Building an ESG Business Case

Building an ESG business case for your food company has never been more important as consumers and investors align with these principles.

Zeroing In on Rising Egg Prices

It’s clear that egg prices rose in the first month of 2022, but determining a definitive cause is a bit more elusive. The price of a dozen large white eggs rose to a national average of $2.08 on Feb. 9, representing a 22.5% increase month-over-month.

Leveraging AI in Plant-Based Innovation

NotCo CMO Flavia Buchmann explains how the company’s artificial intelligence helps with plant-based innovation.

Analysis: How Will Canadian Trucker Protests Impact America?

What started as a trucker protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates has grown to include many Canadians who are also pushing back against the rules, and resulting blockages could threaten an already-strained supply chain. In January, …

Building a Plant-Based Future with Pea Protein

Former NFL player and PURIS CEO Tyler Lorenzen talks about how his father decided to focus on pea protein in 1985, and how it impacts the industry today.

Exclusive Interview: What Are the Latest Developments in Online Grocery Delivery and Pick-Up?

While the food delivery market has garnered its fair share of headlines in recent months, pick-up remains a powerhouse for grocery e-commerce. That’s according to Brick Meets Click partner David Bishop, who recently joined The Food …

In the Trenches with Independent Restaurants

Celebrity chef and restaurant consultant Brian Duffy (Bar Rescue, Date Plate) talks about industry pain points, his experience opening a restaurant during the pandemic, and best practices for treating staff.

A Closer Look at Online Grocery Services

Brick Meets Click partner David Bishop reviews ship-to-home, pick-up, and delivery services, and highlights the best uses and challenges for each option.

New Vaccine Mandates for Truckers Could Impact U.S.-Canada Trade

Although the U.S. Supreme Court blocked a vaccine mandate for large employers, truckers driving between the U.S. and Canada will still need to be fully vaccinated by the end of the month. Canada began requiring …

Restaurant Hiring Was Rising Before Omicron, but What’s Next?

The leisure and hospitality industries posted solid job growth in December, but it remains to be seen how the fourth wave of COVID-19 will affect consumer demand and labor force participation. BLS Report Muted Compared …

How Will Your Business Contend with a Food Product Recall?

Food recall insurance specialists Sommer Chanady and Rob Balogh share their expertise on the food recall process and shed light on the different types of insurance products available for the food industry.

A Venture Capital View of Food Industry Trends

How does the venture capital world view the current state of the food industry?

Analysis: Four Top Consumer Delivery Trends from 2021

Since the outset of the pandemic, foodservice delivery companies have become a staple of many American consumers’ habits. While they offered a lifeline to hungry consumers earlier in the pandemic during forced closures, many of …

Sugar Reduction Is Ramping Up

Products featuring no- or low-sugar claims are likely to gain steam during the coming years, as is media scrutiny for all types of sweeteners. These were among the key takeaways from The Food Institute’s recent …

Chicken Market Roundup: A Tender Shortage, Steady Supermarket Sales

Despite a potential shortage of chicken tenders, dollar sales of chicken products at supermarkets and poultry slaughter remained relatively stable year-over year. Chicken Tenders in Short Supply Picky eaters may have something to cry “fowl” …

Industry Expert: Consumer Trends Evolving in Chain Restaurant Space

The lingering effects of COVID-19, inflationary pressures, and a desire among consumers for new types of cuisines will impact the chain restaurant space for years to come. That’s according to The NPD Group’s Stephanie Epperson, …

2022 Food Industry Trends to Watch

Plant-based. Frozen foods. Automation and AI. Which trends do you think will impact the food industry most in 2022?

Feds Look to Address U.S. Supply Chain Woes

The Federal Reserve reported that supply chain disruptions and labor shortages plagued many parts of the country in November, leading to rising prices across most of the nation, reported The Associated Press (Dec. 1). With …

Shipt Bets on Personalization to Win Delivery Wars

Shipt (the company that brought same-day delivery to Target) is betting that people, and not processing power, will be the biggest differentiator for delivery in the coming years.

Restaurant Acquisitions Remain Red Hot

The sandwich market’s potential appears to be underscored by recent quick-service restaurant acquisitions. In the span of two weeks, a pair of QSR parent companies expanded their culinary offerings via acquisitions of established brands. Restaurant …

Recent M&A Illustrate Resilience of Meat Sector

Although plant-based and cell-cultured meat alternatives are grabbing headlines, the animal protein sector remains robust with plenty of opportunities for mergers and acquisitions, according to Mesirow Managing Director Paul Mariani.

Food Industry Insiders Say Communication, Personal Connections Key for 2022

Despite rising inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, and labor challenges, the food industry should be looking forward to 2022. Additionally, collaboration, communication, and developing personal connections will be critical growth drivers. These were some of the …

Is Frozen Food’s Hot Streak Starting to Cool?

Although the frozen food aisle showcased a 3% increase in dollar sales for the 52 weeks ending Oct. 17, a 0.5% drop in unit sales indicates demand in the red-hot frozen sector could be cooling, …

Foodservice Distributors Face Challenges Despite Better 2022 Outlook

Although the 2022 prospects for foodservice distributors are on the rise, the industry still faces several challenges, according to Technomic Principal Wade Hanson. Hanson, speaking on a webinar hosted by the International Foodservice Distributors Association …

More Categories are Ready for Plant-Based Disruption

Click Below to Subscribe Are you ready for plant-based deli slices, seafood, or even filet mignon? Mission: Plant founder David Benzaquen is. In this episode of The Food Institute Podcast, the plant-based food industry expert …

California Ports Take Different Approaches to Backlogs

The backlog of ships off the coast of California has become so dire that the Biden Administration has gotten involved. Additionally, the two primary ports are exploring different strategies in trying to alleviate issues. As …

Food Sales: Fresh Fruit Sales Experiencing Uptick in Higher Inflationary Environment

Fresh fruit dollar sales at the retail level continue to enjoy growth when compared to 2020, according to Food Institute analysis of IRI data. In the 52 weeks ending Sept. 5, dollar sales of items …

By Sea, Rail, or Road: Supply Chain Update

Whether by sea, by rail, or by highway, the nation’s supply chain has never been more complicated. Here’s a quick roundup of recent supply chain developments, in what has become a year loaded with slowdowns. …

How Kimchi Culture Inspired Mother-in-Law’s

Click Below to Subscribe When it comes to making kimchi, Mother-in-Law’s founder Lauryn Chun says it’s a labor of love. Chun joined The Food Institute Podcast to share her story about leaving the financial world …

Employment at Grocers, Restaurants Down in August Despite Net Employment Gains

Ahead of Labor Day Weekend, the labor situation for grocers and restaurants is anything but rosy. Although both the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and ADP showed a net gain in jobs for August, hiring …

How Mars Wrigley Imagines the Future of Food

What does the future of food and snacking look like? Mars Wrigley Global Foresight Leader Joanna Lepore joins The Food Institute Podcast to discuss the 5- and 10-year prospects for chocolate, confectionary, and other munchables. …

Is the U.S. Cattle Oversupply Finally Cleared?

After a tumultuous year of COVID-related meat processor backlogs, is the U.S. beef supply finally evening out? One banking and financial services company thinks so: the U.S. oversupply of beef appears to have “finally cleared,” …

Amid Record Heat and Drought This Year, Midwest Producers Hopeful for 2022

The West Coast may be receiving the bulk of U.S. media coverage on record heat and drought conditions, but it is not the only region contending with extreme weather: the Midwest is also in the …

Blue Apron Goes Green and Embraces ESG

How is Blue Apron addressing packaging and food waste in the meal kit vertical? Hannah Koski, head of sustainability and social impact at Blue Apron, joins The Food Institute Podcast to discuss different programs the …

How Fair Trade USA Connects Consumers and Producers

Most consumers have seen the Fair Trade Certified™ seal on a variety of products, but what exactly does it mean? Lauren Tolbert, Partnership Development Manager with Fair Trade USA, joins The Food Institute Podcast to …

Shipping Quagmire Persists, and Could Stretch Well Into 2022

It’s a simple, two-part question, but it begs a complicated answer: Why are global shipping costs so high, and when will they moderate? While the rest of the U.S. economy seemed to hum in a …