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FI Exclusive: Q&A with Simbe Robotics CEO Brad Bogolea

When it comes to inventory management, few companies are automating the process for retailers like Simbe Robotics. The company’s “Tally” autonomous retail robot scans product inventory on shelves and connects data points to ensure products …

Analysis: Is the Alt-Protein Movement Overhyped?

While some in the industry are optimistic about alt-protein’s prospects and perceived benefits, others claim alt-protein is, in some respects, overhyped, as noted in a new report. The Politics of Protein, by the International Panel …

What’s Behind Hormel’s Success?

Hormel Foods International President Swen Neufeldt recently joined The Food Institute Podcast to discuss the company’s strong performance over the past several quarters, the resilience of its legacy brands, and the prospects for emerging plant-based lines. Below are highlights from …

How to Hire for 2022 and Beyond

Julie Lamonthe-Jensen has never been more convinced that it’s time to tear up the traditional hiring playbook. After all, the ongoing labor shortage is uncharted territory. “Companies need to step outside the framework they’ve been ...

Could a 4-Day Workweek Benefit the Food Industry?

Along with Henry Ford’s assembly line in 1926 was the introduction of the standard five-day workweek. And while it certainly remains the norm, some groups are beginning to challenge this time-tested schedule in pursuit of …

Demand Growing for Clean Label Meat Alternatives

As a broader variety of plant-based protein alternatives enter the market, health-conscious flexitarians are turning a more critical eye towards ingredients and production methods. In 2021, consumer interest in clean label grew by 86% within …

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 …

Analyzing Whole Foods Foot Traffic

A new report from Placer.ai, titled Placer Spotlight: Whole Foods’ Journey Since the Amazon Deal, takes a closer look at Whole Foods foot traffic data over the past several years. Here are some key takeaways: …

Is Easter the MVP of Holiday Candy Sales?

In the seasonal candy playing field, Easter has been knocking it out of the park. Per IRI data, combined sales for chocolate and non-chocolate seasonal candy totaled $1.3 billion in the 7-week period ending April …

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 …

Why Restaurant Chain CEOs are Jumping Ship

While leadership changes are nothing new for restaurant chains, CEOs have been resigning in spades over the past two months, including departures from prominent brands like Starbucks, Dominos, Denny’s, Red Lobster, and Wingstop. What’s behind …

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 …

Why Coaching Frontline Managers Is a Must in the Food Industry

This article is written and sponsored by Proaction International. We’re all familiar with the job market buzzwords dominating today’s food and beverage industry headlines: The Great Resignation, tight labor markets, concerns about returning to the workforce …

Plant-Based Snacks Enjoying Steady Growth

As consumers continue to blur the line between snacks and meals, the plant-based category is playing an active role in the space between. Seventy-eight percent of global consumers say their definition of snacks has evolved …

The Rise of Food Packaging Sustainability

From antiquity’s gourd shells to modernity’s plastic soda bottles, humanity has created numerous ways to store food and beverages. In 2022, consumers are on the lookout for the most sustainable food containers possible. The Freedonia …

Deli Prepared Foods Thriving Despite Inflationary Squeeze

As rampant inflation tightens its grip across the food industry, many consumers are cutting back on grocery staples and trading down to cheaper items. All the while, higher-ticket prepared food sales are soaring. Comparative unit …

CPG Food Brand Loyalty Taking Hit Amid Rising Inflation

With inflation raging, consumers are beginning to cut costs on everyday CPG food items. And as a result, brand loyalty is taking a hit. Private-label brands, after two pandemic years in which they lost market …

Why Restaurants are Venturing into the Metaverse

Restaurant chains are entering the great unknown, taking bold leaps into the “metaverse.” It’s the latest endeavor by fast-food brands to reach potential customers where they’re at. The Food Institute investigated exactly how the strategy …

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 …

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Remembering Bill Bishop

Upon returning from vacation, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Bill Bishop, an industry legend who also happened to be one of the nicest guys I ever met. To be fair, many …

Projecting the Plant-Based Future

Plant-based meats are about to become much more mainstream – Christina Russo is convinced of it. As alt-meats have found their way onto the menus of fast-food chains like Burger King, McDonald’s and KFC, plant-based ...

No Cap in Sight for Booming Mushroom Market

Retailers are digging up new ways to boost fresh mushrooms sales in the produce department and beyond, as consumer interest in fungi functionality continues to thrive. The global mushroom market size is expected to reach …

7 Ways CPG Companies Accelerated Growth in 2021

In a recent IRI webinar on consumer packaged goods (CPG) company performance in 2021, senior leaders from three of the category’s top performing companies — Michael Del Pozzo from PepsiCo, Gary Osifchin from Reckitt, and …

Is Beyond Meat Beyond Repair?

Investors appear to have soured on Beyond Meat, sending its stock price from a $160.28 to as low as $35.74 in the last year, as competition in the alternative-meat sector has increased and the company’s …

Is the Future Consumer Flexitarian?

As reported in a recent FoodThink white paper, flexibility is among the top priorities for U.S. consumers when it comes to food shopping and eating behaviors. With food habits and social wellness trends evolving rapidly, …

Rapid Shutdowns for Rapid Delivery

When U.S. delivery startup Zero Grocery abruptly closed recently, it stunned northern California businesses that sold its products. Many were owed money and questioned what went wrong with the fast-growing startup, reported San Francisco Chronicle (March …

CPG Brands Aligning with Mental Wellness

Society has come a long way on normalizing discussions about mental health. With that, a growing list of brands are highlighting mental wellness in their marketing. As the issue is increasingly destigmatized—with celebrities and athletes openly discussing their …

Seafood Prices Spiking Amid Russian Sanctions

Sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine are hitting the supply of seafood in the U.S., sending prices higher. Data from IRI pegs fresh fish volume prices up 8.9% for the 52 weeks ended …