Can Beef Prices Moderate Amid Recent Developments?

Beef prices are up, but relief could be on the way. Retail beef prices rose 30% from the beginning of 2020, before pandemic lockdowns started, to a peak of $7.90 per pound in October, before …

New Findings Show Gen Z Researches Brands Extensively

New Qualtrics research shows that Gen Z consumers are more digitally connected, more socially conscious and willing to do more research before making purchases than other generational cohorts. In a Food Institute article from late …

Some Like It Hot: Spicy Snacks and Hot Sauce on the Rise

Recent polls suggest Americans are adding a little spice to their lives. An Instacart survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults found that 74% of Americans eat hot sauce with their food, and nearly half (45%) said …

Exclusive Interview: What Are the Latest Developments in Online Grocery Delivery and Pick-Up?

While the food delivery market has garnered its fair share of headlines in recent months, pick-up remains a powerhouse for grocery e-commerce. That’s according to Brick Meets Click partner David Bishop, who recently joined The Food …

Restaurant Sales Expected to Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2022

Things are looking up in the world of foodservice. Restaurant industry sales are expected to hit $898 billion this year, up from $864 billion in 2019, according to the National Restaurant Association’s State of the …

WATCH: Cutting Edge Food Tech Displayed at Winter Olympics

With the Winter Olympics underway this week, we’ve been getting a glimpse at some technological innovations used to feed the thousands of athletes in attendance. Robotic technology is helping serve athletes in Beijing, for example. …

Great Resignation Now Giving Way to Great Sabbatical

The so-called Great Resignation has led companies to reconsider employee retention programs with many now offering sabbaticals as a means of keeping their most qualified workers in the fold. The Society for Human Resource Management …

New GMO Labeling Rules Spark Debate

The food industry is grappling with questions on how to comply with the new labeling rules for genetically modified foods, experts said. The new rules are Congress’s answer to confusion created by states’ varying legislation …

FDA: Blockchain-Based Food Tracking Bound for Widespread Adoption

A new rule could boost blockchain-based food tracking. The rule, expected next November, would require the food industry to maintain records associated with the critical tracking events on the supply chain, according to Frank Yiannas, …

Assessing the Plant-Based Landscape for 2022

Pandemic challenges in 2021 impacted the plant-based industry in divergent ways, as more consumers experimented at home and operators across restaurants and retail prioritized inventory over innovation. “At retail, we are seeing the biggest [plant-based] …

Meatpacking Consolidation Concerns Democrats

Democrats are raising antitrust concerns related to the meatpacking industry, accusing major players of profiteering and contributing to inflation. At a recent House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee hearing, Chairman David Cicilline, D-R.I., argued poultry integrators and …

Is MrBeast Changing the Game in Food Marketing?

YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson – better known as MrBeast – is getting back into the food space with a better-for-you snack brand. Following the success of his virtual restaurant brand, MrBeast Burger, Donaldson is introducing …

How Calif. Animal Welfare Legislation is Reshaping Meat Industry

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley has called on the U.S. Supreme Court to review California’s Proposition 12, which prohibits farm animals from being raised under cruel conditions. The rule applies to chickens, eggs, veal and pork …

Poll: Americans Bracing for More Inflation as CPG Prices Rise

Nearly eight in 10 Americans expect inflation to persist over the next six months—and they’re probably right. Half even anticipate it to increase “a lot,” while 78% expect interest rates to rise, according to a …

Why Exponential Growth Works Better than Blitzscaling for New Consumer Brands

The steady volume of Silicon Valley unicorns in the past 15 years has buried the fact that growth operates very differently in consumer startups, especially for the manufactured consumer package goods (CPG) that fill Target, …

Craft Breweries Destined for Post-Pandemic Recovery, Expert Says

Drive down the main drag of Duluth, Minnesota – a city with less than 90,000 residents – and you’ll soon notice something: Craft breweries are as abundant as SUVs in this northern town. Duluth’s Superior …

How Will Fast-Food Value Deals Look Different This Year?

Fast-food value deals are back, but they’re not quite the same as before. Over the past several weeks, brands such as McDonald’s have returned to value messaging for the first time in several years, noted …

Deere Unveils Autonomous Tractors

John Deere, which introduced its first tractors in 1918, plans to start large-scale production on a fully autonomous tractor that features Deere’s 8R tractor, TruSet-enabled chisel plow and GPS guidance system, along with other advanced …

Coffee Chains Expected to Continue Thriving in 2022

Demand for coffee outside the home increased substantially in 2021, while traction at the grocery store remained strong – further solidifying the category’s overall appeal and adaptability to shifting consumer behaviors. According to a recent …

RBC Says No End in Sight for Supply Chain Woes

Will supply chain problems ever subside? RBC Capital Markets recently provided insight on the topic in its report titled Digital Intelligence Strategy: Supply Chain Woes, No End in Sight. RBC’S OUTLOOK FOR SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES …

New Group Provides ‘Voice’ for Women in Meat Industry

A newly formed group of academics and industry leaders is out to increase representation of women in the meat industry, promoting what it calls the powerful benefits of gender diversity. The Women’s Meat Industry Network …

The Hidden Resignation: Burnout Plaguing U.S. Workforce

In addition to the Great Resignation spawned by the pandemic, there’s the Hidden Resignation: the millions of workers left behind who are burned out and disillusioned with their jobs. Job Resignations and Burnout Millions of …

Fresh Bakery Positioned for Growth Through Differentiation

The bakery department bounced back in 2021, with the fresh perimeter making a full recovery and overtaking aisle bakery as the sales growth leader. Furthermore, perimeters that faired best were those that didn’t just try …

U.S.-Backed Study Draws Renewed Focus on Precision Nutrition

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is awarding $170 million to clinics and educational centers over a five-year period to conduct research for one of the largest, most diverse precision nutrition efforts in the country. …

Carbon Labeling Claims –  Making Them Work for Your Company

Editor’s note: The Food Institute, partnering with OFW Law, is hosting a webinar Feb. 17: “Carbon Labeling Claims for the Food and Restaurant Industries,” discussing must-know details of carbon emissions labeling. The webinar is part …

What Does Gopuff’s Move Into Private Label Signal for Rapid Delivery?

Gopuff is launching its very own line of private label products. Bottled water will kick off the “Basically” brand, followed by other household items like cleaning products, paper products, and food storage, reported CNBC (Jan. …

Analysts Expect Plant-Based Food Trend to Continue

As plant-based food continues to make inroads, industry observers expect the category to become a larger part of our diet in the years to come. That was a key theme during The Food Institute’s recent …

Economist: Higher Costs Expected for Super Bowl Parties

What will the cost of your Super Bowl spread be this year? About 8% to 14% more than 2021, according to Wells Fargo’s inaugural Super Bowl Food Report— a light-hearted look at food and beverage …

Gotham Greens CEO Sees Big Growth Ahead for Indoor Farming

Indoor farming company Gotham Greens is growing at an eye-opening rate. CEO Viraj Puri recently told The Food Institute that his company “has grown from a single rooftop greenhouse in Brooklyn, New York, to over …

African Swine Fever Sweeping Globe; is US Next?

African Swine Fever has been detected in three areas of Asia, sparking fears it could impact the pork industry. ASF affects both domestic and feral swine and is highly contagious but does not affect humans …

Trend to Watch in 2022: Caribbean Cuisine

It’s apparent at deli counters and restaurants all over: Caribbean cuisine is gaining traction with consumers. The National Restaurant Association recently identified Caribbean food as one of its top trends to watch in 2022. AF&Co/Carbonate …

Analysis: Why the ‘Regenuary’ Movement is Taking Root

By now, you’re likely familiar with Veganuary, which promotes adopting a vegan lifestyle throughout the month of January. In 2022, though, the so-called Regenuary movement is also taking root. Regenuary is a sustainable eating movement …

State of the Restaurant Industry: Tech Triggering Optimism

Just 2% of restaurants reported an increase in sales in December. Yet, a survey by TD Bank found 81% of restaurant operators are nevertheless optimistic about the future. Restaurant operators are faced with several challenges …

Kroger’s Top Food Trend Predictions for 2022 Include Umami, Tequila, Plant-Based

The Kroger Co. released its 2022 Food Trends Report, which predicts emerging food trends, consumer behaviors, and popular items for the year ahead. The Food Institute took a deeper dive into some of the most …

Deli Department Slices Way Toward Growth in 2022

The deli department was a grocery hotspot in 2021 and retailers are anticipating continued popularity in the year ahead. According to IRI data, deli department sales totaled $40.8 billion in the 52-week period ending December …

Global Vegan Cheese Market Poised for Expansion as Consumer Awareness Grows

This article is written and sponsored by Transparency Market Research. The global vegan cheese market is expected to grow at an a CAGR of about 10% and reach a market value of about $7 billion by …