Weekly Digest #24

12.01.2026

Welcome to The Fork’s Lens

Every week, we serve up a quick, flavourful dose of what’s cooking at the intersection of food, drink, and entrepreneurship.

Expect:

🍴 Sharp founder insights

📊 Bite-sized industry trends

🛠 Tools & tips to level up

🔥 Events & openings worth your time

For those of you building food brands, launching products, or just hungry for what’s next – this one’s for you.

Food, Function & Focus

📨 Weekly #24: Food, Function & Focus

🍴 What’s Up?

2026 is already moving fast. Health-first food is no longer niche, GLP-1 is reshaping shelves, sober-curious drinks are going mainstream, and governments are rewriting the rules on nutrition. This week is all about how function is becoming the baseline across food, grocery, and CPG.

🇬🇧 UK Weekly Spotlight

• Co-op debuts “Good Fuel” GLP-1 friendly meals
  The Co-operative has launched its Good Fuel – Power Up Your Plate ready-meal range aimed at shoppers with smaller appetites, including those using GLP-1 medications. The meals are positioned around high protein, fibre, and portion control, with an emphasis on nourishment rather than restriction. (The Grocer)

• M&S launches Nutrient Dense range
  Marks & Spencer has rolled out a new Nutrient Dense range spanning meals, bakery and snacks, developed with nutritionists to help shoppers maximise fibre, vitamins and minerals per serving. The range reflects rising demand for clarity and functional value on pack. (BakeryInfo)

• Asda rolls out high-protein power pots
  Asda has entered the GLP-1-influenced space with its new power pots range, offering calorie-controlled, protein-forward ready meals designed to support satiety and nutritional balance at accessible price points. (The Grocer)

• Dalston’s raises £850k to scale better-for-you sodas
  London-based soda brand Dalston’s has secured £850,000 from Sorven Capital and Mark Philip-Sorensen, with Giles Brook continuing as both investor and advisor. The brand is best known for its chef-crafted sodas made without artificial ingredients or added sugar. (UK Tech News)

• Neutonic launches nationwide in Morrisons
  Functional drinks brand Neutonic has secured a major retail milestone, launching across 500 Morrisons stores. The move signals growing supermarket confidence in nootropic and cognitive-health positioned beverages. (FoodBev Media)

• Elton John launches alcohol-free sparkling wine with Sainsbury’s
  Sir Elton John and David Furnish have launched Elton John Zero Blanc de Blancs, a premium alcohol-free sparkling wine debuting nationwide with Sainsbury’s. Made using an alcohol-free fermentation process with Italian Chardonnay grapes, the launch taps into the sober-curious movement. (Yahoo Lifestyle UK)

🌍 Global F&B Moves

• US flips the food pyramid in historic nutrition reset
  The U.S. government has unveiled a major overhaul of its national dietary guidelines, effectively flipping the traditional food pyramid. The updated framework prioritises nutrient-dense whole foods, protein and healthy fats while pushing ultra-processed foods and added sugars to the margins. (USDA)

• Instacart reveals fastest-growing emerging brands of 2025
  Instacart has released its annual list of the fastest-growing emerging brands on the platform. Familiar names such as Oats Overnight, Built, IQBAR, Cymbiotika, Dose, Goodles and Fruit Riot highlight continued demand for functional, convenience-led products with strong branding. (Instacart)

• Mel Robbins launched a protein shot brand
  A bestselling author and podcaster launched a protein shot range called Pure Genius. Three flavours are available and each travel-friendly shot delivers 23g of protein. (Instagram)

💭 The Fork and The Flame

 Function is no longer a feature. It’s the foundation.

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About Forks & Founders
We believe bold food brands deserve bold support. That’s why we’ve built a collective of seasoned foodies, retail rebels, creative storytellers, and numbers nerds – people who’ve been in the kitchen, the boardroom, and the shop floor. We jump in where you need us most, helping you turn big ideas into bites people can’t stop talking about. Because building a food brand isn’t just business – it’s passion, flavour, and a little bit of chaos. We’re here to make sure it’s the good kind.