Execs: Food Industry on Verge of Major Tech Transformation

The food industry is on the precipice of a tectonic shift, according to industry insiders. Technology is the driving force behind the projected change.

Cultured Meat Growth Poised to Accelerate

Cultured meat – meat produced by growing animal muscle cells in a culture medium – currently represents a tiny share of the global food dollar, but growing concern about the impact of raising animals for …

Pickles Surging in Popularity

Pickles have been around for thousands of years, yet they appear to be as popular as ever. Whether as a side or as a burger topping, pickles have become a true staple at restaurants, especially …

QSRs Lamenting ‘Line Balk’ Trend

Much like remote working and zoom conferencing, long waits at the drive-thru line are a pandemic vestige that just won’t go away. And that’s causing line balk among consumers. As COVID-19 took hold in the …

Survey: 2023 Could be Big Year in Restaurant Tech Investment

Restaurant industry executive Kevin Bryla closely monitored the sector during the past two years, and he walked away rather impressed by operators’ resilience. Despite pandemic-related challenges, many restaurateurs displayed more than enough savvy to survive. …

Recession Still Looms as a Risk to F&B Stocks

Many investors believe that food and beverage stocks are safe places in which to hide when the stock market turns towards recession. That belief centers on a simple thesis: people still have to eat. The …

New Research Could Help Reverse Food Allergies

Good news may be on the way for the 32 million Americans that suffer from food allergies. Butyrate, a bacterial compound, could be the key to reversing food allergies and has already shown promising results …

Could AR Restaurant Menus Boost Customer Experience?

AR restaurant menus have yet to gain traction in the U.S., yet stats suggest that fact could change rather soon.

Walmart Shoppable Livestreams: a New Era in Digital Marketing?

As retailers seek to increase sales via digital channels, Walmart will use livestream video to create immersive shoppable experiences.

New Social Media App Could Reshape Food Shopping

The latest social media network just launched, and it’s exclusively for foodies. The Flavrs app provides a feed of cooking videos, recipe tutorials and meal-planning content with a shoppable integration that enables users to instantly …

Why Wegmans Was Forced to Abandon Scan-and-Go App

Wegmans, regrettably, has decided its scan-and-go app has got to go. Wegmans is among retailers realizing scan-and-go, which seemed like such a good idea at the beginning of the pandemic when contactless checkout solutions gained …

AeroFarms Unveils World’s Biggest Aeroponic Smart Farm

AeroFarms on Tuesday unveiled what it says is the world’s largest aeroponic smart farm. The 140,000 square-foot indoor facility, located in Danville, Virginia, is capable of growing more than 3 million pounds of fresh leafy …

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. …

As Food Recalls Mount, Experts Urge Food Safety ‘Culture’ Change

Recent food recalls illustrate a “disturbing” lack of food safety culture, according to Dr. Vanessa Coffman. One in six Americans fall ill from foodborne illness annually these days. Making matters worse, the public is often …

Analysis: Mercaris Weighs in on Prospects for Organic Dairy Market

In 2021, organic dairy and eggs outperformed pre-pandemic levels by nearly 11%, which offers promise of potential growth for the category.

4 Tips for Foodservice Operators Post-Pandemic

Foodservice operators have faced numerous obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic, not the least of which is an unrelenting labor shortage. “I went to a local restaurant recently,” Patrick O’Reilly, principal at Marcum LLP said. “There …

Retail Loyalty Programs Now Include… Video Streaming?

Retailers are looking to outside partnerships and personalized benefits as ways to boost the perceived value of their subscription offerings.

AI Becoming Key to Customer Retention

As many shoppers trade down brands in the wake of rising inflation these days, what retailers need to do to attract these customers differs based on their usual value proposition.

Grocery Shoppers Weigh Delivery Fees Amid Inflation

As inflation takes its toll on household finances, consumers are weighing their grocery delivery options. “Delivery continues to be very strong—averaging 9-11 percent of total store sales. Grocers are now planning for, and investing in, …

Will AI Ordering Go Mainstream at Restaurants?

In response to labor shortages, some restaurants are turning to AI-powered bots that answer phones and communicate with customers.

Amid Labor Shortage, Gen Z Demanding ‘EWA’ Pay

Companies like McDonald’s are allowing workers to access hourly pay on demand in the hopes of shoring up the ongoing labor shortage.

Alternative Seafood Investments Are on the Rise

Investment in plant-based, fermented or cell-based “alternative seafood” amounted to $178.2 million between January and mid-July this year, as interest in the sector continued to grow. (Fish Farming Expert, July 28) In fact, the alternative …

Innovative Ingredients Helping Consumers Adopt Low FODMAP Diet

The FODMAP diet is gaining prominence among consumers who have sensitivity or intolerance to ingredients like gluten.

Investment in Vertical Farming Market Continues Steady Rise

The vertical farming market is projected to be worth $20.9B by 2029 as it could better contend with droughts, transportation issues and more.

Restaurant Tech Firms Adjust Amid Economic Uncertainty

A slowdown in venture capital funding and growing prospects for a recession has restaurant tech firms tightening their belts.

Is Plant-Based Meat Ripe for Expansion?

While sales of plant-based meats have slowed, the category could be ripe for expansion as pricing moves closer to that of traditional meats.

Upcycling Gains Traction as Key Sustainability Initiative

Ingredient upcycling for food products is gaining traction among consumers.

Case Study: Schnucks Using Prepared Food to Enhance Delivery Options

Time-sensitive customers want their food faster than ever, and Schnucks Markets is responding to that need by expanding its offerings.

Delivery Robots Hit College Campuses

Universities across the U.S. are tapping delivery robots to address the labor shortage and explore new business opportunities such as ghost kitchens, reported TechCrunch. Ohio State University became one of the first colleges to test …

Some Pandemic Food Tech Here to Stay

An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll of U.S. adults released July 5 reveals nearly half of U.S. adults want to ditch virtual activities and ordering groceries online – but they’d still like …

Has Chick-fil-A Unveiled the Drive-Thru of the Future?

Chick-fil-A is testing an express drive-thru lane to speed up mobile order pick-up. The company calls its Express Drive-Thru model a “game changer” that will streamline the experience for its nearly 50 million mobile app …

Automation, Marketing to Gen Z Key Themes at Restaurant Show

CHICAGO – Members of the restaurant industry gathered in Chicago for the National Restaurant Association Show between in late May to taste the latest in culinary trends. Major themes at the show included automation, marketing …

Food-Centric App Mixo Set to Join Social-Media Fray

Social media platforms that cater specifically to food are limited. Mixo co-founder Shirley Romig would like to change that. “Food is fundamental to our everyday lives. People spend so much time on social media, and …

Food Industry Automation Gaining Momentum Amid Labor Shortage

Image courtesy of Miso Robotics Amid the pandemic-related labor shortage, investment in automation continues to gain momentum, particularly in the restaurant space. In fact, the food automation market is expected to grow at a CAGR …

Analysis: Mobile’s Potential Impact on the Future of Dining

Our smartphones have impacted just about every element of life and dining out is no exception. From QR code menus to online ordering and reviews, consumers have grown accustomed to mobile components attached to restaurants. …

Cultivated Meat Heating Up as Big Food Enters Market

When Dutch professor Mark Post unveiled the first cultivated meat burger in 2013 at a cost of $330,000, few could have imagined how the category would evolve. In fact, companies can now create a patty …