CPG Week Podcast

In this episode: In this episode of CPG Week, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery analyze the evolution of private label from off-brand to on-trend. The podcasters also discuss recent examples of the protein craze in Wandering Bear’s new latte line and Brami’s lupini bean-based pasta. Additionally, the hosts dig into British mixer brand Fever-Tree’s partnership with Molson Coors and an interesting new innovation in the frozen aisle. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Grocer retailers are beefing up private label assortments with a focus on protein, global flavors and premium positioning. Monica explains how consumer perceptions of store brands are changing. 3:15 – Cold brew coffee maker Wandering Bear is leaning into the protein craze. Brad highlights the strategy behind the latest launch. 5:00 – Can America’s obsession with protein drive mainstream adoption of the lupini bean. Italian food company Brami believes so. 6:30 – British mixer brand Fever-Tree is benefiting from its partnership with Molson Coors. Brad breaks down the deal. 8:05 – Brad and Monica discuss functional ice cubes and the return of RC Cola (What? It never left?). 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: In this episode of CPG Week, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery dig into the dual trends of clean labels and dirty sodas. The hosts also discuss a new AI-driven solution for food and beverage manufacturers and the stalling of a Silicon Valley darling. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Saffron Road is introducing its “most ambitious brand refresh” in its 15-year history as it aims to align with today’s consumer trends, including the growing anti-seed oil sentiment and an insatiable appetite for protein. 3:20 – The Dirty Soda trend has officially broken TikTok containment and is now influencing restaurant and retail innovation. Brad highlights recent examples. 7:25 – Keychain has raised $30 million in Series B funding and is introducing an AI-powered operating system to streamline production for food and beverage manufacturers. Monica explains more. 8:45 – Soylent is struggling. Brad shares what the future may hold for the meal replacement brand. 10:15 – The hosts chat about protein-packed sauces, a decline in drinking and Newtopia Now. 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 the CPG Week podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss the acquisitions of Tia Lupita and Health-Ade Kombucha, new directions for the biggest beverage makers, and how Hero saved the day when Whole Foods ended its supply agreement with BetterBrand. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Mexican food brand Tia Lupita has been acquired by Vilore Foods, distributor of Jumex beverages and other Hispanic brands. Monica unpacks terms of the transaction. 1:30 – Coca-Cola is launching a line extension of its namesake soft drinks with cane sugar, and Pepsi announced plans to debut a prebiotic cola. Brad explains what these innovations mean for the market. 4:15 – Following the meltdown of low-carb bagel maker BetterBrand, Hero rose to the occasion, filling shelves with its take on the breakfast staple. Monica shares more details on how a competitor’s collapse benefited the better-for-you baker. 7:10 – Health-Ade Kombucha has sold to Generous Brands. Brad spills the tea on the deal. 8:30 – Forget battery-flavored chips and “Spaghett-cicles.” Liquid Death is entering the energy drink segment – with what it claims is a “sane” level of caffeine. 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 the CPG Week podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss an unusual new product launch and continued consolidation among packaged food conglomerates. Then, Brad provides his top takeaways from the Hemp Beverage Expo. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Catch of the day? Protein bar brand David started the week with a splash, announcing the launch of frozen, boiled cod. Monica shares the reel deal behind this fishy product extension. 3:25 – Ferrero Group has announced plans to acquire W.K. Kellogg Co. for $3.1 million, adding Frosted Flakes and other legacy brands to a portfolio that also includes Nutella, Butterfinger and Blue Bunny. Brad gives the scoop behind the potential deal. 7:00 – A decade after its merger, Kraft Heinz may be headed for splitsville. Monica unpacks why the beleaguered conglomerate is exploring a spinoff. 9:45 – Brad highlights all the insights he gathered at the Hemp Beverage Expo in Atlanta. 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 explores an antitrust lawsuit centered around protein bar David’s acquisition of its supplier Epogee. Next, the hosts look toward regulatory headwinds in hemp drinks and why there are signs of optimism despite retail setbacks. Finally, the team looks at candy maker Joyride’s new $30 million funding round before discussing the future of plant-based cheese. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Three brands are suing Peter Rahal’s David brand for monopolizing the novel ingredient EPG. 2:00 – While Texas and other states institute new restrictions on intoxicating hemp beverages, startup brands are beginning to see more investor interest in backing the category. Senior reporter Lukas Southard explains how BRĒZ is platforming around function and “feeling good” to add new retail doors. 5:45 – Is better-for-you candy having a moment? Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous explains why the $30 million round raised by Joyride (formerly Project 7) proves there is a lot of opportunity in sour sweets. 7:00 – The Bel Group announced it will be shutting down its plant-based brand Nurishh last week. Lukas digs into what is happening in the vegan cheese set. 9:00 – In other news, Monica and Lukas talk mayo-themed weddings, marathon drinks and Once Upon A Farm’s new apparel line. 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: Hot honey, hot pink totes and hot takes. The CPG Week team is back from Anaheim and ready to discuss all the new things they saw at the yearly Natural Products Expo West show. From bubbling trends to maturing categories, the podcast hosts discuss protein popping up in everything, meat snacks, a further distancing from seed oils, next-gen sodas and the surprising innovation tasted within the convention halls. Show Highlights: 0:30 – BevNET has launched its latest platform, Nombase, a centralized hub for the CPG industry with resources like a directory of over 10,000 brands and partners, job boards and a new place to post important company announcements. 2:15 – The team jumps into its Expo West recap discussing “Big Kefir,” protein snacks and surprising (and unsurprising) brand collaborations. 9:30 – Senior reporter Brad Avery talks about saturation of the better-for-you soda set and his impressions of Perfy’s Pepperoni Pizza and Cherry Cola flavors. 12:00 – The CPG Week hosts share what they heard from stakeholders about the impact of tariffs, supply chain issues and inflation they are expecting this year. 16:30 – One hot take being echoed in the wake of Expo West was a lack of innovation on the floor. The podcasters share the best innovations they tasted including candy-flavored dates, new bao buns and instant scrambled egg cups. 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: Nosh Live might have wrapped up last Friday in Marina Del Rey, Calif., after multiple days packed with great presentations, lively conversations and amazing networking opportunities. The CPG Week team sat down earlier in the week to chat about all their favorite moments from the two-day event. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard talked about the Pitch Slam, the speakers and the new tattoos some team members got on their day off. Show Highlights: 0:30 – The podcast kicks off with the hosts’ general impressions of the two-day conference including their love of Lexington Bakes brownies, POM Wonderful’s ingredient innovation and tattoos. 4:30 – The group talks about some of the Pitch Slam presentations. They discuss common themes in the brand pitches and some of the feedback founders received from the judges. 9:45 – The team discusses how there was a common theme running through many panels and on-stage content that spoke to platforming as well as when and how to bring innovation to market in a company’s lifecycle. 17:00 – The podcast finishes up with a quick chat about Lukas’ newfound appreciation for Erewhon’s exorbitantly priced smoothies. 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