At a recent meal out, I took a look at the table-top tablet in front of me and took stock of changes affecting the restaurant industry. Customers are beginning to expect personalization in ways never …
Voice-ordering devices. Smart thermostats. Mobile-connected cameras. Even Internet of Things-enabled fridges that allow for re-ordering: It seems brands and retailers want to get into consumers’ homes, but the level is accelerating. About a month ago, …
Pesticides and herbicides are a controversial subject of discussion in the food world. Some would argue they are absolutely vital to a thriving food system by ensuring pests and invasive weeds do not decimate crops, …
If you’ve been following the Food Institute in any capacity over the course of the past year, you know we’ve been keeping our eyes on sugary beverage taxes, or “soda taxes.” We’ve reported on some …
One thing is clear: Florida’s all orange forecast will be down in the 2017-2018 season. The real question is, “by how much?” USDA’s 2017-2018 Florida all orange forecast is at 54.0 million boxes, 21% less …
Led Zeppelin released Led Zeppelin II on Halloween of 1969, and the following year, “Whole Lotta Love” was released as the lead single for the record. Although an interpretation of the song’s lyrics might not …
There’s a lot to be optimistic about in the food and beverage industry. Manufacturers have continued their solid run over the past year, and the near-term outlook looks bright as well. But in an industry …
When you go to the supermarket and grab an item, what is the first thing you check? The nutrition label might be a logical answer, but for many Americans, this might not be the case. …
Autumn is officially upon us, but it doesn’t feel like it at the Food Institute headquarters where we are still contending with ninety degree days. However, in the spirit of the season, the American Farm …
Here at the Food Institute Blog, we regularly write about how retailers and food producers are trying to get a foothold in customers’ doors. From grocery delivery programs to Internet of Things-connected fridges to digital …
For many children throughout the country, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple. And if we are being honest, it remains a frequent aspect of my adult diet, as well. However, with the rising …
If you’ve been reading The Food Institute Blog, you know that sugar-sweetened beverage taxes have been one of the hottest topics in the food industry over the past two years. Proponents note the potential health …
The U.S. Apple Association held its annual Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 in Chicago, IL, and the meeting gave a peek into what is coming for regional U.S. apple …
Production of both cattle and calves and hogs and pigs in the U.S. and Canada are on the rise, according to a pair of joint reports issued by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and …
Ah, the internet. As a Millennial, I can admit my life pretty much revolves around the use of it. At work, I scour the web for stories for Today in Food, The Food Institute Report …
Cook County, IL, first approved a penny-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks, in hopes of raising $200 million a year, in November 2016. It was the seventh local government in the U.S. to pass such a …
It seems that Target doesn’t want to sit on its laurels. Yesterday, Jennette wrote about two moves from Target. Specifically, she noted that the company hired executives that had previously worked at Walmart and General …
News can come at you fast in the food industry, so today, I’m going to provide a few quick updates on two stories I’ve been following recently in our blog. Story 1: The Tale of …
For an industry still reeling from the effects of avian influenza, the European egg market may see some dramatic changes in the coming weeks after a pesticide scare was reported in connection to certain Dutch …
When it comes to sugary beverage taxes, nothing is ever quite simple. In the past, The Food Institute Blog has looked at the tax in Philadelphia and a similar ordinance in Berkeley, CA. Although retailers …
For the first time in nearly a decade and a half, Japan will increase emergency tariffs on imported frozen beef due to soaring shipments. Japan plans to raise tariffs on imported beef from the current …
“We’re fascinated with robots because they are reflections of ourselves.” The quote above is attributed to Kenneth Y. Goldberg, an American artist, writer, inventor and researcher in the field of robotics and automation. Additionally, his …
In what is becoming a common refrain in the Food Institute offices, it appears Chipotle Mexican Grill just can’t catch a break. As Jennette expertly opined on last week, Chipotle is contending with a new …
By now, if you haven’t heard about the Amazon deal to purchase Whole Foods Market, you’ve clearly been living under a rock. In the wake of the news, much of the press has focused on …
In February, a tremor was felt across the food world as news broke that the Kraft Heinz Co. was looking to acquire Unilever PLC. Although the deal was rejected and withdrawn, analysts now believe that …
Over the next few months, Syngenta will need to weather numerous class action lawsuits alleging the company sold GMO corn seeds that were not approved in foreign markets. The lawsuits argue that because the seeds …
The U.S. and Mexico officially resolved a trade disagreement regarding sugar after formally signing an agreement June 30. The deal, initially unveiled June 6, will seek to prevent Mexico from dumping inexpensive sugar into the …
It’s almost that time of year: parades will be held, fireworks will be set off and Americans from coast to coast will celebrate their national pride. Independence Day is less than a week away, and …
Timing is everything. I spent a few days out of the office in Delaware over the weekend, and of course, the biggest news we’ve seen in a while pops up: Amazon is purchasing Whole Foods …
At $13.7 billion, Amazon’s proposed acquisition of Whole Foods Market is largest deal ever for a grocer and equates to a 10 times EV/EBITDA multiple, notes a report from BMO Capital Markets. Top Supermarket Deals …
As we are approaching the mid-point of 2017, I think it is accurate to note that grocery retailers are in the midst of a sea change that will affect the way they conduct business going …
When it comes to food recalls, I am the Food Institute’s point man. On any given day, three to four food recalls will pop into my RSS feed, ranging from undeclared allergens to potential pathogens …
Avocado production is down, but prices are up and producers are reaping the benefits, even if some entrepreneurs decry the Millennial habit of eating avocado toast. Avocado growers in California, Mexico and Peru shipped about …
From new distribution centers to new delivery programs, Walmart is working diligently to improve its e-commerce offerings and its technology to retain market share. However, according to President and CEO Doug McMillon, the company won’t …
If you love olive oil, now might be the time to stock up. Production across the globe is dropping due to a number of issues, while global demand is ticking up. In a recent piece …
When I think of unique food combinations, I usually think of fast-food outlets. Taco Bell introduced the Doritos Taco. Burger King recently reintroduced its Cheetos Mac and Cheese Bites product. Sonic previously offered a Nerds …
