While the commercial attractiveness of functional branding is undeniable, various brands have been criticized for their marketing claims around clinical efficacy. Branding a product with buzzy terms like “adaptogenic” or “nootropic” taps into a powerful wellness aesthetic that commands a premium price, but the science around what constitutes an effective dose within a single cookie or bag of chips is often a bit of a gray area. For brands like Kin Euphorics or Man Cereal, the functional tag serves as a potent differentiator used to capture younger, health-conscious demographics. The actual effectiveness of these ingredients can be diluted by processing or low inclusion rates, occasionally making these snacks more of a better-for-you alternative than a truly medicinal intervention. Ultimately, consumers are currently prioritizing the better nutritional profiles of these products, such as significantly lower sugar and higher fiber, over proven therapeutic outcomes. As the category matures, the winners will likely be the brands that can successfully pair high-performing aesthetic branding with rigorous, transparent ingredient dosing.

Recipe of the Week

Simple Summer Pasta Salad

• 1lb box of fusilli pasta, cooked

• 1 8oz cup of mozzarella pearls

• 1.5lb box of tricolored cherry tomatoes, halved

• ⅓ cup toasted pine nuts

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar

• Juice from ½ lemon

• 3 garlic cloves, pressed

• 1 tbsp dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp dried parsley

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

Combine cooked pasta, mozzarella, tomatoes, and pine nuts in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, dijon, and seasonings until well combined and pour over the pasta mixture. Toss salad so that the dressing coats the entire bowl. Chill in the fridge for 2-4 hours before serving.

Notable & Newsworthy

• Heartland Food Products Group acquires Whole Earth Brands, bringing together some of the largest sweetener brands

• Khloe Kardashian’s protein snack brand Kloud raises another $15M, bringing their total raised to $27M

• Smart Sweets founder launches new potato chip brand

• Oura files for IPO after hitting $1B in revenue

• David launches tinned cod as they continue to dominate the high protein snack space

• Mrs. Fields daughter launches functional cookie company Fields Good

• Supergoop! founder launches mineral water company WaterOuai! alongside her son

• Church & Dwight to acquire Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater for $325M following an $80M year in 2025

Podcast of the Week

How I Built This with Guy Raz - Justin’s Nut Butter: Justin Gold. He Was Waiting Tables, Then…He Reinvented Peanut Butter.

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Leading this charge are brands that prioritize radical simplicity over scientifically engineered formulations. Hu Chocolate has built a cult following by explicitly avoiding soy lecithin and emulsifiers, utilizing a streamlined profile of organic cacao, unrefined coconut sugar, and cocoa butter. Similarly, That’s it and Solely has disrupted the nutrition bar category by stripping products down to fruit and fruit, entirely bypassing the juices, purees, and preservatives common in legacy snacks. In the frozen aisle, Jesse & Ben’s is targeting the seed oil narrative by using avocado oil and grass-fed beef tallow, while Purely Elizabeth continues to scale by sourcing whole-food proteins from nuts and seeds rather than the processed isolates or powders found in traditional protein-fortified goods. By prioritizing superfoods over engineered additives, these innovators are proving that a transparent, whole-food approach is the best value proposition in modern grocery aisles.

Recipe of the Week

Banana Coconut Macaroons

• 2 ripe bananas

• 1 ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut

• ½ cup chocolate chips

• 1 tsp almond extract (or vanilla)

Mash bananas with a fork until smooth. Mix in shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and almond extract until combined thoroughly. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Notable & Newsworthy

• Brami Protein Pasta raises $33M Series B from VMG Partners

• Shein to acquire Everlane for $100M from L Catterton

• Equip Foods makes their retail debut at Sprouts nationwide after scaling D2C only the past decade

• Proper Wild, known for its clean energy gummies, raises $11M at a $161M

• Stone and Skillet raises a $5M Series A from BFG Partners to fuel nationwide expansion

• Olipop debuts brand refresh with the tagline “the feel good soda”

• Personal nutritionist provider Nourish raises $100M Series C at a $1.75B valuation

Podcast of the Week

Coca-Cola - Acquired

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The broader retail shift confirms that the natural channel, once the exclusive territory of specialty grocers like Whole Foods, is being aggressively disrupted by mass market scale. High growth brands such as Simple Mills and Siete are now primary growth engines for big box retailers as they seek to democratize high quality, clean-label ingredients. Currently, mass merchants like Target, Costco, and Walmart have secured a more significant share of the natural market, reflecting a permanent blurring of the lines between conventional and specialty retail. Target continues to lean into emerging BFY brands launching nationwide with Jesse & Ben’s, JAMs, BEHAVE Candy, Back to Nature, and more. As Target aims for $15B in sales growth by 2030 through its owned brands, it is successfully shifting the consumer perception of its aisles and making the BFY lifestyle accessible to the masses.

Recipe of the Week

No Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

• ¼ cup of almond flour

• ¼ cup quick oats

• 2 tbsp of coconut sugar

• 1 tbsp nut butter (I used cashew butter for its neutral flavor)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

• Handful of chocolate chips

Mix vanilla, nut butter, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and salt together until smooth. Add in oats, almond flour, and chocolate chips and mix until combined thoroughly. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Notable & Newsworthy

• Crown Affair raises a Series C led by Stride Consumer Partners

• 4AM Skin raises $4M led by CAVU Consumer Partners to reinvent the makeup wipe

• Venture studio behind Dollar Shave Club and Liquid Death raises a $2.5M pre-seed for new snack company, Rogue Protein Snacks, launching nationwide in Walmart this

• Cal-Maine, the largest egg producer in the US acquires Van’s breakfast brands from Sara Lee

• Country star, Carrie Underwood, launches HiNote, a women’s wellness products brand

• Date-based candy company, Harken Sweet raises funds from Taste Tomorrow Ventures and grt sht ventures ahead of Costco rollout

• Alcohol giant Sazertac takes equity stake in Alix Earle backed SipMARGS and will distribute the beverage nationwide

• Olive oil brand Graza further expands into snack foods with potato chip line

Podcast of the Week

Be More You with Morgan Zanotti - Gross to Net

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Leading this charge are companies like Goodles, which has successfully reimagined boxed mac and cheese as a protein packed, better-for-you brand featuring 15g of protein and 21 organic nutrients. Similarly, Good Girl Snacks has invigorated the shelf-stable category with its Hot Girl Pickles, pairing organic ingredients and international flavors with a viral, social-first branding strategy that resonates with Gen Z. In the sauce aisle, Sauz is disrupting the status quo by reframing jarred pasta sauce from a pantry basic to a flavor-forward, design-led brand with unconventional recipes like Hot Honey Marinara. These companies are leveraging experiential marketing and sleek packaging to connect with younger audiences who previously felt ignored by legacy players. By marrying high-quality nutrition with bright and bold branding, these better-for-you innovators have ensured that pantry-stable no longer means boring.

Recipe of the Week

Thai Crunch Peanut Salad

Salad Base

• 2 cups of shredded cabbage, carrot, Brussels sprout blend

• 4 cups of chopped romaine lettuce

• 2 cups of chopped chicken breast

• 1 chopped cucumber

• 1 chopped avocado

• ¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts

• Optional: sliced green onions and sesame seeds

Dressing

• 4 tbsp peanut butter powder

• 4 tbsp of rice vinegar

• 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey

• 2 tbsp of coconut aminos

• 1 tbsp water

• Salt and pepper to taste

Place all salad base ingredients in a large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients in a small jar and shake vigorously to combine. Pour dressing over salad base and mix thoroughly. Top with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Notable & Newsworthy

• Frozen french fry brand, Jesse & Ben’s raises an oversubscribed $10M Series A from Greycroft’s consumer fund

• The Wine Group, the producer of wine and adult beverages behind Gallo, acquires non-alcoholic brand Phony Negroni

• Milk brand, Nurri expands their product lineup again with a RTD kids protein drink with 10g of protein

• Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila brand raises capital from New Orlean’s based alcohol giant Sazerac

• Infinite Epigenetics acquires longevity company, Tally Health which was co-founded by Dr. David Sinclair and backed by Forerunner

• Non-toxic air freshener company Realm launches nationwide in Target

• Vienna-based water enhancer company Waterdrop raises €11M from Atlantic Grupa

• Gymkhana raises $8.5M Series A led by CAVU Venture Partners to bring Indian flavors to the US

• Suja Life debuts as a public company on the Nasdaq at a $695M valuation, raising ~$187M

Podcast of the Week

The Plastic Detox & Behind the Scenes of Big Food | Jason Karp - Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

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The global electrolyte drinks market is absolutely booming, valued at approximately $40B in 2025 and projected to reach over $82B by 2034. Leading this explosive growth is Liquid I.V., which famously crossed the $1B revenue milestone recently after seeing 5x growth since its acquisition by Unilever. On the D2C front, LMNT has successfully “made salt cool again” by catering to the keto and paleo communities, scaling to a revenue run rate of over $200M. New viral brands like Waterboy, Dry Water, Leisure Hydration, and more are popping up everyday on shelves and across our phone screens. The trend is so pervasive that even legacy household names are pivoting to capture the market. Capri Sun recently launched Capri Sun Hydrate, a kid-focused electrolyte pouch featuring Vitamin E and 50% less sugar than traditional sports drinks. Whether through high-tech powders or lunchbox staples, electrolyte-enhanced beverages have, for better or worse, officially transitioned from elite athlete tools to everyday essentials.

Recipe of the Week

Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash

• 4 eggs

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 orange bell pepper, chopped

• 1lb breakfast sausage

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp paprika

• ¼ cup green onions, sliced for topping

• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Crumble sausage into the pan, stirring occasionally. When sausage is ¾ of the way done, add in the onions and peppers and continue to cook until the sausage is browned and the vegetables are soft. Remove from heat and set aside until potatoes are done.

In a separate skillet, heat the rest of the olive oil and add in the chopped sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook and stir, uncovered, until the potatoes begin to brown. Cover the skillet and continue cooking until the inside of the potatoes are soft, about 5-7 minutes.

Combine the potatoes, vegetables, and sausage into one skillet and mix thoroughly. Create 4 indents where you will crack the eggs, then carefully crack the eggs into the spaces.

Put the entire skillet in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until the eggs are cooked but yolks are still runny and potatoes are crispy.

Notable & Newsworthy

• Purely Elizabeth explores a $600M+ sale as the popular granola company reaches $200M annual sales

• Supplement and drink company Neutonic raises $6M at a $60M valuation to support retail expansion in the US and UK

• Cottage cheese-based protein ice cream brand, Smearcase, raises capital from Listen Ventures

• Armra expands product lineup with new canned colostrum soda

• MMA fighter Conor McGregor launches MAC Energy, a new functional beverage brand

• Capri Sun launches Hydrate, electrolyte-infused juice pouches made for kids

• Celebrity-backed non-alc beer brand Crazy Mountain raises a $15M seed round led by CAVU

Podcast of the Week

Shark Tank Icon: Turning $1,000 to $1Billion! (ft. Barbara Corcoran) - The Burnouts with Phoebe & Sophia

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Capital markets have aggressively rewarded this shift, leading to a surge of blockbuster exits for brands that successfully mirror human lifestyle trends. Fresh dog food leader Ollie recently commanded a valuation exceeding $600M in its acquisition by Spanish conglomerate Agrolimen, validating the market for human-grade, refrigerated dog food. This follows a legacy of landmark deals in the space, like General Mills’ $8B purchase of Blue Buffalo, which served as the ultimate proof point for traditional CPG firms entering the premium pet market. Other specialized players like Zesty Paws have also fetched, pardon the pun, massive wins, securing a $610M exit as functional wellness supplements became a non-negotiable for pet parents. The sector is showing no signs of slowing down. Pet ownership post-pandemic remains high, coupled with record spending on premium pet food, health, and services. As a dog mom myself, I can personally attest to the exorbitant financial lengths owners are willing to go to give their pets the highest quality of life. I think my dog has a better supplement and nutrition routine than me at this point.

Recipe of the Week

Blueberry Muffin Smoothie

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 5 ice cubes

• ½ frozen banana

• ⅔ cup frozen blueberries

• ½ scoop vanilla protein powder

• ¼ cup quick oats

• 1 date

• 1 tbsp smooth almond butter

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp almond extract

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Top with a drizzle of almond butter and coconut shreds if desired. Enjoy!

Notable & Newsworthy

• Leisure Hydration closes Series A round led by Midnight Venture Partners with participation from multiple beverage industry veterans

• Protein ice cream company, Frozen One, raises a $2M Seed round led by supernatural ventures and The Angel Group

• Makeup brand, Westman Atelier secures $15M in fresh funding with participation from existing investor Prelude Growth Partners

• David Bar on pace to hit $300M in sales in 2026 just 3 years after launch

• Alani Nu volume surge 94% as it continues to perform for Celsius

Podcast of the Week

Sistersnacking Spills the Real Recipe for Food Fame & Fortune - Trading Secrets

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A seamless buying experience doesn’t necessarily mean consumers are liking what they’re buying, hence a similar rise of the return economy. When it’s this easy to click ‘buy’ while scrolling on your lunch break, impulse purchases skyrocket, and so do the logistics headaches of returns. Brands are now realizing that fulfillment is no longer just a back office task but a core part of the marketing strategy. Live shopping is helping to bridge the gap, driving conversion rates up to 70% higher than standard pages by giving customers a real feel for products before they click. By 2026, the winners are those using data to predict these returns before they even happen. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between a frictionless click and a satisfied customer who actually keeps what they bought. So in short, it’s important for brands to not only make their content shoppable but also make sure your logistics are sharp.

Recipe of the Week

Chicken Crust Pizza

• 1lb of ground chicken breast

• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 2 eggs

• Toppings

• ½ cup pizza sauce

• ½ cup shredded mozzarella

• ½ cup pepperoni

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. ⁠⁣⁣In a bowl, mix the ground chicken, grated parmesan, eggs, garlic powder, and oregano. Spread the mixture thinly and evenly on the pan to a 12-inch circle, about ¼-inch thick. It helps to place a sheet of parchment on top of the mixture and flatten it with a rolling pin just make sure to remove before baking.

Bake the crust until firm and the edges are golden brown, for about 30 minutes at 400 degrees.

Remove the crust from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Turn the heat up to 450 degrees. Spread the toppings evenly over the crust and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted. Let cool for a few minutes, cut, and serve!

Notable & Newsworthy

• Payne Schwartz Partners backed Suja Life files for IPO targeting a $100M raise

• Frozen pasta brand Ripi raises $2.4M led by Cutting Horse following a successful Whole Foods rollout

• Marc Anthony Group acquires RTD beverage brand The Finnish Long Drink for $325M

• Tiger Global backs PopUp Bagel at a $300M valuation as the chain expands to more than 100 locations by end of 2027

• Lucille, maker of high protein, nutrition shakes for elderly closes its seed round led by Iris Ventures

• Fruitist, the jumbo blueberry maker, raises $150M from JP Morgan and Ray Dalio’s family office to make snacking healthier and more sustainable

• L’OCCITANE Group looking to sell British skincare brand Elemis for just under $1B

Podcast of the Week

The Person You Marry Decides Your Wealth! (How She Turned Divorce Into A $500M Empire) Courtney Reum - Hot Smart Rich with Maddie Sellers Reum

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But behind the sleek glass and polished steel lies a sobering reality: our public water infrastructure is effectively a relic of the past. Decades of chronic underinvestment have left us with a crumbling system where lead pipes are still a widespread hazard, a crisis so deep that the EPA is only now mandating a 10 year timeline for their complete replacement. On top of aging pipes, we’re now grappling with the invisible threat of forever chemicals, with at least 45% of US tap water estimated to contain harmful PFAS. People are fixated on luxury water products and at home filtration systems because, in a world where the tap feels like a gamble, consumers have decided that guaranteed purity is a luxury worth the premium to reclaim a sense of safety.

Recipe of the Week

Baked Chicken Milanese with Arugula Salad

• 1lb thinly sliced chicken breast

• 1 ½ cup italian bread crumbs

• 2 eggs

• ¾ cup of all purpose flour

• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

• Olive oil spray

Arugula Salad

• 1 package of arugula

• 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes

• ¼ cup toasted pine nuts

• ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese

Salad Dressing

• Juice from one lemon

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 3 tbsp of white balsamic vinegar

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

Pour flour in a shallow bowl covering the bottom. Mix breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl. Crack two eggs and whisk in a shallow bowl. Pat dry chicken breast and season both sides with salt and pepper. Coat chicken breast in all purpose flour then dip in egg wash and coat with breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan cheese. Prepare a baking sheet with a wire rack on top. Place coated chicken on a wire rack and spray with olive oil spray. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end to crisp the chicken.

Combine arugula, tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Combine salad dressing ingredients in a jar and shake until combined. Pour over salad and toss lightly.

Serve salad over chicken and enjoy!

Notable & Newsworthy

• Kylie Jenner’s beverage brand Sprinter moves away from alcohol and launches electrolytes with bioactive collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid

• Protein soda brand Proda debuts nationwide at Sprouts

• Bloom Energy launches nationwide in Canada leveraging the Canadian arm of Keurig-Dr. Pepper’s distribution network

• New meat stick brand infused with bone broth and collagen, Singing Pastures, raises a seed round from Bullish

• Popular talk show Hot Ones launches a barbeque sauce line set to roll out in Walmart, Kroger, HEB and Jewel-Osco

• Kids snack brand Cadootz closes $3M seed round led by Selva Ventures

• MUSH launches nationwide in Starbucks and 7-Eleven as it eclipses $100M in revenue

• Unilever to acquire gummy supplement company Gruns which rocketed to $300M ARR in just 2 years

Podcast of the Week

The Most Important Career Advice You’ll Ever Hear (In The AI Era) | Bill Gurley - BigDeal By Codie Sanchez

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The deal also signals a broader shakeup across packaged food. McCormick has a strong track record of making acquisitions work. It picked up Frank’s RedHot and French’s mustard from Reckitt for $4.2B in 2017, and added Cholula hot sauce for $800M in 2020, but this is a completely different scale. It joins a wave of recent mega-deals reshaping the industry: Mars bought Kellanova, Ferrero scooped up WK Kellogg’s cereal business, and Kraft Heinz actually scrapped a planned breakup because sales fell too fast to make it viable. The common thread is that Big Food conglomerates are getting smaller and more focused. Nearly half of all CPG M&A activity in 2024 was divestitures, not acquisitions. Between GLP-1 weight-loss drugs curbing grocery spending, consumers trading down to store brands, and relentless margin pressure from retailers, the old model of owning everything from soap to soup just does not work anymore. If the Unilever-McCormick deal closes as expected in mid-2027, it could set the playbook for how other global giants break themselves apart and recombine into leaner, category-focused competitors.

Recipe of the Week

Peanut Butter Crispy Bars

• 2 ripe bananas

• 4 cups puffed quinoa or millet

• ½ cup smooth peanut butter

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• ½ cup chocolate chips

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp coconut oil

• Sprinkle of flaky sea salt

Mash bananas in a bowl, add in peanut butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon and mix until combined. Fold in puffed quinoa or millet. Press into a parchment lined pan and freeze for 10 minutes. Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in the microwave and mix until smooth. Pour over the chilled bar mixture and spread evenly. Top with flaky sea salt and chill another 10 minutes in the freezer or until chocolate has hardened. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notable & Newsworthy

• Stellar Snacks, better-for-you pretzel company, gets a strategic minority growth investment from Main Post Partners

• Create, the leading creatine gummy brand, raises $20M in Series B from Alliance Consumer Group and launches new electrolyte, creatine powder SKU

• Mars Men, a men’s health brand focused on testosterone supplementation, raises $27.5M from L Catterton after bootstrapping to profitability and $100M run rate in 18 months

• Iconic sunscreen brand, Vacation, receives an investment from VMG, as sales were expected to hit $80M in 2025

• Whoop reaches $10B valuation and raises $575M as it preps for an IPO

• Allbirds, once valued at ~$4B on the public markets sells for just $39M to American Exchange

• Unilever to combine their food business with McCormick in a deal valued at over $65B, including debt

Podcast of the Week

From Primal Kitchen to WAAY: What Happens After You Build and Sell a Company with Morgan Zanotti - No Matcha No Mama

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While major players scale through institutional capital, emerging brands like Waterboy have proven that organic momentum remains a potent force, scaling from zero to $10M+ in annual sales through a “party smart, hydrate harder” value proposition that resonates with weekend warriors. These brands thrive on vibes-based marketing and community-led creativity, as seen with Good Girl Snacks, which successfully pioneered the “Hot Girl Pickle” trend by blending Middle Eastern heritage with viral snack culture. Sourmilk, a TikTok-native brand founded by Elan Halpern and Kiki Couchman, further illustrates this trend by prioritizing a science meets creativity approach that builds high trust within niche digital subcultures. By the time these products hit the shelves of 5,000+ retail locations, as seen with Gruns, they already possess a pre-sold audience of millions of loyal followers. Ultimately, the rise of TikTok Shop ensures that a brand’s digital “vibe” and its logistical “cart conversion” are now inseparable components of the Gen Z consumer experience.

Recipe of the Week

Banana Protein Brownies

• 2 mashed bananas

• 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder

• 1 egg

• ½ cup peanut butter

• ½ cup cocoa powder

• ½ cup chocolate chips

• 1 tsp of vanilla extract

• 1 tsp baking powder

Mash bananas in a bowl with a fork. Add in egg, vanilla, and peanut butter and mix together. Combine cocoa powder, protein powder, and baking powder and add to wet ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Top with flaky sea salt.

Notable & Newsworthy

• Danone acquires UK-based meal replacement brand Huel for $1.15B

• Viral pickle company, Good Girl Snacks, raises $3M

• Hummus company, Habiza raises $2.5M seed round from Tinder founder Sean Rad and Foodbeast Ventures

• Private equity firm Advent to acquire majority stake in body care brand Salt & Stone

• Prelude Growth Partners sells stake in juice company So Good So You to Bansk Group

• TikToker who is known for sharing her acne journey, Alix Earle launches skincare brand Reale Actives

• Molson Coors acquires Atomic Brands, maker of Monaco Cocktail, a RTD cocktail brand

• German company Henkel buys haircare company Olaplex for $1.4B

• Forward Consumer Partners closes an oversubscribed $500M fund II

Podcast of the Week

Founder Fundraising Journey: Jesse Konig, CEO & Co-Founder of Jesse & Ben’s - The Startup CPG Podcast

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This “nose-to-tail” sourcing philosophy has migrated rapidly from the vanity to the pantry, where brands like MASA and Jesse & Ben’s are disrupting the snack landscape by replacing inflammatory seed oils with grass-fed tallow. MASA produces tortilla chips handmade with organic corn and tallow, while Jesse & Ben’s has successfully scaled “restaurant-quality” tallow-cooked frozen fries into major retail channels including Whole Foods and Sprouts. However, the shift toward animal-based fats faces steep economic and logistical hurdles: beef tallow is significantly more expensive than commoditized vegetable oils, and the supply of high-quality, regenerative suet is notoriously difficult to scale for mass-market demand. The jury is still out on whether or not the tallow trend is here to stay, but it’s safe to say that consumers are eagerly looking for alternatives to synthetic and highly processed oils and fats typically found in our CPG products as the move toward clean label continues.

Recipe of the Week

Chickpea Cookie Dough

• 1, 15.5oz can of chickpeas

• ½ cup oat flour

• ¼ cup cashew butter

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips

Drain, rinse, and take off skins of the chickpeas. Combine all ingredients besides chocolate chips in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Mix in mini chocolate chips with a spoon. Store in the fridge. Enjoy!

Notable & Newsworthy

• Perfect Bar teases new high protein SKU dropping March 24th

• Little Spoon unveils new product line with infant formula

• L Catterton explores sale of supplement brand Thorne for up to $4 billion

• DryWater nears $100M in sales as it plans to expand to 41,000 new doors this year

• Kelly Slater’s brand Freaks of Nature launches first electrolyte powder aimed at skin health

• Candy conglomerate The Ferrero Group set to acquire Brazilian protein snack brand Bold Snacks

Podcast of the Week

Repair the World with Errol Schweizer - Gross to Net

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To fortify its competitive moat, David executed a vertical integration play in May 2025 by acquiring its EPG supplier, Epogee LLC. This move immediately sparked a fierce antitrust lawsuit from former Epogee customers who accused David of “unlawful monopolization” and cutting off the supply of EPG to competitors. While a New York federal court dismissed these antitrust claims in February 2026, the brand remains under fire. A fresh class action lawsuit filed in March 2026 alleges fraudulent advertising, claiming that independent lab testing reveals the bars contain significantly more calories and fat than stated on the label, violating FDA regulations and misleading consumers.

Despite the legal overhang, David is aggressively expanding its footprint under the Medici Brands umbrella. The roadmap includes scaling its flagship bar into major retail channels and leveraging the Epogee acquisition to launch a broader suite of EPG-based, protein-forward products designed to mimic traditionally “unhealthy” snacks. Despite not being allowed to exhibit at Expo West due to banned ingredients, David made a splash with a massive billboard truck alluding to the latest product innovation, protein ice cream. Whether or not you’re a fan of the company or believe in the validity of its claims, if you care about high-protein products or the CPG space in general this is a story you’re going to want to keep a close eye on in the coming months.

Recipe of the Week

Veggie Pad Thai

• 1 package of rice noodles

• 4 eggs

• 3 large carrots, thinly sliced

• 2 large bell peppers, thinly sliced

• 2 cups bean sprouts

• ½ cup chopped green onions

• ¼ cup chopped cilantro

• ¼ cup crushed peanuts

• 1 tbsp minced garlic

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 cup coconut aminos

• ¼ cup honey

• ¼ cup lime juice

• 3 tbsp smooth peanut butter

• 3 tbsp of rice vinegar

• Red pepper flakes to top

In a blender, mix coconut aminos, honey, lime juice, peanut butter, and rice vinegar. Add sliced carrots and bell peppers to a lightly oiled pan on medium heat with minced garlic and a dash of salt. Sauté for 8 minutes. Add bean sprouts in and mix. Remove from the pan and set aside, Scramble 4 eggs in the same pan. Cook rice noodles according to the package. Add all the cooked ingredients to a large pot. Mix in green onion, cilantro, crushed peanuts, and sauce and mix until well combined. Top with extra cilantro and red pepper flakes. If you want more spice, drizzle some sriracha on top.

Notable and Newsworthy

• George Clooney reconnect with his partners in Casamigos to launch a new non-alcoholic beer brand, Crazy Mountain

• Surfside team launches new RTD vodka beverage Super Lyte with 90 calories, zero sugar, and no bubbles

• Nestle to sell Blue Bottle coffee for a reported $400M to the parent company of the Chinese chain Luckin Coffee (Centurium Capital Management Ltd.)

• Cottage cheese based protein ice cream brand Smearcase to launch nationwide in Sprouts

• Online retailer Quince raises a $500M Series E as a $10.1B valuation led by ICONIQ Capital

• Coefficient Capital raises $500M across two funds dedicated to consumer growth investing

Podcast of the Week

Glucose Goddess Turned Sugar Hacks into an 8-Figure Business (Jessie Inchauspé) - Aspire with Emma Grede

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Unsurprisingly, protein was the star of the show, from protein soda to protein crackers to protein candy, if you can eat it, there was probably a protein packed version at Expo. Some of the highlights in the protein category for me were Wilde Brand’s new BFY protein Cheez-It crackers, with multiple flavors and an impeccable crunch, once these launch they are sure to be a hit. My personal favorite was the hot honey, but the original will surely give Cheez-Its a run for their money. A close second was Loopini’s protein packed pizza. Made from lupini beans, this frozen staple packs over 50 grams of protein and 20 grams of fiber in a personal sized pizza under 600 calories. It comes in 3 flavors and has launched at Whole Foods and Wegmans in the northeast. Honorable mention to Honey Mama’s chocolate cookie protein bar, which tasted like a better version of an Oreo with clean ingredients. I’m absolutely obsessed with this brand and if you haven’t tried it please RUN to your nearest store to get your hands on it.

Two huge trends that I was more surprised by was the number of tallow cooked products, specifically potato and tortilla chips, and the plethora of date centered brands! Masa wasn’t the only tallow chip this time around, in fact there were so many tallow chip booths I lost track after my first hour walking around. I’m personally not a huge fan of the tallow chip craze but I was impressed with some of the other tallow based products displayed. A special shoutout to a portfolio company, Jesse & Ben’s, and their tallow french fries, which I do love, which seemingly stole the frozen food show (in my unbiased opinion). There were also a number of tallow skincare/beauty companies and bulk tallow suppliers.

On the topic of dates, I think I consumed enough to put a 2nd trimester woman into early labor. From date syrups to sour dates to date gels to date candy, dates were clearly the superfood of the year. Popular brand Joolie’s unveiled their new date sours line in 4 SKUs. Shockingly, they weren’t the only ones with a sour date product on the floors. Multiple booths offered sour and fruity coated dates as well as a whole slew of stuffed dates and sweet flavored dates. To be honest, the sours weren’t my favorite, but I’m also a chocolate over sour girl any day. One date trend I can get behind was date candy bars. Harken Sweets was one of my favorite products of the entire week. Their date caramel candy bars rivaled that of a Snickers with no added sugars and prebiotics. I will definitely be purchasing more for my movie nights and late night sweet cravings.

I was shocked that I didn’t see more fiber forward brands and products. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty, but given all the talk about ‘fiber being the next protein’, I expected everyone to be slapping on the high fiber label. What they were slapping on everything was the ‘GLP-1 approved’ or ‘GLP-1 supportive’ claims. Prebiotic, probiotic, and gut healthy were prevalent across the floors and yogurt brands seemed to be dominating in dairy. As you’ve probably been seeing, gummy supplements were everywhere. Gruns boasted a popping booth with individual packets of all their top SKUs and a giant floating green bear so you couldn’t miss it. Bloom was handing out truckloads of their creatine and greens gummies, while many other brands were hopping on the train of this latest form factor frenzy. Gummy creatine, gummy greens, gummy pre workout, gummies for sleep, gummies for focus, gummies EVERYWHERE. After a week at Expo, I think I’m pretty gummied out and I’ll be sticking to my powdered creatine for the foreseeable future.

Two of my favorite products of the whole week were One Trick Pony’s peanut butter, which admittedly I have been eating for months and had reached out to the founder to express my love of prior to Expo. As a self-proclaimed peanut butter expert, this is hands down the best clean peanut butter I’ve ever tried. Made from Argentinian peanuts that are naturally a bit sweeter and package upside down to prevent the annoying oil separation of natural nut butters, the combo of taste and form factor is unmatched. Needless to say I’ve been patiently awaiting their crazy crunchy peanut butter restock online but may even need to make the trek to Sprouts to pick up a jar to hold me over until then. Another favorite of the week was Cob, a sorghum based popcorn alternative, co-founded by tennis star Novak Djokovic and a fellow Princeton alum who is also named Jessica, this product knocked my socks off. Their Mediterranean Herb flavor was to die for with Cacio E Pepe as a close second. I personally think most things taste better in miniature form and this product confirmed that with popcorn for me.

Notable and Newsworthy

• Chomps expands product line with three new chicken SKUs, original, Nashville hot, and savory breakfast

• Payne Schwartz Partners owned, Suja Life recently filed an S1 hinting at the exploration of a $1B M&A or IPO

• Protein bar company Mezcla raises a $9.5M Series B led by Bluestein Ventures

• Spindrift introduces a new non-carbonated iced tea line with real squeezed fruit juice

• Starface gets a $105M strategic investment from Asto Consumer Partners

• Sweet Loren’s expands with a product line of protein forward breakfast baked goods

• David Bar teases new protein ice cream line at Expo West

Podcast of the Week

The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett - The Microbiome Doctor: Doctors Were Wrong! The 3 Foods You Should Eat For Perfect Gut Health!

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The “Kardashian Blueprint” is now being adopted by a new wave of talent taking on formal executive and operational roles to drive brand authenticity. For instance, TikTok sensation Jake Shane was recently named the Chief Creative Officer at German candy giant Katjes, where he will oversee the creative strategy for their $1 billion gummy business. Similarly, actor Glen Powell is rethinking the American pantry as a co-founder of Smash Kitchen, which recently expanded into the competitive salty snacks category with organic potato chips. The examples are endless, from Hailey Bieber’s Rhode to Mr. Beast’s Feastables, and it looks as though the number of celebrity/creator led brands is only going to increase in the coming years. This trend signals a “skin in the game” era where influencers act as in-house marketing agencies and R&D leads, drastically reducing Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC) through their organic reach. For investors, these partnerships represent a sophisticated hedge against the fragmentation of traditional media by aligning personal brand equity with physical products. By integrating celebrities into the core business structure, brands are securing deeper consumer loyalty and rewriting the rules of modern retail.

Recipe of the Week

Healthier Magic Bars

• 1½ cups of crushed graham crackers

• 2 tbsp of maple syrup

• 2 tbsp of coconut oil

• ½ cups of mini chocolate chips

• ¼ cup of chopped pecans

• ¼ cup of chopped walnuts

• ¼ cup of unsweetened shredded coconut

• 1 can of coconut cream

• 1 cup of coconut sugar

• 1 tsp of vanilla

Chocolate drizzle

• ⅓ cup of Enjoy Life chocolate chips

• 1 tsp of coconut oil

Mix graham cracker, maple syrup, and 2 Tbsp of melted coconut oil together. ingredients together and press into a parchment lined pan. Top with chocolate chips, nuts, and coconut. In a saucepan boil together coconut cream, vanilla, and sugar until it thickens, stirring often (about 10 minutes). Pour caramel mixture over crust. Bake in the oven at 350°F for 30-35 minutes. Allow caramel to set in the fridge, then drizzle melted chocolate over chilled bars.

Notable and Newsworthy

• Kim Kardashian relaunches energy drink brand Update, made with paraxanthine, a compound the human body naturally forms from caffeine, set to launch in 4,000 Walmart stores next month

• Actor Glen Powell partners with Smash Kitchen to launch 4 SKUs of clean-ingredient kettle chips exclusively at Walmart

• Nurri launches high protein milk in Walmart with 20g of protein to rival Fairlife’s explosive growth

• Celsius stock soars after crushing their earnings expectations as sales surged 117% to over $700M in Q4, and 86% in 2025 to $2.5B

• Happy Dad hires former BeatBox executive, Erick Holloway, as their chief sales officer

• PepsiCo debuts protein Doritos as the company expands its BFY snack lines

Podcast of the Week

The Skinny Confidential Him And Her Show - Dr. Autumn Smith on Healing Naturally, Eating Well, And What Actually Matters In Your Food

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From children’s supplements like Hiya Health and Mary Ruth Organics to Lunchables style kids meals from Little Spoon to superfood milks from Jubilee’s, the innovation across the space has been explosive in the past decade and isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Even companies with a broader reaching audience like Dropout Brands’ new better-for-you frozen PB&Js and breakfast sandwiches have a childlike appeal and are catching the eyes of moms doing the shopping. Not only can they feel good giving these products to their kids, but they can enjoy them themselves without feeling guilty for choosing the highly processed option out of convenience. The jury is still out on whether these brands will be able to compete with established brands on price and distribution, but regardless the space is ripe for disruption and we expect to see many more successful companies in the market.

Recipe of the Week

Lightened Up Mexican Street Corn

• 1 16oz package of frozen sweet corn

• 1 tsp olive oil

• Juice from 2 limes

• 2 Tbsp of 0% greek yogurt

• 1 Tbsp light mayo

• 1 Tbsp light sour cream

• ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro

• 1 tsp Tajin or other chile lime seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

Empty 1 package of frozen corn in a skillet with olive oil over medium high heat. Cook until the corn has thawed and started to blister. Remove from heat and add to a bowl. Once corn is cooled, add greek yogurt, sour cream, mayo, lime juice, cilantro, and seasonings and mix until the corn is coated evenly. Sprinkle with cilantro and Tajin and serve with chips, on tacos, or plain.

Notable and Newsworthy

• Podcaster and influencer Jake Shane joins $1B German candy brand Katjes as Chief Creative Officer to help expand US presence

• Nurri announces a new line of protein creamers, aiming to challenge the success of Chobani’s creamer line

• Coca Cola is discounting their nostalgic Minute Maid frozen juice line after over 80 years on shelves

• PepsiCo launching multiple fiber infused snack SKUs with Smartfood Fiber Pop and SunChips Fiber

• GOJO maker of hand sanitizer brand Purell to be acquired by The Clorox Company for $2.25B

• Ice Cream For Bears releases sundae cups on the heels of Alec’s Ice Cream’s massive success with their single serve Culture Cups

• Koia launches new plant-based RTD protein shakes with creatine

Podcast of the Week

The Curious Consumer - Frozen food’s glow up era

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Even with the hype, many consumers are understandably hesitant to drop cash on single use castor oil patches that reduce the mess. But hey, those of us obsessed with wellness are willing to try anything for 30 days right? With influencers raving about its benefits left and right it’s hard to ignore, especially when you deal with constant inflammation or digestion issues. Beyond just helping you stay regular and easing PMS cramps, many fans of the practice report clearer skin and a major boost in energy levels after consistent use. Because the heat helps with lymphatic drainage and circulation, it’s a great way to reduce inflammation without needing a cabinet full of expensive supplements.

Recipe of the Week

Healthier Banana Pudding

• 1.5 servings of Fage 0% Greek yogurt

• 1 serving Simply Desserts sugar-free banana pudding mix

• 12 Simple Mills honey cinnamon sweet thins

• 6 slices of banana

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp of coconut sugar

• Optional: CocoWhip or peanut butter for topping

Mix yogurt with pudding mix thoroughly. In a small glass dish, layer yogurt, banana slices, and sweet thins until you are out of the yogurt mix. Mix together cinnamon and coconut sugar and sprinkle on top. Optional to add CocoWhip or peanut butter for topping. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours and enjoy!

Notable and Newsworthy

• Willie Nelson’s THC beverage company Willie’s Remedy+ received $15M in fresh equity funding from Left Lane Capital

• Japanese parent company Kirin sells Four Roses Bourbon to Gallo for $775M

• Dog food company Ollie acquired by family-owned Spanish conglomerate Agrolimen at a $600M+ valuation

• Cardi B launching a haircare brand called Grow-Good Beauty as part of her joint venture with Revolve

• Tony’s Chocolate’s revenue jumped 20% last year achieving more than €240M in sales

• Khloud Protein Popcorn launches a dill pickle flavored SKU in collaboration with Hot Girl Pickles

• Cocokind partners with Olipop for 3 soda pop flavored lip glosses

Podcast of the Week

Her Discussions by Dr. Faye - Gut Brain Expert: Best Proven Anti-Inflammatory Foods

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The shift from “build” to “buy” is driven by a stark innovation gap within legacy organizations. While Big Food possesses unmatched supply chains, their internal R&D often falters, with studies suggesting 75% to 85% of new CPG product launches fail within two years. Acquiring a brand like Simple Mills or Siete allows incumbents to bypass this failure rate and purchase proven consumer loyalty, digital-first brand equity, and high repeat purchase rates that are nearly impossible to replicate in-house. Looking toward 2026, the industry is bracing for a continued focus on protein and a renewed high fiber fixation as the GLP rebalancing continues and gut health becomes a clear priority. Acquisition activity from Big Food and PE will continue to speed up as the MAHA movement imposes more dietary guidelines and consumers become more educated on nutrition labels, ingredients, etc.

Recipe of the Week

Grain Free Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

• 2 ripe bananas

• 1 ½ cup almond flour

• ¼ cup coconut flour

• 1 egg

• ½ cup maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup chocolate chips

In a bowl, mash bananas with a fork and add in vanilla extract, egg, and maple syrup. Mix in almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, and salt. Once combined thoroughly, fold in chocolate chips.

Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and pour in batter. Top with more chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Notable and Newsworthy

• Hain Celestial sells North American snack portfolio, including Terra Chips and Garden Veggies Snacks, for $115M

• PE firm Encore Consumer Capital raises $350M for their Fund V in less than 5 months of fundraising

• Another protein ice cream brand, this time sweetened with coconut nectar, Swoop, launches nationwide in Target

• The Marzetti Company acquires Bachan’s, a Japanese sauce brand, for $400M

• CAVU Consumer Partners raises $325M for its oversubscribed fund five

Podcast of the Week

Consumer VC: The Better-For-You Food Lie No One Talks About ft. Tyler Mayoras

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The commercial landscape for peptides has expanded rapidly, with a mix of D2C digital health platforms and established nutrition brands leading the charge. Companies such as Ro and Hims & Hers have integrated peptide-based therapies into their telehealth models, while specialized biotech-adjacent firms like Lifeforce and Next Health offer them as part of comprehensive longevity protocols. In the traditional supplement space, brands like Thorne, Vital Proteins, and BPC-157-focused labs have capitalized on the demand for high-purity, science-backed formulations. Additionally, the massive success of peptide-based GLP-1 medications has created a powerful halo effect, encouraging a wave of startups—including Elysium Health and Peptide Sciences—to innovate within the legal boundaries of the dietary supplement market. This influx of capital and competition ensures that peptide technology will remain a central pillar of the high-performance nutrition sector for the foreseeable future.

Recipe of the Week

High Protein Bagels

• 1 cup all purpose flour (or bread flour for chewier texture)

• 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 egg for egg wash

• Optional: everything but the bagel seasoning or sesame seeds for toppings.

Preheat oven to 375F. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and spray with oil to prevent sticking. In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk well. Add the yogurt and mix with a fork or spatula until well combined, it will look like small crumbles.

Lightly dust flour on a work surface and remove dough from the bowl, knead the dough a few times until dough is tacky, but not sticky. Divide into 4 equal balls. Roll each ball into 3/4-inch thick ropes and join the ends to form bagels.

Top with egg wash and sprinkle both sides with seasoning of your choice. Bake on the top rack of the oven for 25 minutes. Let cool at least 15 minutes before cutting.

Notable and Newsworthy

• Smithfield Foods acquires Nathan’s Famous for $450M, a 12.4x LTM adjusted EBITDA multiple

• Once Upon a Farm finally kicked off its delayed IPO roadshow, aiming to raise roughly $200M at a valuation north of $750M

• Ayoh, food influencer Molly Baz’s company, launches nationwide in Target

• Popular olive oil company Graza launches a line of artisanal mayonnaise

• Actor Ben Stiller’s soda company, Stiller’s Soda, raises $3.5M in funding

• Oats Overnight scores a $45M investment from Austin-based Asto Consumer Partners

• Special shoutout to Gabe Stengel and John Willett as their AI platform built to replace Wall Street analysts announced their $75M Series C led by Sequoia

Podcast of the Week

As a Woman - Muscle as Medicine: Strength Training for Hormonal Health - Gabrielle Lyon, MD

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Olipop, the healthier soda containing prebiotic inulin, Banza, high fiber, chickpea pasta alternative, and Ritual, a supplement formulated with psyllium husk to aid in digestion are just 3 examples of large CPG companies that have centered their products fiber and its importance in our diet. Going forward I expect to see many more products sprout up across the consumer landscape promoting fiber intake as Gen Z and Millennials continue to prioritize proactive wellness over reactive treatment. As the boundary between food and medicine continues to blur, fiber has solidified its position at the center of the functional food revolution. Ultimately, the industry is betting that “fiber-rich” will soon carry the same premium marketing weight as “high-protein” or “low-carb.”

Recipe of the Week

Maple Apple Chicken Sausage

• 1 lb lean ground chicken

• 1 honeycrisp apple, finely chopped

• 3 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground sage

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Mix together ground chicken, chopped apple, maple syrup, and seasonings. Shape mixture into patties and place in the fridge for 30min-1hr to harden a bit. Heat olive oil on a skillet at medium high heat. Cook patties until the center reads 165 degrees on a meat thermometer. Enjoy with your breakfast for a yummy high protein side.

Notable and Newsworthy

• Highlander Partners to acquire Tapatio, the #5 hot sauce brand in the US, for an undisclosed amount

• FoodNerd, producer of nutrient dense snacks for toddlers, closed a $7.5M funding round led by Selva Ventures

• Nicotine free pouch company Ultra, raises $11M Series A led by Left Lane Capital after selling one million tins in 6 months

• Actor Tom Holland’s non-alcoholic beer company Bero completed a transaction with private equity company, Paine Schwartz Partners valuing the company at more than $100M

• Athletic apparel brand NOBULL raised $50M in new equity as it hits $1B valuation and launches a new nutrition line

Podcast of the Week

Post Run High - From Shark Tank Rejection to Selling Ring for $1B (with Jamie Siminoff)

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Perhaps the most aggressive change is the explicit “naming and shaming” of ultra-processed foods, which the guidelines link directly to the rise in chronic diseases. There is also a massive pivot away from seed oils, which are being sidelined in favor of traditional saturated fats like butter and tallow. Even school lunches are being overhauled, as the administration has moved to scrap restrictions on whole milk and eliminate mandatory reduced-fat requirements for federal programs. Sugar is officially public enemy number one, with strict new caps aimed at keeping added sweeteners under 10% of total daily calories in school breakfast and lunch programs by 2027.

For big food, this represents massive change that will likely force product reformulations and far more transparency in labeling. And on the other hand, this will continue to bolster the position of new players in food and bev that have leaned into better-for-you, organic, seed-oil free, etc formulations. With the end goal being a healthy consumer, there are many ripple effects that these new guidelines could cause. On one hand, acquisitions by big food of smaller quality and ingredient driven brands could be a way for incumbents to keep up with the demand for products that fall within these guidelines. We could also see increased innovation internally by these large players to reimagine nostalgic classics with more transparent ingredients, healthier options, and less fluff. Overall this is a huge win for the MAHA movement (and in my opinion consumers everywhere). Whether or not it drives up grocery prices or positively impacts obesity rates is still unclear, but it’s a step in the right direction for our country.

Recipe of the Week

High Protein Chicken Pot Pie

• 2 cups shredded chicken

• 2 cups of blended non-fat cottage cheese

• 2 cups of chicken bone broth

• ½ cup of flour

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced

• ½ white onion, chopped

• 1 cup of peas

• 4 large carrots, chopped

• 4 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 tsp of thyme

• 1 tsp of onion powder

• 1 tsp of garlic powder

• 1 tsp of parsley

• 1/2 tsp of oregano

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 package of refrigerated biscuits

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional: 1 egg, for egg wash

Start by chopping veggies and shredding chicken. Saute chopped onion and garlic in butter on medium high heat in a large cast iron skillet. Once browned, add in celery, frozen peas, and carrots. Once halfway cooked, add in flour and chicken bone broth. While that mixture is cooking, blend 2 cups of cottage cheese smooth and shred chicken. Once bubbling, add in your spices, shredded chicken, and blended cottage cheese. Mix well until mixture reaches gravy-like consistency. Remove from heat and add your biscuits on top. Brush each biscuit with egg wash. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.

Notable and Newsworthy

• Refrigerated chocolate bar company Honey Mama’s secured $4M in funding from Bochi Investments to support manufacturing and distribution

• MPearlRock acquires The Good Crisp Company, a better-for-you potato chip brand for an undisclosed sum

• Dropout Companies launches Bronco, a BFY grab and go breakfast sandwich at Target nationwide

• Bloom launches clear protein in two flavors, Raspberry Lemon and Strawberry Watermelon, with 20g of protein per serving

• Beyond Meat launches a plant protein beverage line called Beyond Immerse

• Leading consumer fund Bansk Group closes a $1.45B Fund II, exceeding its $1B target

Podcast of the Week

Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy: Tom Digan & Greg Stewart - Building the World’s Best Fitness App

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