CPG Week Podcast

In this week’s episode, co-hosts Brad Avery and Lukas Southard discuss the knowns and unknowns surrounding Jetty, the upcoming new brand from Poppi’s co-founding husband-and-wife team. They then cover several investments in packaged food and the state of the hemp industry as the December 11 ban approaches. Plus, does protein belong in a White Russian cocktail?

This week, podcast co-hosts Brad Avery and Lukas Southard kick up their feet and sip on the growth of the relaxation beverage category. The episode also covers a developing rift between Make America Healthy Again advocates and the White House, more lawsuits over sweeteners and RIND Snacks' pivot deeper into co-packing.

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery break down a possible reprieve for hemp beverage makers, a high-profile sports drink acquisition backed by NBA star Victor Wembanyama, Kodiak's remarkable growth story under private equity ownership and the emerging wave of Christian-themed energy drink brands betting that faith can help carve out a niche in the increasingly crowded functional beverage market.

  In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard reflect on the top stories of the year, including the rising influence of the Make America Healthy Again movement on the food and beverage industry, the biggest merger moments, and notable highlights of hemp’s uncertain future. Show Highlights: 1:00 – Monica explores the impact of the Make America Healthy Again movement on the packaged food and beverage industry with many large manufacturers pleading to remove controversial ingredients from portfolios. 4:20 – Brad discusses the landmark deals defining the market this year, from PepsiCo’s nearly $2 billion acquisition of Poppi to the restructuring efforts underway at leading conglomerates. 7:15 – Lukas highlights the latest developments affecting the use of cannabis in food and beverage formulations. 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 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 on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard share highlights of Nosh Live and BevNET Live, held Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 7-9, respectively, in Marina del Rey, Calif. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Monica kicks off the episode with a preview of Nosh Live 2025, highlighting sessions with the leaders of Khloud Foods, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and other breakout brands. 1:20 – Discussions at the two-day event will also touch on retailer decision making, a look at the state of startup funding, regional-to-national expansion and the art of collaboration in product development. 2:10 – Lukas discusses highlights of the BevNET Live agenda, which spans cannabis beverages, spirits and more. 3:15 – Speakers at BevNET Live include the founders of Poppi and leaders of Health-Ade, KetoneIQ, Hopwater, Celsius and more. 4:30 – Lukas previews a panel at BevNET Live that he will be moderating with representatives of buying collective INFRA. 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