Beef Prices Expected to Stay High

A quick trip to the grocery store’s meat aisle confirms beef prices are at record highs as packers scramble to find higher grade cattle.

Study: Most Americans Are Interested in Sober Bars

It appears many Americans are rather intrigued by the “sober curious” movement. A new study reveals that 51% of Americans wish they had access to a sober bar as an alternative to traditional watering holes …

3 Key Takeaways from the 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo

CHICAGO – Nearly 18,000 people attended the National Confectioners Association’s 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo recently, the final show to be held in Chicago before moving to Indianapolis (2024, 2025) and Las Vegas (2026). At …

Grocers Take Loyalty Programs to Next Level

Offerings such as member pricing boast potential to simultaneously grow market share and increase loyalty program penetration for grocers.

Exec: Upcycled Food Movement Set to Gain Major Momentum

As consumers exhibit growing interest in waste and sustainability, companies are looking at taking what would once have been discarded and creating a new product – and the food industry is part of this approach, …

Study: Plant-Based Attains Popularity with Gen Z

An eye-opening 81% of college students will choose a plant-based food offering when it’s the default option, according to a recent study led by foodservice provider Sodexo. And these Gen Zers are more interested in …

3 Key Trends on Display at 2023 National Restaurant Association Show

CHICAGO – A majority (62%) of foodservice operators are currently understaffed, according to the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Restaurant Industry Report, 2023. Foodservice operators gathered in Chicago for the 2023 National Restaurant Association …

Study: Lab-Grown Meat Potentially Worse for Environment than Retail Beef

If proper technology and facilities can be developed to lessen the current emissions costs of lab-grown products, then yes, the research team found cultured meat to be much more environmentally competitive and with a potential wide range of applications. Today, though, the scientific/environmental/cultural jump “from pharma to food” remains an expensive and taxing endeavor for mother Earth.

Analysis: The Healthiest Superfoods

Eat a balanced diet. We’ve heard that edict since we were children, but now all the shouting is about superfoods and supplements that can do everything from lower blood pressure to improve gut health to …

3 Key Trends Reshaping Latin Cuisine

Latin America has a large cultural richness which is reflected in its cuisine. Every dish tells a story of the region’s cultural heritage. Latin American cuisine is characterized by diversity of flavors, textures and colors …

‘Climavore’ Lifestyle Growing Rapidly

“Climavorism” – in which consumers make food choices based on climate impacts – is a concept that’s gaining traction. Climavores are as prevalent as ever, judging by a recent survey by consulting firm Kearney Inc. …

Drive Impulse Purchases Using Urgency and Store Layout

Despite inflation, impulse purchases remain a key opportunity for maximizing basket sizes. A study by Ipsos found that while 56% of consumers say they’re making fewer impulse buys, one-third still made one in the past …

Survey: Amid Inflation, Most Americans Call Healthy Food ‘a Luxury’

A new survey offers insight into Americans’ current challenges when trying to maintain access to healthy food. While most people are well aware of the importance of eating healthy food in 2023, recent findings from …

5 Plant-Forward Alt-Meat Innovations

Innovators are shaking up the alt-meat category with plant-forward creations that contain more whole foods and less processed ingredients. Here are five companies to watch.

Analysis: Why CAVA’s Revenue is Steadily Rising

The CAVA restaurant chain is killin’ it, seizing upon the growing popularity of Mediterranean food, as well as the build-your-own-meal concept. CAVA has officially announced plans to go forward with an initial public offering after …

Why Overlooking Baby Boomer Consumers is a Big Mistake

The tastes of Baby Boomer consumers are evolving in a manner that defies stereotypes. “With nearly sixty percent of Boomers using digital promotions, and that usage increasing rapidly – surpassing paper usage last year – …

When Wallets Are Tight, Concentrate on Quality & Convenience

When consumers start tightening their wallets due to economic conditions, they start choosing between price and convenience. And in the case of major retailers, it becomes a struggle to decide where to concentrate efforts. “Companies …

Groundbreaking Consumer Insight: The Snack 50 Psychological Ranking

According to Circana Group and reported by The Wall Street Journal, nearly half of American consumers snack three times or more every day, a figure up 8% in the past two years. Last year, U.S. snack sales soared to over $180 billion, up 11% from the previous year.

Amazon Delivery Strategy a Model for Other Retailers

Robotics, machine learning, and data analytics helped optimize the Amazon delivery process in recent months. Now, the e-commerce giant’s model could be a standard other retailers look to emulate. Amazon managed to speed its deliveries …

American Jerk: The Salty, Smoky, Spicy, and Thriving Business of Jerky

There are many notable jerky and meat snack companies out there and most are thriving as the snackification of America continues apace. Jerky in any form has been a staple snack since navigators used sextets to sail the seven seas and discover more jerky, as John Smith is purported to have in the early 1600s when he marked a map of Virginia and wrote, “as drie as their jerkin beefe in the West Indies.”

Grocers Tap into Health and Wellness Trends

Grocers looking to stand out can tap into two trends: the demand for healthy foods and growing interest in cooking at home.

Virtual Reality Can Provide Grocers Deeper Insights Without Breaking the Bank

VR technology can help grocers optimize planograms and get a better understanding of how shoppers browse their aisles.

COLUMN: For Tyson and JBS, the Problem is Not Just the Cycle

Input costs are up, prices are falling, volumes are down. It’s an unprecedented environment.

Top Candy Innovations of 2023

This is fastly becoming the year of functional confectionery and “super sour” candy. Manufacturers are taking note in an era in which consumers are receptive to brief indulgences.

5 Healthy Alt-Meat Products

The Food Institute spoke with two dietitians to outline some of the healthiest alt-meat products available today and break down best practices for reading nutrition labels.

Meet the Hottest New Vegetable: the Zucchiolo

The zucchiolo, a cross between a cucumber and a zucchini, is the hottest new vegetable in Europe. Is a North American invasion of the zucchiolo next?

Summer Preview ’23: Inflation Alters Vacation Plans

Inflation is lingering like an in-law overstaying their welcome. As a result, consumers are demanding deals as they make vacation plans for summer 2023. Judging by recent research, consumers plan to hit the road in …

OPINION: Beyond Predictable – The Perils of Losing Focus After Initial Success

Why is Beyond Meat struggling? What will last in the plant-based category, and will it ever grow again? And what can other founders learn from this classic case of irrational exuberance? The answers may still surprise you.

Salmon Has Become the ‘Ground Beef of the Seafood Department’

How important is salmon to the seafood case? 210 Analytics principal Anne-Marie Roerink answered that question via an interesting analogy in an e-mail to The Food Institute: “salmon has become the ground beef of the …

Food Hall Trend Accelerating in US, UK

The number of U.S. food halls is expected to increase by as much as 45% in the coming years, and the facilities offer chefs a valuable opportunity to test new restaurant concepts.

Latin America’s Gen Z Consumers Evolving Rapidly

Gen Z consumers in Latin America are evolving rapidly and reshaping the market. And that fact has created a few challenges – as well as opportunities – for companies like those in the food sector. …

Top 5 Healthiest Diets

A diet may help you lose weight quickly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a healthy choice. To help people parse through the wealth of information (and misinformation) available today, the American Heart Association (AHA) …

C-Stores’ Transformative Era Is Upon Us

The C-store landscape has changed drastically over the last several years, but the transformation is far from over.

Shrimp: The New Seafood Value Proposition

When it comes to seafood, shrimp is, well, no shrimp. While other seafood prices have been on the upswing since the pandemic era, shrimp prices have remained affordable and stable, providing value opportunities for savvy …

Future of Soda: Less Sugar, More Influencers

The global carbonated soft drink market size is expected to grow at a modest CAGR of 4.7% through 2028, and industry experts say consumers demand more creative products like craft sodas.

Deep Dive: The State of Alternative Milk

Alternative milks remain the darling of plant-based growth. Record high dairy inflation and a deluge of new alternatives, however, are putting the brakes on product movement.