Food Industry News, Insights, and Education for the CPG Community

America’s protein obsession seemingly scaled to new heights in 2025, popping up in everything from instant mashed potatoes and pasta sauce to popcorn, chocolate bars and even Pop-Tarts.

This week, we’re looking at the evolving nature of early-stage capital, delving in under CVS’s skin, and giving 2025 the ol’ recap. Hey, what more could you ask for?

In this week’s notable new products roundup, Barebells takes inspiration from a lunchbox staple for its newest protein bar flavor, Ritz taps into the sweet-and-salty trend, and ActivatedYou unveils a mushroom-infused instant coffee.

At Nosh Live 2025, Lauren Castro, lead director of healthy consumables and grocery at CVS Health, discussed how the retailer identifies new products, evaluates which brands are ready to launch and scale in its nationwide footprint, and supports young companies as they enter a channel that looks a little different than traditional grocery.

Consumer products house The DropOut Companies is expanding its frozen handhelds portfolio and entering the breakfast daypart with the Target-exclusive launch of Bronco breakfast bagels this month.

From multimillion-dollar valuations to sudden shutdowns, the stories that resonated most with Nosh readers this year reveal just how dynamic the packaged food landscape has become. Our coverage spanned dramatic downfalls, blockbuster acquisitions, and legal battles that left founders, lenders and consumers in limbo. Here’s a look back at the 10 stories that captured the most attention.

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.

Collaborations have become an essential growth lever for emerging brands this year, but planning and execution make or break whether they have a tangible impact.

In 2025, food companies, both big and small, restructured and acquired new brands to stay competitive amid a reframing of priorities.

At Nosh Live 2025, Brian Bernstein of Rich Products Ventures and Axel Malbrain of FF2032 – both backed by large, established food companies – outlined how their funds operate with a financial-return-first mindset, despite common assumptions about corporate venture capital.

Roughly seven months after its acquisition by Chobani, Daily Harvest is relaunching its direct-to-consumer business with a new collection of smoothies, elixirs and oat bowls, and eliminating its subscription requirement.

At Nosh Live, incoming Justin’s CEO Peter Burns discussed the brand’s future growth plans, which include rebuilding the entrepreneurial culture, bringing back key team members and focusing on product innovation

The past year saw a number of high-profile legal battles begin, including an antitrust lawsuit levied against Peter Rahal’s David, a trademark infringement case between Smucker’s and Trader Joe’s, and the neverending battle between Prime and Más+ by Messi.

With a fresh $4 million, Hoboken Farms is building a veteran team of Italian food operators to help guide it deeper in retail grocery.