CPG Week Podcast

In this episode: This week, the podcast team digs into the disruption caused by a cyberattack on wholesaler UNFI’s information technology systems last week. Next, the hosts discuss Taste Tomorrow Ventures’ first food investment and why sour candy is whetting investor appetites lately. Finally, the podcasters highlight a soccer star’s foray into the consumer packaged goods field and a beverage brand’s latest partnerships. Show Highlights: 0:15 – A cyberattack hobbled wholesale distributor UNFI last week, leaving many bare shelves at grocery stores across the country. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous details the company’s recovery efforts and shares tips for brands affected by the disruption. 3:20 – L.A. Libations’ Taste Tomorrow Ventures invested in candy brand Better Sour. Senior reporter Brad Avery unpacks the reasoning behind the investment and how the startup plans to spend its new cash. 6:00 – Soccer legend David Beckham has launched a new snack venture targeting the overlooked market of youth sports. Monica highlights the brand’s go-to-market strategy and future product development plans. 8:00 – Speaking of soccer, Yerba Madre – the beverage brand formerly known as Guayaki – has kicked off some new sponsorship deals with football clubs and events. Brad details all the new marketing plays from the brand since unveiling its new identity earlier this year. 10:35 – Monica and Brad talk about a “hard seltzer that goes hard,” Liquid Death’s latest clapback, and dill pickle ramen noodles. 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: 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: 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

In this episode: The annual Natural Products Expo West trade show might spell tired feet and too much hand sanitizer for some, but it’s also one of the biggest events for new product unveils and a chance to take the temperature of the CPG industry. The podcast team discusses what they are looking out for at this year’s show. Show Highlights: 0:45 – Along with treadmill weight-training and chugging kombucha, the CPG Week team talks about how they are preparing for this week’s big show. 3:30 – Senior reporter Lukas Southard will be checking in on meat snack makers while also checking out the new better-for-you snack brand Wild Fox Foods, launched by the founders of Kevin’s Natural Foods. 5:00 – Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous will be keeping an eye out for some of the trends the team has been tracking in the last year including GLP-1 companions and seed oil-free products. 6:30 – Amid an uncertain trade landscape, senior reporter Brad Avery will be tracking what brands are saying about looming tariffs. For more ways to prepare, check out last year’s Unofficial Guide to Expo West: Surviving (And Thriving) at Expo West: An Investor’s Perspective The ABCs of Expo West How to Stay Healthy, Safe and Sane at Expo West Expo Etiquette: From Hawkeye to Hijack No Booth? No Problem: Backpacking at Expo West 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, the CPG Week podcast team covers four acquisitions in food and beverage including Spindrift’s anticipated sale and the unexpected new owner of Simple Mills. To start the show, the team discusses how the likely ban of TikTok will affect CPG brands. The group moves on to talk through recent acquisitions of Spindrift, Simple Mills, Sauer Brands and Yerbae. The podcast explains what these deals mean for the brands being acquired and how they fit into the portfolios of their new owners. Show Highlights: 0:30 – With U.S. operations of TikTok likely to shut down on January 19, many CPG brands will lose an important platform for new customer acquisition. The team discusses what this means for emerging brands and how they might pivot. 4:30 – Senior reporter Brad Avery walks the group through Gryphon Investors’ acquisition of Spindrift and why this exit was a long time coming. 6:45 – Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous explains why better-for-you snack brand Simple Mills might be a good fit for baked goods and bread company Flowers Foods. 10:00 – Moving onto spices and condiments, senior reporter Lukas Southard gives an overview of Advent International’s purchase of Duke’s Mayo and Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa maker Sauer Brands from Falfurrias Capital Partners. 11:45 – Lastly, Brad goes through Safety Shot’s acquisition of sparkling caffeinated beverage brand Yerbae, explaining why the deal could breathe needed energy into the yerba mate drink maker. 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 reporters Lukas Southard and Brad Avery talk about two different retailers’ returns from bankruptcy. The CPG Week podcasters discuss how there is a differing consensus about the expected returns of Foxtrot and Boisson. While some suppliers seem ready to return to Foxtrot shelves, there appears to be more hesitancy among brands who’ve formerly worked with NA retailer Boisson. In other news, a different low- and no-alcohol retailer gets an endorsement from bev-alc private equity firm in the form of a capital investment. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Are truffles overrated? HuffPost thinks so; the CPG Week team responds. 1:45 – For Foxtrot founder Mike LaVitola, its return is not a comeback so much as a “totally new company.” The CPG Week group looks at what it means for the next-gen convenience store to return to business both from a brand perspective and from a macro-industry angle. 6:00 – Alternatively, there appears to be some trepidation surrounding the return of non-alcoholic beverage retailer Boisson. Lukas runs through a recent BevNET story that dissected suppliers’ opinions about Boisson’s return in light of the unfinished business and unpaid bills that haven’t been completely addressed. 12:30 – Not all non-alc retailers are struggling to win over brands. Charleston, S.C.-based Sèchey landed investment from InvestBev last week. Brad details how the new capital is an approval of one company’s approach to growing in NA beverages. About the 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