A brilliant pitch slam, a buzzy non-alcoholic cocktail acquisition and the quiet decline of meal kits – the hosts break down where CPG is actually gaining (and losing) momentum.

In this episode, we recap Naturally San Diego's Naturally Rising competition, dig into The Wine Group's acquisition of Phony Negroni maker St. Agrestis, and examine how convenience, subscription fatigue, and tools like product-scanning apps are reshaping consumer behavior – and forcing brands to adapt fast.

Show notes:

0:20: SoCal & Show. Wine Not NA? Hot Meals, Not So Hot. Yuk, What's In Here? Tofu To Go. – Ray and John recap Naturally San Diego's pitch competition, where Fave took top honors, and reflect on the event's strong sense of community while looking ahead to BevNET Live NYC 2026 and Taste Radio's upcoming Austin meetup. The conversation then turns to industry news, including The Wine Group's acquisition of non-alcoholic cocktail brand St. Agrestis, which they frame as a clear signal of rising strategic interest in adult non-alcoholic beverages. They also dig into the waning appeal of meal kit services like Blue Apron, pointing to convenience, subscription fatigue, and competition from delivery platforms and ready-to-eat options as key factors reshaping consumer behavior. Melissa highlights the growing influence of the Yuka product-scanning app on purchasing decisions, tying it to broader shifts toward better-for-you formulations and more transparent retail standards. The episode wraps with a look at emerging product innovation, including a savory, snackable tofu concept and a novel functional shot format.

Brands in this episode: Fave, Oku, Mezo Beverages, St. Agrestis, Lapo's, Medase, Blue Apron, Fresh Realm, HelloFresh, Factor, Tempo, Hungryroot, TofuGo, Mid-Day Squares, Hover, Annavana, Nectar Pop, Sababa