Weekly Pickups: Honey made from apples, cookies for dogs, and more...
Ft. Victoria Watters
Welcome back to Weekly Pickups!
This week it’s just me! Your CPG King. Jenna is traveling and having fun without me today.
This week, we’ve been thinking about…
How dogs food and dog products are going through this renaissance of sorts. The brands and products that are coming out are on par with all the sexy DTC brands that us humans have had the pleasure of getting over the past few years. Now it’s time for mans best friend to get shampoo that smells and works great, dog food with ingredients that a Michelin star restaurant would use, and dog clothing that cost more than my clothing - Nate
And now, onto our weekly pickups… →
Jenna’s Pickups
Mindful Fud Hunnie Hot
Quick facts: Vegan (AKA bee free), organic hot honey made from rescued apples!
Reasons to love:
Genuinely sustainable. For the non-vegans out there, it isn’t always obvious why we should consider replacing real honey. The TLDR is:
Honeybees aren’t native to most places, so industrial beekeeping can mess with the natural ecosystem (outcompeting the native pollinators and disrupting pollination of native plants) (the exception here is local honey!)
Over-harvesting and pesticide use involved in honey production can harm bee health
But if you can’t get behind the bee-free thing, here’s where we can all agree: Making something delicious out of produce that would’ve otherwise gone to waste is as sustainable as it gets.
Complex flavor profile. Unlike other hot honeys that just taste sweet and hot (sans much flavor), this hot “honey” has a kick of acidity from apple cider vinegar that makes it the perfect drizzle as-is. It’s also speckled with full chili flakes (not just chili oil), offering more robust heat than just “spicy.”
This would be great on pizza, but I ended up drizzling it over some roasted broccoli—no notes.
Nate’s Pickups
Fancypants Cookies + Polkadog x Fancypants Apple & Cinnamon Cookies
Jenna took this as her weekly pick up the other week, but it’s too good to pass up again. And check out our interview with Fancypants founder, Maura Duggan.
Quick Facts: Buttery shortbread cookies made with upcycled oat milk flour. Started by a former Harvard neuroscientist, they're incredibly delicious with flavors like Salted Caramel, Lemon Tart, and Birthday Cake. They partnered with Boston's Polkadog (the iconic pet boutique making sustainable treats since 2002) for limited-edition Apple & Cinnamon dog cookies - because even pups (especially Ginger) deserve the fancy treatment.
Reasons to love:
That perfect bite every time. These cookies nail the texture-flavor balance that most brands miss, a satisfying crunch that gives way to buttery shortbread that's rich but never cloying. The Salted Caramel hits just right, indulgent without that sugar-bomb assault that leaves you regretting the third cookie. And the limited spring flavors, the lemon and strawberry ones taste so good, not like you're eating perfume or some artificial flavoring.
From Harvard neuroscientist to cookie mogul. Maura Duggan's pivot from researching brains to baking cookies is the kind of founder story that makes you believe in following your g
ut. She turned her grandmother's recipes and a side hustle into a $10M+ business now in 3,000+ stores including Costco!
Ginger loves them. How is that not enough!
Where to buy: Online and in Grocery
Paktli
Okay, I'm obsessed with these. They're that perfect sweet spot between healthy and "I can't stop eating these." I met the founder Seena Chriti pitch at a Naturally New York event a few weeks ago (shameless pitch for Naturally NY, which I'm a board member of) Seriously though, if you're in food/bev you need to check out this community. Her story had the whole room captivated!
Quick Facts: Ancient Mexican snacks called Alegrías reimagined with organic puffed amaranth, quinoa, and millet mixed with chocolate, dried fruits, and nuts. Based on a 16th-century Aztec recipe, they're certified organic, gluten-free, and made by a team of 7 Latino women
Reasons to love:
Heritage meets health. Seena is recreating her favorite childhood Mexican snack using the highest quality organic ingredients. It’s something that tastes indulgent but is actually packed with ancient grains.
Supporting real impact. This isn't just about buying a snack - you're supporting a minority and women-owned business that employs Latino women and celebrates Mexican culture authentically.
Where to buy: Online and select retailers
✨ Special Guest ✨ , Co-Founder of
We're thrilled to welcome Victoria Watters to this week's Weekly Pickups! Victoria is reshaping how we think about drinking culture as Co-Founder of Dry Atlas, the premier media company covering the booming world of alcohol alternatives.
Along with her husband, Victoria pioneered the non-alcoholic retail space by launching Spirited Away—America's very first dedicated non-alcoholic bottle shop. Together, they've been at the forefront of the sober-curious movement, helping people discover that great taste doesn't require alcohol.
Stay up to date on the non-alc industry via her weekly newsletter
→What was your favorite pickup this week? De Soi Haute Margarita, a spicy non-alc margarita. Of the hundreds of non-alc RTDs I’ve tried over the years, this one of the most satisfying ones inspired by a traditional cocktail.
What about this product intrigued you? This was a combination of the can design (I’m a sucker for beautiful packaging!) and the product description. I also have a ton of respect for CEO Scout Brisson and how she’s been scaling this brand over the years.
Where did you purchase it, and why that channel? I happened to order this one online. But my favorite way to discover new products is to browse the RTD fridges at shops like Spirited Away and other indie retailers.
Why do you love it? I love it because it scratches the traditional cocktail itch—not easy to do in the non-alc space—and the spicy kick is satifying but not overwhelming to the palate. Sometimes, non-alc cocktails feature a spice that builds too much after a few sips. This one is different.
💡 Pro tip from Victoria! If you’ve tried non-alc RTDs and haven’t found one you loved, try some that don’t aim to replicate a traditional cocktail. Ghia Le Spritz Sumac & Chili is one to test if you’re into spice!
If you want to share a brand you’re loving for us to review, or if you have the perfect special guest in mind, email us: nate@expresscheckout.co and jenna@expresscheckout.co :)