Lukas Southard

Lukas Southard

Senior Reporter, BevNET & NOSH

Lukas Southard is a Reporter covering the food and beverage industries across BevNET and NOSH.

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Posts by Lukas Southard

Weathering The Storm: Hurricane Helene’s Impact On CPG Companies

Weathering The Storm: Hurricane Helene’s Impact On CPG Companies

What was it like for CPG businesses to bear the brunt of a once-in-a-thousand-year hurricane? In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact in September, we spoke with a handful of brands from North Carolina to hear how they are rebuilding from loss through communal support and entrepreneurial resilience.

How Adult NA Retailers Keep Customers Coming Back

How Adult NA Retailers Keep Customers Coming Back

As Sober October kicks into gear, adult non-alcoholic (ANA) beverages are expected to have another strong month. But that popularity has shifted the competitive retail landscape as bigger players enter the space and price-conscious consumers hold back on expensive purchases.

CA Closing Door On Hemp-Derived THC Products

CA Closing Door On Hemp-Derived THC Products

Citing concerns over public health, California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed heavy restrictions Friday on “intoxicating hemp products.” Through an emergency regulation, Newsom proposed removing food and beverage products containing hemp extract from stores within the Golden State.

Foxtrot Prepares For Its Second Act

Foxtrot Prepares For Its Second Act

Five months removed from its abrupt closure, next-gen convenience chain Foxtrot Market is preparing to reopen its doors tomorrow.

Amidst Non-Alc Surge, Why Is Wine Struggling To Gain Momentum?

Amidst Non-Alc Surge, Why Is Wine Struggling To Gain Momentum?

While brewery menus are littered with near beer options and non-alcoholic spirits are making their way onto bar menus as the fastest growing category in the zero-proof set, wine remains one of the most difficult bev-alc formats to bridge the gap between fully dry consumers and the sober-curious drinkers driving category growth.

Sober Festival Goers Seeing New NA Options

Sober Festival Goers Seeing New NA Options

Music festival season is in full swing, and this year it’s seeing more than just psychedelic costumes and light shows. The music industry is nothing if not eager to tap into youth trends; in this case, it’s the rising popularity of non-alcoholic beverages from across categories that’s manifesting at concert venues nationwide.

Report: FTC Preparing Lawsuit Against Southern Glazer’s

Report: FTC Preparing Lawsuit Against Southern Glazer’s

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing a lawsuit against Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, the nation’s largest alcohol distributor, over its pricing practices, according to a Politico report published yesterday.

Outfoxing The Competition: Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen Plan Merger

Outfoxing The Competition: Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen Plan Merger

The Chicagoland grocery industry got a little more interesting today with the announcement that modern convenience chain Foxtrot and natural grocery chain Dom’s Kitchen & Market will be merging in an all-stock deal that will create a new holding company called Outfox Hospitality.

‘Hemp Is Back’ in NY As Judge Backs Injunction

‘Hemp Is Back’ in NY As Judge Backs Injunction

In a significant win for the burgeoning industry, the New York Supreme Court ordered yesterday a preliminary injunction against the emergency measures that abruptly halted the sale of hemp-derived THC-infused products in August

AAPI Founders Energize, Innovate in RTDs

AAPI Founders Energize, Innovate in RTDs

From Everything Everywhere all at Once to K-Pop to Joy Ride, Asian and Asian-American pop culture has been rising within the broader American cultural landscape for years, establishing a new wave of mainstream awareness – and influence – for AAPI creators and communities. In the CPG industry, that wave has also begun to make an impact on grocery shelves, as first generation AAPI founders have introduced new brands and products that celebrate their heritage and expand well outside of the international aisle.

Devil’s Drink: Craft Soda Rises in Craft Beer Country

Devil’s Drink: Craft Soda Rises in Craft Beer Country

In a region known for its craft beer, Asheville, North Carolina-based soda maker Devil’s Foot Beverage Company has built a farm-to-can business model that is dedicated to an inch-wide, mile deep growth strategy.