Nisshin OilliO America Unveils Foodservice Tech Lab, a Solution-Driven B2B Hub to Tackle US Kitchen Challenges

Nisshin OilliO America’s new B2B hub helps restaurants improve kitchen efficiency, reduce waste, and elevate menu value.

The ‘Informed Shopper’ to Change Face of Retailing

Informed Shoppers are reshaping retail, demanding transparency, wellness, and sustainability. Retailers clinging to legacy formulas risk irrelevance, while those embracing ingredient clarity and tech-driven discovery stand to capture tomorrow’s discerning consumer.

The Foodservice Industry Unites at DMA’s 2025 Fall Conference

SAN ANTONIO – Foodservice distributors, manufacturers, operators, and insights teams gathered at the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Nov. 18-20, for Distribution Market Advantage’s 2025 Fall Conference. At the event, presentations and panel discussions focused on …

Web Summit 2025: Why HealthTech Is Moving Faster Than Food—and Why It Matters

As FI’s European correspondent noted, health-tech stole the spotlight at Web Summit 2025 in Portugal, while FoodTech barely whispered. The real opportunity? Embedding nutrition into predictive health ecosystems.

The Return to Real: Authenticity Is Redefining the Food Industry

In The Food Institute’s latest Food for Thought Leadership episode, Robyn Carter of Jump Rope Innovation explains how consumers’ demand for authenticity and simplicity is reshaping food retail, restaurants, and wellness, and why “real” is the future of food.

Target Slashes Prices on 3,000 SKUs, Including Grocery Price Cuts

Target is slashing prices on 3,000 grocery and essentials SKUs ahead of a shaky holiday season, reigniting retail’s value wars. As inflation-weary consumers hunt for deals, global grocers are racing to stay in their baskets.

The AI Kitchen Revolution Starts Here: Inside Gambit Robotics’ Vision

Two AI experts just made their boldest move yet: launching Gambit, a kitchen assistant that automates cooking with precision. It’s a game-changer for food technology innovation. Sponsored by Gambit Robotics.

Thanksgiving Preview: Connection, Cost-Consciousness Define 2025 Holiday

Consumers are craving connection and comfort as Thanksgiving approaches, but inflation is reshaping how they celebrate. Value-driven choices are influencing holiday traditions, resulting in predictions for pared-down menus.

Diners Demand Deals: Why ‘Worth It’ Is the New Must-Have

As diners tighten their belts, value-driven promotions and loyalty perks are proving key to filling restaurant seats. With rising costs and waning confidence, restaurants must deliver far more than just a meal.

Emerging Brands as Content Studios: The Trend Your Ad Agency Wants You to Ignore

Emerging brands are ditching ad agencies and building in-house content studios to control speed, cost, and creativity. Owned media is no longer optional – it’s the new engine of consumer marketing and brand memorability.

AWS Outages Continue, Affecting Web-Based Service

A major Amazon Web Services outage on Monday disrupted thousands of sites, including foodservice platforms, underscoring the industry’s digital dependence. Experts warn the cost could reach billions, as DNS errors rippled through operations and productivity worldwide.

6 Food Trends to Watch in 2026

From sourdough to zero-sugar energy drinks, 2026’s expected food trends blend indulgence with wellness. Flatbreads, protein-packed snacks, and air-fried favorites signal a shift toward gut-friendly, cost-conscious innovation.

Government Shutdown: How the Food Industry Could Feel the Heat

A prolonged government shutdown could jam inspections, stall product launches, and choke supply chains, just as harvest season hits. For F&B leaders, strategic planning and regulatory clarity may be the next casualties.

The Cult of Crab Rangoon: Consumers Crave Nostalgia, ‘Play’

Crab Rangoon is riding a wave of nostalgic virality, evolving from comfort food to cultural icon. Its playful reinventions and mass appeal offer operators a low-barrier entry into high-impact, trend-driven dining.

Gen Z Magnetism Report: Authenticity Often Beats Advertising

Gen Z’s brand loyalty hinges on authentic user-generated content, not legacy clout. Food giants like Oreo and McDonald’s are losing steam – while Disney thrives by treating fans like community, not consumers.

Restaurants Leverage ‘Personal Touches’ to Level Up the Delivery Experience

Restaurants are redefining delivery with “hospitality beyond the four walls,” using personal touches like handwritten notes and smart packaging to boost satisfaction. The payoff? A warmer brand experience and repeat business.

The 5 Fastest-Growing F&B Brands of 2025

From prebiotic sodas to clean-label meat sticks, 2025’s fastest-growing F&B brands are rewriting the rules of consumer engagement. Authenticity, health-forward innovation, and bold storytelling are fueling the brands’ momentum.

US, China Reach TikTok Deal ‘Framework,’ Industry Reacts

TikTok’s reported U.S. transfer deal clears a path for continued growth in food-driven commerce and influencer marketing. With $24 billion in economic impact, the app remains a vital ingredient in Gen Z engagement and restaurant discovery.

Why Tariffs Have Mattered for a Seemingly Insulated Food Industry

The ripple effects of tariffs are biting the food industry. From cost pressures to shifting consumer habits, even insulated players are feeling the squeeze in a market that’s quietly turning recessionary.

Grocers Hit Pause on Self-Checkout Kiosks as Shrinkage Surges

Self-checkout was pitched as a payroll panacea – but retailers are finding it’s no silver bullet. Shrinkage, tech woes, and customer pushback are forcing grocers to rethink the economics of DIY checkout lanes.

Consumers Brace for ‘Foodflation’

Tariffs, labor shortages, and rising input costs are fueling “foodflation,” squeezing margins and reshaping consumer behavior. As grocery prices climb 23% since 2022, brands face pressure to innovate or lose share to private labels.

Gen Alpha’s ‘Pester Power’ is Fueled by YouTube

YouTube’s stealth food marketing is supercharging Gen Alpha’s “pester power,” blurring the line between entertainment and influence. As parasocial bonds deepen, brands gain unprecedented access to young appetites – often without parental awareness.

The Top 5 Flavors Taking Over Fall

Fall flavor innovation is heating up as brands blend nostalgia with novelty – think cranberry punch, chai spice, and pumpkin chipotle. With 66% of consumers shifting food habits, the time appears right to capture seasonal cravings.

Move Over Pumpkin Spice, This Texas Staple Goes National

Pumpkin spice may still reign, but pecan is surging as fall’s breakout flavor, with a 28% spike in DoorDash orders. From Snickers to Starbucks, operators are betting big on this Southern staple’s appeal.

Forces Shaping Foodservice: Attracting Discerning Shoppers

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

Beyond Religion: Considering Halal Certification in Today’s Market

Halal certification is gradually becoming a coveted recognition as the population of Muslim consumers continues to grow globally. The secular business case for the certification, however, is equally as compelling, as shoppers care more about the traceability and humane standards of the products in their cart.

A Fresh Perspective: Consumers Value Premium, Minimally Processed Foods

Within the grocery environment, fresh grocers in the first half of the year greatly outperformed their competitors, thanks to industry tailwinds prioritizing unique offerings and healthy food. In a recent webinar, two industry powerhouses discussed the implications of these macrotrends on the F&B landscape.

Charting the Future: ALTA Foods Expands Automation to Strengthen Operations

This article is sponsored and written by Formic. ALTA Foods has been at the forefront of automation for a long time. The 18-year-old tortilla manufacturer has embraced automation as a way to boost throughput, reduce labor …

3 Key Takeaways from IFT FIRST 2025

The recent IFT FIRST event spotlighted how food makers are shifting toward natural colors, sugar stealth, and GLP-1-driven formulation. Regulatory winds and wellness trends are rewriting the color, taste, and portion playbook.

America’s Least Appreciated Protein: Why Squid Deserves a Bigger Seat at the Table

Squid – a domestic, nutrient-rich, and eco-friendly protein – is largely overlooked in America’s protein lineup. The Hermit brand of calamari jerky challenges food leaders to rethink underutilized ocean fare before reaching for lab-grown innovations. (Sponsored Content)

Mid-Year Update: The State of the Specialty Food Industry

At the recent Summer Fancy Food Show, industry leaders discussed the promising future for specialty food makers. Despite economic headwinds, consumers are expected to largely increase or maintain their consumption in many key categories.

Texas Floods: H-E-B, Whataburger Display Community in Wake of Tragedy

Texas grocery chain H-E-B mobilized swiftly after deadly Texas floods, delivering supplies and meals to devastated communities. Their boots-on-the-ground relief shows how brand loyalty and corporate responsibility often go hand in hand.

10 Trends on Display at the 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show

From protein-packed desserts to gourmet tallow chips, the 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show dished out indulgence with purpose. Tradition and global ingredients were also notably in the spotlight at the event.

How Venus Wafers Cracked the Smart Manufacturing Code

Venus Wafers is modernizing food manufacturing with automation to boost efficiency, enhance safety, and maintain product quality—all while investing in its workforce and long-standing legacy.

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.

US Treasury Cuts Costs by Axing the Penny: What it Means for Retailers

The penny’s swan song – likely to occur next year – may save millions, but it won’t shake 99-cent psychology in retail pricing.