Disease, Weather Devastating U.S. Citrus Industry
Citrus, once the dominant crop in Florida, has declined 92% in the past two decades, the victim of disease and extreme weather.
Tag: California
Lanternflies and Pongamia Trees Yielding Unexpected Harvests
Florida’s shift from citrus groves to pongamia plantations is a move towards sustainability and resilience, offering new economic opportunities with biofuel and plant-based proteins.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza Plans to Reach the Upper Crust
The newly minted CEO isn’t oblivious to Mountain Mike’s challenges in its crowded sector. For example, Metevier knows he needs to be sensitive to labor costs now that his California-based chain must deal with that state’s recent implementation of a $20 minimum wage (85% of the chains locations are based within the Golden State.)
FI News Review (April 19, 2024) – Why Fast Food Chains Are at a Crossroads
FI Exclusive: Chef Robert Irvine Provides Guide for Restaurants to Survive Wage Hikes
The celebrity chef, who appeared on Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible show between 2011 and 2023, fears that as many as one-fifth of all American “mom-and-pop” restaurants could be forced to close by year’s end due to rising labor costs.
FI Fast Break audio news: April 3, 2024
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast updates the Avian flu’s recent impact on American agriculture.
Debate Surrounding California’s Food Additive Ban Heats Up
Debate surrounding California’s impending food additive ban is heating up as state-level copycat proposals rise across the U.S. Last month, the National Confectioners Association spoke out against the ban, calling it “an emotionally-driven campaign that lacks scientific backing.”
FI Fast Break audio news: March 13, 2024
The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on HelloFresh’s market meltdown, an uptick in consumer spending, and more.
FI Fast Break audio news: Nov. 1, 2023
The latest Fast Break Food Institute news podcast touches on “The Ozempic Effect” on the food and beverage industry.
California Wage Law: The Dominos Are Poised to Fall
QSR jobs will be in high demand once the law passes as workers try to reduce their dining expenses in lieu of high food costs and an inflationary environment. More importantly, however, California just bolstered the prospects of hundreds of thousands of current and (more importantly) future fast-food workers.
FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 13, 2023
The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on California’s proposal for a $20-per-hour minimum wage for most fast-food workers.
Free-Range Eggs to Return Soon
Free-range eggs returned to store shelves in the U.K., a sign that the bird flu outbreak has abated enough for the government to reduce the risk level to medium.
California Strawberry Crop “at the Mercy of Mother Nature”
The California strawberry crop is “at the mercy of Mother Nature” this year, but production should reach normal levels by the summer. That’s according to Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute Sector Manager Brad Rubin, who noted …
Another City Bans Junk Food at Supermarket Checkout
Perris, California has become the second U.S. city to ban junk food at supermarket checkouts, replacing sugary snacks with healthier alternatives.
Atmospheric Rivers Deluge California, Yet Drought Persists
Atmospheric rivers have deluged California in recent weeks, dumping 8.61 inches on the San Francisco area since December 26, yet drought persists.
NY, Calif. Poised to Ban PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
New York and California are the first of more than a dozen states banning or considering bans on poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) ‘forever chemicals.’
FI Fast Break audio news: Dec. 7, 2022
This week’s FI news podcast touches on the latest innovative plant-based product, along with the recent rise in-store bakery products.
Hurricane Ian Takes Toll on Florida Agriculture
Florida’s citrus industry appears to have borne the brunt of Hurricane Ian. Reports from the region indicate that the damage could potentially be worse than after Hurricane Irma, which cut Florida citrus production by a …
Dissecting the FAST Recovery Act
California’s recently passed FAST Recovery Act is causing waves in the industry, but what will the real impacts be?
Breaking Down Calif.’s Controversial FAST Act Bill
California’s FAST Recovery Act – the first bill of its kind to take on the fast-food industry – could prove a boon for workers and labor unions but a burden to the mom-and-pop restaurants that …
UPDATE: The Latest Regenerative Ag Trend: Criollo Cattle
Criollo cattle have adapted to dry rangelands and could help regenerate soil while needing less water and feed than other cattle.
Weather Researchers Warn of Pending Megafloods, Megaheat
California could experience “megafloods” as a large portion of the country experiences “megaheat,” according to a UCLA study.
No End in Sight for California Drought
Though drought conditions have improved in the Pacific Northwest and areas of the Midwest, parts of California and the Southwest have seen no relief from dry weather.
What Are the Prospects for California’s New Animal Welfare Rules?
New rules on animal welfare are slated to take effect Jan. 1 in California, but a coalition of restaurants and grocery stores have filed suit to block implementation for more than two years, arguing they …
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UPDATE: Historic Drought Taking Toll on Western Farmers
The historic drought in the U.S. West is hitting California’s top agricultural export especially hard. The state’s $6 billion almond industry produces approximately 80% of the world’s almonds, but more and more growers are expected …
Wild, Wild West: Why Water Theft is Now Rampant in California
As an unrelenting drought torments California’s farmers, many of them are now dealing with an additional concern: water theft. With water increasingly scarce in California in recent months, thieves have stolen several millions of gallons …
Two Forms of ID, Please: Vaccination Cards Required in San Fran. Bars
Starting Thursday, hundreds of San Francisco bars will require patrons to show proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test before they can drink inside. The decision was made by the San Francisco Bar Owner …
Avocado Volumes on the Rise While Prices Decline
While Americans are paying more for everything from lumber to computer parts, and with most of the food industry contending with price increases, one surprising exception can be found: avocados. While often considered one of …
PORK UPDATE: Hog Prices Drop, Iowa Pig Farms Sue, Mexico Rejects Shipments
Pork has been making headlines of late, with one of the most notable updates being that prices for U.S. hogs have slipped since the Chinese government said its supplies have nearly fully recovered from African …
Worsening Drought Envelopes Much of Western U.S.
Dangerous heat waves in much of the western U.S. could soon break all-time temperature records. And, those temperatures are worsening drought conditions that were already plenty worrisome. The latest drought monitor released June 10 categorizes a …
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 …
Analysts: CBD-Infused Food, Beverage Market Poised for ‘Aggressive Expansion’
Matt Thomas didn’t found his company, Brew Dr., thinking he would someday sell kombucha that’s infused with hemp derived CBD. In fact, in 2021, CBD-infused products still only make up roughly one-tenth of 1% of …
Cinco de Mayo 2021 Highlights Thriving Avocado Market
Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like tacos and guacamole, and this year avocados appear to be plentiful – at least in the near term. Some 100 million Americans are expected to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, …
Supply Chain Update: California Shipping Logjam Finally Easing
A persistent kink in the global supply chain is getting straightened out – slowly, but relatively surely. The backlog at southern California ports appears to finally be easing, even as imports continue to flood into …
UPDATE: Shipping Logjams Have West Coast Ports Scrambling
Congested ports in the U.S. continue to cause major supply chain disruptions. The California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — which together handle more than a third of U.S. container imports — are …
California School District Shifts to Serve 100% Organic Meals
Non-profit organization Conscious Kitchen recently shifted an entire California school district’s food supply chain to 100% organic. The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) and Conscious Kitchen provided their first 100% USDA-certified organic weekly …