Sugar Reduction Is Ramping Up

Products featuring no- or low-sugar claims are likely to gain steam during the coming years, as is media scrutiny for all types of sweeteners. These were among the key takeaways from The Food Institute’s recent …

Industry Consultant: Sustainability, Keto Diet are Trends to Watch in 2022

Joseph Chen envisions another challenging year for the food industry in 2022. That said, he also sees a few reasons for optimism. “Food shortages and higher prices will be expected, due to supply chain challenges …

Restaurants Slim Down Menus and Target Innovation Ahead of 2022

As another challenging year for the restaurant industry winds down, operators continue to push back on the permeating impacts of COVID-19. All the while, innovative prospects glimmer on the horizon. Reduced Menus Increased food costs …

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 …

Organic Pea Protein Market Seen Growing on Several Fronts

This article is written and sponsored by Transparency Market Research. The growing  adoption of protein-rich diets by health enthusiasts across the globe is projected to play a key role in the rapid expansion of the organic …

Ag Update: U.S. Farmer Sentiment Weakens on Cost Concerns

U.S. farmers are pessimistic about the current agriculture economy and the future, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The barometer lost five points in November, falling to 116, a 30% decline …

New Face of Plant-Based Movement Sees Promising Future for Industry

The level of excitement was palpable at the Plant-Based World Conference & Expo on December 9 in New York City. The official tradeshow of the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) included over 200 exhibitors showcasing …

What Google’s Top Trending Food Searches Signal for the Food Industry

As another year comes to a close, Google revealed its annual list of top trending food searches. Here’s what consumers were looking for in 2021: TikTok pasta Bacon jam Birria tacos Crockpot chicken Hamantaschen Squid …

Inflation Eating Away at Food Industry Profits

Americans are feeling the effects of the pandemic in their pocketbooks, with inflation rising at its fastest clip in four decades. This morning, the Labor Department reported that the Producer Price Index for final demand …

Chicken Market Roundup: A Tender Shortage, Steady Supermarket Sales

Despite a potential shortage of chicken tenders, dollar sales of chicken products at supermarkets and poultry slaughter remained relatively stable year-over year. Chicken Tenders in Short Supply Picky eaters may have something to cry “fowl” …

Meat Snacks Market Gains from Changing Preference for Nutritional Food

This article is written and sponsored by Transparency Market Research. The global meat snacks market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% and reach a whopping US$ 14.5 billion by the end of 2029, …

Which Technologies Will Push the Food Industry Forward?

Propelled by the pandemic, robotic innovations are still making food-industry headlines. A few of the latest developments include: 7-Eleven partnered with Nuro to pilot a commercial delivery service using autonomous vehicles in the Silicon Valley …

Shake Shack’s Premiumization Strategy Setting it Apart

Menu innovations are a key part of Shake Shack’s strategy, as CEO Randy Garutti noted in the chain’s latest earnings call. Though it has become well-known for its ShackBurgers, crinkle-cut fries and milkshakes, the chain …

Are Autonomous Vehicles the Next Big Thing in Delivery?

Third-party delivery services like Instacart, UberEats and DoorDash have taken the world of grocery, retail and restaurants by storm. So, what’s the next great innovation for these segments? It could be autonomous delivery, using vehicles …

Industry Expert: Consumer Trends Evolving in Chain Restaurant Space

The lingering effects of COVID-19, inflationary pressures, and a desire among consumers for new types of cuisines will impact the chain restaurant space for years to come. That’s according to The NPD Group’s Stephanie Epperson, …

Pizza Chains Grab Bigger Slice of Market as Pandemic Boom Continues

Pizza sales skyrocketed during the pandemic. Major chains saw a combined 6% uptick to $27.5 billion in 2020, according to an industry report from Technomic. And while boom may have leveled off in recent months, …

Which Consumers Are Driving Food Delivery Growth?

New research on consumers who use food-delivery companies like UberEats, GrubHub and DoorDash indicates that today’s food-delivery customers tend to be young and wealthy. Virtual brand company Nextbite’s white paper revealed that 71% of survey …

Packaging Shortages to Impact Food Manufacturers Into 2022

Packaging shortages are fueling persistent fluctuations in food and beverage product availability ahead of the holidays, as many manufacturers source materials from overseas — and there’s no clear end in sight. “Supply chain disruptions continue …

Health-Focused Consumers Aiding Expansion of Meat Alternatives Market

This article is written and sponsored by Transparency Market Research. The global meat alternatives market is projected to expand at a growth rate of 10% through 2031. High demand for the products in the global meat …

Innovative Baby Food Products Draw Interest from Investors

The baby food market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% and reach $53.9 billion in revenue by 2030, according to Research and Markets, amid rising concerns about  infant nutrition and a surge of working …

With Strikes Mounting, Has Labor Reached an Inflection Point?

If the recent spate of labor unrest and the massive wave of resignations are any indication, workers are mad as hell and not going to take it anymore, to quote “Network” anchorman Howard Beale. More …

Consumers Eager to Wine and Dine, According to Restaurant Data

New research shows reason for optimism in the fine-dining space. Merchant Centric, which monitors customer reviews, recently noted that, during the first half of 2021, fine dining had the strongest guest sentiment and star rating …

Report: Convenience Store Growth in Q3 Boosted by Edible Products

The convenience store channel grew 7.7% in the 13 weeks ending September 26, outperforming the broader market for the third consecutive quarter, according to a new report from data analytics firm IRI. Stronger growth in …

Frozen Meat Market Appears Poised to Heat Up

This article is written and sponsored by Transparency Market Research. E-commerce trends and consumers’ increasing desire for convenience have helped fuel growth in the frozen food industry. According to a report by the American Frozen Food …

Analysis: Impact of Food Inflation Especially Apparent in Rural US

Global food prices are at their highest in a decade, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In November, the FAO’s food price index climbed for a fourth straight month, rising 1.6 …

Demand for Plant-Based Foods Boosting Packaged Food Market

A consumer shift toward healthier lifestyles and packaging innovations are boosting demand for packaged foods in the U.S. In fact, the U.S. packaged food market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% …

Feds Look to Address U.S. Supply Chain Woes

The Federal Reserve reported that supply chain disruptions and labor shortages plagued many parts of the country in November, leading to rising prices across most of the nation, reported The Associated Press (Dec. 1). With …

Retailers May Force Major Changes in Chicken Production

The Global Animal Partnership plans to toughen standards, effectively lowering the number of chicken breeds that meet its animal welfare guidelines, Bloomberg recently reported. The partnership, which has a five-step process for certifying animal welfare, …

Carbonated Beverages Bubbling Over with Innovation

The carbonated beverage category continues to evolve as low – or no-sugar attributes resonate with consumers and manufacturers pivot their traditional soft drink presentation accordingly. “The narrative is changing from ‘diet’ beverages to ‘no sugar,’” …

Labor Shortage Update: Restaurants Limit Delivery, Online Sales to Focus on Dine-In

The labor shortage continues to take a toll on restaurants across the U.S., just as the holiday season gets underway. For example, a California Boston Market shut on Thanksgiving after staff did not show up, …

Holiday Shopping Update: ‘Turkey Wednesday’ a Boon for Grocers 

Last-minute Thanksgiving shopping led to major gains for the nation’s top grocery stores this year. A new report by analytics firm Placer.ai shows the nation’s top grocery store chains saw a big jump in foot …

New Study Cites Higher Salt Content in Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

A new study begs the question: are plant-based products like alt-meat any healthier than the real thing? A study published recently in the journal Nutrients found some three-quarters of plant-based products analyzed failed to meet …

‘Shroom Boom’ Likely to Continue in Plant-Based, Traditional Categories

Fungi fever is sweeping the food industry, and the increased supply of mushrooms in packaged food and drinks is only the first wave of the phenomenon. Both Whole Foods Market and Kroger named mushrooms as …

What would a Monster-Constellation Merger Mean?

Energy drink-maker Monster Beverage Corp and Constellation Brands Inc., which brews Corona beer, are reportedly in talks for a possible merger. What would a Monster-Constellation mash-up mean? Jameson Sharp, investment group partner and analyst with …

Increasing Lactose Intolerance Creating Opportunities in Dairy Alternatives Market

This article is written and sponsored by Transparency Market Research. Rising cases of lactose intolerance, increasing health consciousness among consumers, and changing lifestyles appear likely to bolster growth in the global dairy alternatives market. Veganism, …

Supply Chain Update: Port Negotiations, Omicron Variant and Trucker Shortage

Amid surging inflation and a new coronavirus variant, here’s an update on what’s happening across the supply chain. LABOR TALKS AT WEST COAST PORTS West Coast port facility operators will open negotiations with the International …