Latest Cost-Saving Solutions Unveiled at IFT Event

Exhibitors at the IFT FIRST event offered a range of cost-saving solutions in areas like cheese, egg replacements, and yeast products.

Wheat Update: Will a Russia-Ukraine Agreement be Reached?

The global wheat outlook may be improving after the United Nations reported that Russia and Ukraine took a “critical step forward.”

New Plant-Based Egg Challengers Enter the Market

While plant-based egg products are hitting the market, it remains to be seen whether consumers will adopt these products en masse.

Wow Bao Chain Continues Expansion Via Vending Machines

Chicago-based Asian chain Wow Bao is exploring a new avenue as it continues its growth: vending machines. Wow Bao, which began as a fast-casual concept specializing in steamed buns and has since expanded as a …

‘Locavorism’ Trend Gaining Steam Despite Misconceptions

Eating local has developed a connotation for positive impact, from ethics to environment and even health, but how does the practice actually affect food systems, human systems and the planet? “There is not much evidence …

High Food Prices Could Persist for Three More Years

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fertilizer shortages, and poor weather conditions across the globe, are playing havoc with global food supplies, leading to projections that food prices will remain high for years. Additionally, global food security …

Can Breeding Super Seeds Improve Plant-Based Foods?

Plant-based protein is popping up in more products than ever before, but challenges related to flavor and texture have left a bad taste in the mouths of many consumers. In response, some companies are utilizing …

Egg and Meat Prices Likely to Ease by End of Summer

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which spread widely across the northern U.S. and pushed poultry and egg prices skyward, may be winding down, a USDA official said. Some 40 million birds have been culled, about 6% …

Inflation Alters Plans for Two Meat Processors

National Beef Packing Co. LLC has postponed the planned $100 million expansion of its Tama, Iowa, plant, citing rising costs, Meat+Poultry reported (June 10). In March 2021, the company announced the expansion, which would have …

Recent Biden Initiatives Look to Support Farmers

President Joe Biden has increased the number of counties eligible for double cropping as part of a series of actions aimed at increasing U.S. production to offset tight global food supplies sparked by Russia’s invasion …

Analyst: Expect Higher Egg Prices Through 2022

(Editor’s Note 6/15/2022: For updated coverage on the shell egg market, please read “Analysts: Expect Continued Demand for Eggs Despite High Prices“) Egg buyers may have found some relief in March as prices moderated, but …

Experts: Autonomous Equipment Could Be Game Changer in Ag

Innovation is making it easier for farmers to optimize efficiency. And with that in mind, new agricultural technologies are the focus of The Food Institute’s report this month, which will be available to members starting April 19 …

From Inside the Farm Gate to the Plate: Innovations in Regenerative Agriculture

This article is written and sponsored by HSBC. Learn how regenerative agriculture is leading us to a more sustainable future According to Feeding America, in 2019, food insecurity in the US had reached its lowest point since …

Teen Spending Up, Interest in Plant-Based Down

Teens are spending more money (+9%) and food is a top priority, according to Piper Sandler’s Taking Stock with Teens Spring 2022 survey. With these themes in mind, below are key findings that food industry …

When Will Perfect Storm of Food Inflation Subside?

Call it a perfect storm: COVID led to labor shortages and supply chain issues and to fuel shortages, all of which contributed to inflation. Factor in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and unpredictable weather, and food …

As Bird Flu Outbreak Grows, Egg Prices Spike

In the last week, the USDA has added six states to the list where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the presence of bird flu …

Agriculture: Deere Sparks Controversy; Bird Flu Spreads to North

Farmers and advocates have filed a 40-page complaint with the Federal Trade Commission demanding that the agency end Deere & Co.’s efforts to prevent farmers and independent dealers from repairing Deere’s equipment. The National Farmers …

Grain Markets Monitor Russia-Ukraine Conflict

U.S. consumer support for domestic agriculture has grown stronger, according to a  new survey from the United Soybean Board. In fact, 78% of respondents said it’s important to purchase U.S.-grown food, an 8% increase from a …

Russia Invasion of Ukraine to Push up Energy, Food Prices

The United States and its allies are escalating sanctions against Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine that could ripple through the world economy, aggravating inflation and supply chain issues, and prompting consumer …

UPDATED: How Will Global Food Supply Chain Be Affected by Russia-Ukraine Crisis?

Editor’s note: This report was updated Thursday to reflect the Russian invasion of Ukraine the night prior, as Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in eastern Ukraine. Below, FI looks at certain ramifications …

Poultry Growers Under Pressure as Bird Flu Spreads

Poultry growers have been advised to double down on biosecurity and sanitation practices with reports of further avian influenza infections in both commercial and non-commercial flocks, as well as wild birds, in the Northeast and …

Zeroing In on Rising Egg Prices

It’s clear that egg prices rose in the first month of 2022, but determining a definitive cause is a bit more elusive. The price of a dozen large white eggs rose to a national average of $2.08 on Feb. 9, representing a 22.5% increase month-over-month.

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 …

US Bird Flu Outbreak has Poultry Operators on Edge

An avian influenza outbreak at a turkey growing operation in Dubois County, Indiana, has Midwest poultry operations on edge with the annual migration of wild birds about to begin in earnest. The outbreak is the …

Can the Seafood Supply Chain Hold as Demand Rises?

While the seafood sector appears well positioned for growth, can the supply chain hold as demand rises? The Food Institute takes a closer look at some of the category’s recent developments. Supply chain implications as …

Can Beef Prices Moderate Amid Recent Developments?

Beef prices are up, but relief could be on the way. Retail beef prices rose 30% from the beginning of 2020, before pandemic lockdowns started, to a peak of $7.90 per pound in October, before …

New GMO Labeling Rules Spark Debate

The food industry is grappling with questions on how to comply with the new labeling rules for genetically modified foods, experts said. The new rules are Congress’s answer to confusion created by states’ varying legislation …

Meatpacking Consolidation Concerns Democrats

Democrats are raising antitrust concerns related to the meatpacking industry, accusing major players of profiteering and contributing to inflation. At a recent House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee hearing, Chairman David Cicilline, D-R.I., argued poultry integrators and …

How Calif. Animal Welfare Legislation is Reshaping Meat Industry

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley has called on the U.S. Supreme Court to review California’s Proposition 12, which prohibits farm animals from being raised under cruel conditions. The rule applies to chickens, eggs, veal and pork …

Deere Unveils Autonomous Tractors

John Deere, which introduced its first tractors in 1918, plans to start large-scale production on a fully autonomous tractor that features Deere’s 8R tractor, TruSet-enabled chisel plow and GPS guidance system, along with other advanced …

African Swine Fever Sweeping Globe; is US Next?

African Swine Fever has been detected in three areas of Asia, sparking fears it could impact the pork industry. ASF affects both domestic and feral swine and is highly contagious but does not affect humans …

Analysis: Why the ‘Regenuary’ Movement is Taking Root

By now, you’re likely familiar with Veganuary, which promotes adopting a vegan lifestyle throughout the month of January. In 2022, though, the so-called Regenuary movement is also taking root. Regenuary is a sustainable eating movement …

Beef Prices Seen Higher as COVID Hits Meat Industry Again

Meatpacking, an early epicenter of the pandemic in 2020, is the latest sector to be affected by a surge in cases of the highly contagious Omicron variant. The National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals …

Ag Update: Cargill Plans to Eliminate Trans Fats by 2023

Cargill announced it will eliminate trans fats in its products by the end of 2023 to help improve consumer diets, the first manufacturer to agree to new World Health Organization standards. “Cargill became the first …

What Are the Prospects for California’s New Animal Welfare Rules?

New rules on animal welfare are slated to take effect Jan. 1 in California, but a coalition of restaurants and grocery stores have filed suit to block implementation for more than two years, arguing they …

Demand, Labor Challenges Broaden Raw Ingredient Shortages

Labor issues continue to fan the flames of supply chain disruption, fueling raw material shortages and poking holes in production output, while food manufacturers struggle to keep up with volatile demand. “The U.S. manufacturing sector …