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Chomps’ retail footprint has surpassed 65,000 doors. How? It is pushing beyond traditional grocery and into more on-the-go occasions. 

New Partnerships: Chomps has doubled its distribution points since last year, while its MULO sales have climbed 81% over the past 52-weeks.

• Its Original Beef Stick will roll out to Starbucks locations nationwide.

• Other recent distribution gains include Home Depot, Lowe’s, RaceTrac, Marriott and Sam’s Club.

Occasions, Not Channels: Rather than targeting specific types of retailers, Elizabeth Carter, president and COO of Chomps, said the brand is looking for more moments when consumers seek convenient protein – whether during a morning coffee run or home improvement project.

What They Said: “Protein has evolved from a fitness trend into an everyday nutritional priority, and consumers increasingly want snacks that deliver convenience, function and real ingredients.” – Elizabeth Carter

Distribution isn’t the only growth lever. Chomps’ recently launched chicken sticks have quickly gained traction with a 43% dollar share of the subcategory.

The Bigger Question: Starbucks in particular has become an increasingly high-profile discovery platform for emerging packaged food brands like MUSH, Khloud and Ellenos. 

Can Chomps turn coffee chain placement into an awareness engine that competes with its fast-growing retail footprint? 

Read the full story with added context on Nosh

A U.S. District Judge has ruled that Smucker’s trademark lawsuit against Trader Joe’s over crustless PB&J handheld sandwiches can proceed. Read the story.

Chef and entrepreneur Kiersten Bartlett's first foray into CPG is Legit Queso, a fresh, premium alternative to shelf-stable legacy brands. Read the story.

With a well-balanced chocolate and coffee profile, compelling whole-food ingredients, and packaging that effectively communicates the collaboration, this is one of Honey Mama’s strongest flavors to date. Read our full review.

You’re seeing the surface. Insider members get the full story.

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If staying ahead is part of your job, this is your silver bullet.

Keep an eye on the competition. Check out where distribution deals are happening, and why. 

🍪 Back to Nature’s new, vibrant brand identity is paying off. The new look has unlocked more than 3,000 new doors since it rolled out with another 800 new doors expected by the end of the year. Read the full feature

🍝 Sunday Supper found a niche as a vegan frozen meal brand, but now it’s incorporating dairy as it expands that new line to all Super Target locations. Bristol Farms, Gelson’s, Raley’s and MOM’s Organic Grocery are soon to follow. Learn more in the full story

🌭 Beyond Meat’s foodservice awareness and education strategy has been revived via a new limited time collaboration with Milk Bar. Will it be enough to resurrect the business? Get the full scoop on Nosh 

Hungry for more? Dive into the latest distribution roundup on Nosh for all of the insights

On the podcast, the team discusses the top trends at Newtopia Now, Acosta Group's inflation report and shareholder rebellions in beverage.

Listen to the episode now.

Snickers is trying to humanize AI, or at least its ready to feed its “hunger” driven haullucinations… 

The candy bar brand is bringing its ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ campaign into the AI era with a digital candy bar formulated specifically for AI. 

What They Said: “When an AI assistant starts acting unlike itself, fans can copy a digital SNICKERS from snickers.com/hungr-ai and feed it directly to their AI assistant.”

• Of course, there’s real free candy bars available to the humans who choose to feed their robots too.

Folks, we are wondering where the line is for taking it too far?