Food Industry Bugging Out Over Insect Protein

The edible insect market, which surpassed $112 million in 2019, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 26.5% from 2020 to 2027 to reach $4.63 billion by 2027, according to Research …

Demand for Cold Storage Continues Higher on Strength of Food and Pharmaceuticals

Main Points:  Total capacity of refrigerated warehouses worldwide was 719 million cubic meters in 2020, 16.7% higher than 2018. Among the factors driving growth are online grocery sales, subscription meal services, consumer preferences for fresh …

Jobs Report: Restaurants, Bars Among Hardest Hit in December

Employers across the U.S. decreased hiring in December, as COVID-19 cases were up and cities reimposed business restrictions. Throughout the month, job losses were largely concentrated among restaurants, bars, hotels, casinos, and other entertainment venues, …

Plant-Based Seafood Coming Ashore in 2021

While plant-based beef held center stage in 2020, vegan-friendly seafood appears to be waiting in the wings for its big moment. Veganism is as popular as ever, according to Google data showing vegan-related searches were …

Grain Prices Spiked Ahead of USDA Report

With the USDA expected to issue a report Jan. 12 reducing its domestic corn stock outlook, grain prices spiked with corn prices nearing $5 per bushel Jan. 5. The increasing prices could signal a boon …

Impossible Foods Cuts Wholesale Prices to Better Compete with Traditional Ground Beef

Impossible Foods is cutting foodservice distributor prices for the second time in a year as part of its push to better compete with traditional ground beef. The maker of soy-based meat alternatives is dropping prices …

Shake Shack Taps Ethnic Foods Growth with New Chicken Items

Shake Shack is starting 2021 by spicing up fast food’s chicken sandwich war. The chain is rolling out the Korean-style Fried Chick’n Sandwich and Korean-style Gochujang Chick’n Bites, reported CNN (Jan. 5). Though the new …

CPG Companies Add Healthier Brands to Attract Consumers

Consumers are looking for healthier snacks and CPG companies are taking notice.  Mondelez International’s 2020 State of Snacking report found that consumers are highlighting the importance of snacks that enable them to lead healthier lifestyles. At the …

McCormick Enters New Year on Acquisition Spree

McCormick & Company, which manufactures spices, seasoning mixes, and more for a large swath of the food industry, has worked feverishly in recent months to strengthen and diversify its business through strategic acquisitions. In particular, …

New Study Casts Doubt on the Safety of Indoor Dining

Since the beginning of the pandemic, indoor dining has been a point of contention for restaurants. After being banned for some time — leaving restaurants to rely on outdoor seating – indoor dining was brought …

New Year, New You, New Dietary Guidelines

The U.S. government’s latest dietary guidelines keep current allowances for sugar and alcohol consumption unchanged. The decision by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services rejected recommendations by a scientific advisory committee …

With Little to Celebrate This Year, Catering Companies Are Facing a Crisis

The coronavirus pandemic, and its subsequent restrictions, sent a shockwave through the U.S. job market in 2020, causing a ripple effect felt through much of the labor force. In short order, many jobs shifted, creating …

Biotech Companies Offer Personalized Nutrition Based on DNA Tests

In addition to uncovering surprises in ancestral lineage, biotech services are now using DNA tests to develop personalized nutrition plans to help individuals reach optimum health, based on their genetic makeup.  And while popular genealogy firms …

2020 Will Also Be Remembered as the Year of Chicken and Pizza

If 2020 proved anything, it’s that Americans simply can’t get enough hot chicken and pizza and pandemic lockdowns only strengthen the country’s demand for the two delivery staples. With many consumers preferring to eat at …

CPG Companies Bet on Longer-Term Remote Work and In-Home Dining

Among the changes forced by COVID-19, the typical consumer lunch hour has shifted to in-home dining. And consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are betting that relocation is a trend that’s here to stay. In fact, …

ESG Debate Gaining Steam in Agriculture and Beyond

From Washington DC to farm fields throughout much of the country, the acronym ESG has become a rather hot-button issue of late. Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) is a movement that’s undeniably gathering steam, …

Surge in Online Sales Puts Pressure on Retailers, Shipping Services

Online sales for the 2020 holiday season started strong on Black Friday, coming in at a record-breaking $9 billion. That spending represents a 22% increase over a record $7.4 billion spent online in 2019. Traffic to physical …

NextGen Coffee Is a Trend to Watch

In today’s world, people are looking for more than just an average cup of joe. And because the pandemic is keeping many consumers away from their local coffee shops, there’s a growing trend to recreate …

What the Food Industry Needs to Know About COVID-19 Relief

After months of uncertainty, 2021 looks more promising than one might assume for the food industry. For starters, Congress’s recent COVID-19 relief bill should provide a measure of assistance to restaurants and beer manufacturers alike. …

Pandemic and Brexit Leading to U.K. Chaos Ahead of Christmas

A new variant of COVID-19 and increasing concerns about the country’s exit from the European Union are causing significant problems in the U.K. days before Christmas. NEW COVID-19 VARIANT PUTS LONDON IN LOCKDOWN London and …

Hope for Restaurants on the Horizon Under New Deals

There is no doubt that restaurants have been beaten down during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 110,000 restaurants have closed permanently or for a long period of time throughout  the U.S., while others face uncertainty as many …

Consumers are Likely to Align with Healthier Consumption Habits Next Year

While some people have strayed from regular diet and exercise routines over the course of the pandemic, others have capitalized on the new stay-at-home lifestyle by focusing on wellness. Against this backdrop, and ahead of …

Companies Show Thanks to Employees as Pandemic Continues

Food companies are showing their appreciation for employees in several ways as 2020 comes to a close. Chipotle has paid out over $40 million in bonuses and assistance pay to employees during COVID-19, reported QSR …

Pet Food and Other Fido-Friendly Businesses Profiting from Pandemic

The pet food industry has grown sales throughout the pandemic, with pet adoption and pet gifts on the rise as well, reported MarketWatch (Dec. 17). Pet food helped boost sales at General Mills during its …

Food Industry Groups Want Priority Vaccinations for Workers

With limited quantities of the COVID-19 vaccine available, many groups a seeking priority for their employees—including the food industry. Administration of the vaccine began on Dec. 14 in the U.S. with early doses being set …

Post Holdings Diversifies Portfolio with Acquisitions

After missing analyst forecasts in its fourth quarter earnings report, Post Holdings has made acquisitions to diversify its portfolio. The company reported net sales of $1.4 billion—a decrease of 2.2% over the last year and …

New Delivery Driver Protections Lead to Increased Prices in California

Uber customers in California will see higher prices for rides and food deliveries to cover new driver protections, reported CNN (Dec. 14). The flat fees, ranging from $0.30 to $2, will take effect on Dec. …

In-Store COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts Prepped by Drugstores, Grocers

Despite reaching a sobering coronavirus milestone earlier this week, U.S. drug stores and grocers are increasingly optimistic that they will be able to support in-store COVID-19 vaccination efforts as supplies become available at their stores. …

QuickChek Acquisition Caps String of C-Store Purchases

The QuickChek acquisition by Murphy USA in a $645 million deal, capping off a string of convenience store acquisitions during  the first half of December. QuickChek, which began its operations as a dairy delivery service …

Americans Plan to Spend Less During the Holidays

Almost 40% of Americans plan to spend less on gifts this holiday season, according to a CNBC economic survey. The average U.S. citizen plans to spend $886, down 10% from a year ago, as the …

Restaurants Focus on Employees as More Closures Loom

The coronavirus pandemic has caused 8,400 retailers and 110,000 restaurants to close across the U.S. this year, according to industry statistics, reported The Economic Times (Dec. 14). And even more closures could be on the …

Avocado Market Strength Continues Despite Biden Climate Change Headwinds

Despite its unassuming appearance and a flavor described sometimes as subtle or muted, the avocado’s growth in popularity has been quite an attention grabber. Whether it’s the fruit’s superfood status, the rise of guacamole as …

Some Important Changes Coming to Starbucks

Starbucks has recently made several notable updates to its business, including boosting its outlook, announcing planet-forward initiatives, more diversity on its board, and better pay for employees. In its latest financial release, Starbucks reaffirmed its …

Trade Groups Seek Priority COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Meat Workers

Three leading meat-industry trade groups are asking U.S. governors to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine access for meat workers, reported Winsight Grocery Business (Dec. 9). The North American Meat Institute, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and the …

DoorDash Raises $3.4 Billion in IPO

DoorDash raised $3.4 billion in its IPO, making it the second highest IPO in 2020, according to Renaissance Capital. The IPO represents a year of massive growth for the food delivery company. In the first …

McDonald’s Franchisees to Raise Happy Meal Prices

Some McDonald’s franchisees said they would raise prices on Happy Meals after the company revoked a longstanding rebate to subsidize the cost of toys, reported The Wall Street Journal (Dec. 8). In January, the company …