Is Kelp the Next Big Ingredient in Alt-Meat?

When it comes to sustainable food sources, kelp checks all the right boxes. But are U.S. consumers ready to embrace it as a main course? Courtney Boyd Myers, CEO of alt-meat food tech company AKUA, …

Assessing the Mounting War on Meat

While climate and animal welfare advocates are encouraging less meat consumption, consumer demand continues to rise. With that, some are going on the offensive through legislative efforts. And the battle, it seems, will likely continue …

Why Encapsulated Flavors and Fragrances are as Popular as Ever

Encapsulation of flavors and fragrances is widely popular in the consumer goods and food and beverage industries. The technique aids in minimizing degradation or loss of fragrance and flavor during the process of production and …

Beans: The Future of Carbohydrates?

Legumes have long been a staple in human diets, and they’re getting new life in the form of pasta. These alternative pastas are made from a range of lentils/beans including edamame, red lentils, fava beans, …

Do the Dew (Responsibly, of Course): Boston Beer, PepsiCo Partner on Mountain Dew Drink

One of America’s favorite sodas is getting a boozy makeover. The Boston Beer Company and PepsiCo are teaming up to produce an alcoholic version of Mountain Dew called HARD MTN DEW. The new drink will …

Employers’ Latest Hiring Tactic: Tuition-Free Degrees

Hiring and retaining employees has been a battle throughout the coronavirus pandemic, so companies are upping their game, waving perks like signing bonuses at workers. Now, the latest trend entails major employers like McDonald’s offering …

Report: Vegan Chocolate Increasingly Popular

The global chocolate confectionery market is anticipated to reach $154.5 billion (USD) by 2025. Its growth has been aided by the pandemic, during which consumers have often turned to comforting, indulgent foods, like milk chocolate …

More Grocery Stockpiling on the Horizon as Delta Variant Looms

Consumers who packed their pantries throughout the pandemic may be looking to replenish those supplies, according to new research by Inmar Intelligence. Of 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 69.4% said they were contemplating a significant restock …

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 …

M&A Monday: Sanderson Farms in Play as Chicken Demand Remains Strong

Cargill and Continental Grain Company announced early Monday that they’re set to acquire Sanderson Farms for around $4.5 billion. Sanderson Farms will combine with Wayne Farms, a subsidiary of Continental Grain, to form a new, …

Online Delivery Boosts Prospects for Amazon Fresh

Since acquiring Whole Foods for $13.7 billion in 2017, Amazon has been looking to further expand into the $900 billion U.S. grocery industry through its Amazon Fresh stores. And, with online grocery delivery growing about …

Is the Plant-Based Market Showing Signs of Decline?

Despite interest in the plant-based space by investors, the category appeared to lose a bit of luster in the second quarter, as both Beyond Meat and Maple Leaf Foods noted sales of their plant-based offerings …

Next-Generation Vending Machines Serve Up Profits

Vending machines are no longer just for snacks and drinks. Today’s “next-generation” vending machines can serve up fresh salads and hot pizza in a matter of minutes. With that, Technavio predicts that the intelligent vending …

CEOs: Merger of Panera, Caribou, and Einstein Bros. Should ‘Turbocharge’ Growth

In a major merger announced Thursday, Panera Bread joined forces with Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels to form Panera Brands. The new group includes more than 4,000 fast-casual restaurants. The pact sent reverberations throughout …

Inside Kroger and Kitchen United’s Unique Take on Ghost Kitchens

Kroger and ghost kitchen start-up Kitchen United have teamed to provide shoppers with on-demand takeout and delivery food. Through the partnership, Kitchen United will feature up to six restaurant brands inside select Kroger locations. The …

CASE STUDY: Celebrity-Backed Limited Time Offerings Boost McDonald’s Revenue

One of the most successful limited time offerings (LTOs) over the past year has been McDonald’s “Famous Orders” celebrity collaborations. McDonald’s has been utilizing LTOs to attract consumers for years with items such as the …

‘Fishless’ Fish: The Next Big Thing in Vegan Food Industry

Plant-based meat alternatives have a longer history than some might realize. And, they have proven to be effective in replacing meat products without compromising quality and nutritional value. Plant-based fish has been gaining traction as …

Flying at Half Mask: Mandates Leave Restaurants Shrouded in Uncertainty

COVID-weary Americans thought the summer would bring freedom from face masks, but the Delta variant – more contagious than its predecessors – has put the kibosh on that, threatening the nascent recovery in the food …

Molson Coors Prioritizes Premium Beer, Splashes into Spirits

Molson Coors is mixing up its long game by eliminating eleven economy beers and launching a new line of whiskey. The moves align with the company’s recent shift towards portfolio premiumization, which has been led …

Big Soda Departs from the Juice Market

PepsiCo has announced plans to sell Tropicana, Naked, and other juice brands across North America to private equity firm PAI Partners for about $3.3 billion. The soda giant is just the latest such company to …

Update: Drought Worsening in U.S. West, Plains

Drought and an early fire season are threatening agriculture in the U.S. West and Plains, reducing hay yields, pushing feed costs higher, the Associated Press reported (July 26), and drying up water sources. Drought conditions …

No Magic Bullet in Sight for U.S. Labor Shortage

With schools reopening and unemployment benefits scheduled to expire, employers have earmarked September as a hopeful turning point for the labor shortage. However, many economists and business owners warn that deeper issues will extend staffing challenges …

Is 10 Minutes the New Gold Standard for Food Delivery?

Back in 1979, Domino’s launched a rather ambitious initiative: the chain promised customers they’d get their pizza delivered to their doorstop in 30 minutes or less. It made for great marketing and was excitedly embraced …

Digesting This Week’s Earnings from McDonald’s and Other Food Companies

With a slew of earnings being released over the past week, The Food Institute looked into which companies are thriving, as well as which companies are experiencing issues. EARNINGS ‘WINNERS’ McDonalds (MCD) Global comparable sales …

Low Vaccination Rates in U.S. South Could Renew Supply Chain Woes

A rise in cases linked to the highly infectious Delta coronavirus variant could result in a new wave of disruptions for the U.S. food industry, particularly in the U.S. Southeast. Less than 35% of the …

Grill Makers Turn to Sizzling IPO Market as BBQ Trend Heats Up

Pandemic-related restrictions pushed many people away from restaurants, out of their kitchens, and towards their backyard grills, a small comfort in a most unsettling time. And, whether for a simple change of scenery, a desire …

What’s Brewing with U.S. Beer Makers? COVID-Related Shifts

With the rise of hard seltzer and other low-cal alcohol options, Americans seem to be drinking less beer, and U.S. producers are making less of it. Boston Beer Co. the maker of Samuel Adams beer, …

Restaurant Sales are Booming, But for How Long?

The restaurant industry continued to regain its financial footing in June, but the pandemic aftershocks have yet to subside. “The industry right now is extremely strong and is surging. For many operators, they have more business …

A Fine Kettle of Fish: Rising Seafood Prices Pushing Restaurants to Rethink Menus

Maryland without crab cakes. An ahi tuna shortage in Hawaii. Clams missing from the menu in Massachusetts. Are we running out of fish? “Yes, there is a shortage of fish, in some part, because of …

Update: Nuggets Taking Center Stage Amid Chicken Wars

Eighty-four percent of consumers globally order chicken from a restaurant at least once a month, according to new research by Technomic. The latest chicken product in high demand appears to be nuggets. POPEYES DEBUTS NUGGETS …

‘Double Whammy’ of Drought, Frosts in Brazil Propels Coffee Prices

Extreme weather and supply chain issues have impacted prices for the vast majority of commodities in 2021, ranging from lumber to corn. Until recently, coffee (and avocados) seemed to be surviving in an inflationary market …

Hard Seltzer Market Could Be Softening  

The hard seltzer market may be falling on hard times. While it may not seem that long ago that beverages like Truly Hard Seltzer were a highlight of many summer get-togethers, the popularity of the …

Industry Report: Natural Food Colors On The Rise

As consumers grow more conscious about their health, preference for organic and natural food will increase at a robust pace. On the flip side, focus on health and wellness has caused sales of synthetic food …

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 …

New D.C. Restaurant Reimagines Hospital Food

Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, a longtime judge on Bravo reality TV show “Top Chef,” has debuted a new restaurant aimed at providing healthier hospital food options for workers and patients’ families. Root and Sprig debuted …

Frito-Lay Strike Shines Light on Factory Working Conditions

After nearly three weeks, the Frito-Lay worker strike has ended in Kansas. Employees in Topeka, Kansas have ratified a revised contract addressing what union leaders previously described as a diminished quality of life due to …