CPG Week Podcast

In this episode: This week, the podcast team discusses big moves by protein bar startup David, plus industry reactions to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s recent report on ultraprocessed foods, fermented foods maker Cleveland Kitchen’s recent capital raise, and a former slugger’s new spirits venture. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Protein bar brand David has raised $75 million in a Series A funding round and acquired its ingredient supplier Epogee. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous unpacks the startup’s massive moves less than a year since its launch. 2:55 – Senior reporter Brad Avery sheds light on the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s recent report targeting ultraprocessed foods as a key contributor to children’s chronic health issues, as well as various industry reactions to the findings. 4:15 – Cleveland Kitchen has raised $2.9 million in new funding. Monica shares how the fermented foods manufacturer plans to build on continued momentum in the year ahead. 6:00 – Brad explains why retired Hall of Famer David “Big Papi” Ortiz is launching a rum brand. 7:45 – Hear how Joyburst’s CEO turned a lawsuit into a sampling opportunity and which beverage brands are embracing a nostalgic summer flavor. 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 dives into a couple new acquisition deals, manufacturing and a hefty dosage of protein. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard go through the past week’s CPG industry news, covering Chobani’s expansion into frozen foods with its takeover of Daily Harvest, how one bone broth maker is betting on the category’s growth and why protein content continues to rise in the beverage industry. Show Highlights: 0:15 – The podcast jumps into a pair of recent acquisitions this past week. First, Monica explains the sale of A Dozen Cousins to Verde Valle Foods. Next, Lukas describes what we know so far about Chobani’s newest acquisition, smoothie and plant-based meal maker Daily Harvest. 3:30 – The team digs into the bone broth category, discussing Austin, Texas-based Kettle & Fire’s new manufacturing plant, KettleWorks in Lancaster, Pa. 5:30 – Protein drinks continue their upward momentum. Lukas shares some of the insights from a story tracking how muscle mass-building beverages seem to have no ceiling and now cover multiple segments. 7:30 – On a lighter note, the team goes through the Kingsford and Miller Lite grilling partnership, boomers’ penchant for cannabis, MrBeast is getting meaty with Jack Link’s and yogurt maker Beny’s rebrand to Sourmilk. 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: On this episode, the CPG Week podcast team digs into the declines of two prominent plant-based brands before discussing the acquisitions of Mary’s Gone Crackers and Kate Farms. Next, the hosts highlight the latest celebrity to launch a coffee brand. (Maybe a hot sauce would have been more appropriate?). Show Highlights: 0:15 – The team kicks off the podcast discussing the downfall of mycelium meat maker Meati, who is reportedly selling for $4 million – after raising a total of $450 million during its lifespan. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous provides a rundown of recent events that led to this point. 2:15 – Beyond Meat is also on the backburner. The plant-based patty purveyor recently secured $100 million in debt financing after a particularly brutal quarter that saw U.S. retail and foodservice sales declining by double digits. 5:00 – Senior reporter Brad Avery unpacks the sale of gluten-free pioneer Mary’s Gone Crackers to a Dare Foods subsidiary. What does it mean for the company going forward? 5:55 – Danone has struck a deal for Kate Farms, a maker of plant-based baby formula. The French dairy giant expands its reach into a new segment of the market. Brad discusses why the acquisition is consistent with Danone’s recently stated goals. 6:55 – Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis is launching a coffee business (and speaking at BevNET Live!), Mid-Day Squares co-founder Jake Karls can finally eat his brand’s products, and Pepsi is playing dirty in Coke’s backyard. 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: On this episode of CPG Week, senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard walk through the biggest news items of the week. The reporters discuss Guayakí’s rebrand to Yerba Madre, how intoxicating hemp brands have leveraged DTC to grow and a pair of recent earnings reports showing a slow start to the year. Brad and Lukas finish up with a welfare check on Free Bird founder Jay Williams after a playfully disturbing post on LinkedIn. Show Highlights: 0:20 – Say bye to Guayakí and hello to Yerba Madre. Brad runs through his recent conversation with Yerba Madre (formerly Guayakí) CEO Ben Mand about the rebrand and how it reaffirms the tea maker as the flagbearer for yerba mate in the U.S. 2:30—Lukas updates Brad on the most recent regulatory wins and losses for the intoxicating hemp beverage category. The two discuss how the category is growing online amid a push for closer alignment with beverage alcohol. 6:30 – Ghost has been sued by Mondelēz, which claims that the energy drink brand cannot use the trademarks for Sour Patch Kids, Oreo, Swedish Fish and Chips Ahoy after being acquired by Keurig Dr Pepper. 8:00 – Lukas runs through Celsius’ “slow start” to the year with its Q1 earnings. Brad chimes in with Black Rifle Coffee’s latest quarterly earnings, also representing lower revenue growth. 9:45 – On a lighter note, the duo discusses a comical post from Free Bird canned water’s founder Jay Williams about a recent run-in with McDonald’s Hamburglar. 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: No more blue tongues or Flamin’ Hot Cheetos fingers? On this episode, the CPG Week podcast dives into the recent FDA/HHS directive to remove synthetic food dyes from food and beverages. The podcast team discusses the feasibility of the plan and how it could complicate food manufacturing. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Monica explains the Food and Drug Administration and Health and Human Services’ new directive for manufacturers to voluntarily phase out the use of eight synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026. 2:30 – The group discusses why the proposed timeline for banning these food dyes might be too aggressive for many larger food companies. 5:30 – Pivoting to natural sources will not only force consumers to adjust to a new visual norm but will require a heavy lift for supply chain sourcing. 9:00 – Even as industry groups debate the feasibility and necessity for the directive, the podcast team talks about how many countries and states have already started the process of phasing out these synthetic dyes in the interest of public health. 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: On this episode, the CPG Week podcast team embraces its inner sweet tooth and talks indulgent treats. From competitors of Nerds and JELL-O, better-for-you versions of sugary favorites are popping up all over. The team discusses some of the trends driving these new category options before hearing about a new fruit bar from the founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Show Highlights: 0:30 – The team kicks off the podcast with a communal taste test of Rotten’s Gummy Cruncheez in honor of the upcoming Sweets & Snacks Expo next month. 4:30 – Senior reporter Lukas Southard talks about new plant-based jelly brand Oddball. The brand is attempting to seize market share from JELL-O by positioning as a low-sugar, better-for-you version of the jiggly fruit-based snack. 7:45 – Protein is one of the trends reporter Shauna Golden will be tracking when she heads to the Sweets & Snacks Expo. The team discusses how some of these trends are being incorporated into candy and indulgent treats. 10:45 – Freeze-dried candy is another category to watch with larger strategics starting to get into the set. 15:00 – From ice cream to fiber-rich fruit bars. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous shared what she learned from a conversation with Jeni Britton (founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams) about her new snack bar brand, Floura. 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 team is discussing a pair of funding rounds recently announced by functional beverage brands Culture Pop and Ryl Tea, with highlights from conversations with the businesses’ respective leaders about expansion plans. Next, the CPG Week hosts tackle the topic of vertical farming and the challenges startups are facing as funding dries up. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous points out that this weekend marks a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence: Easter falling on April 20, also known as the stoner’s holiday, 4/20. The team muses on how to celebrate appropriately. 2:50 – Senior reporter Lukas Southard shares insights from his conversation with Culture Pop founder Tom First on the probiotic beverage brand’s recent $15 million funding and its plans to compete in the modern soda set. 8:00 – Time for some Ryl news. Senior reporter Brad Avery explains how the maker of functional canned beverage brand Ryl Tea plans to use its new chunk of change. 13:55 – The team turns its attention to vertical farming, a concept that has struggled to live up to its own hype and the heaps of cash flowing into it early on. Lukas points to a pattern of overinvestment and underperformance across food technology in general. 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