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Feds Look to Address U.S. Supply Chain Woes

The Federal Reserve reported that supply chain disruptions and labor shortages plagued many parts of the country in November, leading to rising prices across most of the nation, reported The Associated Press (Dec. 1). With …

Retailers May Force Major Changes in Chicken Production

The Global Animal Partnership plans to toughen standards, effectively lowering the number of chicken breeds that meet its animal welfare guidelines, Bloomberg recently reported. The partnership, which has a five-step process for certifying animal welfare, …

Carbonated Beverages Bubbling Over with Innovation

The carbonated beverage category continues to evolve as low – or no-sugar attributes resonate with consumers and manufacturers pivot their traditional soft drink presentation accordingly. “The narrative is changing from ‘diet’ beverages to ‘no sugar,’” …

What would a Monster-Constellation Merger Mean?

Energy drink-maker Monster Beverage Corp and Constellation Brands Inc., which brews Corona beer, are reportedly in talks for a possible merger. What would a Monster-Constellation mash-up mean? Jameson Sharp, investment group partner and analyst with …

Barbecue Is a Smokin’ Hot Global Taste Trend

Barbecue is red-hot worldwide, according to new research from Irish food company Kerry. “It’s clear that people and cultures intersect on the general topic of open-fire cooking,” said Soumya Nair, Kerry’s global director of consumer …

Acquisitions Driving Autonomous Farming Movement Forward

Acquisitions are quickly changing the face of the so-called “smart farming” landscape. The latest example of that evolution comes via Fieldin, the world’s largest smart farm operations management company, which recently acquired agricultural autonomous driving company …

The Rising Influence of Professional Wine Ratings

Editor’s note: Part 3 of a three-part series analyzing the current state of the wine industry. With the strong increase in online wine sales in recent years has come an equally significant increase in the …

Supply Chain Inspiring Rising Concerns in Wine World

Editor’s note: Part 2 of a three-part series analyzing the current state of the wine industry. The effects of supply chain disruptions in the global food industry are well-known and easy to identify: low inventories, …

What’s Driving Retail Alcohol Sales?

Retail alcohol sales are significantly higher than 2019 levels. According to a report recently published by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, during the worst months of the COVID pandemic (March-September 2020), U.S. alcohol …

Lunchtime Rush Coming Back for Restaurants

Online and physical restaurant visits during lunch rose 4% in the year ending September 2021 compared to a year ago when visits were down 11%, based on The NPD Group’s U.S. foodservice industry tracking. “Consumers are …

Survey: Consumers Now Choosing to Live with Less

A recent global survey conducted by EY (Ernst & Young) illustrates consumers are re-evaluating big purchases these days. That said, consumers certainly aren’t shying away from spending on groceries. “Online grocery shopping is a clear …

WATCH: Chip City Brand Highlights Benefits of Owning Supply Chain

Chip City launched just four years ago, under less-than-ideal circumstances. The cookie-and-coffee chain’s CEO, Peter Phillips, had a background in construction and was largely unfamiliar with the food industry. The company started with a mere …

Kroger, Kellogg part of ‘Strikesgiving’ wave

With the pandemic threatening to intrude on a second holiday season and the nation’s workers rethinking what they want out of their jobs and careers, labor unrest has been sweeping through U.S. companies of late. …

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Restaurant Acquisitions Remain Red Hot

The sandwich market’s potential appears to be underscored by recent quick-service restaurant acquisitions. In the span of two weeks, a pair of QSR parent companies expanded their culinary offerings via acquisitions of established brands. Restaurant …

Can Plant-Based Beverages Outpace Dairy?

This article is sponsored and written by Future Market Insights. Plant-based beverages, in many respects, are taking the food industry by storm. The products are praised by many for their healthy nutritional profile. And, as …

Delivery Innovation Hitting Higher Gear, Especially in U.S.

Chicago residents in need of last-minute ingredients are in luck. Getir, the Turkish provider of ultrafast, 10-minute grocery delivery, started operations in the Windy City this week. The company, which was founded in Istanbul in …

Grocers, CPG Companies Meet Rising Demand for Gluten-Free Products

Demand for gluten-free products continues to rise as more consumers adopt special dietary lifestyles – and grocery retailers and CPG companies are responding accordingly. The global gluten-free packaged food market, estimated to reach $9.6 million …

Survey: Gen Z Drawn to Cannabis Products  

A new survey signals that marijuana is competing with alcohol for Gen Z’s dollars. Technomic’s recent Adult Beverage Planning Program report shows that, in states where recreational cannabis is legal, nearly two-thirds (65%) of Gen …

Industry Expert: Delivery Customers Now Expect Speed, Accuracy

By most accounts, post-pandemic life will involve lots of online shopping for consumers. Coronavirus lockdowns nudged most consumers in that direction, and innovation is pushing them further toward adoption of extensive online shopping for purchases …