Today we are giving you a free taste of what it is like to be a Nosh Insider - no paid subscription required. 

Like what you’re reading? Insiders get full access to every Nosh headline and more exclusive benefits. Join us today.

Nosh Insiders also have access to the Newsletter Archive, including previous newsletter-exclusive Insider content.

Packaging, and the waste it inevitably produces, is unavoidable for CPG brands – it's literally part of the business (see: the P in CPG). 

While total elimination is off the board, plenty of packaged food and beverage brands feel there is an onus on them to reduce packaging waste where they can. KIND Snacks believes the way to reduce the amount of packaging waste ending up in landfills is to place an early, educated bet on an alternative substrate and work to pull other businesses along for the ride. 

That’s at least the thesis behind the organic snack maker’s ongoing pilot project with curbside recyclable paper wrapper. The paper wrapper’s performance – from durability to consumer perception to its eventual recyclability – has produced plenty of unexpected, positive benefits and we recently sat down with the team to glean all of their insights. 

“We’re hoping that being very open in what we’re doing and how we’re doing it and what we’re learning – that that will bring others along.”

🎁 Gift Link! Read the full story here – even if you’re not yet an Insider. 

Start your 2026 with fresh inspiration, connections, and suppliers. SFA's new trade show experience delivers everything you want from a trade show and more, with networking and sampling beyond the Convention Center. Save up to $100 on your badge, only through October 3. Learn more

In this reviews roundup, we take a bite out of One Trick Pony’s foray into the salty snack set, Junkless granola bars, and Slim Jim’s meaty mashup with Buffalo Wild Wings.

We are sharing our takes on taste and texture, packaging and positioning and opportunities for improvement.

Check out this week’s review roundup.

Want your product reviewed? Send an email to mwatrous@nosh.com.

The logical portfolio extension for a snack bar brand these days is a sidestep into the protein category. Granola bar maker Junkless is no exception.

Insiders can read the full story.

CPG industry watchers have fretted over the potential impact of SNAP reform for months – and now they have some numbers to back them up. 

Become an Insider for the full breakdown.

You’ve sampled the headlines. Want the full story? BevNET & Nosh Insider allows you to dive deep into market shifts, brand strategies, competitive benchmarks, and more. It’s how the most successful food and beverage operators stay one step ahead.

Here’s a look at leading headlines from around the food industry. Insiders get access to the full story.

1. Once Upon a Farm Files for IPO
2. Coconut Cult Tests the Power of Collaboration With 48-Brand NYC Pop-Up
3. Hy-Vee Adds FoodHealth Score To Store Shelves
4. Little Spoon ‘Matures’ With Target Debut
5. Loopini: Italian Entrepreneur Cooks Up Pizza In Excel

On this episode of CPG Week, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery unpack Once Upon A Farm’s IPO announcement, a grocery retailer’s adoption of a food health scoring system, breakfast maker Seven Sundays’ step toward vertical integration, and Beckett Industries’ new food and beverage focused fund.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Like what you are listening to? Please don’t hesitate to rate our show and leave a review on your podcast platform of choice.