Focus Archive > Page 87

Consumer Grocery Shopping Baskets Higher this Fall

Autumn is officially upon us, but it doesn’t feel like it at the Food Institute headquarters where we are still contending with ninety degree days. However, in the spirit of the season, the American Farm …

Walmart Wants to Get In Your Home… Literally

Here at the Food Institute Blog, we regularly write about how retailers and food producers are trying to get a foothold in customers’ doors. From grocery delivery programs to Internet of Things-connected fridges to digital …

New Science Reverses Thinking on Peanut Allergies

For many children throughout the country, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple. And if we are being honest, it remains a frequent aspect of my adult diet, as well. However, with the rising …

A Down Year Expected for U.S., World Apple Producers

The U.S. Apple Association held its annual Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 in Chicago, IL, and the meeting gave a peek into what is coming for regional U.S. apple …

Cook County Beverage Tax Faces Challenges

Cook County, IL, first approved a penny-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks, in hopes of raising $200 million a year, in November 2016. It was the seventh local government in the U.S. to pass such a …

Target Makes Moves to Improve Grocery and the Bottom Line

It seems that Target doesn’t want to sit on its laurels. Yesterday, Jennette wrote about two moves from Target. Specifically, she noted that the company hired executives that had previously worked at Walmart and General …

Two Updates on Recent Blog Posts

News can come at you fast in the food industry, so today, I’m going to provide a few quick updates on two stories I’ve been following recently in our blog. Story 1: The Tale of …

The Tale of Cook County’s Sweetened Beverage Tax

When it comes to sugary beverage taxes, nothing is ever quite simple. In the past, The Food Institute Blog has looked at the tax in Philadelphia and a similar ordinance in Berkeley, CA. Although retailers …

How Will Automation and AI Affect Retail?

“We’re fascinated with robots because they are reflections of ourselves.” The quote above is attributed to Kenneth Y. Goldberg, an American artist, writer, inventor and researcher in the field of robotics and automation. Additionally, his …

Chipotle to Contend with Class Action Lawsuits

In what is becoming a common refrain in the Food Institute offices, it appears Chipotle Mexican Grill just can’t catch a break. As Jennette expertly opined on last week, Chipotle is contending with a new …

Will Kraft Heinz Go After Unilever Again?

In February, a tremor was felt across the food world as news broke that the Kraft Heinz Co. was looking to acquire Unilever PLC. Although the deal was rejected and withdrawn, analysts now believe that …

Syngenta Begins Navigating a Gauntlet of Lawsuits

Over the next few months, Syngenta will need to weather numerous class action lawsuits alleging the company sold GMO corn seeds that were not approved in foreign markets. The lawsuits argue that because the seeds …

U.S., Mexico Resolve Disagreement Over Sugar Trade

The U.S. and Mexico officially resolved a trade disagreement regarding sugar after formally signing an agreement June 30. The deal, initially unveiled June 6, will seek to prevent Mexico from dumping inexpensive sugar into the …

What’s on the Plate for Independence Day?

It’s almost that time of year: parades will be held, fireworks will be set off and Americans from coast to coast will celebrate their national pride. Independence Day is less than a week away, and …

Whole Foods Market/Amazon: A Record Grocery Deal

At $13.7 billion, Amazon’s proposed acquisition of Whole Foods Market is largest deal ever for a grocer and equates to a 10 times EV/EBITDA multiple, notes a report from BMO Capital Markets. Top Supermarket Deals …

Advertisement
FI-Home-NEW-2020Gaps
FI-Home-NEW-2020Gaps
Advertisement

Avocado Producers Reaping Rewards with a Tight Market

Avocado production is down, but prices are up and producers are reaping the benefits, even if some entrepreneurs decry the Millennial habit of eating avocado toast. Avocado growers in California, Mexico and Peru shipped about …

Walmart Leverages Technology, but Doesn’t Forget its People

From new distribution centers to new delivery programs, Walmart is working diligently to improve its e-commerce offerings and its technology to retain market share. However, according to President and CEO Doug McMillon, the company won’t …

‘Stunt Foods’ Start to Hit Grocery Shelves

When I think of unique food combinations, I usually think of fast-food outlets. Taco Bell introduced the Doritos Taco. Burger King recently reintroduced its Cheetos Mac and Cheese Bites product. Sonic previously offered a Nerds …

U.S. Peaches Coming On Strong

After a few weeks of relatively cool weather and rain, it appears New Jersey will skip spring entirely to jump to summer: it’s 90 degrees today outside the Food Institute offices in Upper Saddle River, …

Is That Product Really Organic?

Demand for organic foods in on the rise, but are all the emerging organic products actually certified as such? This might not be the case, according to a report in The Washington Post. The report …

Bumble Bee Agrees to Plead Guilty

Bumble Bee Foods LLC agreed to plead guilty for its role in a conspiracy to fix the prices of shelf-stable tuna fish May 8, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). According to the …

Pinnacle Foods to Exit Certain Aunt Jemima Products

Pinnacle Foods Inc. issued a press release May 8 noting that it would exit certain “low-margin and non-strategic” Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast products. The cuts would include items in both the foodservice and retail sectors. …

USDA to Allow Importation of Argentine Lemons

Argentine lemon growers can finally release a sigh of relief: USDA will not again extend the stay of an interim rule regarding the importation of such products into the U.S., allowing the rule to take …