CPG Week Podcast

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss Utz Brands' $2.9 billion acquisition by Germany's Intersnack Group and Sèchey's decision to exit brick-and-mortar retail in favor of a technology platform. The hosts also chat about Final Boss Sour's $4 million funding round and Yerba Madre's leadership transition.

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery unpack the McCormick-Unilever merger, Constellation Brands’ purchase of HOP WTR, Create Wellness’ fresh funding-fueled expansion, and Q Mixers’ move into functional beverages. Show Highlights: 0:20 – Following brief speculation, McCormick & Company will merge with Unilever’s food division, bringing together such brands as Hellmann’s mayonnaise and French’s mustard. Monica details the deal. 3:05 – Non-alcoholic alternatives got a big win last week as Constellation Brands agreed to terms to acquire HOP WTR, the functional, beer-style sparkling water brand founded in 2020. Brad outlines the transaction. 4:05 – Create Wellness, a trailblazer of the creatine gummy set, is moving into powdered beverages with a $20 million investment. Monica breaks down the investment. 5:55 – The average consumer’s relationship with alcohol has radically evolved over the last several years, and premium cocktail mixer brand Q Mixers is eager to evolve alongside them with its first functional innovation. 7:45 – Monica and Brad discuss this year’s crop of April Fools’ fakeouts. 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 acquisition of TreeHouse Foods, the regulatory outlook for hemp beverages, a new verification standard for non-ultraprocessed foods, and Lucky Energy’s latest funding round. Show Highlights: 0:15 – TreeHouse Foods is going private in a deal valued at $2.9 billion. Monica explains what’s next for the private label food and beverage manufacturer. 1:45 – Hemp beverages could be sacrificed in a deal to reopen the federal government, as spending legislation moves through Congress that includes language effectively prohibiting such products. Lukas shares details and insight. 4:20 – A new verification program for non-ultraprocessed foods has debuted. Monica breaks down which ingredients are unacceptable under the Non-UPF Verified standards. 7:45 – Lucky Energy has landed $25 million in a Series B round led by Paine Schwartz Partners, with former leaders from Suja Juice joining its board. 9:15 – The podcasters weigh in on pickle-scented candles and female-coded energy beverages. 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 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: 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 Brad Avery dig into the dual trends of clean labels and dirty sodas. The hosts also discuss a new AI-driven solution for food and beverage manufacturers and the stalling of a Silicon Valley darling. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Saffron Road is introducing its “most ambitious brand refresh” in its 15-year history as it aims to align with today’s consumer trends, including the growing anti-seed oil sentiment and an insatiable appetite for protein. 3:20 – The Dirty Soda trend has officially broken TikTok containment and is now influencing restaurant and retail innovation. Brad highlights recent examples. 7:25 – Keychain has raised $30 million in Series B funding and is introducing an AI-powered operating system to streamline production for food and beverage manufacturers. Monica explains more. 8:45 – Soylent is struggling. Brad shares what the future may hold for the meal replacement brand. 10:15 – The hosts chat about protein-packed sauces, a decline in drinking and Newtopia Now. 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 the CPG Week podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss the acquisitions of Tia Lupita and Health-Ade Kombucha, new directions for the biggest beverage makers, and how Hero saved the day when Whole Foods ended its supply agreement with BetterBrand. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Mexican food brand Tia Lupita has been acquired by Vilore Foods, distributor of Jumex beverages and other Hispanic brands. Monica unpacks terms of the transaction. 1:30 – Coca-Cola is launching a line extension of its namesake soft drinks with cane sugar, and Pepsi announced plans to debut a prebiotic cola. Brad explains what these innovations mean for the market. 4:15 – Following the meltdown of low-carb bagel maker BetterBrand, Hero rose to the occasion, filling shelves with its take on the breakfast staple. Monica shares more details on how a competitor’s collapse benefited the better-for-you baker. 7:10 – Health-Ade Kombucha has sold to Generous Brands. Brad spills the tea on the deal. 8:30 – Forget battery-flavored chips and “Spaghett-cicles.” Liquid Death is entering the energy drink segment – with what it claims is a “sane” level of caffeine. 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