CPG Week Podcast

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss trends and new products featured at the NACS Show held Oct. 14-17 in Chicago. The event drew thousands of convenience store operators to view the latest offerings from food and beverage brands seeking to expand within the channel. Show Highlights: 0:35 – Lukas dives into the latest trends in convenience store snacks, including protein bars with bonus benefits and new twists on meat sticks and jerky. 4:15 – Monica highlights new packaging formats and designs in the ready-to-drink coffee and bottled water categories seen on the show floor. 6:15 – What’s brewing in the iced tea segment? Lukas spills the details. 9:00 – PepsiCo showcased big bets and subtle tweaks at the event ranging from new high-protein and lower-sugar offerings to its take on a prebiotic cola. 11:00 – Coca-Cola featured less innovation than its top rival – aside from the notable comeback of Mr. Pibb. Lukas shares insights from his tour of the booth. 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 Avery dig into Whole Foods Market’s annual trends forecast and DayDayCook’s shift away from its recent brand acquisitions to focus on bitcoin. The podcasters also discuss the potential of a new food processing technology and the legal battle brewing between Liquid Death and Death Wish Coffee. Show Highlights: 0:15 – What trends are on tap for the year ahead? Whole Foods Market forecasts fiber, beef tallow and fine dining in the frozen aisle. 1:30 – DDC Enterprise Limited, which does business as DayDayCook, has raised a whopping $124 million in equity financing – but it doesn’t seem likely that much, if any, of it will be put into the Hong Kong-based company’s recent CPG acquisitions. 3:15 – The startup formerly known as Tender Food is expanding beyond plant-based meat alternatives into additional categories following a new $6.5 million funding round. Monica explains what’s next for the company now known as Lasso. 5:55 – Why is Death Wish Coffee suing Liquid Death? Brad breaks it down. 7:40 – Pop-Tarts jumps on the protein trend, and “Saturday Night Life” spoofs near beer. 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 dig into Walmart’s decision to remove synthetic dyes from its store-branded products. The team goes on to discuss how certain brands are repositioning in the plant-based cheese category, the abrupt closure of Nor-Cal Beverage and the data behind the high-protein craze. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Walmart has announced it will remove all synthetic dyes from its many private-label brands. Monica explains why Walmart’s move aligns with how other big food companies are responding to calls for food ingredient transparency. 3:05 – Plant-based cheese ingredient provider Climax Foods has rebranded to Bettani Farms after raising $6.5 million in a Series A round. Along with its new name, Bettani Farms has appointed former Califia Farms CFO Sandeep Patel to lead the food tech company as it prepares for its next stage of growth. 4:45 – Unexpectedly, Manna Beverages shut down its California-based co-manufacturer, Nor-Cal Beverage. The sudden closure comes after rumors earlier this summer that Manna was seeking to divest the drink producer it acquired in 2023. 7:00 – It’s no secret that protein is all the rage in food and beverage. Monica and Lukas chat about a pair of exclusive Brightfield Group reports on the category for BevNET and Nosh. 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 Brad Avery unpack Once Upon A Farm’s IPO announcement, a grocery retailer’s adoption of a food health scoring system, breakfast maker Seven Sundays’ step toward vertical integration, and Beckett Industries’ new food and beverage focused fund. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Once Upon A Farm has filed for an initial public offering. Monica explains what this means for Jennifer Garner’s next-generation childhood nutrition brand. 3:35 – Grocery chain Hy-Vee has a new partnership with nutrition intelligence platform FoodHealth Company, becoming the first retailer to bring the color-coded, numerical nutritional score to its shelves. But will shoppers bite? 6:00 – Seven Sundays took a step toward vertical integration with the acquisition of its longtime manufacturer Birch Packaging. Monica details how the move positions the breakfast maker for explosive growth. 7:25 – Beckett Industries launched a $50 million venture capital fund that will target early-stage food and beverage businesses. Brad breaks it all down. 8:25 – Uncrustables bulks up, the Dew gets dirty, and the podcasters provide a peek at the Nosh Live lineup. 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 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 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