In the latest FI Fast Break news podcast, we discuss the outlook for spending in America leading up to the Fourth of July holiday.
In other news, the USDA’s latest Food Price Outlook indicates that beef and veal prices are expected to increase by 7.5% in 2026, while fresh vegetable prices are forecast to rise 7.7%, reflecting ongoing supply pressures across key food categories. Full Story
Elsewhere, cybersecurity has become a serious business risk for F&B companies. Supply chain threats, ransomware, and AI-powered phishing are raising the stakes. FI Focus
Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper are among the major beverage brands rolling out QR codes across packaging to give consumers access to more info about ingredients in sodas, energy drinks, and other offerings, reported Food Dive. Full Story
And lastly, inflation is expected to drive smaller July 4 celebrations this year, but retail and foodservice demand over the holiday is expected to remain strong. Many consumers plan to opt for backyard cookouts and local travel over costly holiday events. This year for the holiday, Americans are going overboard on potato chips, which claimed the single largest share of any food category during the 4th of July in 2025. Sweet corn purchases also spiked significantly more (+453%) on July 4 than any other day last year, according to Instacart. Full Story
Want to sponsor FI’s Fast Break podcast series? To discuss advertising options, contact FI’s Sales Director, Paola Garcia (paola.garcia@foodinstitute.com), or VP, Content & Relationships, Chris Campbell (chris.campbell@foodinstitute.com).
