Focus Archive

Specialty Grocers Sprouts and NGVC Display Market Strength

Amid inflation’s shake-up, niche grocers like Sprouts and Natural Grocers have defied expectations with explosive growth. Turns out, health-conscious loyalty and savvy execution are worth their weight in organic chia seeds.

Crops Rotting in Fields With Undocumented Farmworkers Gone

Tough immigration enforcement is squeezing farms as migrant workers fear ICE raids – meaning some crops are going unpicked overnight. With labor shortages surging, industry insiders warn of price hikes, food waste, and a looming agricultural breaking point.

Calculating the True Cost of Tariffs

Tariffs are reshaping supply chains, squeezing margins, and testing consumer loyalty. In the weeks ahead, food industry leaders will need to pivot quickly, CEOs note.

SFFS Trendspotters: The Trends Commanding Attention

At the recent Summer Fancy Food Show (SFFS) in NYC, protein candy, international convenience, and beverage innovations were among key trends. Learn about the cutting-edge brands supporting the future of food.

Investors Are Getting Worried About Big Beverage Names

Beverage giants appear to be losing their buzz. Investors are signaling deeper concerns despite steady profits. As GLP-1s and shifting health sentiments rise, the sector’s long-term resilience may be entering a new taste test.

Senate Approves Bill Expanding Students’ Access to Plant-Based Milk

A new bipartisan bill approved by the Senate Ag Committee aims to expand access to plant-based milk in schools, offering relief to millions of lactose-intolerant students. If passed, it would require schools to provide non-dairy alternatives to students when requested by a parent, no doctor’s note needed.

Minimum Wage Rising; Employers Fret Over Impact

Minimum wage hikes took effect starting today across the U.S., leaving restaurants and grocers bracing for ripple effects. Business leaders warn of closures, while advocates say fair pay is overdue in a shifting labor landscape.

CPG Giants Pledge to Remove Food Dyes

Over the past few weeks, CPG giants have pledged their support in removing select artificial food dyes in an apparent bid to align their practices with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and …

Crunch Time: How Do Your Road Trip Snacks Stack Up?

Sour is trending, chocolate is complicated, and regional quirks abound: Kellanova’s new data reveals how generational tastes shape road-trip snacking – and what that means for category innovation. Nostalgia, “swalty,” and convenience drive the ride.

EY: CPG Brand Relevance Faces ‘Negative Drift’

Legacy CPGs are losing consumer relevance to agile upstarts – but AI, innovation, and a shift to “disruptive optimism” offer hope. EY’s latest report calls on brands to earn loyalty daily or drift into obscurity.

Smucker Becomes the Poster Child for Packaged Food

Smucker stock has plunged to decade-lows after a bruising earnings miss and nearly $2B in impairment charges tied to its Hostess buy. With profits set to drop again, investors are questioning the company’s strategy.

Tariff Tactics: How Food Brands Are Battling Rising Costs

Food and beverage businesses have begun to feel the impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Some have absorbed the blow. Others were left staggering. When the U.S. raised steel and aluminum tariffs to …

Amazon Prime Day Expansion May Dilute Sales

Amazon is doubling down on Prime Day, stretching it to four days in a bid to woo deal-hungry Gen Z and millennial shoppers. But with cart abandonment rising, will lessened urgency hurt results? Industry opinions vary.

Cannes Lions Event Reveals Real Secret to Food Marketing ROI

The Cannes Lions 2025 event crowned campaigns that blurred the lines between storytelling and shopping, proving that creativity at the point of sale is now imperative. From sonic branding to shoppable receipts, food marketing has gone full-experiential.

It’s Getting Difficult to Keep Pace with Walmart

Walmart is dominating the grocery sector with unmatched pricing, delivery speed, and scale – and its lead is widening. As rivals chase value-conscious consumers, Walmart is already monetizing convenience.

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Baby Boomers: A Restaurant’s Reliable Friend

Baby Boomers offer restaurants a loyal customer who tends to be more resilient compared to younger cohorts. Contrary to popular belief, data suggests that this cohort is excited by innovative dishes, particularly those that invoke nostalgia, comfort, or function.

Cream of the Crop: The Latest Heavy Cream Alternatives

Plant-based heavy cream alternatives are on the rise as food scientists develop more realistic, whip-ready options using oats, legumes, and oils. Chef Jason Wrobel of Switch4Good shared his take regarding the latest innovations and the science behind replicating the taste and texture of traditional heavy whipping cream.

Energy Drink Makers Navigate a Choppy Environment

Energy drinks hit turbulence in 2024, with Celsius and Monster both facing unexpected sales slowdowns. While stock prices have rebounded, lingering consumer uncertainty raises questions about the sector’s long-term prospects.

Why 2025 is the ‘Year of the Sauce’

Sauces are no longer just a sidekick – they’re driving one of 2025’s biggest food trends, blending bold flavors with convenience and versatility. Food businesses that embrace this shift can captivate consumers and boost sales, according to both chefs and CEOs.

As Importers Race the Clock, Cargo Surges

Retailers are bracing for a summer cargo surge, but tariffs and cautious consumer spending may temper volume. With air freight disrupting traditional shipping channels, supply chains are scrambling to adapt before the holiday rush hits full speed.

Top 5 Healthiest Ice Creams

Once dismissed as an oxymoron, healthier ice cream is now a booming category. From high-protein formulas to cutting-edge fat replacers, brands are rethinking indulgence without sacrificing texture.

Wrap It Up: Fast-Food Chains Bet Big on Boneless Chicken

McDonald’s is bringing back its Snack Wrap after a nine-year hiatus, tapping into the booming demand for portable, boneless chicken options. With major chains embracing the wrap resurgence, savvy restaurant operators will leverage the trend for easy, profitable menu innovation.

Feeling Peachy: Summer Darling Leads Beverage Innovation

Peach-enhanced menu items are growing in popularity, now on 19.8% of foodservice menus, according to one report. The fruit has found its stride in beverage innovation, with legacy brands experimenting with the flavor.

5 Thriving Fast-Food Chains in 2025

Despite rising costs, 2025 is shaping up to be a fairly strong year for many restaurant chains, with top players like Cava and Chick-fil-A thriving by mastering efficiency, marketing, and customer experience. The smartest brands are pricing strategically and leveraging technology to drive success.