Gourmet News

good2grow Launches Summer ‘On the Road’ Campaign

Published May 22, 2025

good2grow, a leading beverage and snack brand for kids, has launched its fourth annual “On the Road” campaign with exciting new opportunities for families to enjoy the summer road trip season, including a national sweepstakes and partnership with Pack Up + Go. Now through July 25, 2025, the two brands are giving families the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a free road trip as well as weekly first-prize giveaways.

good2grow’s annual summer campaign aims to help families enjoy mess- and meltdown-free travel through prizes, resources and like-minded partnerships. This year, the brand is taking their sweepstakes to the next level through its partnership with Pack Up + Go, a travel agency that specializes in planning surprise vacations across the U.S. Two grand prize winners will receive their own personalized family road trip planned and booked by Pack Up + Go (valued at $4,000), a prize pack that includes family travel must-haves curated by good2grow and an assortment of the brand’s signature character-topped beverages and Snackers. The brand will also select one first-prize winner per week to receive the family travel must-haves prize pack and good2grow product assortment. Details to enter, including rules and regulations, can be found here.

“We strive to bring new, fresh elements to our On the Road campaign each year, and our partnership with Pack Up + Go this year adds a whole new level of excitement for our fans,” said Edzra Gibson, vice president of brand marketing for good2grow. “Their team’s passion for minimizing vacation planning stress and maximizing family fun make them the perfect partner for this campaign.”

“At Pack Up + Go, we believe travel is one of the best ways for families to take a break from daily life, connect with one another and enjoy new experiences together,” said Lillian Rafson, founder and CEO of Pack Up + Go. “We’re thrilled to team up with good2grow to help more families create unforgettable memories on the road this summer!”

To learn more about good2grow, visit good2grow.com and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

About good2grow

good2grow inspires kids to eat and drink healthier with an innovahttps://www.gourmetnews.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=13210&action=edittive line of better-for-them beverages and snacks. The brand makes smiles for parents and kids alike by combining fun and nutrition, with hundreds of collectable 3D character tops from the hottest names in children’s entertainment, including Disney, Universal, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros and many more. Parents love that the packaging is reusable, dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, and that the products contain no artificial colors or flavors. good2grow is available nationally at retailers including Target, Walmart, Kwik Trip, Walgreens, and CVS. For more information on the brand and to find a store near you, visit good2grow.com and follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

About Pack Up + Go

Pack Up + Go is a travel agency that plans curated vacations around the United States. The catch? Travelers don’t discover their destination until the day they depart! Since 2016, Pack Up + Go has sent over 45,000 travelers to more than 300 destinations nationwide, inspiring spontaneous travel and supporting economies in lesser-visited destinations around the country. Pack Up + Go is a woman-owned business, and is committed to making travel stress-free, safe and accessible for all! To learn more about Pack Up + Go, visit packupgo.com and follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

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PepsiCo Completes Purchase of Poppi for $195M

Published May 20, 2025

PepsiCo, Inc. announced that it has closed the acquisition of Poppi for $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion. The transaction also includes a performance-based earnout contingent on achieving certain performance metrics.

This acquisition marks a significant step in PepsiCo’s ongoing transformation of its portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to meeting evolving consumer preferences for great-tasting, functional products. Poppi, a fast-growing prebiotic soda brand, is among PepsiCo’s recent acquisitions, including Siete and Sabra, aimed at aligning with consumers’ modern wellness priorities.

“Poppi represents a compelling strategic fit within our short- and long-term vision for the future of beverages,” said Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S. “Its rapid growth, strong consumer engagement, and differentiated functional positioning make it a dynamic addition to our portfolio. We are excited to scale Poppi’s momentum and unlock new growth through our capabilities – we’re just getting started.”

On a mission to modernize soda for the next generation, Poppi is a fast-growing functional soda brand made with prebiotics, fruit juice, and apple cider vinegar – offering a refreshing, low-calorie drink with no more than five grams of sugar per serving. Poppi has taken a community- and culture-first approach – from vibrant packaging to a strong social media presence, viral TikTok campaigns, and influencer partnerships – all of which have cultivated a loyal community and effectively engaged Gen Z and millennial audiences.

“PepsiCo’s belief in the Poppi brand is a tremendous validation of the work we’ve done to advance our mission,” said Chris Hall, CEO of Poppi. “Their partnership and resources will be instrumental as we scale to our next phase of growth. We’re incredibly grateful to our passionate community and look forward to welcoming even more consumers into the Poppi portfolio.”

Centerview Partners LLC acted as lead financial advisor to PepsiCo, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC also served as a financial advisor to PepsiCo. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP acted as legal advisor to PepsiCo, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP acted as tax counsel to PepsiCo. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to Poppi, and Cooley LLP acted as legal advisor to Poppi.

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Southern Glazer’s Opens Louisiana Distribution Center

Published May 16, 2025

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits – a global distributor of beverage alcohol – announced the opening of its state-of-the-art distribution center in Geismar, La. The 375,000-square-foot facility, located at 6602 Industrial Drive, will continue to enhance supply chain efficiency and service levels for customers and suppliers.

Designed to support Southern Glazer’s long-term growth in the market, the Geismar facility serves as a strategic anchor in Louisiana, ensuring scalability for the next 30 years. The emerging technology incorporated in the distribution center allows for improved order fulfillment, leading to enhanced delivery service, faster turnaround times, and greater product availability.

“As we continue to invest in our supply chain infrastructure, this facility in Geismar reflects our commitment to providing best-in-class service for our customers and suppliers,” said David Gneo, Vice President, National Operations, Southern Glazer’s. “We are constantly working to strengthen our ability to meet growing demand while also prioritizing sustainability and operational excellence.”

The Geismar facility incorporates several emerging technologies and sustainability initiatives, including:

Upgraded conveyor system with palletizer, improving material handling and order processing efficiency;
Energy-efficient climate control to maintain optimal storage conditions while reducing energy consumption;
LED lighting throughout the facility, enhancing visibility and sustainability efforts; and
A partnership with Dematic, a global leader in supply chain automation, to integrate advanced material handling systems with future expansion capabilities.

“This facility represents a pivotal investment in the future of our Louisiana operations,” said Jason Witty, Vice President, Operations, Central Region, Southern Glazer’s. “By increasing capacity and optimizing technology, we are strengthening our ability to serve customers with greater efficiency, ensuring they have access to the products they need when they need them.”

“Our team is excited to be operating in this high-tech distribution center,” said Juliana Purcello, Vice President, Operations, Louisiana, Southern Glazer’s. “This expansion reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our customers throughout the market.”

For more information about Southern Glazer’s and its commitment to operational excellence, visit www.southernglazers.com.

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