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 discuss the stateside debut of Gymkhana Fine Foods, a premium Indian sauce brand with fine-dining roots and fresh capital. The duo also details the launch of a functional beverage highlighting colostrum as a key benefit. Additionally, Monica outlines the acquisition of mocktail maker St. Agrestis by The Wine Group, and Brad talks about productivity drink startup Neutonic’s latest funding round. Show Highlights: 0:20 – Gymkhana Fine Foods is aiming to reframe Indian cuisine in the U.S. from takeout staple to premium everyday indulgence, backed by a $8.5 million Series A investment round. Monica details the brand’s stateside launch. 3:30 – As the beauty and wellness worlds continue to converge, ARMRA is entering the ready-to-drink category with a shelf-stable colostrum soda designed to translate the brand’s functional benefits into a mainstream beverage format. Brad breaks it all down. 5:25 – Brooklyn-based non-alcoholic beverage maker St. Agrestis, best known for its Phony Negroni line of bottled mocktails, has been acquired by The Wine Group for an undisclosed sum. Monica outlines the deal. 6:50 – Productivity drink startup Neutonic has secured $6 million in new funding as it seeks to accelerate its US retail presence with a move into national grocery stores slated for this summer. Brad explains more. 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 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 Brad Avery discuss a class action lawsuit against David Protein, Bloom’s entry into the crowded protein soda set, Bachan’s post-acquisition plans, and George Clooney’s near beer brand.Show Highlights:0:20 – A class action lawsuit filed in New York federal court claims David Protein significantly understates the calories and fat content in its protein bars. Monica unpacks the case.5:20 – Bloom has launched its own protein soda, entering an increasingly competitive set. Brad shares his take on the booming category.8:10 – What’s in store for Japanese barbecue sauce brand Bachan’s following its sale to the Marzetti Company? Monica breaks down the deal.10:20 – George Clooney and the rest of the team behind tequila brand Casamigos are back at it with a new non-alcoholic beer startup. Brad details the launch.About CPG WeekCPG 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] on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss the bidding war drama surrounding the recently liquidated plant-based cheese brand Miyoko’s Creamery. The podcasters also chat about cold-press juice maker Suja Life’s plans for a public market exit and Once Upon A Farm’s delayed public offering. Finally, the hosts look at a merger in the mocktail segment. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Miyoko’s Creamery has a new owner, and it’s not Miyoko Schinner. Monica unpacks the bidding war – and subsequent drama – surrounding the vegan cheese brand. 3:05 – Suja Life is headed for a public market exit. Brad highlights the beverage maker’s path to an initial public offering. 4:00 – Once Upon A Farm is forced to delay its debut on the stock exchange due to the protracted government shutdown. 5:05 – Adult non-alc beverage brand Proxies has acquired the assets of defunct mocktail maker Avec, with plans to use its recipes for a new canned drinks line slated to launch early next year. 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 team is capping the year with a discussion about BevNET and Nosh Best of 2024 Awards, which were announced during the live events in early December. Senior reporter Lukas Southard reveals a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the selection process and explains why Olipop and Poppi were both celebrated as BevNET’s Brand of the Year. Next, senior reporter Brad Avery points to a few rising stars, including Nguyen Coffee Supply and Barcode. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous wraps up the conversation with standouts of the Nosh Best of 2024 Awards, including Brand of the Year Good Culture and Best Marketing Campaign award winner Fishwife. Show Highlights: 0:50 – Team Olipop or Team Poppi? Lukas highlights why – for the first time ever – two companies received BevNET’s Brand of the Year designation. 5:00 – Which adult non-alcoholic brands bubbled to the top? Brad and Lukas shine a light on several standouts, including Brez, Recess, Little Saints and Lapos. 9:15 – Brad and Monica examine the parallels between the BevNET Person of the Year and Nosh Person of the Year award winners, respectively, David Crooch of Ritual Beverage Co. and Miguel Garza of Siete Foods. 11:25 – Monica rattles off the winners of Nosh Rising Stars honors and explains why they stood out among a strong slate of nominees. 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