Innovation

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a leadership shakeup at Lemon Perfect, the acquisition of snacking platform The Good Crisp Company, and Koia’s entry into the modern soda category. The podcasters also share highlights from the Winter FancyFaire show in San Diego.

At the inaugural Winter FancyFaire this week in San Diego, the Specialty Food Association highlighted its pick for the top trend of the year. Consumers are rejecting muted minimalism in favor of food and drink designed to overwhelm the senses.

At Winter FancyFaire, protein brands gave insight into how they are expanding their addressable consumer base in the bar category.

For its first non-chocolate based innovation, Mid-Day Squares is turning to a childhood classic with a No Bread PB&J bar. And the company believes it could become its biggest product to date.

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.

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.

The Nosh team rates RXBAR Protein Energy Bites and Linear All Natural Protein Bar on taste, texture, packaging and positioning.

At Nosh Live 2025, Khloud Foods CEO Jeff Rubenstein joined founder Khloé Kardashian to discuss the upsides and pitfalls of celebrity-led brands, the rationale behind protein-forward popcorn for GLP-1 users, and early signals of a sizable innovation roadmap.

As Believer Meats abruptly shuts down just one month after completing its production facility, the cell-cultured meat category faces an uncertain path forward.