backing hot sauce maker Hank Sauce. Monica discusses the deal. 3:15 – The parent company of GoodBelly and Cheribundi has raised $10 million in a funding round led by investment firm ECP Growth. Brad explains more. 3:40 – In other investment news, Gen-Z founded hummus brand Habiza secured capital from the newly formed Foodbeast Ventures. 5:55 – The White House has issued an executive order to reschedule cannabis. Brad explains what it could mean for the hemp beverage industry. 7:30 – The top candy trends of the year, plus a casket company dips into the energy drink market. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts  

In this episode: This week, the podcast explores the implications of the Congressional spending bill on the hemp beverage industry and why there is a silver lining to the defined timeline for product sales. Senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard also discuss Gopuff’s big investment round and why there is so much synergy between energy drinks and fitness supplements. The podcasters conclude the episode with a taste test of new beverages and snacks. Show Highlights: 0:20 – Hemp is facing an existential crisis after Congress passed its newest spending bill, putting a 365-day timeline in place for hemp-derived beverage sales to continue. Brad and Lukas discuss what stakeholders have been saying in the last week, what we might see moving forward with lobbying efforts and what could happen in the broader cannabis industry. 8:00 – Gopuff has secured a $250 million investment as it puts more resources behind its artificial intelligence technology that will make the online grocery delivery platform more efficient. 9:00 – Another fitness supplement brand, RAW Nutrition, is aiming to go deeper in energy drinks with its BUM Energy brand by adding significant industry experience to its team. Brad and Lukas discuss the trend of gym supplement brands finding a broad consumer base with energy drinks. 12:45 – For the first time in a long time, Brad and Lukas are in the same room recording so the two reporters decided to try new food and drink together and discuss how these samples represent some trends in their respective categories. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts