In this episode: On the CPG Week podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss the acquisitions of Tia Lupita and Health-Ade Kombucha, new directions for the biggest beverage makers, and how Hero saved the day when Whole Foods ended its supply agreement with BetterBrand. Show Highlights: 0:15 - Mexican food brand Tia Lupita has been acquired by Vilore Foods, distributor of Jumex beverages and other Hispanic brands. Monica unpacks terms of the transaction. 1:...
Jul 24, 2025•13 min
In this episode: On the CPG Week podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss an unusual new product launch and continued consolidation among packaged food conglomerates. Then, Brad provides his top takeaways from the Hemp Beverage Expo. Show Highlights: 0:15 - Catch of the day? Protein bar brand David started the week with a splash, announcing the launch of frozen, boiled cod. Monica shares the reel deal behind this fishy product extension. 3:25 - Ferrero ...
Jul 17, 2025•19 min
In this episode: On the CPG Week podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss the rise of Khloé Kardashian’s protein popcorn brand and the downfall of a co-manufacturer. Then, the hosts dig into the sale of a cult-favorite ice cream brand to unlikely buyers and the expansion of a bottled tea company into new snacking segments. Show Highlights: 0:15 - Khloud Protein Popcorn is popping off. Monica explains how Khloé Kardashian’s snack brand is charting an...
Jul 10, 2025•11 min
In this episode: On this episode of the CPG Week podcast, BevNET managing editor Martín Caballero joins senior reporter Brad Avery to talk about the ongoing impact of the UNFI cyberattack , investment in podcast-backed beverage brands, the rebirth of co-packer Joriki Beverages and what’s next for beer distributors after the Alani Nu acquisition. Show Highlights: 0:15 - CPG brands are starting to prepare for the implications of UNFI’s cyberattack a few weeks ago. Brad discusses what Nosh has lear...
Jul 03, 2025•14 min
In this episode: On the CPG Week podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss the latest update on low-carb bread maker BetterBrand , a new investment for Momofuku Goods, IPO rumors for Jennifer Garner’s children’s food brand and why one frozen novelties maker is throwing in the towel on its kids’ drinks. Show Highlights: 0:15 - BetterBrand’s founder Aimee Yang appears to be on the lam, after a number of suppliers and service providers have claimed Yang...
Jun 26, 2025•12 min
In this episode: This week, the podcast team digs into the disruption caused by a cyberattack on wholesaler UNFI’s information technology systems last week. Next, the hosts discuss Taste Tomorrow Ventures’ first food investment and why sour candy is whetting investor appetites lately. Finally, the podcasters highlight a soccer star's foray into the consumer packaged goods field and a beverage brand's latest partnerships. Show Highlights: 0:15 - A cyberattack hobbled wholesale distributor UNFI la...
Jun 19, 2025•14 min
In this episode: This week, the podcast team explores an antitrust lawsuit centered around protein bar David’s acquisition of its supplier Epogee. Next, the hosts look toward regulatory headwinds in hemp drinks and why there are signs of optimism despite retail setbacks. Finally, the team looks at candy maker Joyride’s new $30 million funding round before discussing the future of plant-based cheese. Show Highlights: 0:15 - Three brands are suing Peter Rahaal’s David brand for monopolizing the no...
Jun 12, 2025•12 min
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 unwrap...
Jun 05, 2025•10 min
In this episode: This week, the podcast team discusses big moves by protein bar startup David, plus industry reactions to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s recent report on ultraprocessed foods, fermented foods maker Cleveland Kitchen’s recent capital raise, and a former slugger’s new spirits venture. Show Highlights: 0:15 - Protein bar brand David has raised $75 million in a Series A funding round and acquired its ingredient supplier Epogee. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous ...
May 29, 2025•11 min
In this episode: This week, the podcast dives into a couple new acquisition deals, manufacturing and a hefty dosage of protein. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard go through the past week’s CPG industry news, covering Chobani’s expansion into frozen foods with its takeover of Daily Harvest, how one bone broth maker is betting on the category’s growth and why protein content continues to rise in the beverage industry. Show Highlights: 0:15 - The podcast jumps i...
May 22, 2025•12 min
In this episode: On this episode, the CPG Week podcast team digs into the declines of two prominent plant-based brands before discussing the acquisitions of Mary’s Gone Crackers and Kate Farms. Next, the hosts highlight the latest celebrity to launch a coffee brand. (Maybe a hot sauce would have been more appropriate?). Show Highlights: 0:15 - The team kicks off the podcast discussing the downfall of mycelium meat maker Meati, who is reportedly selling for $4 million – after raising a total of $...
May 15, 2025•10 min
In this episode: On this episode of CPG Week, senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard walk through the biggest news items of the week. The reporters discuss Guayakí’s rebrand to Yerba Madre, how intoxicating hemp brands have leveraged DTC to grow and a pair of recent earnings reports showing a slow start to the year. Brad and Lukas finish up with a welfare check on Free Bird founder Jay Williams after a playfully disturbing post on LinkedIn. Show Highlights: 0:20 - Say bye to Guayakí and ...
May 08, 2025•13 min
In this episode: No more blue tongues or Flamin’ Hot Cheetos fingers? On this episode, the CPG Week podcast dives into the recent FDA/HHS directive to remove synthetic food dyes from food and beverages. The podcast team discusses the feasibility of the plan and how it could complicate food manufacturing. Show Highlights: 0:30 - Monica explains the Food and Drug Administration and Health and Human Services’ new directive for manufacturers to voluntarily phase out the use of eight synthetic food d...
May 01, 2025•13 min
In this episode: On this episode, the CPG Week podcast team embraces its inner sweet tooth and talks indulgent treats. From competitors of Nerds and JELL-O, better-for-you versions of sugary favorites are popping up all over. The team discusses some of the trends driving these new category options before hearing about a new fruit bar from the founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Show Highlights: 0:30 - The team kicks off the podcast with a communal taste test of Rotten’s Gummy Cruncheez in hon...
Apr 24, 2025•18 min
In this episode: This week, the podcast team is discussing a pair of funding rounds recently announced by functional beverage brands Culture Pop and Ryl Tea, with highlights from conversations with the businesses’ respective leaders about expansion plans. Next, the CPG Week hosts tackle the topic of vertical farming and the challenges startups are facing as funding dries up. Show Highlights: 0:30 - Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous points out that this weekend marks a once-in-a-lifetime occurr...
Apr 17, 2025•20 min
In this episode: This week, the podcast team is turning its attention to how small brands are navigating tariff turmoil. The CPG Week podcast hosts talked with several food and beverage founders about the issues most pressing for their respective businesses amid the rapidly changing environment. From pulling back on trade spend to changing packaging solutions and tariff-related spring sales , emerging brands are getting creative in how they plan to survive a potentially protracted period of impo...
Apr 10, 2025•18 min
In this episode: In this episode, the CPG Week team discusses industry and regulatory efforts to define and restrict ultraprocessed foods in the U.S. food supply. Spoiler alert: There’s a lot of gray area. Show Highlights: 0:30 - Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous declares April Fools’ the worst day of the year. The group discusses a few of the best and worst brand pranks. 3:00 - Assistant managing editor-Newsletters Adrianne DeLuca details efforts by the Food Integrity Collective to develop gu...
Apr 03, 2025•19 min
In this episode: On this episode, the CPG Week team discusses Bain & Company’s Insurgent Brands class of 2025. The group goes through similarities among new insurgent brands and how operators can derive successful growth strategies from Bain’s yearly list. Show Highlights: 0:30 - It’s March Madness, so the podcasters chat about college hoops and Kellogg’s bracket challenge where a lucky contestant could win a year’s supply of one of the company’s cereal brands. 3:30 - Nosh managing editor Mo...
Mar 27, 2025•16 min
In this episode: On this episode of CPG Week, the team unpacks PepsiCo’s unsurprising acquisition of better-for-you soda brand Poppi. The podcasters break down what is known so far and what might be on the horizon for the gut-health soda set as a result of the deal. Show Highlights: 1:00 - Diving right in, the CPG Week team launches into PepsiCo’s acquisition of Poppi. What does the “Popsi” deal, as Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous calls it, mean for the category moving forward? 4:00 - The gr...
Mar 20, 2025•16 min
We're launching something BIG at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound, and you're invited to be the first to see it! Introducing Nombase — a new digital community and directory built for the CPG world. Nombase connects CPG professionals with trusted industry partners, AI-powered insights, timely conversations, company announcements, and job opportunities — all in one place. Join us for an exclusive overview, product demo, and info on how to take advantage of what Nombase has to offer you.
Mar 17, 2025•12 min
In this episode: Hot honey, hot pink totes and hot takes. The CPG Week team is back from Anaheim and ready to discuss all the new things they saw at the yearly Natural Products Expo West show. From bubbling trends to maturing categories, the podcast hosts discuss protein popping up in everything, meat snacks , a further distancing from seed oils, next-gen sodas and the surprising innovation tasted within the convention halls. Show Highlights: 0:30 - BevNET has launched its latest platform, Nomba...
Mar 13, 2025•23 min
In this episode: The annual Natural Products Expo West trade show might spell tired feet and too much hand sanitizer for some, but it’s also one of the biggest events for new product unveils and a chance to take the temperature of the CPG industry. The podcast team discusses what they are looking out for at this year’s show. Show Highlights: 0:45 - Along with treadmill weight-training and chugging kombucha , the CPG Week team talks about how they are preparing for this week’s big show. 3:30 - Se...
Mar 04, 2025•11 min
In this episode: The CPG Week team discusses the launch of a new soda line from sparkling water maker Spindrift just a month after its sale to a private equity group. Then, the group digs into the details of Celsius Holdings’ $1.8 billion acquisition of competitor Alani Nu and examines how the deal could impact distribution in the energy drink category as well as what the sale spells for prior owner (and PRIME maker) Congo Brands. Show Highlights: 0:30 - Pepperoni pizza soda – sip or spit? The g...
Feb 27, 2025•12 min
In this episode: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is already making his mark on the food system just days after his confirmation as secretary of Health and Human Services. The CPG Week team discusses the big industry issues to watch during his tenure and some of the fallout already underway at the FDA. While some of his ideas have pulled bipartisan support – like eliminating ultraprocessed foods and chemical additives from the food supply – these positions will put Kennedy in direct opposition with the int...
Feb 20, 2025•13 min
In this episode: Who doesn’t want a personal vending machine in their garage? The CPG Week talks about poppi’s recent publicity stunt and the backlash that has ensued before exploring how the CPG industry is evolving with convenience stores. A recent CoBank report highlighted how foodservice is making an impact with consumers in c-stores. The CPG Week team explores how the channel is offering fresh opportunities and new challenges to food and beverage brands. Show Highlights: 0:30 - There have b...
Feb 13, 2025•18 min
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 u...
Feb 06, 2025•17 min
In this episode: It’s likely not news to anyone who has bought groceries in the last two years that food costs are up. Due to environmental issues, supply chain challenges, tariffs and demand, eggs have become a quintessential example of why costs at the checkout will likely continue to be higher than most consumers would prefer. Household staples like eggs, cocoa and coffee are quickly turning into nonessentials for many grocery shoppers as inflation continues to plague the industry. Show Highl...
Jan 30, 2025•15 min
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 t...
Jan 23, 2025•18 min
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 ...
Jan 16, 2025•14 min
In this episode: On this episode of CPG Week, the podcast dives into the revival of nostalgic beverage brands, the implications of California’s fight against ultra-processed foods and one beverage co-packer’s abrupt plant closure . Odwalla is the latest beverage brand getting a reunion tour thanks to a legacy beverage maker. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Lukas Southard and Brad Avery discuss the strategy behind resurrecting failed brands with new value propositions. Th...
Jan 09, 2025•19 min
