CPGs in 2026: From food trends to impact with Kevin Ryan

In this episode of The Food Intelligence Podcast, Miriam Aniel from Tastewise sits down with Kevin Ryan (linkedin.com/in/kevin-ryan-562b631) - the brain behind FoodStuff (culturematters.substack.com) and Malachite Strategy & Research (malachite-strategy.com) - for a candid conversation about how culture, emotion, and identity are reshaping the future of CPGs.
Together, they unpack how authenticity is redefining what “premium” means, why real meat is making a comeback, and how consumer behavior is driving a new era of purpose-led growth in food and beverage. It’s an honest look at the people and cultural shifts behind the data.
In this episode:
• The rise of “quiet luxury” and food as identity
• Why the next big opportunity for CPGs lies in emotional fluency
• The return of “real food” as a wellness and sustainability play
• How culture and consumption are becoming inseparable
About Kevin Ryan:
Kevin is the founder of FoodStuff, a must-read weekly newsletter exploring the intersection of food, culture, and business. You can subscribe at foodstuff.substack.com (culturematters.substack.com)
.