FoodNavigator-USA Podcast

Economic pressure, growing health awareness and AI-powered product evaluation are making shoppers more selective, forcing snack brands to prove their value beyond price, says NielsenIQ’s Chris Costagli

Kiss the Ground CEO Evan Harrison and FOND Regenerative founder Alysa Seeland explain why rising consumer awareness is attracting retailers and what must happen before regenerative products can scale

Danone argues tomorrow’s nutrient-dense foods will be shaped first by healthier soils, smarter farming and stronger supply chains, creating new opportunities for protein- and fiber-rich products with lasting consumer appeal

That question, and concerns about nutrition programs, food safety oversight and packaging mandates, was at the center of the produce industry’s lobbying push on Capitol Hill last week

Women drive 85% of consumer spending, but new research from NIQ discussed in the latest episode of Soup-to-Nuts podcast suggests outdated assumptions about women shoppers are giving way to more individualized ‘micro-realities’ that are influencing the future of CPG

Executives from Just Born, Hawaii Host, SNAX-Sational Brands and Xaca Cantina share how they use heat, global flavors, strategic collaborations and accessible formats to turn consumer curiosity into repeat purchases

Kantar BrandZ’s Ellie Thorpe explains why brands like Coca-Cola, Red Bull and Walmart continue gaining loyalty, pricing power and market share despite inflation, cautious spending and growing consumer uncertainty

Rodale Institute’s Jeff Tkach and former Goldman Sachs executive Matthew Grand explain how finance, certification, procurement and farmer economics are reshaping regenerative agriculture into a mainstream commercial strategy for food and beverage brands

Shoppers want proof, retailers want performance and better-for-you products must deliver both to win in a more skeptical, value-driven market, according to new research from Eat Well Global

Hershey breaks lofty ESG ambitions into practical, data-driven strategic steps that help embed sustainability into sourcing, operations and product innovation

Tighter budgets, fragmented media and shrinking attention spans are forcing brands to rethink marketing success

As demand surges for targeted health solutions, Nuritas’ Nora Khaldi discusses how AI is transforming peptide discovery, and why food and beverage may be the industry’s next big play

Amy’s Kitchen President Paul Schiefer says the call to “eat real food” should recognize the role packaged products play in accessibility, while pushing the industry toward cleaner labels and better ingredients

Climate change, disease pressure and record cocoa prices are forcing the chocolate industry to rethink ingredients, processing, and the future role of cocoa – but how will potential solutions impact farmers and consumers?

As protein demand rises and consumers grow choosier, Good Food Institute Founder Bruce Friedrich outlines how plant-based and cultivated meat can move beyond hype and become investable, scalable industries

As population growth, soil degradation and climate pressures converge, BSI’s Todd Redwood explains why the next 10 years will determine whether the global food system can deliver enough high-quality nutrition, strategic opportunities and next steps for savvy CPG players

At the Winter Fancy Faire, the Specialty Food Association revealed six emerging trends reshaping how consumers engage with food and beverage as they seek more value as inflation and GLP-1 use cut into volume and dollar sales

Industry leaders unpack how climate change, poverty and fractured supply chains collided — and what it will take to fix cocoa for good

New insights from Cargill reveal a shift from fear-based food decisions to a more intentional, benefits-driven mindset that is reshaping how consumers consider health, indulgence and value when buying food and beverages

Mintel dives into the food trends of 2026 — where perseverance, playfulness and practical products meet at the grocery aisle

From shifting grocery habits to new product opportunities, Circana’s insights reveal how brands and retailers can adapt to the rise of GLP-1 users

With demand for protein climbing but understanding about different types and benefits lagging, Danone unveils how it is helping consumers move beyond grams per serving to understand quality, digestibility, differences in plant- and animal-based options and more

Seasoned deal advisors share the emerging trends shaping valuations, investor expectations, and what founders must do now to stay competitive

As more shoppers hand off purchasing decisions to AI, PwC’s Carla DeSantis shares how brands can win in an era where algorithms – not aisles – drive discovery and purchase

After finding early success in the natural channel, Olyra revamped its packaging, flavors and formulation to resonate with mainstream consumers while preserving the ancient Greek roots at the heart of its story

After a year marketed by rising prices, food safety confusion and supply chain fears, ADM predicts consumers in 2026 will gravitate toward nostalgic, sensory-rich foods and beverages that help restore their resilience

Kellanova’s pilot offers a blueprint for using data clean rooms to bridge gaps between brands and retailers, unlock deeper shopper insights and rebuild brand value amid inflationary pressure

After decades of being overshadowed by Boomers and Millennials, Generation X is poised to become the dominant global consumer group and are projected to spend $15.2 trillion 2025 and $23 trillion worldwide in 2035, according to new research from NielsenIQ (NIQ)

Organic Trade Association members championed policies that would expand domestic production, protect against fraud and strengthen the workforce powering the organic industry

From blue-collar roots to fitness fans, VP Mark Singleton explains how the family-owned brand innovates to stay relevant and offers tips for new founders

Friesland Campina, Cypress Grove and The Melting Pot unpack how they balance consumer demand for health, indulgence and value to drive sales of specialty cheese, despite its premium pricing, in a difficult economy

Pitchbook reports a modest rebound in private equity deals in Q1 of 2025, and JPalmer Collective’s Jennifer Palmer sees reasons for optimism for mission-driven brands and women-owned and -led brands. But both warn the current uncertainty is the new norm

Consumers want it all – nutrient-density, satiety, clean-label and fun – and ingredient innovators at IFT FIRST are helping brands meet their myriad demands with new options and boosted production

Despite more than a decade of demonization of carbs and grains, pasta sales in the US continue to climb as brands break free of commodity constraints and offer more nutrient-dense and premium products that deliver an elevated experience that still is affordable and fun

While sales of non-alcoholic beverages are growing double-digits year-over-year, new research from NielsenIQ shows most NA consumers still buy alcohol – upending assumptions and forcing brands to rethink their outreach strategy

Hear how Alter Eco is growing faster than the market by giving conscious consumers what they demand: climate action, clean ingredients and full transparency

Climate-tech food startup Arborea’s proprietary BioSolar Leaf system promises to produce nutrient-dense proteins and superfoods by “industrializing photosynthesis” and using a fraction of the land, water and carbon footprint of conventional agriculture

Dairy milk’s long winter may be ending with sales and units increasing for the first time in decades thanks to consumer demand for products that support their wellness goal and offer more nutritional bang for the buck

Republican leaders are amping up the war on sugar by taking aim at categories historically laden with the sweet stuff, but are better-for-you products accidentally getting caught in the crossfire?

A landmark federal court decision to block mandatory cancer warnings for dietary acrylamide under California’s controversial Prop 65 is a major win for food manufacturers – and could offer protective precedence for compelling warnings based on shaky science in violation of First Amendment rights

Consumers want more than a long life – they want a good one, and to get it they are changing what and how they eat, including adding or avoiding specific nutrients, seeking products that support health conditions and foods and beverages that ‘nourish, heal, indulge and connect,’ according to new research

CPG founders must think on their feet to work around tariff-induced supply chain disruptions, collaborating with co-manufacturers and ingredient suppliers on innovative solutions to business obstacles

CPG sales and volumes are slipping among persistent inflation and tariff fears, but Circana uncovers how food and beverage manufacturers are maintaining – and gaining – share despite the shaky market

FDA’s sweeping plan to eliminate synthetic colors from the US food system announced last week marks a turning point in the war on food dyes that has long been fought at the state level and which before that pitted big food against outspoken consumer advocates who often relied on passion and fearmongering more than science

CPG founders on the hunt for venture capital should consult a lawyer first to ensure they get the best possible deal, without giving too much of their company away

Consumers increasingly are unwilling to compromise taste or health when buying beverages – opening the door for innovative brands that deliver both functional benefits and refreshing experiences

Up and coming chocolate brands are rethinking how they make – and package – chocolate to meet rising consumer demand for better-for-you and clean-label options, while simultaneously navigating rising costs

Startups should carefully consider regenerative agriculture certifications and how to use sustainable messaging to enhance their core value proposition

Consumers say they want adventurous new flavors and international cuisine, but many are hesitant to try something unfamiliar – creating a ‘conundrum’ for manufacturers and marketers introducing global flavors

Spins and NielsenIQ representatives shared strategies for retail success, including boosting velocities, utilizing data efficiently and developing an omnichannel strategy that inserts a brand into a consumers' everyday life