- CPG Weekly News
This Week in CPG 11/10/25
🛒 Retail Rollouts
🍪 Seasonal cookie collab with a national retailer
My Better Batch, founded by Lindsay Hancock, launched two exclusive holiday cookie mixes—Holiday Cheer and Chocolate Peppermint—nationwide at Target, offering nostalgic, non-GMO indulgence just in time for festive baking. These limited-edition flavors are designed to give home bakers a premium alternative to traditional baking aisle staples like Toll House and Pillsbury, with better-for-you ingredients and a homemade taste. My Better Batch is the brainchild of Lindsay Hancock, a former KIND Snacks exec, who launched the brand after years of business travel and a personal life reset, aiming to create the kind of clean-label treats she wanted for her own family.
🌶️ Mexican-inspired trail mix hits Whole Foods
CHUZA, founded by Danny Schwarz, is spicing up snack aisles with its new Trail Mix line now available in select Whole Foods Markets, blending dried fruits, roasted nuts, and signature chili seasoning for a bold twist on tradition. This launch marks a major product category expansion for the minority-owned brand, which made its name with chili-dusted dried fruit. The new mixes, inspired by Mexico’s vibrant culinary heritage, offer a unique balance of sweet, spicy, and savory. Whole Foods continues to be a strong retail partner for CHUZA, which aims to introduce more U.S. shoppers to authentic Mexican flavors.
🍞 Clean-label sourdough brand scales distribution
PACHA, co-founded by Adam Hiner and Madeleine Hamann, is expanding into 2,400 new stores including Albertsons, Whole Foods Market, and Sprouts, marking its largest conventional retail push yet with its allergen-free sourdough staples. As part of the rollout, PACHA’s popular buckwheat loaves, English muffins, and first-ever tortillas will become widely available across key grocery chains. Whole Foods will carry the brand’s new tortillas, while Sprouts and Albertsons will stock best-selling loaves and muffins. Known for its clean, regenerative ingredients and gluten-free appeal, PACHA is capitalizing on growing demand for gut-friendly, functional baked goods.
🍜 Better-for-you ramen expands reach
Lotus Foods, co-founded by Kenneth Lee and Carly Levine, announced its Organic Wide White Rice Ramen Noodles are now in over 3,400 stores including Publix, Kroger, and Sprouts, reinforcing its role as a leader in better-for-you global staples. This national expansion, timed with Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month, spotlights Lotus Foods’ commitment to allergen-friendly, sustainable products. The rice-based ramen is crafted for consumers seeking healthier alternatives to conventional noodles, and Whole Foods is slated to begin carrying the product in early 2026. The brand continues to be a pioneer in clean-label rice and noodle offerings rooted in global traditions.
🧀 Mozzarella stick brand lands more freezer space
Big Mozz, founded by Matt Gallira, is landing in Jewel-Osco, Weis Markets, and The Fresh Market this fall with its crave-worthy mozzarella sticks, while expanding at Big Y, Price Chopper, Gelson’s, and Whole Foods Market. With flavors like Flamin’ Mozz Sticks and Super Ranch, Big Mozz is on a mission to reinvent frozen comfort food using real ingredients like 100% whole milk mozzarella. This season’s retail expansion supports the brand’s momentum, making it easier for snack lovers to find restaurant-quality cheese sticks in the freezer aisle.
🥜 Sprouted nut snacks win shelf space after major pitch victory
Daily Crunch, co-founded by Laurel Orley and Diane Orley, just rolled out to 2,000 Albertsons locations nationwide with its uniquely crunchy sprouted nut snacks following its win at the Albertsons Innovation Launchpad. Albertsons chose three bold flavors—Cacao + Sea Salt, Dill Pickle, and Sweet & Spicy Sichuan—for national distribution, making it the brand’s biggest launch yet. Daily Crunch has grown to over 10,000 retail doors, fueled by its clean ingredient lists and crunchy texture. Their Innovation Launchpad victory also came with $198K in prize funding, highlighting industry excitement around their better-for-you approach to snacking.
🍣 Frozen rice rolls debut in Texas
Ocean’s Halo, co-founded by Mike Buckley, Shin Rhee, Mike Shim, and Robert Mock, just dropped its new Fried Rice Rolls in H-E-B stores across Texas, teasing more flavor launches soon. Inspired by Korean-style kimbap, this new frozen item brings bold Asian flavors and convenience to H-E-B’s freezer section. Ocean’s Halo continues to innovate in plant-based and ocean-friendly Asian foods, and this launch is part of a broader push to deepen regional retail partnerships.
🍜 Cult-favorite noodles hit big-box retail
Fly By Jing, founded by Jing Gao, debuted its cult-favorite Chili Crisp and Sweet & Spicy Noodles in 200 Target stores, meeting demand for bold, convenient, better-for-you meals with a Sichuan twist. Packaged in a 4-pack format, these sun-dried, knife-cut noodles deliver restaurant-level flavor and texture in under six minutes. The rollout follows the brand’s earlier success with its Original Chili Crisp at Target, further positioning Fly By Jing as a go-to for globally inspired, premium pantry staples in mainstream retail.
🤝 Brand Partnerships
🐔 Bold Asian flavors unite in frozen aisle collab
Laoban, co-founded by Patrick Coyne, Tim Ma, and Justin Gill, teamed up with Bachan’s to debut a limited-edition Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken with Japanese Barbecue Sauce, now in select Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. This flavorful partnership combines Laoban’s crispy, snackable chicken with Bachan’s cult-favorite Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce, delivering an umami-packed, ready-to-eat meal that requires zero prep. Available through January 2026, this limited-time collaboration brings together two rising Asian American food brands to reimagine what frozen aisle fusion can look—and taste—like.
💸 Acquisitions and Investments
🥈 Female-founded baking brand wins big at pitch competition
Bake Me Healthy, founded by Kimberle Lau, was named runner-up in the Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition, securing $10K and over $100K in services to further its mission in allergy-friendly baking. Lau’s perseverance paid off after applying for the competition multiple times, with her mission-driven brand—serving the allergen-conscious and eco-conscious communities—resonating with judges. The win offers both capital and strategic support as Bake Me Healthy continues to scale its impact and reach.
🎉 News to Celebrate
⚡ Energy drink startup unveils bold new branding
Huxley, founded by Simon Solis-Cohen, unveiled a full brand refresh designed to spotlight its clean, functional energy drink positioning as it sets its sights on becoming a billion-dollar brand. Driven by consumer feedback and extensive testing, the new look emphasizes Huxley’s unique formula—hydrating, fruity, and outcome-driven energy. The updated identity aims to help the brand stand out in a saturated category and appeal to health-conscious consumers looking for a boost without artificial additives.
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