Extreme Weather Taking Toll on Crops, Livestock This Season

Extreme weather is damaging or destroying crops globally of late, especially coffee, cocoa and avocados – and climate scientists are concerned.

Four Key Themes at the Inaugural Newtopia Now Event

Mushrooms and protein-packed pastas stole the show at Newtopia Now this week. The Food Institute was on-site in Denver to note the latest industry trends.

The Top 5 Foods for Healthy Hearing

Recent research found that certain diets are associated with reduced risk of hearing loss. Even simply eating certain foods full of vitamins can help preserve one’s hearing, according to one audiologist.

Smart Money: Smart Carts Continue to Evolve, Boost Grocers’ Bottom Line

An evolving form of smart carts is helping grocery chains like Kroger, Price Chopper, and Schnucks offer painless and personalized shopping experiences.

Researchers: Antimicrobial Resistance, Superbugs Could Spur New Pandemic

Could a combination of the animals we eat and antimicrobial resistance eventually trigger another pandemic? Some university researchers fear that possibility is real.

3 Fall Flavors Poised to Surpass Pumpkin Spice in Popularity

The popularity of pumpkin spice has officially fallen like autumn leaves. According to a recent survey of 2,000 American adults by Talker Research, 58% of respondents reported that they now favor alternative fall flavors over pumpkin spice, and 45% reported fatigue with the once-beloved spice blend.

Japanese Company Unveils Revolutionary Diet Drink

A new drink is making waves with its unique approach to curbing hunger, transforming into a jelly-like substance once it reaches the stomach.

Meet the Modern ‘Click-and-Mortar’ Consumer

A new PYMNTS survey found roughly 40% of shoppers are “click-and-mortar” fans, either using their devices while shopping or ordering online and then picking up their purchases.

Study Puts Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Products Under Fire

A new study found that, for every 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed plant-based foods, there was a 5% increased risk of heart disease.

Circana: Consumers Increasingly Spending on Health and Wellness

The idea of health and wellness is evolving, as shown by a report that noted ways people are tapping into products to harmonize their lives.

Raising the Bar: How MadeGood and Bobo’s Snack Bars Became ‘Killer Products’

Two brands winning this back-to-school season are MadeGood and Bobo’s, according to a prominent CEO. The snacks’ allergen-free ingredients have won over Millennial parents.

Down Under Pressure: Outback Steakhouse Fighting to Win Back Diners

Outback Steakhouse has turned to value as its traffic dropped and it reduced locations. Industry experts are confident the 37-year-old chain can bounce back – provided it takes a few careful steps.

CEO of Chipotle Departs to Assume Leadership of Starbucks

Tuesday brought big business news, as Chipotle announced that its chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, had accepted a similar post at Starbucks.

Down to the Bones: Juicy Marbles’ Primal Plant-Based Meat Experience

Alt-meat brand Juicy Marbles’ Baby Ribs aim to capture “the primal eating experience” ribs are known for, while delivering improved nutrition.

A for Effort: Parents, Administrators Improving School Lunches

As a new school year approaches, a survey shows parents are prioritizing nutrients and taste far more than cost when shopping for their kids’ school lunch items.

Recall Response 101: Strategies for Brands in Crisis

As recent product recalls show, the stakes are high when brands must respond to a recall. Experts share the necessary steps to keep a brand’s reputation intact during a recall.

Brazil Poised to Become Top World Food Exporter

The average Brazilian farmer was 46 in 2021, with the latest census putting the average age of U.S. farmers at 58 years old.

Lab-Engineered Potato Could Solve Age-Old Storage Issue

Researchers at Michigan State University have produced a breakthrough that promises better-tasting – and longer-lasting – potatoes.

Wawa, Red Robin Among Fastest Hirers in Tight U.S. Job Market

Indeed recently compiled a list the Top 15 companies hiring the fastest in the U.S., and the food industry was well-represented on the list.

Investors See Weak Earnings in Packaged Food as an Opportunity

The tough economic environment lately seems concentrated among lower-income consumers. Executives at Campbell and McCormick have pointed to particular weakness with that group.

Disease, Weather Devastating U.S. Citrus Industry

Citrus, once the dominant crop in Florida, has declined 92% in the past two decades, the victim of disease and extreme weather.

Cash or Credits? Walmart, McDonald’s Explore New Kind of Employee Compensation

New employee compensation initiatives at employers like McDonald’s and Walmart aim to make on-the-job experience count toward college credits.

5 Supply Chain Concerns to Watch in Late 2024

There are several global supply chain concerns for the second half of 2024. F&B executives are particularly concerned about geopolitical tensions and severe weather.

Pour It Over: New Bev50 Report Cites Rise of Impulse Purchases

Alpha-Diver’s latest Bev50 Report examines what’s currently driving consumer beverage purchases, leveraging their extensive U.S. database.

IFT FIRST 2024: Tackling Rising Commodity Costs with Innovation

Cost reduction was a central theme at the recent IFT FIRST industry event. Exhibitors offered a range of solutions to reduce costs in the short-term and future-proof supply chains in the long-term.

Are Collabs the Future of Marketing in F&B?

When brands collaborate, they tap into each other’s customer bases and brand equity. This synergy allows both businesses to reach a broader audience.

3 Key Takeaways from IFT FIRST 2024

From brain health to indulgent proteins, several evolving food industry trends were on display recently at the IFT FIRST 2024 expo. FI’s resident market researcher was on the scene, documenting the most intriguing innovations.

Dinner and a Movie: Can In-Theater Dining Save Struggling Cinemas?

The first half of 2024 featured a cold start for the domestic movie industry. Now, theaters across America are as focused as ever on making a “premium push” regarding their food and beverage offerings.

Flavors of Yucatán Fuel District Taco’s Growth

District Taco is more of a mission than a restaurant chain, bringing Yucatán cuisine and flavors to the masses.

Lanternflies and Pongamia Trees Yielding Unexpected Harvests

Florida’s shift from citrus groves to pongamia plantations is a move towards sustainability and resilience, offering new economic opportunities with biofuel and plant-based proteins.

Breakfast Chain Perkins Looks to Flip Script With Bold Rebrand

Perkins, the 66-year-old breakfast restaurant chain, is evolving. Long a fixture near interstate exits, the chain aims to give customers new offerings that will inspire frequent pitstops.

Chick-fil-A Knocked Off Perch as Best Fast-Food Chain

A new list of consumers’ favorite fast-food chains has a surprise winner. Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A is taking rare criticism of late.

Game the System: Gamification in Grocery & Retail

Gamification refers to the idea of point scoring and applying competitive techniques to encourage consumer engagement.

Case Study: Elevating the Grocery Checkout Experience

Customer engagement company Birdzi has partnered with retail solutions provider ECRS for tech that allows grocery shoppers to redeem digital coupons in real-time.

The Beanless Coffee Revolution Has Begun

Taking the caffeine out of coffee has been a familiar and useful development in the chemistry of coffee. But what about coffee without beans?

Avian Influenza Continues to Spread Across America

HPAI is spreading across dairy farms and, at last report, was present in 143 herds, with 53 new herd infections over the past month.