CPG Week Podcast

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss the collapse of one of the nation's largest beverage distributors, a closely watched false advertising dispute in the frozen novelty aisle, ongoing scrutiny surrounding regenerative dairy leader Alexandre Family Farm, Vita Coco's latest acquisition, and the launch of Nosh Impact 50, the inaugural list recognizing the people shaping the future of the packaged food industry.

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard discuss the FMI’s online grocery report, fresh funding rounds for frozen dessert brands, why Nestle is offloading Blue Bottle and details behind the new brand from Lemon Perfect’s founder. Show Highlights: 0:20 – Brad details a online grocery shopping report from FMI – The Food Industry Association and NielsenIQ, that projects ecommerce sales will hit $452 billion by 2028. 4:15 – Momentum in the high-protein frozen dessert set is heating up as a pair of brands secure new funding. 7:45 – The duo discusses why Nestle is divesting Blue Bottle Coffee to specialty roaster and retail chain Centurium Capital is representative of how the Swiss conglomerate is repositioning in consumer goods. 9:45 – Lemon Perfect founder Yanni Hufnagel is launching his second brand, POPWTR, after leaving day-to-day operations at the enhanced water lemon water brand. 13:45 – Brad and Lukas take the opportunity to be together in-person to taste test some protein sodas at BevNET headquarters. 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 the latest development surrounding the beleaguered maker of The Better Bagel, Barron Trump’s involvement in a beverage startup and the recent departure of Impossible Foods’ chief executive. The podcasters also review the impact of deflated cocoa prices on chocolate makers and consumers at the checkout. Show Highlights: 0:20 – The Better Bagel drama continues. Easy Lunches & More, a specialized food delivery service that claims to be the “last retailer of Better Bagel,” began shipping its own version of the product, called The Fit Bagel, in September after it was “ghosted” by BetterBrand. Monica spills the tea. 2:40 – President Donald Trump’s youngest child, Barron, is entering the beverage business, per a recent form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by a pre-launch yerba mate brand. Lukas details what is known so far about the product and Barron’s involvement. 4:10 – A little over a week after Peter McGuinness stepped down as chief executive of Impossible Foods, it was announced he has been appointed to lead U.S operations at global food company Bel Group, the owner of brands including Laughing Cow, Babybel and GoGoSqueez. 5:35 – The cocoa crisis appears to have abated, with prices dropping significantly from record highs last year. Lukas shares what this means for chocolate makers. 7:45 – Monica and Lukas discuss the most memorable ads that aired during the Super Bowl. 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 Beyond Meat’s expansion beyond meat alternatives, Prime’s foray into protein shakes, DayDayCook’s exit from the U.S., and Chameleon Cold Brew’s future under new ownership. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Beyond Meat is expanding into the beverage category with a limited-batch protein drink. Brad shares all the details of the launch. 2:10 – Logan Paul’s Prime is entering the protein shake set after its sports drinks and energy drinks suffered declines. Monica explains more. 4:00 – DayDayCook – the owner of Yai’s Thai, Nona Lim and Omsom – has exited its U.S. operations and plans to focus on its bitcoin treasury strategy, abandoning earlier ambitions to become the “General Mills of Asian food.” 6:40 – Chameleon Cold Brew has been sold to Next In Natural, after changing hands over the past decade including ownership by Nestle for a brief time. 9:20 – Jesse and Ben’s fake protein fries stunt drove real results, and Spiked Ade sees opportunity for vodka in the sports drink aisle. 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 team discusses the merger of two legacy cheesemakers and the exit of a major beverage alcohol distributor from a key spirits market. Next, the hosts dig into the debut of digitally-native supplement brand AG1 in physical retail and explore why the news of an energy drink startup’s new investor brings fresh opportunities for its growth goals. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Two cheese makers are having a pretty gouda week. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous unwraps the details of Sartori’s acquisition of organic cheese and butter producer Rumiano. 1:30 – The country’s second-largest beverage-alcohol distributor, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), is shuttering its operations in California after losing several major suppliers. Senior reporter Lukas Southard explains what this could spell for the industry. 2:40 – AG1, formerly Athletic Greens, is making its first foray onto retail shelves. Monica shares why the supplement brand’s new Costco partnership is a big deal. 4:35 – InvestBev Group announced it was one of the investors in Lucky Energy’s latest $14.2 million round. Lukas explains how the private equity firm plans to support the beverage startup in a growing but competitive category. 6:30 – Mike’s Hot Honey partners with Burt’s Bees on lip balm, Hefty introduces birthday cake scented trash bags, and the founder of a premium spice company spotted his brand’s items in a popular television show. 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: Remember the U.S. craft distillers’ consternation over a potential trade war? The CPG Week team is joined by BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman to understand how tariffs are impacting nearly all of the CPG industry after a whirlwind Monday paused the 25% import taxes on Mexican and Canadian products. After a quick discussion about Super Bowl food and beverage choices, the group unravels how CPG brands from spirits to food makers to contract manufacturers are preparing for an uncertain future. Show Highlights: 0:30 – This Sunday marks the annual February tradition of drinking beer and eating Buffalo wings while watching advertisements and famous musicians perform in the middle of a field (plus a bit of football). The group discusses whether they will be noshing on Kansas City BBQ or Philly cheesesteaks during the Super Bowl. 4:20 – Jeff explains why tariffs are an especially important topic for many U.S. CPG brands. He explains that it is not just concerning from a cost perspective but also impacts the long-term sales of American products abroad. 7:30 – It goes deeper than raw ingredient sourcing for many brands but reverberates in other aspects of manufacturing like the equipment and machine parts that U.S. suppliers buy from China, Mexico and Canada. 9:30 – Brad talks about how potential tariffs could impact U.S. producers with aluminum pricing which is largely sourced from China and Canada. 11:00 – How are international brands reacting to the looming trade war? Some Canadian startups are weighing moving operations to the U.S. Jeff shares insights from supply chain experts about how brands can adapt to a fluid import environment. 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 covers four acquisitions in food and beverage including Spindrift’s anticipated sale and the unexpected new owner of Simple Mills. To start the show, the team discusses how the likely ban of TikTok will affect CPG brands. The group moves on to talk through recent acquisitions of Spindrift, Simple Mills, Sauer Brands and Yerbae. The podcast explains what these deals mean for the brands being acquired and how they fit into the portfolios of their new owners. Show Highlights: 0:30 – With U.S. operations of TikTok likely to shut down on January 19, many CPG brands will lose an important platform for new customer acquisition. The team discusses what this means for emerging brands and how they might pivot. 4:30 – Senior reporter Brad Avery walks the group through Gryphon Investors’ acquisition of Spindrift and why this exit was a long time coming. 6:45 – Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous explains why better-for-you snack brand Simple Mills might be a good fit for baked goods and bread company Flowers Foods. 10:00 – Moving onto spices and condiments, senior reporter Lukas Southard gives an overview of Advent International’s purchase of Duke’s Mayo and Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa maker Sauer Brands from Falfurrias Capital Partners. 11:45 – Lastly, Brad goes through Safety Shot’s acquisition of sparkling caffeinated beverage brand Yerbae, explaining why the deal could breathe needed energy into the yerba mate drink maker. 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