Food for Thought Leadership: Nostalgia vs. Novelty with Mike Kostyo

Menu Matters vice president Mike Kostyo joins Chris Campbell to discuss the push and pull between nostalgia and novelty in the food industry.

Metabolic Health and Weight Management in the GLP-1 Era

It is no surprise that consumers are increasingly focused on health and wellness. In particular, weight management has become a key priority for many consumers, with GLP-1 drugs emerging as one of several tools being ...

FI Spotlight: What Makes Maduros So Special?

To kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month, we're shining a spotlight on a staple that's evident in a wide variety of Hispanic cuisines and comes from the multibillion-dollar global market giant that is the plantain. ...

Smarter Supply, Smarter Service: How AI is Transforming Foodservice

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the foodservice industry—from how food is produced and delivered to how it’s prepared and served. The Food Institute explored how AI is driving innovation and efficiency across the entire foodservice ecosystem, ...

FI Spotlight: Groceryshop 2025 – The Must-Attend Event for Grocery Executives

Do you work in the Grocery industry? Mark your calendar for Groceryshop 2025, which will take place from Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. In the meantime, Groceryshop VP of content Rocquan ...

FI Spotlight: CEOs Reveal 4 Key Trends Driving Consumer Behavior in 2025

Inflation. Flavor Trends. Tariffs. These are just some of the issues surrounding the food and beverage industry, especially the specialty food category. Where are consumers doing the most grocery shopping right now? What topics are ...

FI Spotlight: Customer Retention Secrets Most Restaurants Miss

In this episode, The Food Institute uncovers some of the most overlooked customer retention strategies in the foodservice industry—tactics even seasoned operators often miss. Discover: Proven methods to increase repeat visits and boost guest loyalty ...

Navigating Economic Headwinds – What’s Ahead for the F&B Industry

The U.S. economy grew 2.8% in 2024 but began 2025 with a -0.5% decline in Q1. As we look ahead to the rest of 2025 and into 2026, the path forward remains uncertain. Persistent inflation, ...

FI Spotlight: How This Sweet Shop Became a DIY Destination

Discover how Simple Treasures scaled with 400 popcorn flavors, private label deals & a DIY twist—built on reinvention, community, and customer experience. In this video, we explore: How they created buzz with word of mouth ...

FI Spotlight: Food Tech CTO Shares AI Implementation Strategies That Actually Work

When Thrive Market CTO and Co-Founder Sasha Siddhartha thinks about his company, he focuses on creating a customized experience that combines convenience with intentional grocery shopping. FI’s Digital Media Director Susan Choi recently got to ...

FI Spotlight: 2 Million Scoville Hot Sauce Proves Flavor Beats Heat

Blair’s Death Sauce offers up to 2 million Scoville units of extreme heat, and bold, cravable flavor to the specialty food market—proving flavor beats heat every time. In this Summer Fancy Food 2025 interview, The ...

FI Spotlight: Baking Industry Leader Reveals Why Sustainability Is The Future of Food

When it comes to flour, most bakers will think of King Arthur Baking Company first. Why is that? What does the business prioritize when developing products? What values do they possess that lead to their ...

FI Spotlight – The Secret to This Specialty Food Company’s Success: Quality Control and Creativity

For famed Philly-based brand Di Bruno Bros., attending the annual Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC is a must, and 2025 is no different. What is it about this trade show that stands out above ...

FI Spotlight: Authentic Italian Food Gives Consumers What They Really Want

Eataly's Head of Branded Products, Stefania Iacobelli, reveals how traditional Italian food culture meets modern consumer demand for authentic global flavors at the Summer Fancy Food Show 2025. Discover how Eataly's trusted brand leverages clean ...

Why Food Industry Leaders Choose MenuData for Strategic Insights

Discover how Menu Data AI is transforming food and beverage strategy with real-time insights across retail, foodservice, and social media. FI’s Chris Campbell interviews Sunny Khamkar, Co-Founder & CEO of MenuData at the National Restaurant ...

Is Your Barcode More Powerful Than Your Brand?

Digital marketing isn't optional for CPG brands anymore - it's survival. At the 2025 Digital Food & Beverage Conference, industry leaders revealed shocking truths about retail media ROI, the rise of barcode marketing, and why ...

FI Spotlight: What’s The Biggest Mistake Food Companies Make?

Snacks, Drinks, Ready to Eat meals – the CPG market in the U.S. has exploded with new options in recent years. With all the variety in products, how can businesses stand out from their competition? ...

From Chaos to Control: How Canto Helps Food Companies Master Their Digital Content

This video is sponsored by Canto. From JPEGs to MP4s, ZIP files to WAV files and beyond, nothing can get more complicated than digital content organization. Throw in teams of dedicated employees trying to run ...

FI Spotlight – Unlocking Global Markets: How Food Export Drives Business Growth

This video is sponsored by Food Export. How can food businesses expand their capabilities in the current economic landscape? Enter Food Export. This non-profit organization dedicates itself to helping small and mid-sized food businesses grow ...

Solutions to Today’s Biggest Restaurant Challenges

National Restaurant Association Show 2025 insights are in: Foodservice operators are doubling down on traffic-driving strategies, automation, labor management, and tariff response. Join Chris Campbell from The Food Institute and RJ Hottovy of Placer.ai as ...

FI Spotlight: Are Trade Shows Worth it? De Soi CEO Gets Real About ROI

Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi, joins FI Spotlight to discuss the brand’s positioning amid the sober-curious movement, marketing strategies, and the business value of celebrity partnerships. Learn about the ROI in participating in trade ...

Discover the Secret Behind Coco Fro’s Irresistible Plant Based Crunch

Thinking of a new snack idea for yourself or your family? Why not throw some ice cream in that lunchbox or purse? That's right, Coco Fro is a new company featuring freeze-dried, plant-based ice cream. ...

FI Spotlight: Nutrition Policy Shifts Food Brands Must Watch

Nutrition trends, changing food policy, and rising consumer health demands are reshaping the food and beverage industry. Nutrition expert Dr. Marion Nestle joins us to break down the current state of nutrition in the U.S., ...

FI Studios – Food Industry Icons: Remembering Solomon Choi

Leadership, entrepreneurship, and legacy—this tribute to Solomon Choi explores how he built a life of purpose through business, faith, and community. Hear from those who knew him best as they reflect on the leadership lessons ...

How CORE Foodservice and The Culinary Edge Create Foodservice Solutions in a Challenging Market

SPONSORED CONTENT In the current landscape of rising costs and increasing competition, it's more challenging than ever to keep up in the restaurant industry. What are the keys to successfully navigating foodservice in the U.S., ...

FI Spotlight: What Today’s Health Conscious Consumers Really Want

How are changing consumer attitudes toward health, wellness, and aging reshaping the food and beverage industry? In this episode of FI Spotlight, Susan Choi speaks with Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group, about new ...

What Every F&B Brand Can Learn from the Rise of Mike’s Hot Honey

Mike Kurtz, founder of Mike’s Hot Honey, joins Chris Campbell at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show to share how a college discovery in Brazil sparked a spicy honey sensation. From starting in a pizza ...

FI News Review (May 23 2025): Top Food and Beverage Stories

Watch the latest FI News Review, which covers tariff impacts, surprising news about Kroger’s grocery pricing, multimillion dollar cyberattacks, the demographic that’s eating the most meat, and more. Join the Food Institute Today! Check us ...

FI Spotlight – Smarter Packaging: Flat Pack Plant-Based Milk Explained

Discover how Milkadamia’s innovative flat-pack technology transforms plant-based milk logistics, reducing shipping weight by 85% and packaging waste by 94%. This packaging format is a game-changer for food and beverage businesses moving toward more sustainable ...

FI News Review (May 16, 2025): Top Food and Beverage Stories

In this week’s FI News Review, we’ll look at what the tariff pause between the U.S. and China means for consumers, where egg prices are at, and how one beer maker isn’t backing down in ...

FI Spotlight: Discover How Asian American Founders Are Shaping Food and Beverage

May is AANHPI month, and what better way to honor the Asian American community than through their accomplishments in the food and beverage industry? Check out this latest episode of FI Spotlight, as The Food ...

FI News Review (May 9, 2025): Top Food and Beverage Stories

Could the New World Screwworm destroy all our livestock? Which delivery company is making multi-billion dollar moves? And, do more mothers want to celebrate on their own this Mother’s Day? Find out more on this ...

FI Spotlight: Petmalu! Why Filipino Food Is Exploding in Popularity Right Now

American consumers are loving new food experiences right now. At the moment, many are turning their attention to the Philippines. Statistics show that interest in Filipino food has risen by 50 percent in the past ...

FI News Review (May 2, 2025): Top Food and Beverage Stories

This week on FI News Review, we delve into important news regarding the impact of tariffs on American companies. We also discuss why some companies may be withdrawing their products from Amazon Prime Day, updates ...

FI Spotlight: How Lifeway Leads the Functional Dairy Revolution With Trendy Flavors

Explore how Lifeway Foods is shaking up the fermented dairy space with innovative, globally inspired kefir flavors, collagen blends, and ready-to-pour salad dressings. CEO Julie Smolyansky shares how the brand is meeting consumer demand for ...

Exploring the Vibrancy of Jarritos: Hispanic Flavors in a Bottle

It's a beverage beloved by millions, and an undeniable favorite to go with any taco dish. It's Jarritos soda, and The Food Institute got a inside look at this iconic brand while attending the International ...