Industry Insights & Data

Reformulating America’s food supply to remove FD&C colors may be only half the challenge facing packaged food manufacturers as the industry accelerates its shift toward naturally sourced alternatives.

Beyond the top-line trends, the Q2 2026 Food, Beverage & CPG Financing report from Northhall explores how today’s investment activity reflects broader changes across the food, beverage, and CPG ecosystem.

For years, packaged food companies have largely competed on product innovation, promotional support, and brand equity. But a new report suggests those strategies alone may no longer be enough.

As part of our exclusive data series for BevNET & Nosh Insiders, we’re partnering with Calebrate, an insights tool that shows CPG brands the best places to sell next, down to the store level, so they are not putting money into the wrong markets that will never pay off. Calebrate combines its own proprietary distribution dataset with demographic data and a range of other signals to point brands to the specific places they are most likely to gain traction. It gives them the insight to build highly localized strategies, grow momentum where it counts, and turn that into bigger opportunities.

Consumers have more ways than ever to optimize their health. But as the wellness market grows more crowded, shoppers are becoming more selective about which products – and which claims – they trust.

As consumers continue to rethink what “healthy” means, the snack aisle is undergoing a major transformation driven less by indulgence and more by intention.

Following a sluggish 2025, M&A activity in the packaged food industry is beginning to rebound, though buyers are no longer chasing scale alone.

The Q1 2026 funding report from Northhall paints a picture of a funding environment that is cooling, but not collapsing. Total investment in food, beverage, and CPG brands reached approximately $340M, marking a 13% decline quarter-over-quarter as deal volume also pulled back.

The energy snack aisle is rotating from caffeine to cognition. Caffeinated gum is up 207% on social channels. L-theanine, lion’s mane, and rhodiola are crowding out BCAAs and ketones. Brightfield’s Q1 2026 report breaks down the stealth formats and ingredient stacks driving the next wave.

Whether it’s reaching for a store brand, trying a health-focused snack, cooking more meals at home or ordering takeout for convenience, everyday food choices by U.S. consumers are contributing to a major shift in the food and beverage industry