CPG Week Podcast

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

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard chat about the acquisitions of Caulipower and Justin’s by private equity firms, Keurig Dr Pepper’s new $7 billion investment, and new funding for popped sorghum startup Cob. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Caulipower has been acquired by its longtime private equity-owned co-manufacturing partner Urban Farmer. Monica breaks down the details of the deal. 2:40 – Keurig Dr Pepper announced $7 billion in new investment and offered nervous investors a confident appraisal of its much-scrutinized plan to separate its coffee and refreshment beverage businesses. 4:35 – Hormel has sold its ownership stake in Justin’s to private equity firm Forward Consumer Partners. The hosts discuss what this means for the nut butter brand and its previous leadership. 6:55 – Game, set, match. Popped sorghum startup Cob netted $5 million in funding and added a tennis legend to its founding team. 8:20 – The podcasters discuss PepsiCo’s new corporate logo and an unusual seasonal offering from Kraft Mac & Cheese. 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 talk about Recess’ new funding round and leadership addition, a premium bourbon brand on the block, and new cash for Robert Downey Jr.’s coffee brand. The podcasters also discuss the closure of an alt-cheese maker and the surge in demand for gummy formats in supplements and in candy. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Recess Drinks has closed a $30 million Series B round led by CAVU and other repeat investors and named a new leader. Brad breaks it all down. 1:50 – Pour one out for Four Roses? Japan’s Kirin Holdings is looking to unload the bourbon brand for $1 billion. Monica explains. 3:40 – L.A. Libations’ Taste Tomorrow Ventures has made a strategic minority investment in happy products, the coffee brand co-founded by CPG industry veteran Craig Dubitsky and actor Robert Downey Jr. 5:15 – Stockeld Dreamery, a venture-backed Swedish producer of plant-based cheese, has shuttered after six years in business. What went wrong? 6:25 – A fiber brand gets gummy. Speaking of gummies, the kids are low key obsessed. Trade show mascots… scarier than Halloween costumes? Discuss. 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, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss the most recent twist in Ben & Jerry’s battle with Unilever over its stance on the Gaza War, how Slate Milk has ridden the high-protein trend to a $23 million investment, SlimFast’s new owner and why one seasoned beverage industry executive thinks energy drinks need to grow up. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Monica discusses why Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has stepped down from his iconic frozen dessert brand and how this is the latest escalation between the brand’s founders and its parent company Unilever. 2:40 – Lactose-free chocolate milk and iced coffee brand Slate has closed a $23 million Series B round. Lukas explains why the brand has capitalized on the high-protein trend and its ability to draw in celebrity backers. 4:30 – SlimFast has been acquired once again. The diet shake brand’s new owner, Heartland Food Products Group, is an Indiana-based co-manufacturer that owns the low-calorie sweetener and drink mix brand Splenda. 8:15 – Mōcean is a new energy drink from the mind of former White Claw brewmaster Tony Vieira. The brand is launching this fall with a differentiated formulation that includes shiso leaf and echinacea for immunity benefits. Lukas explains how the brand is targeting adult consumers with its marketing strategy. 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 Lukas Southard discuss recent investments in Bloom Nutrition, Tost and Magic Mind, plus meal kit makeovers and marathon-friendly food and beverage brands. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Nutrabolt has taken a majority stake in Bloom Nutrition, strengthening its position in categories including energy drinks and powdered supplements. Monica digs into the terms of the deal. 2:30 – Booze-free trailblazer Tost has secured over $1 million in bridge funding as it grows its distribution and targets on-premise opportunities with a new canned format. 5:05 – The meal kit market is in transition. Monica explains how Factor and Blue Apron are repositioning for today’s consumer needs. 6:40 – Magic Mind has raised $12.4 million of a nearly $16 million Series A round led by BFG Partners. Lukas breaks down what’s next for the wellness shot brand. 8:25 – Liquid Death goes up to 11, and a shoutout to runner-friendly food and beverage brands. 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 Kraft Heinz’s separation plans and PepsiCo’s increased investment in Celsius Holdings. The hosts also chat about Pepsi’s warning letter from an activist investor and Huel’s ready-to-drink foray into the red-hot greens category. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Kraft Heinz is officially splitting up after nearly a decade as a combined global food company. Monica dishes up the details of the breakup. 3:00 – PepsiCo is doubling down on energy drinks, increasing its ownership stake in Celsius and aligning its Rockstar Energy brand with that business. Brad breaks it all down. 4:30 – Speaking of PepsiCo, one of its biggest investors has some notes. Elliott Investment Management is pushing for change at the food and beverage company. 7:45 – Huel has launched a ready-to-drink greens line for the retail channel. Brad explains the brand’s foray into the red-hot trend. 9:40 – The podcasters talk about a “King of the Hill” inspired barbecue rub and Travis Kelce’s investment in an organic sports drink brand. 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