Update: Inflation Cutting into American Spending

Consumers are clearly eager to get out and spend after being cooped up at home for over a year, but as costs continue to rise, how much they’re willing to buy is limited. BOOSTED SPENDING …

Drought Update: West Coast, Midwest Water Supplies Dwindle

Editor’s Note: This is an update to The Food Institute’s April article “Is the U.S. Facing a Megadrought?” Central Valley Farmers to Get No Allocation Farmers in California’s Central Valley Project will get none of …

Vertical Farming Advances with Largest Deal on Record

Nearly $1.9 billion of global venture capital was invested in indoor farming in 2020, nearly tripling over 2019, according to PitchBook data. With those figures in mind, here is a look into some recent developments: …

Analyst: ‘Growth Trifecta’ Signals Strong Future for Organic Products

The organic food and beverage market hit a high note in 2020, with record-breaking sales climbing 12.4% to nearly $61.9 billion in the U.S, according to a recent survey by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). …

Restaurants Can Differentiate Themselves and Grow with Plant Based Foods

As U.S. consumers return to restaurants, operators should embrace plant-based foods to differentiate themselves and boost business in the new world of post-pandemic foodservice. A webinar sponsored by DMA (Distribution Market Advantage) and presented by …

‘Bullwhip Effect’ Felt Throughout Industry as Restaurants Ramp Back Up

The start of the return to normalcy has created problems for restaurants, bars and other venues with demand outstripping supplies and creating shortages of a variety of foods and other commodities. Couple that with difficulty …

Restaurant Traffic Up, But Industry Faces Headwinds 

Since the beginning of the year, foot traffic to U.S. food and beverage establishments is up 41 percent, according to Zenreach data. And with the weather getting nicer, vaccinations on the rise, and dining limitations slowly being lifted, restaurant traffic continues to soar. Restaurant …

Low-Sugar Products Market Hitting Higher Gear

For those looking to cut back on sugar, options used to be limited—and, often, not very tasty. In 2021, however, health-conscious consumers suddenly have a plethora of low-sugar items to choose from, whether it’s candy …

A Tale of Two Recent Acquisitions: Essentia vs. Lone River Beverage Co.

In the Fall and Winter of 2020, the market witnessed several high-profile CPG acquisitions by strategic multinational CPG players. I want to contrast two cases that live on extreme ends of the typical continuum of …

Outlook Bright for Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market

The mindful drinking movement has been gaining traction for several years, with “sober curious” consumers opting for no- or low- alternatives to reduce their alcohol intake.   Throughout the pandemic, demand for non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits increased, with consumers drinking most frequently while relaxing at …

Plant-Based Dairy Market Gathering Significant Momentum

If you walk into any cafe or ice cream shop today, you’ll most likely see a few dairy alternative products: almond milk smoothies, soy milk shakes, and oat milk creamers just to name a few. …

State of CBD Industry in the Food & Beverage Sector

CBD continues to be a bright light in the food and beverage industry. However, growth has leveled off from its stellar 2019 gains on a combination of the FDA’s reluctance to approve its usage and …

Study: CEO Salaries Soared Even as Profits Fell During Pandemic

As 20 million U.S. workers lost their jobs last year and most businesses shut down because of the pandemic, many of the nation’s CEOs saw their compensation rise despite massive corporate losses. “Many of these …

Barge Jam Cleared, but Trucking Snags Persist Near Memphis

All types of businesses, including those in the agriculture sector, were left breathing a sigh of relief last weekend, after a major backlog of barges was cleared on the Mississippi River. A traffic jam on …

Food Industry Financials: Inflation, TSN, ARMK, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: CPI, PPI, small business optimism, Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN), Aramark (ARMK), Utz Brands, …

Analysts: CBD-Infused Food, Beverage Market Poised for ‘Aggressive Expansion’

Matt Thomas didn’t found his company, Brew Dr., thinking he would someday sell kombucha that’s infused with hemp derived CBD. In fact, in 2021, CBD-infused products still only make up roughly one-tenth of 1% of …

Consumers Are Gearing Up for BBQ Season and Prioritizing Health

In preparation for the summer and warmer weather, consumers are spending big on barbecue supplies. Consumers increased purchases of barbecue-related consumer packaged goods products in April, according to NCSolutions. Nearly all barbecue categories grew faster …

Restaurants Pushing to Accommodate Gluten-Sensitive Customers

Eighty-five million Americans are impacted by food allergies and intolerances, according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), an organization engaged in food allergy advocacy. These days, an increasingly common allergy relates to gluten. Celiac …

Is the Pudding Market Primed for Disruption?

Better-for-you trends continue to shake up the dairy case with an expanding selection of plant-based alternatives in milk, yogurt and, more recently, ice cream. And then there’s pudding, a sleepy category with relatively untapped health …

Report: Oat Milk, Nashville Chicken, Kimchi Surging in Popularity

Kerry Group recently released its 2021 Taste Trends report, highlighting food and beverage trends that are gaining traction in several regions worldwide. The annual report aims to highlight the key ingredients and tastes currently influencing …

How the Health and Wellness Trend Is Impacting CPGs

The Health & Wellness movement has made great strides over the past few years. And, the trend only intensified during the pandemic, although indulgent eating was a contradictory development for many consumers. CPG companies are …

Lessons Learned: Food Industry Leaders Already Prepping for Next Pandemic

Public health experts have warned that stopping COVID-19 – or at least mitigating its severity and rapid spread – will not mean the world is safe; rather, it’s just a matter of time before the …

Food Industry Financials: PPP, Inflation, EM, SYY, SHAK, BYND and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: PPP, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, lumber shortage and inflation, hiring recovery, inflation in Brazil, …

Functional Beverage Trend Highlighted by Latest PepsiCo Launches

With the launch of several new health-focused products, PepsiCo appears to be pivoting from just soda and capitalizing on the burgeoning functional beverage trend. The company has developed an innovation process that allows it to …

Will Congress Adopt Migrant Farmworker Reforms?

While migrant workers have long supported the agricultural economy, it’s no secret that some operators use illegal immigrants to harvest their crops. With that, lawmakers have been wrestling with immigration reform for years, with little …

A Red Meat Revival? March Exports Shatter Records

Although plant-based products have been in the spotlight of late, U.S. beef and pork exports still established new records in March, according to new analysis. RENEWED HOPE FOR RED MEAT INDUSTRY U.S. beef and pork …

Pet Adoption, Food Sales Grow as Birth Rate Slips

Birth rates fell for the sixth consecutive year to the lowest levels since 1979, according to the CDC. The number of births in the U.S. declined last year by 4% from 2019, double the average annual …

Cinco de Mayo 2021 Highlights Thriving Avocado Market

Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like tacos and guacamole, and this year avocados appear to be plentiful – at least in the near term. Some 100 million Americans are expected to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, …

NYC Becoming Epicenter for Growing Vegan Movement

Coming as no surprise, plant-based food is making headlines again. In addition to other news, one of the world’s most renowned restaurants is going entirely vegan. FINE DINING MAKES THE SHIFT Perhaps the biggest plant-based …

UPDATE: Cell-Cultured Seafood Gaining Support

Would you eat lab-grown lobster? Cell-cultured seafood — protein produced directly from fish cells in nutrient-dense bioreactors — is getting ever closer to consumer’s plates. Investments in alt-seafood startups have seen an uptick over the …

Wing and a Prayer: Restaurants Scramble During Chicken Shortage

Restaurants throughout America are dealing with a frustrating shortage of chicken wings that shows no signs of slowing. This has pushed executive chefs like Dan Miles to do what was previously unthinkable: either sell a …

Report: Snacking Spiked During Pandemic Lockdowns

As people spent more time at home during the pandemic, snacking rose significantly as a means to ease sadness, boredom, and stress. In fact, the average U.S. consumer reported eating 37% more snack foods and …

Food Industry Financials: American Families Plan, MCD, ADM, KHC, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: American Families Plan, restaurant reservations, McDonald’s (MCD), Archers-Daniel-Midland Company (ADM), Kraft Heinz Company …

Grocery Delivery Platforms Chipping Away at Food Waste 

Most consumers recognize the importance of addressing climate change. What may not be top of mind, however, is food waste’s impact on climate change. When food is wasted, so is the water, fuel and other resources that were used …

PR Pro Perspectives: How Companies Should Deal with Social Issues

The days of companies keeping “quiet” about social issues appear to be long gone. In the past, companies were never expected to comment on social causes, but times have certainly changed. In 2021, consumers of …

Alcohol Industry Innovating Like Never Before

With Memorial Day around the corner and signs of the pandemic easing, the alcoholic beverage industry is gearing up for summer and beyond. Here are some recent highlights and innovations from the sector. Champagne sales are popping Whether it’s for meeting up with friends and loved ones in person or …