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The Loaf of a Showgirl: Taylor Swift Interview Reflects Rising Interest in Sourdough
Taylor Swift’s sourdough obsession sparked Panera’s “Loaf Story Meal” and reignited consumer interest in fermented breads. With gut health and clean-label trends rising, sourdough’s pandemic-born momentum is evolving into a retail innovation boom.
Attention Economy: Wild Brand Collabs Create Millions of Impressions
Unexpected flavor mashups – from Guinness ice cream to Mountain Dew gummies – are driving viral buzz. These quirky collaborations thrive on social media, creating a spectacle that often drives ROI.
Beyond Meat on the Verge of Financial Ruin
Beyond Meat is buckling under financial pressure, with overdue bills and shrinking sales. Despite denying bankruptcy rumors, the company’s pivot to “Beyond” signals a desperate bid to stay relevant in a cooling market.
Macro, Tariffs May be All That Can Stop Walmart
Walmart’s Q2 sales crushed expectations, but tariffs and health costs trimmed profits. Grocery and fresh categories surged, signaling strong share gains, even as the retailer braces for a murky, margin-pinched second half.
The Top 3 Flavors Influencing Product Launches
Flavors like matcha, hot honey, and pickles are surging in 2025, driven by viral trends and nostalgic cravings. Social media-savvy consumers are rewriting the flavor playbook – and retailers are hustling to keep pace.
Spinach, Lettuce Get the Inflation Treatment
Spinach and lettuce prices spiked dramatically in July, with producer prices rising over 130% month over month due to tariffs, labor shortages, and climate-related stress. As fresh vegetable inflation accelerates, analysts warn of looming price hikes for consumers and intensified strain on the produce supply chain.
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.
High-Protein Drinks Present Major Opportunity for Manufacturers
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are fueling demand for high-protein drinks, but digestive side effects and long-term health concerns loom. Meanwhile, food giants like Danone are racing to serve this booming market.
Sweet Science: How CRISPR Could Future-Proof Cacao
CRISPR is rewriting the rules of agriculture, offering precision DNA edits to boost crop resilience and flavor. Mars and Pairwise are leading the charge, targeting cacao to weather climate and supply chain storms.
Investors See Long-Term Risk for Fast-Casual Chains
Fast-casual giants Chipotle and Cava are losing investor confidence after steep post-earnings stock drops. Rising costs, flat traffic, and pricing fatigue signal deeper concerns about the fast-casual segment as a whole.
Forces Shaping Foodservice: Attracting Discerning Shoppers
Economic headwinds are shaping consumer shopping behaviors, with looming tariffs affecting consumers’ perceptions of imported foods…
How AI is Transforming Food Supply Chains
AI is revolutionizing food supply chains—from predictive maintenance to drone-powered inventory—boosting efficiency, quality, and resilience. But for many, the challenge isn’t potential; it’s cutting through the hype to find real ROI.
Hive Mentality: U.S. Honey Consumption Sets Record
Honey is having a moment – U.S. consumption hit a record 688.6 million pounds in 2024, driven by health-conscious, eco-savvy consumers. But rising demand may strain bee populations and invite counterfeit sweeteners.
Amazon Grocery Bets on Fresh in $10 Billion E-Grocery Market Bid
Amazon’s $10B grocery blitz just got fresher, as Prime members in 1,000+ cities now get free Same-Day Delivery on perishables. With Whole Foods integration and bold logistics, Amazon’s rivals have cause for concern.
Even Employees Know Target is on the Brink
Target’s internal doubts mirror its external struggles, as the retailer loses ground to rivals in pricing, e-commerce, and brand clarity. With leadership in flux, even employees question whether a comeback is possible.
Ultra-Processed Foods: Harmful vs. Helpful
Americans get over half their calories from ultra-processed foods. New research, guidelines, and expert advice offer a roadmap for healthier eating habits.
Tariff Trouble: Vexed Shoppers, Countrywide Bans
Tariffs are rattling global supply chains and inflating costs across the food industry, with India boycotts and U.S. shoppers trading down. As inflation bites, legacy brands brace for deeper margin pressure.
Climate Change Blamed for Global Banana Crop Diseases
Climate change is fueling banana crop diseases like Fusarium and Black Sigatoka, slashing exports and threatening global food security. Fresh Del Monte feels gene-edited resistance is a game-changing lifeline for the $25 billion banana industry.
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.
Chain Reaction: What 1M Reviews Reveal About the Future of Casual Dining
According to a new report, among sit-down restaurant chains, Outback leads in experience, Cheesecake Factory impresses with its menu, and Chili’s wins on value. Yet, few chains excel across the board. Olive Garden’s comeback proves that simplicity, smart promos, and operational focus drive success.
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.
Forces Shaping Foodservice: State of the Industry
Gen Z Puts LATAM Flavors Front and Center
Latin American consumers are reshaping the U.S. food landscape, driving flavor trends and outpacing growth across F&B sectors. Their cultural influence is now a bottom-line opportunity businesses can’t afford to overlook
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Pepsi Prebiotic and the Hidden Logics of Large Holding Companies
PepsiCo’s launch of Pepsi Prebiotic and its acquisition of Poppi reveal a defensive strategy to plug volume leaks in its aging beverage portfolio. Gut health is the latest attribute leveraged to stabilize declining legacy brands.
The 10 Best Snacks for Brain Health
Post-pandemic consumers crave mental clarity, but trendy snacks often miss the mark. Experts urge F&B brands to spotlight whole foods, omega-3s, and gut-friendly nutrients to support brain health.
Lights, Camera, Snackin’: The Psychology of ‘Performative Snacking’
Millennials and Gen Z are snacking with style – treating pantry items as identity statements and status symbols. Brands that blend bold packaging with shared values are seizing this flavorful form of modern self-expression.
Imagining a BFY Future, Good Food Collective Battles Front-Of-Pack Labels
Nutrition labels are under fire, and the Good Food Collective is offering what it feels is a smarter, QR-powered alternative. The fast-growing coalition aims to rewrite food transparency and challenge outdated FDA standards.
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 …
Amazon Grocery Business Goes All In
Amazon has ramped up its grocery game with faster delivery, Whole Foods synergy, and a “One Grocery” strategy aimed at efficiency and scale. Meanwhile, emerging players like Temu are stirring up fresh competition in global fulfillment.
For Domino’s, Pizza has Become a Problem
Once untouchable, Domino’s now finds itself battling market stagnation and an identity crisis in a delivery world reshaped by apps. Even winning in pizza no longer guarantees growth, according to FI’s resident stock expert.
Upsetting the Apple Cart: Honeycrisp Apple Prices Soar
Honeycrisp apple prices have surged 160% amid crop shortages, rising labor costs, and limited imports. Retailers are pivoting to Cosmic Crisp, frozen produce, and private labels as shoppers seek relief from premium fruit sticker shock.
Why Agentic AI Is the Food Industry’s Next Big Thing
Walmart is going all-in on agentic AI, launching super agents that act autonomously to streamline everything from customer service to supply chain ops. For food businesses, this tech could mean fewer errors and sharper margins.
The Plant-Based Playbook: Pro Athletes Invest in Vegan Brands
Multiple pro athletes have either invested in plant-based foodservice and food retail brands or launched their own brands in recent years, including John Salley, Tom Brady, Chris Paul, Ed McCaffrey, and Mike Tyson. Let’s take a look at a few of these business ventures – and the motivators behind them.
For McDonald’s, Investors Believe History Will Repeat
McDonald’s stock has fared well lately, though its value edge has fizzled. Consumers are hungry for more than just $5 deals. History suggests resilience, but can the golden arches glitter amid rising costs and shrinking sales?
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.