Understanding the Snow Crab Crisis
The cancelation of the Alaskan snow crab season has upended an entire chain of fishing, restaurant, grocery, and wholesale industries with one of its seasonal (and most delicious) mainstays.
Focus Archive
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Bird Flu Cull Surpasses 2015
More than 52 million birds in 46 states have been culled so far this year due to highly pathogenic avian influenza, topping the record set in 2015, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service …
Experts: Weather-Related Disasters Increasing, Taking Toll on Food Industry
As of October 11, the U.S. has experienced a total of 15 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters this year, making 2022 the eighth consecutive year with 10 or more billion-dollar weather and climate-related disasters.
Column: Why Vertical Farming Stocks are Struggling
Few sectors have been more impacted by the boom/bust cycle than vertical farming stocks in recent years.
Grocers Taking In-Store Experience to Next Level
Grocers can enable greater media partnerships by improving their in-store experience, according to one top industry executive.
Keto, Upcycling Steal the Show at 2022 Private Label Event
ROSEMONT, Illinois – The 2022 Private Label Trade Show showcased product innovations from over 1,400 exhibitors and over 50 countries in food, beverages, household goods, and more. Among the food and beverage offerings, companies highlighted …
Consumers Break Black Friday, Cyber Monday Records
Despite recession fears, consumers were in a spending mood to kick off the holiday season, breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales records.
Plant-Based Innovation Abounds at Private Label Trade Show
The Plant-Based Foods pavilion at the recent Private Label Trade Show hosted numerous exhibitors offering plant-based products to address consumer concerns about health, the environment, and animal welfare.
Functional Beverage Market Continues to Gain Momentum
These days, an increasing share of consumers are looking for drinks that not only taste good, but also serve a beneficial function. These functional beverages contain ingredients that, theoretically, can help build and maintain health, …
2023 Labor Outlook: Layoffs, Automation on Horizon
Inflation threw a wrench into pandemic recovery, and with interest rates rising and the threat of a recession looming, the 2023 labor market could look very different than it does today. Major tech companies have …
Grocery Predictions for 2023: Delivery, Loyalty Could Look Different
The coming year could be a turbulent one as grocers navigate economic uncertainty while also benefiting from shoppers’ return to stores in a post-pandemic environment.
Divergent Consumer Groups Influence Holiday Spending
While worries over inflation and the economy take precedent for a leading percentage of consumers, a sizable number are approaching the holiday season with a desire to live sustainable lives or have rewarding experiences.
FDA Issues First Approval for Cell-Cultured Chicken
Cultivated meat producer Upside Foods received regulatory approval from the FDA, making it the first company to reach this milestone in the U.S. While not a green light for the industry at large, the decision opens the door to more approvals
Infarm Grows Wheat Indoors in Food Security Breakthrough
Amsterdam-based startup Infarm has become the first vertical farming company to successfully grow wheat indoors.
Fledgling Brands Must Solve Problems to Break Through
How can fledgling brands break through to become well-received? Alison Cayne, creator of Haven’s Kitchen Sauces, revealed a few secrets in the latest “FI Live” event.
How Energy Drink Stocks Are Defying the Market Slump
Energy drink stocks are performing more vigorously than you may imagine. If an investor had invested in the S&P 500 at the beginning of the year, even with dividends she’d have lost about 16% of …
High Tolerance: How Functional THC-infused Drinks & Snacks Could Alter the Industry
THC is one of the fastest growing ingredients in foodservice, increasingly legal, and visible amid a key demo—the millennials.
Thanksgiving 2022: Cost to Dine Out Versus Eat In Shrinking
The common wisdom is that it’s cheaper to eat a home-cooked meal than to dine out or order in, but with dining-out prices increasing at a slower rate than grocery prices, that old adage may …
Experts: Food Labeling on Verge of Big Changes
Worldwide organic food sales are now more than six times larger than they were in 1999, according to Statista. And food brands have taken note.
Diesel Shortage Chokes Transportation from the Farm Gate
The well-documented diesel shortage in America is understandably causing concern across the country. But to what extent is the shortage cause for alarm for farmers and consumers alike? Opinions vary. From the pandemic, to the …
How Data Builds Brand Loyalty
The inflationary environment means grocers need to fight hard to retain their customers, and data is one of the most important marketing tools at their fingertips.
‘Restaurant Venture Capital’ Doesn’t Mean What it Used To
The meaning of “restaurant venture capital” is changing. While the term has historically referred to funding for brick-and-mortar restaurants, the restaurant venture capitalists of today have shifted their focus to investing in foodservice technology. Last …
Case Study: Eggshell-derived Calcium Latest Example of Upcycling Trend
As the upcycled food trend continues to gain momentum, EggTech Ltd is processing eggshell waste-stream materials to create an upcycled form of calcium.
6 Tips to Withstand a Recession
The Food Institute spoke with food industry executives to determine their strategies to withstand a coming recession.
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Analysis: Could ‘Hybrid’ Meat be a Plant-Based Breakthrough?
As an expanding number of startups pursue the commercialization of cultivated meat, a select few are targeting the hybrid approach — blending small quantities of lab-grown cells into primarily plant-based products. While affordable, 100% cultivated …
Experts: Huge Opportunities Exist in Tech-enabled Ag
As agriculture moves towards automation, what technologies and best practices will lead the way? In a recent FI webinar, Agritecture founder and CEO Henry Gordon-Smith and Tortuga AgTech CEO Eric Adamson outlined the current state of ag tech.
Judging the ‘Pivots’ in Packaged Foods
J.M. Smucker and Campbell Soup both stand out in their attempts to diversify from fading legacy packaged food products.
Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Industry: Mid-year Review and M&A Outlook
Appetite for M&A remains strong despite economic headwinds U.S. food, beverage and agribusiness (“FB&A”) M&A volume peaked in 2021 (by number of announced deals), according to S&P Capital IQ, and while deal flow during the …
When Grocery Goes Virtual: Foodservice in the Metaverse
IFMA Event Highlights Possible Labor, Supply Chain Solutions
More than 500 foodservice leaders met in Greater Phoenix this week, to consider solutions for industry issues like the ongoing labor shortage and supply chain snags.
Case Study: Dom’s Unveils ‘Next-Generation’ Supermarket Concept
Dom’s Kitchen & Market recently unveiled what it describes as a next-generation omni-channel local food “emporium.”
Analysis: Beyond Meat Earnings Indicate Alt-Meat Category in Trouble
Beyond Meat reported third quarter earnings on Wednesday afternoon, and they were disastrous. Revenue declined 22.5% year-over-year … and that wasn’t even the worst news.
Optimism Abounds for Foodservice Despite Recent Challenges
Despite some uncertainty about future challenges, restaurant operators, suppliers, and distributors remain optimistic about the future of foodservice.
‘Contextual Commerce’ Reimagines Need-based Shopping
Grocers seeking the full potential of their digital platforms may want to investigate contextual commerce, wherein they present products to customers based on their wants and needs rather than the contents of traditional store aisles.
Survey: Despite Inflation, Americans Embracing Food Delivery
According to a new survey, on average, consumers spend $13 per order on so-called “hidden” delivery fees. Despite such fees, young adults seem willing to pay.
Case Study: How Seth Goldman Built Just Ice Tea in 3 Months
When the Coca-Cola Co. announced it was discontinuing Honest Tea, co-founder Seth Goldman jumped into action. In a recent episode of The Food Institute Podcast, Goldman discussed his decision to launch Just Ice Tea and …