Upgrade to BevNET & Nosh Insider, our all-in-one membership for exclusive insights, data reports, on-demand CPG video courses, the full Daily Briefing and Insider-only content.

Explore Insider Member Benefits

Insiders also gain access to the Newsletter Archive, including all previous Insider-only editions.

The future of food isn’t shaped only in boardrooms and test kitchens. 

It’s also influenced in courtrooms, government agencies, newsrooms and nonprofit organizations. 

Last week, Nosh unveiled its inaugural Impact 50 list recognizing the people shaping the future of packaged food. 

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Food Fighters – the policymakers, advocates, journalists and ecosystem builders whose influence extends far beyond launching the next big brand. 

Some of the names to know:

• Djenaba Johnson-Jones (Hudson Kitchen): Has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs launch food businesses through one of the Northeast's leading incubators and startup accelerators, with a focus on expanding access for underrepresented founders.

• Ibraheem Basir (A Dozen Cousins/Project Potluck): Although he passed away in the spring, Basir is remembered not only for building a culturally authentic food brand, but for creating mentorship and opportunity for entrepreneurs of color through Project Potluck.

• Ori Zohar & Ethan Frisch (Burlap & Barrel): Became unlikely industry advocates after leading the legal challenge to federal tariffs, turning a spice company into the face of a broader fight over trade policy and its impact on small food businesses.

• Melissa Hockstad (Consumer Brands Association): Is leading the packaged food industry's response as Washington intensifies scrutiny of ultraprocessed foods, additives and ingredient transparency.

• Helena Bottemiller Evich (Food Fix): Has become one of the most influential interpreters of the Make America Healthy Again movement, helping the industry separate political rhetoric from policy reality.

These individuals are changing the conversation around food, championing entrepreneurs, challenging policy, informing the public and influencing how the industry responds to its biggest opportunities and greatest challenges.

Check out the full Nosh Impact 50

Mondelēz International is entering the back half of 2026 with growing momentum after another quarter of organic sales growth, improving volumes and market share gains led by strong execution in North America. 

Read the full analysis with Insider access

Align Ventures has closed its early-stage Fund II at $125 million. 

Continue reading the full breakdown with Insider access

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. Go beyond the headlines with Insiders access.

1. Griesson-de Beukelaer Buys Pirouline Parent in U.S. Expansion

2. SPINS: Natural Snacks Rapidly Outpace Conventional Counterparts

3. New Jersey Prohibits ‘Surveillance Pricing’ on Groceries

4. Smash Foods Raises $18M With L Catterton Backing

5. McCormick Details Post-Merger Structure as $45B Unilever Foods Deal Advances

🐄 Alexandre Family Farm has dropped its Regenerative Organic Certified and Certified Humane badges after years of scrutiny into its animal welfare practices. Read the full report

🍒 GoodPop and JonnyPops escalated claims in their false advertising packaging suit ahead of the case going to trial. Get the full update

🥯 PopUp Bagels and Natalie’s Juice collaborated on a new summertime butter flavor, “Tangerine Dream.” Check out all of the details

🥜 Once Again is celebrating its 50th anniversary, with the employee-owned nut butter company offering discounts and giveaways to mark the occasion. Learn more

Hungry for more? Stay in the loop on all the latest marketing news with Nosh Insider

Building a differentiated brand is only half the battle. The other half is making sure consumers actually understand why it matters.

Join Sahra Nguyen, founder and CEO of Nguyen Coffee Supply, and Kyle Nguyen, co-founder of Lucky Ox, to discuss one of the biggest challenges growing brands face: how to stay true to what makes your product unique while communicating it in a way that resonates with mainstream consumers. 

Listen to the episode here.

Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.