CPG Week Podcast

This week on the podcast, BevNET and Nosh senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard discuss the top trends on display at Newtopia Now. They also get into a new report from the Acosta Group on long-term changes in consumer spending behavior and break down the shareholder rebellions at several CPG brands, including Zevia and OWYN.

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss how Gatorade is courting dehydrated non-athletes, Laird Superfood’s acquisition strategy, the impact of GLP-1s on consumer purchasing behavior and what’s happening in hemp. Show Highlights: 0:20 – Gatorade is entering a “transformational new era” as it broadens its addressable audience beyond elite athletes and platforms with multiple tiers of hydration products. 2:45 – With help from its new majority investor, Nexus Capital Partners, Laird Superfood has made its second acquisition in less than six months, establishing itself as a buyer in the functional wellness set. 6:00 – How are GLP-1 drugs impacting CPG food and beverage? Monica dives into recent data from sales and marketing company Acosta Group, tracing purchasing trends. 9:45 – Lukas goes through the latest intoxicating hemp category news, including a legislative solution proposed by Sen. Rand Paul and how industry stakeholders are safeguarding against the impending November ban. 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 discuss the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a leadership shakeup at Lemon Perfect, the acquisition of snacking platform The Good Crisp Company, and Koia’s entry into the modern soda category. The podcasters also share highlights from the Winter FancyFaire show in San Diego. Show Highlights: 0:15 – The Trump Administration has released the new Dietary Guidelines, which inverts the former food pyramid. Not everyone is happy with the new recommendations. Monica explains more. 2:10 – An investor-driven shakeup at Lemon Perfect has resulted in significant headcount reduction – including company leadership and several of its employees – and forced founder and board chair Yanni Hufnagel from any operational role at the company. Lukas details the beverage maker’s challenges. 3:50 – The Good Crisp Company has been acquired by MPearlRock, an investment group formed by MidOcean Partners, Kroger and its data analytics platform, 84.51. Monica shares what’s next for the snack brand. 5:25 – For a decade, Koia has positioned itself as an innovator in plant-based protein drinks. Now, the brand is bringing that focus to the Modern Soda set with its latest line launch: Koia Protein Pop. Lukas discusses the launch and category. 7:05 – Monica and Lukas highlight trends and standout products sampled at the inaugural Winter FancyFaire in San Diego. 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: In this episode, the CPG Week podcast team discusses the emerging trends spotted on the show floor at the final Winter Fancy Food Show and why the Specialty Food Association is replacing the long-running tradeshow with a new event next year. Then, the group talks about the adult non-alcoholic beverage category, including sales data and standout brands. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous recaps the trends from the Winter Fancy Food Show and explains why the Specialty Food Association is retiring the event after a nearly five-decade run. 10:00 – Senior reporter Lukas Southard discusses his Damp January and shares NIQ data on the adult non-alcoholic beverage category. 11:45 – Senior reporter Brad Avery details his experience with the growing sober-curious movement and highlights a mass market retailer expanding its assortment of booze-free beverages. 13:50 – The group debates the pronunciation of a new celebrity-founded brand in the near-beer segment. 15:40 – The Surgeon General denounces alcohol as “one of the leading preventable causes of cancer.” Will this lead to a decrease in consumption? 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 CPG Week podcast team assembles an arguably strange but balanced breakfast of orange juice, regenerative rice and cottage cheese with the top topics of the week. BevNET and Nosh reporter Adrianne DeLuca shares her findings on the recent cottage cheese craze, senior reporter Brad Avery rehashes his conversation with the CEO of Tropicana Brands Group, and Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous reviews an exclusive report on food and beverage venture funding in the latest quarter. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Don’t call it a comeback. The group discusses the curious revival of cottage cheese, thanks to some TikTok influencers and Good Culture’s efforts to modernize the category. 5:15 – Brad shares highlights of his conversation with Monica McGurk, CEO of Tropicana Brands Group, on how it aims to “operate like a $3 billion startup.” 8:40 – Monica offers a peek at the exclusive report on food and beverage venture funding compiled by FABID. 9:45 – Adrianne talks about Lotus Foods’ recent $22.5 million raise to expand its System of Rice Intensification process to more farms. 11:35 – Brad details plans for Alliance Consumer Growth’s new $160 million fund. Hint: Food and beverage brands are back in focus for the firm. 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

  In this episode: How does artificial intelligence fit into the CPG industry? Senior reporter Brad Avery walks the podcast team through A.I.’s impact on everything in food and beverage from product ideation and formulation to streamlining operations. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous shares data on the granola segment and the CPG Week group discusses how recent product launches speak to enlivening a staple category. Lastly, the team examines the news that Suja Life has acquired the trademark for former Pepsi soda brand Slice. Show Highlights: 0:30 – After reminiscing about the ‘90s era game show “Supermarket Sweep,” Monica quizzes Brad and Lukas on CPG trivia from the show (with a little help from BevNET CMO Mike Schneider). 5:20 – Brad talks A.I. machine-learning, how it is being implemented in CPG food and beverage, and why having a human touch is still important to brand-building. 10:30 – Monica shares what she found when looking more closely at the granola category. 15:00 – The team discusses the news that Suja Life has acquired soft drink brand Slice and might be relaunching it as a new functional, gut-health soda. The group goes on to throw out some other nostalgic beverage brands they would like to see resurrected. 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