CosMc’s: Unraveling the Hype for the “Skip the Buzz” Generation

The arrival of McDonald’s new CosMc’s concept sent a wave of excitement rippling through the fast-food world.

Navigating the Future of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and environmental challenges, the concept of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is at the forefront of a profound transformation in the agricultural sector.

Infernos, Fevers, and Freight Failures: A Fiery Start to 2024

Wildfires threaten the 2024 growing season, as bird flu and cargo woes challenge global resilience and supply chains.

The Future of Retail, Part 3: The Immersive Retail Environment

“Customers will step into a retail environment where every interaction is personalized, guided by AI algorithms that efficiently navigate shoppers through aisles and offer tailored product suggestions in real time,” fostering brand loyalty and elevating the consumer experience to “unprecedented satisfaction levels.”

Two Sides of Hello Fresh

As a business, it’s difficult to see Hello Fresh as anything but a massive success. And yet, despite the success of the business, Hello Fresh stock has been a terrible investment.

Heartbroken over Data: Why the AHA is Wrong about Intermittent Fasting

The AHA is wrong about fasting: what religions have preached for millennia is been embraced by the scientific community as well.

Market Signals: Unpacking Bezos Earth Fund’s Alt-Protein Allocation

Bezos Earth Fund is allocating $60 million to build research centers that focus on improving the taste, cost and nutritional value of alternative meats. What does this financial traction signal for the future of alt-meat investments?

Scalding-hot Competition: Specialty Coffee Brands Battle to Stand Out

The specialty coffee category features no shortage of innovation, from fledgling brands hailing from southern CA, Vietnam, and beyond.

New Study Exposes the Power (and Pitfalls) of AI-Generated Food Images

In a new study, participants indicated that AI-generated food images look more appealing than authentic photos.

Easter Sticker Shock: Cocoa Prices Still Skyrocketing

How much money is the Easter candy market worth? Hold onto your Easter baskets – in the United States alone, 2024 Easter candy sales are expected to exceed $3.3 billion (Statista)

Digesting Expo West: 5 Noteworthy Observations

Expo West 2024 grew by more than 100%, year over year, in terms of social discussion. Innovative products in categories like regenerative organic, the Mediterranean Diet and more had attendees talking.

Limited-Time Offers Providing Major Appeal

Limited-time offers (LTOs) continue to drum up significant business for restaurants, particularly among fast-food chains, in 2024.

Sugar Shock: Suit Accuses Sugar Producers of Collusion

A lawsuit filed in New York accuses the nation’s sugar producers of colluding to keep prices artificially high.

From Panic to Plate: How Xolair is Changing the Menu for Allergy Sufferers

The treatment represents an impressive scientific achievement, however, borne from human perseverance to solve major quality-of-life issues. Xolair transcends mere new medical knowledge—it’s a step towards allowing food allergy sufferers to live more freely.

Why is Florida Trying to Ban Cultivated Meat?

The Florida House has approved a wide-ranging bill that would ban the sale and production of cultivated meat in the state. How will alt-meat innovations be impacted if it is signed into law?

The Future of Retail, Part 2- Tomorrow’s Tech

To further understand how inventory and supply chain will change, Jarvis said the end of data silos must be achieved “to create a holistic understanding of each shopper, their interactions, and the stream of information being shared with them.

Scottish Cuisine Has Burst onto the American Scene

Not only is Scotland home to world-famous cattle breeds and celebrated wild-caught game, but the neighboring North Sea and Atlantic Ocean ensure that the country of roughly 5.5 million residents boasts stellar oysters and mussels. 

Fueling Change with Glanbia Nutritionals: The Shifting Dynamics of Energy Needs in Food and Beverage

The Food Institute had a spirited conversation with Bill Waltzek, senior customer marketing manager at Glanbia Nutritionals, during a webinar focused on the evolving energy landscape within the food and beverage market. Bill and Brian …

Expo West Speakers Plot Plant-Based’s Path Forward

Last Friday at Expo West, industry leaders unpacked the plant-based category’s path forward. “Progress is not linear,” one CEO reminded the crowd, adding that getting consumers to try plant-based items “has to be a stepwise process.”

8 Truly Innovative Products at Expo West 2024

Expo West 2024 in Anaheim featured no shortage of creative and innovative products, like mycelium bacon, caffeinated breath spray, and more.

IPOs and Inflection Points: Panera and Starbucks Brace for Change

They say when one door closes, another opens. That may very well be true, but for restaurant brands and their clientele, the wrong door can sometimes lead down a disastrous path – just look at …

America is Poised to Embrace Tofu

In today’s alternative protein space, the possibilities tofu offers are turning heads. More flavorful than most plant-based products, more rewarding than a perfect burger alternative, and much more affordable than a meat-based option, tofu checks a lot of boxes as a middle-of-the-road protein alternative that doesn’t necessarily have to market itself as a one-size-fits-all plant-based option.

Big Opportunity Remains in Beef Jerky Category

“Jerky brands come and go because the barriers of entry to the industry are small,” Cawley said. “A good recipe, some packaging, and a solid manufacturing partner, and you can start selling legally and usually get traction locally.” Once early consumer adopters are exhausted, however, it often becomes difficult for fledgling jerky brands to earn retail shelf space, keep it, and create a compelling value proposition that resonates with shoppers nationwide.

Mochiko: First Mochi-Crust Pizza

There’s a new variable in the $45.1 billion pizzaverse: an Asian-influenced variety that utilizes a mochi pizza crust.

3 Key Takeaways from Expo West 2024

With consumers as focused as ever on improving their health and wellness, clean diets including foods like whole fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins have gained momentum. The show floor at Expo West illustrated that movement.

What the Jal? Jalapenos Aren’t Hot Anymore

Why aren’t many store-bought jalapenos hot anymore? The answer lies in changing palates and products bred for consistency, not flavor.

The Future of Retail – The 10,000-ft. View

“By 2030, visiting a Target, Walmart, or Costco won’t just be about shopping,” said Diana Zheng, head of marketing at Stallion Express, a leading e-commerce shipping company from Canada, “It will be an experience. An immersive experience. A personalized experience, even a social experience.”

Chinese E-commerce Upstart Temu Gunning for Amazon

E-commerce company Temu is currently playing David to the Goliath of Amazon, but U.S. shoppers have taken notice of the inexpensive offerings.

Candy Crush: Confectionery Producing Record Sales  

“Consumers seek out chocolate and candy to help enhance holiday seasons, family celebrations, and those important ‘treat yourself’ moments,” said John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, in a statement.

Can Oscar Mayer Revitalize the Plant-Based Sausage Market?

Last week, The Kraft Heinz Company unveiled plant-based hot dogs and sausages under the Oscar Mayer brand. Could this launch be a bellwether for the struggling alt-meat sector?

Column: Loyalty Apps Becoming a Boon for Fast-Food Restaurants 

One great benefit of loyalty programs is that they help businesses, like restaurant chains, build a relationship with a customer. To inspire consumers to join your program you can use price or other incentives.

Five Ways Generative AI is Impacting the Food Industry

How exactly is Generative AI impacting the food industry? In a recent episode of The Food Institute Podcast, RSM US LLP principal Christian Winzeler broke down five main ways the emerging technology is altering the …

Rated C for Candy – AMC Theatres Launches Private-Label Brand

The current line of Cinema Sweets launched in December and sales have been brisk. “We’re quite pleased,” he said, brandishing an R2-D2 popcorn holder from a Star Wars release years ago, “and it’s definitely been a good launch for us across more than 550 domestic theaters.”

Expo West 2024 to Address Plant-Based, Personalized Nutrition and More

The annual Natural Products Expo West 2024 event, set to be held next week in Anaheim, California starting March 12, serves as the leading trade show for the natural, organic, and healthy products industry. And …

Cereal Offender: Why is Chlormequat in our Oats?   

Informed consumers, concerned about the potential health risks associated with chlormequat, are increasingly turning toward organic oat products as a precautionary measure to minimize exposure to this and other chemicals of concern.

Say Cheese: Report Reveals Biggest Cheese-Loving Nations

According to the USDA, global cheese consumption is projected to reach a record high of 21.6 million metric tons this year. Cheese consumption is up 5.7% compared to five years ago.