LATAM Influence: Unpacking CPG Impact

Latin American foods and flavor profiles are now deeply ingrained in American culture, with brands like Topo Chico, Tajín, Jarritos, and Takis available at traditional grocers, convenience stores, and specialty stores alike. Younger generations, too, ...

LATAM Influence: The Latin American Consumer

Latin American (LATAM) and Hispanic consumers in the United States have a profound impact on domestic food and beverage sales. “The Hispanic/LATAM demographic forces in the United States are unmistakable and enduring,” John LeVert, managing ...

Forces Shaping Foodservice: Biggest Trends

It’s no surprise that consumers are dining out less, citing myriad reasons for this behavior, with the most compelling signaling a return to affordability. TouchBistro 2025 U.S. Diner Trends Report Still, consumers are willing to ...

Forces Shaping Foodservice: QSR Value Wars

The quick-serve restaurant value wars have never been more important to chains that are losing market share to prepared foods sections at grocery stores and full-service establishments. Concurrently, consumers are rejecting higher fast-food prices resulting ...

Forces Shaping Foodservice: Attracting Discerning Shoppers

Economic headwinds are shaping consumer shopping behaviors, with looming tariffs affecting consumers’ perceptions of imported foods…

Forces Shaping Foodservice: State of the Industry

The foodservice industry has faced countless headwinds in the years following the pandemic, battling persistent accelerated inflation compared to food-at-home (FAH) spending, labor retention and cost issues, and an overall environment of economic uncertainty that ...

Tips for Capitalizing on Plant-Based Products

Lead with Delicious and Prepare for Scrutiny Robyn Carter, CEO of Jump Rope Innovation “I think the most important thing for CPG companies to consider when they’re innovating around plant-based options is that it’s critical ...

Numbers of Note: The Millennial Shopping Basket

On-the-go millennial parents favor products that balance convenience and consistency with splashes of innovation. “According to IRI, categories that rank high for millennials include fresh products, such as fresh fruit, meat, and muffins, as well ...

A Closer Look at Frozen Fruit

Import, Export Volumes Drop Both imports and exports of frozen fruits exhibited a drop in quantity during the Jan. 1-Feb. 28 period despite increasing value during the period, according to Food Institute analysis of Bureau ...

Innovative New Products Entering the Plant-Based Category

The plant-based foods category has come a long way. It’s no longer just veggie burgers, soy milk, and tofu. Here are five of the most innovative new products in the marketplace: Black Sheep Foods Plant-Based ...

How to Write A+ Job Ads

Bo Peabody sees the hospitality industry from several angles as co-founder of the Seated reservation app, a restaurateur, and member of the Boqueria Restaurant Group board of directors. The pandemic has changed his per-spective on ...

Tips for Capitalizing on Plant-Based Products

Lead with delicious and prepare for scrutiny ROBYN CARTER, CEO OF JUMP ROPE INNOVATION “I think the most important thing for CPG companies to consider when they’re innovating around plant-based options is that it’s critical ...

How to Hire for 2022 and Beyond

Julie Lamonthe-Jensen has never been more convinced that it’s time to tear up the traditional hiring playbook. After all, the ongoing labor shortage is uncharted territory. “Companies need to step outside the framework they’ve been ...

Skyrocketing German Grocery Prices Seen on Soaring Inflation

It's just one data point. But it is striking. Aldi Nord in Europe expects increases of 20 to 50 percent in its purchase prices this week, reported WDR (April 4). Another German grocer, Rewe, has ...

Projecting the Plant-Based Future

Plant-based meats are about to become much more mainstream – Christina Russo is convinced of it. As alt-meats have found their way onto the menus of fast-food chains like Burger King, McDonald’s and KFC, plant-based ...

Recent Economic Data Could Be a Good Sign for Hiring Managers

While there certainly are signs of improving labor market conditions in the food industry, pandemic-inspired trends are causing headaches for hiring managers. In fact, the pandemic changed the way a lot of people think about ...

The Restaurant ‘Experience’ Returns

Editor’s note: This article is a free, one-time preview of The Food Institute’s new Premium articles, which will be available to members. To join FI, click here.  After nearly two years of intermittent pandemic-related lockdowns, consumers are seeking …

Monitoring Plant-Based Food Conversations on Instagram

Editor’s note: This article is a free, one-time preview of The Food Institute’s new Premium articles, which will be available to members. To join FI, click here.  Comparative analytics platform Social Standards took a look into public consumer …

Functional Ingredients Move to the Forefront

Editor’s note: This article is a free, one-time preview of The Food Institute’s new Premium articles, which will be available to members. To join FI, click here.  Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, a New York Times best-selling …

Experts Weigh In on 2022 Inflation Outlook

With food more expensive than it has been in decades and inflation surging, business owners and consumers alike are worried about what the future holds. How high can prices go? When will inflation starts to ...