DoorDash CEO’s Pay Package Latest to Raise Eyebrows

The 2020 pay package of DoorDash CEO Tony Xu far exceeded that of most S&P 500 CEOs. However, it’s not the only one to raise eyebrows. In fact, CEO compensation rose to an average $15.3 million …

Commodities Causing Sticker Shock: Prices Spike for Red Meat, Lobster, and More

These days, the prices of multiple commodities are liable to inspire a double take. Here’s a look the commodities with the most noteworthy price spikes of late. LOBSTER Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, it was …

Can Innovation Preserve Instant Soup’s Popularity?

The instant soup segment is at a crossroads of sorts. The global soup market is projected to reach $21 billion by 2027, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7% for the forecast period, …

HelloFresh Outpacing Meal Kit Competition

Meal-kit supplier HelloFresh has enjoyed a notable uptick in popularity since the outset of the pandemic. And, even as COVID-19 vaccinations have increased and consumers have started to dine in restaurants more and increase their …

Food Industry Financials: Employment, SJM, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: employment, earnings from The J. M. Smucker Company (SJM) and more. Is America …

Family-Owned Corporations and Sustainability: Not Your Typical Changing of the Guard 

Today’s corporate leaders have a much different perspective on business than the CEOs of generations past. Gone is the mentality of profits at all costs and a general disdain for anything that cuts into the …

Explaining ‘Shrinkflation’: An Increasingly Common Phenomenon 

Ever had the odd feeling that something you buy regularly doesn’t look quite right? It’s more than the new colors on the label or a new shape. The price is the same, but … You’re …

Key Ingredient in Pet Food’s Brave New World: Cell-Cultured Meat

In 2021, demand has been intense for pet food. And it makes sense, considering Americans are pampering pets like never before. Consider: adoption rates at U.S. animal shelters jumped as much as 40% in 2020 …

Examining How Social Media ‘Micro-Influencers’ are Changing Marketing

Influencer marketing has grown rapidly in recent years, and marketers are leveraging social media influencers to increase brand awareness. While the word “influencer” has been buzzing in the social media marketing world for years, there’s …

Report: Labor Shortage Limiting New Business Openings

Restaurants and supermarkets are struggling to find enough workers to open new locations, as noted by The Wall Street Journal (June 3). There were a record-high 8.1 million unfilled jobs at the end of March, …

Analyst: Fresh Opportunities for Growth in Grocery E-Commerce

Grocery e-commerce spending increased by an eye-opening $26 billion in 2020. When the dust settled by year’s end, the 84% jump accounted for 9.5% of all U.S. food and beverage sales. According to a recent, …

Survey Shows Plant-Based, ESG Topics Important to Emerging Gen Z Food Leaders

Like the Millennials before them, the buying habits of Generation Z (defined broadly as those born between the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2010s) are coming into focus for food industry manufacturers, retailers, and marketers. …

UPDATE: JBS Poised to Reopen Following Cyber Attack

JBS has made “significant progress” in resolving the cyberattack that hit its global operations and will have the vast majority of its plants operational today, reported Bloomberg (June 2). “Our systems are coming back online …

Analysts: Food Delivery Apps Face Uncertain Future

Food delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats became an essential service during the pandemic, when consumers were mostly confined to home and restaurants were closed to indoor patrons. But now that life is returning …

Like the Flavoring in that Dish? Order it Right Off Menus with New Marketing Tactic

There’s a new wrinkle in the restaurant experience – and a new revenue stream: direct-to-consumer products featured on menus. The overall idea is not new. Lawry’s Prime Rib began marketing its signature seasoned salt in …

The Food Industry’s Latest Sustainability Effort: Masks for Cows

Cargill is backing “masks” for cows in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Yes, you read that correctly. The mask-like device was developed by Zelp Ltd., which claims it can reduce methane emissions by more than …

JBS Cyber Attack Signals Threat to Global Food Supply 

Major meat producer JBS SA is grappling with a recent cybersecurity attack which affected servers supporting the company’s IT systems in North America and Australia. The attack disrupted two shifts and halted processing at one of Canada’s largest meatpacking plants, reported Bloomberg (May …

Analysts: Comfort Food Popularity Should Continue Post-Pandemic

Stress and uncertainty cause people to seek out comfort rather than challenge. And, with 2020 presenting so many challenges, it’s no wonder that the “comfort economy” is booming. Trends in sectors ranging from technology to …

Chipotle Leading Sustainable Packaging Trend

Chipotle’s half-decade commitment to sustainability largely serves as a blueprint for the foodservice segment. In 2018, Chipotle announced that, by the year 2020, the fast-casual chain aimed to divert half of all of its restaurant …

Food Industry Financials: Inflation, CBRL, SAFM, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: food inflation, earnings from Cracker Barrel (CBRL), Sanderson Farms (SAFM), Costco (COST) and …

A Primer on Vertical Farming as the Industry Gains Steam

The modern concept of vertical farming was put forth in 1999 by Columbia University microbiologist Dickson Despommier, who along with his students, came up with a design of a skyscraper farm that could feed 50,000 people. …

Update: Inflation Cutting into American Spending

Consumers are clearly eager to get out and spend after being cooped up at home for over a year, but as costs continue to rise, how much they’re willing to buy is limited. BOOSTED SPENDING …

Ghost Kitchen Expansion Could Create `New Reality’ for QSRs

Many fast-food chains, including Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, and Burger King, continue to expand their ghost kitchen operations and lean further into the delivery space. But with dining restrictions easing and restaurant traffic on rise — why …

Drought Update: West Coast, Midwest Water Supplies Dwindle

Editor’s Note: This is an update to The Food Institute’s April article “Is the U.S. Facing a Megadrought?” Central Valley Farmers to Get No Allocation Farmers in California’s Central Valley Project will get none of …

Start of Summer Travel Could Mean Long Waits at Restaurants, C-Stores

With over half of Americans now being vaccinated, travel is making a major comeback after more than a year of pandemic lockdowns. AAA forecasts that 37 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from …

Vertical Farming Advances with Largest Deal on Record

Nearly $1.9 billion of global venture capital was invested in indoor farming in 2020, nearly tripling over 2019, according to PitchBook data. With those figures in mind, here is a look into some recent developments: …

Analyst: ‘Growth Trifecta’ Signals Strong Future for Organic Products

The organic food and beverage market hit a high note in 2020, with record-breaking sales climbing 12.4% to nearly $61.9 billion in the U.S, according to a recent survey by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). …

Restaurants Can Differentiate Themselves and Grow with Plant Based Foods

As U.S. consumers return to restaurants, operators should embrace plant-based foods to differentiate themselves and boost business in the new world of post-pandemic foodservice. A webinar sponsored by DMA (Distribution Market Advantage) and presented by …

‘Bullwhip Effect’ Felt Throughout Industry as Restaurants Ramp Back Up

The start of the return to normalcy has created problems for restaurants, bars and other venues with demand outstripping supplies and creating shortages of a variety of foods and other commodities. Couple that with difficulty …

Inside a $650M Ponzi Scheme Including Cattle

Two people are facing federal charges they bilked investors across the country in a $650 million Ponzi scheme involving bogus short-term cattle or marijuana investments. Reva Joyce Stachniw, 69, of Galesburg, Illinois, and Ron Throgmartin, …

Corporate Diversity Initiatives One Year After George Floyd

George Floyd’s death sparked nationwide protests and ultimately served as a catalyst for anti- discrimination efforts. Many companies also responded by releasing statements against racism. And some took action, setting quantifiable goals to increase diversity …

Survey: Rising Food Prices Have Consumers Changing Allegiances

Escalating food and grocery prices have many U.S. shoppers rethinking their loyalty to retailers and brands, according to a new survey by Inmar Intelligence. Although vaccines and looser business restrictions are making consumers eager to get …

Restaurant Traffic Up, But Industry Faces Headwinds 

Since the beginning of the year, foot traffic to U.S. food and beverage establishments is up 41 percent, according to Zenreach data. And with the weather getting nicer, vaccinations on the rise, and dining limitations slowly being lifted, restaurant traffic continues to soar. Restaurant …

Low-Sugar Products Market Hitting Higher Gear

For those looking to cut back on sugar, options used to be limited—and, often, not very tasty. In 2021, however, health-conscious consumers suddenly have a plethora of low-sugar items to choose from, whether it’s candy …

A Tale of Two Recent Acquisitions: Essentia vs. Lone River Beverage Co.

In the Fall and Winter of 2020, the market witnessed several high-profile CPG acquisitions by strategic multinational CPG players. I want to contrast two cases that live on extreme ends of the typical continuum of …

Outlook Bright for Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market

The mindful drinking movement has been gaining traction for several years, with “sober curious” consumers opting for no- or low- alternatives to reduce their alcohol intake.   Throughout the pandemic, demand for non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits increased, with consumers drinking most frequently while relaxing at …