Column: Why Your Company Needs an Innovation Center

An Innovation CoE is the creative engine of an organization, dedicated to spotting the next big trends, carving out new opportunities, and developing strategic, forward-thinking solutions.

Top Trends at the Summer Fancy Food Show

“Companies must stand out,” said Food Institute CEO Brian Choi. “To win in the marketplace, products have to have a differentiated selling point – just being ‘good’ is not good enough in this environment.”

SNAP Users Face New Struggle in 2023

Nearly one-third of survey respondents (30%) are currently skipping meals to account for their financial shortfall.

Alcohol To-Go Isn’t Going Away

Alcohol to-go has become a permanent fixture around the United States, presenting a massive growth opportunity for businesses.

Research Shows Gen Z Welcomes Loyalty Programs, Sharing Data

Gen Z and millennials may be coming into their own, but those aged 18-43 differ markedly from both Gen Xers and baby boomers when it comes to restaurant habits, and attitudes toward loyalty programs. A …

Analysis: What Gen Z Seeks From Supermarkets

A new study found that 78% of Gen Zers are concerned about the economy and, somewhat surprisingly, 97% of the youthful cohort still shops in-store.

Rapid Impact: Rapid Rehydration Is Reshaping the Functional Drink Category

The “rapid rehydration” segment has become a crowded category. With its recent unveiling of BodyArmor Flash I.V., Body Armor joined brands like PepsiCo’s Gatorlyte, Abbott’s Pedialyte, and Electrolit in a category that’s gaining momentum. Powdered …

Hot Dogs, Happiness, and the Health-Conscious Consumer

In the age of the health-conscious consumer, devotion to the traditional hot dog reflects a growing movement towards “all things in moderation.” What does this mean for plant-based varieties?

Report: AI Poised to be Business Boon

We haven’t quite hit the promise of HAL in “2001,” but generative artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize nearly all aspects of business, including the food industry. A recent report from McKinsey & Co. predicts …

Report: Modern Consumers Drawn to Sustainability of Seafood

Recent research shows that modern consumers are drawn to the sustainable nature of seafood and view it as part of a healthy diet.

Will Competitors Copy Walmart and Amazon’s New Fulfillment Strategies?

Walmart and Amazon, the top two retailers in the U.S., are both making big changes to their fulfillment strategies for online orders, aiming to ramp up next-day delivery. WALMART’S HUGE NEW HIGH-TECH CENTER Walmart recently …

EVs Can Galvanize Farming and Agriculture

Today’s smart vehicles and robotics can do everything from operate autonomous implements in the field to monitor crucial silo volume and quality data, make precision adjustments to spraying and irrigation, and even assess crop and animal health. And that’s just scratching the surface.

Four “Toxic” Food Additives that Increase Appetite

Across the U.S., the number of households purchasing products that contain potentially harmful food additives appears to be on the rise. Between 2001 and 2019, the proportion of purchased food products that contained additives increased …

Innovative Agrifoodtech Startups Abound in Latin America

Latin America is known for being one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and, therefore, the main supplier of all kinds of F&B items, such as meat, coffee, soy, and cacao. At present, …

Analysis: Are “Virtual Brands” at Death’s Door?

The recent struggles of MrBeast Burger – currently available at more than 2,000 restaurants – could be an ominous sign for all virtual brands. Ubiquitous YouTuber MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, wrote multiple statements in frustration …

Generative AI Sets the Stage for Digital Grocery’s Evolution

Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize grocers’ entire ecosystem, especially online—if they know how to utilize the technology.

Analysis: Is Third-Party Delivery Becoming a Duopoly?

The third-party delivery market has had a large number of competitors over the years, but it looks it’s headed toward becoming a duopoly.

Fungi in the “New Age” of Functional Energy Drinks

While functional fungi are now a well-established ingredient in coffees, powders, and shots, their use in the ready-to-drink (RTD) energy category is just starting to gain momentum.

Investors Are Waiting for Consumers to Trade Down (or Not)

In the face of inflation, the U.S. consumer has shown impressive resilience. As a result, branded food manufacturers posted strong pricing-driven profit growth in 2022, and stocks in the sector rose sharply even in a …

Emerging Tech a Hot Topic at Digital Food & Beverage 2023

The recent Digital Food and Beverage conference illustrated that first-party data and AI are fast becoming transformative tech drivers of industry evolution.

The Continued Rise of the Flexitarian Diet

Gregory Banzon, chief operating officer of Century Pacific Food, has come to a decisive conclusion: Grocers should target “flexitarian” consumers – those who only occasionally eat meat – because that movement “could be the future …

The Better-for-You Blockbuster Snacking Season Has Arrived

As families gear up for movie night across the country and CPG companies figure out how to get their snacks off the shelves and into the hands of consumers before the previews even start, what constitutes a typical movie night snack, for many, is going the way of the dinosaurs.

Experts: El Nino (and Food Industry Upheaval) is Coming

Everyone knows “El Nino” by now – hot weather. Big winds. And once again in 2023, much of the world will gain a better grasp of this unpredictable meteorological phenomenon. El Nino generally refers to …

Ozempic & Other Drugs: Explaining the Weight-Loss Medication Craze

Several medications approved to treat diabetes are being used as “miracle” weight-loss drugs, and the category continues to grow.

Analysis: Why Coffee Remains Inflation-proof

Inflation is causing consumers to rethink spending in numerous ways. Coffee, however, is one category that remains untouchable. Coffee, after all, is an affordable luxury. “Despite cutting down on dining out or travel, you can …

3 Trends Reshaping Grocery

New research from analytics firm Placer.ai noted the steps that successful grocery chains are taking in 2023 to outpace the competition amid inflation.

Analysis: Is AI Destined to Revolutionize Labor?

There’s nothing artificial about the hype surrounding AI. The technology that spawned the wildly popular ChatGPT chatbot has food industry leaders intrigued. Yet, most executives seem intent on tempering expectations regarding AI reshaping the workforce. …

Plant-Based Treats Take Center Stage at Summer Shows

Vegan indulgences are a hot trend this summer. Here are a few featured products and award winners from the Sweets & Snacks Expo and NRA Show.

OPINION: Chicago Reclaiming Title as ‘US Food Capital’

Chicago is reclaiming its role as a national leader in food production and access. But it needs more help from the city’s leadership, according to one industry insider.

The Food Institute Retains Ivonne Kinser as Innovation Advisor

New York City, June 12, 2023 (FI NEWSWIRE) – The Food Institute, a leading food industry research and media company, is pleased to announce that it has retained Ivonne Kinser as an Innovation Advisor. With …

Four Key Takeaways from the BMO Farm to Market Conference

NEW YORK CITY – At the 2023 BMO Farm to Market Conference, new seafood production techniques, expanded use of greenhouses, upcycling opportunities and more were on the menu. BMO hosted the 18th iteration of the …

The Route to Market (& Me) – Amazon Fresh & The Evolving Consumer

“What is the route to market?” Carroll wondered. “That’s what we all used to say – ‘what is the route to market?’ Today, though, it’s the route to me. Give me what I want, when I want it, as conveniently as possible.”

Analysis: Asian Food Winning Over America

New research illustrates the palate Americans have developed for Asian food over the years. Pew Research found that nearly three-quarters of all U.S. counties (73%) now have at least one Asian restaurant of some kind. …

Lifelong Vegetarian Tries Lab-Grown Wagyu Beef

Vegetarian and FI business writer, Christine Zulkosky, sampled Ohayo Valley’s lab-grown wagyu beef at the Vegan Women Summit in Brooklyn, NY.

Latest Customer Demand: Old-school Service

During the pandemic, many Americans did what they could to support their favorite restaurants. Now, however, many of these same consumers who were sympathetic to a struggling industry are fed up with the lack of …

4 Movements Impacting Retail in Latin America

Adapting to inflation, changing consumer preferences, and omnichannel has been a challenge for Latin America’s grocery industry. Nevertheless, in the past few years, retailers in Latin America have developed innovative strategies to create resilient products …