Heavenly Hydration: Drinkable Rainwater on the Rise

As climate concerns continue to shake up the food industry, Richard’s Rainwater is bottling fresh rain with a focus on localized access and sustainability.

Drinking Less Isn’t Reserved for ‘Dry January’ Anymore

Less people are participating in Dry January this year, but data suggests that’s because drinking less alcohol is now on-trend year round.

How Coca-Cola and PepsiCo Have Defied Market Downturn

For Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, 2022 seems like it should have been a difficult year. As we discussed just a couple months ago, the challenges facing the food and beverage industry are numerous. Inflation continues to …

How Energy Drink Stocks Are Defying the Market Slump

Energy drink stocks are performing more vigorously than you may imagine. If an investor had invested in the S&P 500 at the beginning of the year, even with dividends she’d have lost about 16% of …

Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Industry: Mid-year Review and M&A Outlook

Appetite for M&A remains strong despite economic headwinds U.S. food, beverage and agribusiness (“FB&A”) M&A volume peaked in 2021 (by number of announced deals), according to S&P Capital IQ, and while deal flow during the …

Case Study: How Seth Goldman Built Just Ice Tea in 3 Months

When the Coca-Cola Co. announced it was discontinuing Honest Tea, co-founder Seth Goldman jumped into action. In a recent episode of The Food Institute Podcast, Goldman discussed his decision to launch Just Ice Tea and …

Kerry Unveils Flavor Trends to Watch for 2023

This article is written and sponsored by Kerry. Each year, Kerry evaluates trending flavors and tastes across five key categories: sweet, salty snack, savory, hot and dairy-based beverages, and cold and water-based beverages. Within each category, …

Florida Citrus Industry Faces Uphill Battle after Hurricane Ian

The impacts of Hurricane Ian are still being analyzed, but one thing is certain: the Florida citrus industry’s losses will be staggering. That’s according to The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, …

Analysis: Why Consumers Crave Pumpkin Spice

Almost as ubiquitous as the changing colors of the leaves or a crisp chill in the air, the arrival of pumpkin-spice-flavored everything signals that fall is here. Ever since Starbucks introduced the pumpkin spice latte …

Boost Food Safety While Reducing Waste

This article is written and sponsored by Kerry. Amanda McNeely, Kerry’s marketing expert for food protection and preservation, talks about Kerry ingredient solutions that boost food safety and reduce waste, and her views on the outlook …

Surge of Energy: Energy Drinks Market Overflowing

The energy drink category has become rather crowded in 2022. Gatorade recently added a caffeinated product called Fast Twitch. Monster Energy recently unveiled a new, Ultra Peachy Keen zero-sugar beverage. REDCON1 is set to launch …

Predictive-Maintenance Tech Aiding Manufacturers’ Efficiency

Predictive-maintenance technology – smart software that listens to machines to predict equipment failures before they happen – could prove to be a valuable service, especially as manufacturers grapple with supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. …

Consumers Cutting Back … But Not at Coffee Shops

During a dark economic time, coffee shops seem to be doing just fine, with sales actually rising as the rest of the industry stalls.

COLUMN: The Hard Seltzer Bubble has Burst

The hard seltzer bubble was starting to burst at the beginning of 2022, and second quarter earnings showed the category is in fact declining.

6 Flavor-forward Plant-based Dairy Trends

This article is written and sponsored by Kerry. When it comes to plant-based dairy, consumers want an authentic dairy experience. Whether it’s plant-based cheese, yogurt, ice cream or vegan snacks, the expectation is that the alternative …

PepsiCo’s Celsius Pact Signals Shift as Soda Fizzles

PepsiCo has taken another step to grow its share of the energy drink market by taking a stake in Celsius.

Why the Regenerative Ag Movement is Seeing Deepened Roots

Many food companies are embracing regenerative ag to aid the environment – a movement that’s increasingly extending into aquaculture.

AI Predicts 3 Food Trends for 2023

Food and beverage intelligence company Spoonshot has released its AI-generated list of food trends for 2023.

Coffee Shops Embracing Plant-based Options

CHICAGO – Oat milk and other plant-based milks were in abundance at Coffee Fest Chicago recently. Today’s coffee shop consumers want plant-based options to address their concerns about health, animal welfare, and the environment. While …

Millennials Favoring Energy Drinks with Functional Claims

CHICAGO – At Coffee Fest Chicago recently, business owners and various industry reps gathered to take note of new products, as well as learn how to increase sales. As much as anything, the event suggested …

Innovation Continues to Drive Beverage Category Growth

From bottled water and better-for-you bubblies to convenient coffees and cocktails, the beverage market is booming. Total sales for center store beverages reached $86 billion in the 52-week period ending June 12, per IRI, making …

Cold Beverages Red Hot at Coffee Fest 2022

CHICAGO – While coffee shops had previously been viewed as a “third place” to hang out and meet friends over a cup of hot java, shops are evolving to offer more cold beverages along with …

Canned Cocktails Seen Growing on Convenience, Health Halo

Coca-Cola is teaming up with Jack Daniel’s distiller Brown-Forman to make a Jack-and-Coke cocktail in a can. The mashup is the latest development in the rapidly growing canned cocktail segment. In fact, the ready-to-drink cocktail …

Cold Brew Coffee Waking Up Summer Menus

The cold brew coffee trend is gaining serious momentum. Market research company Technavio recently released a report predicting the cold brew trend’s trajectory — 57% by 2025 — after 26% YoY growth in 2021. The …

What Pepsi’s Bold Move Says About the Future of Advertising

Pepsi will no longer sponsor the Super Bowl halftime show. The company said in a statement that the decision is part of a “larger strategic shift to bring unprecedented music and entertainment experiences” to people …

A Closer Look at Alcoholic Beverage Trends

Steve Ramirez is a Vice President and Relationship Manager with City National Bank’s food and beverage group. Based in Los Angeles, he provides cash flow, asset-based lending, real estate and equipment financing expertise to family …

Rising Consumer Interest in Health & Wellness Boosts Botanicals

This article is written and sponsored by Kerry. Naturally sourced from edible plants, botanicals are added to food and drink products for their taste benefits. They include, but are not limited to, herbs, roots, flowers …

A Clear-Headed Look at the ‘Sober Curious’ Movement

The term “sober curious” has become part of the national lexicon in recent months. What is it, exactly? “Sober curious” is a social wellness movement that involves self-selecting out of alcohol consumption at times, without …

3 Key Takeaways from New York’s Recent Wine Industry Events

In a strong sign that the COVID pandemic is (finally) on its wane, two important wine events, Vinexpo and La Paulee, took place in New York City recently, after a nearly 2-year hiatus. Judging by …

Nestlé Boosts Dairy Alternatives Investment with New Arizona Beverage Facility

As Americans grow ever more enamored with alternatives to milk, cream and other dairy-based items, Nestlé USA has decided to make a major investment in the sector with a $675 million beverage facility in Glendale, …

BREAKING: Does Shafer Vineyards’ Sale to Luxury Brand Signal Wine Trend?

One of Napa’s most iconic wineries is changing ownership. As reported by The Wine Spectator, Doug Shafer, president of Shafer Vineyards, on Wednesday announced that Shinsegae Property, a real estate and luxury brand firm based …

Inaugural Protein & Plant Evolution™ Conference Announced

Interactive & Educational Conference Designed to Meet the Needs of Retailers, Foodservice Operators, Food Manufacturers, Investors, Financial Services and Policy Makers, Scheduled for June 1-3 February 16, 2022/FI Newswire/ – The Food Institute and The Lempert …

EXCLUSIVE: OLIPOP CEO on Latest Funding Round, New Products

Functional soda brand OLIPOP recently raised $30 million in a financing round that included several celebrity investors. The Food Institute spoke with co-founder and CEO Ben Goodwin to learn more about the company’s product development …

Craft Breweries Destined for Post-Pandemic Recovery, Expert Says

Drive down the main drag of Duluth, Minnesota – a city with less than 90,000 residents – and you’ll soon notice something: Craft breweries are as abundant as SUVs in this northern town. Duluth’s Superior …

Carbonated Beverages Bubbling Over with Innovation

The carbonated beverage category continues to evolve as low – or no-sugar attributes resonate with consumers and manufacturers pivot their traditional soft drink presentation accordingly. “The narrative is changing from ‘diet’ beverages to ‘no sugar,’” …