Demographics of Consumer Food Spending, 2017 Edition For the past three years at the Food Institute, I’ve been tasked with compiling the data for our annual Demographics of Consumer Food Spending book. Using the most …
Spring has sprung, and across the country, produce farmers are gearing up for the 2017 season. North Carolina strawberry farmers are preparing for the second harvest, picking the crop at least two weeks early because …
Health proponents hail them, and sweetened beverage makers demonize them: so-called “soda” taxes are popping up across the country, and they are creating waves in the food industry. However, the question of whether or not …
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) filed a petition with FDA to delay the effective date of a rule on food labeling. The petition, dated April 5, called …
It’s a few days until Easter Sunday, and it’s a pretty important time for grocers looking to sell a variety of items. From asparagus to strawberries, from ham to lamb, and from eggs to seasonal …
It is high… it is far… it is… off the wall for a double. Local Yankee fans have been blessed with the voice of John Sterling as the voice of radio broadcasts since 1989. Known …
April is upon us, and up here in the Northeast, we are all smiling as the late-season snow has melted away. My beloved Yankees are sitting at .500, and the long campaign that is the …
Sugary tax legislation is a tricky thing. While health advocates and legislators note it’s a win-win that both promotes public health and raises revenue from the government, industry operators argue such legislation puts an uneccessary …
For food producers, word of mouth was always an important way to spread news about a product. However, in a world that is becoming ever-more digital, social engagement is becoming more and more important. Engagement …
Brazilian police raided the premises of global meatpacking companies JBS SA and BRF SA March 17 as part of a corruption probe. Authorities allege bribery of health officials that could impact the country’s $12 billion …
Avian flu continues to spread in Europe and Asia, and it is now spreading within the U.S. border. Since our last update on March 6, the avian flu has spread to Giles County, TN, and …
There’s some more bad news for Chipotle Mexican Grill: the company plans to close all 15 of its ShopHouse restaurants, ending its attempt to expand into Asian fusion. The company previously explored other options for …
Regular readers of Today in Food will remember the avian influenza scare that hit the U.S. in 2015 and 2016. They’ll also probably remember that the virus is ravaging flocks in Asia and Europe in …
It’s easy to be spoiled when it comes to pizza here in the New York City metropolitan market. From small hole-in-the-wall pizzerias in Manhattan to suburban mom-and-pop shops to major national chains, we certainly don’t …
The fast-food landscape is always competitive. With so many chains competing within the market and emerging fast-casual chains taking a portion of market share, fast-food companies are being forced to innovate. Recently, Wendy’s has shown …
When it comes to regulatory legal battles, it is often the case that two opposing sides are pitted against each other. Washington state is contending with an interesting situation regarding proposed discharge permits for dairies …
Following and reporting on the news isn’t always the easiest job. Even the most trustworthy sources can make mistakes, and after a story is published, it sometimes takes a life of its own. Like we …
The last 24 hours have been fairly interesting for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, as reports circulated that Restaurant Brands International Inc. was in talks with the company for a potential acquisition. And during that timeframe, it …
It should be no surprise to regular readers of the Food Institute Blog and our other publications that younger shoppers are eschewing traditional food products for natural and organic ones. It seems that every week, …
When the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company first unveiled its bankruptcy plans in 2015, we here at the Food Institute took particular notice. One of its Pathmark stores was just a stone’s throw away …
In 2017, I’m not sure anything is more important for retailers, and grocers, than an online presence. Whether a company is an online startup or an established brick-and-mortar retailer, consumers are increasingly expecting digital offerings …
Another week passes, and more news from McDonald’s hits the web. In just the span of a week, the company has unveiled a surprise, made promises to invest in technology, released overseas franchising and product …
January is proving to be difficult for Florida growers. From storms to price decreases, agricultural producers in the region are contending with a myriad of challenges impacting their businesses and the quality of their products. …
Over the past few years, I’m not sure anything in the fast-food sector garnered as much attention as McDonald’s decision to begin offering all-day breakfast. Long awaited by many of the brand’s fans, and spear-headed …
Things can move very quickly in the food industry, and Tom Vilsack is the perfect example. In less than a week, the former agriculture secretary resigned from his post and landed as the head of …
Here’s a fun trivia question for you: who was President Barack Obama’s longest-serving Cabinet secretary? USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack lays claim to that feat, but all good things must come to an end. On Jan. …
Jan. 10 was a busy day for packaged food rivals The Kellogg Co. and General Mills as both unveiled their product portfolio plans for the new year. New products, new varieties and new takes on …
McDonald’s has done a lot of work to turn around its business in the U.S. in recent years, and the company is now making moves to turn around its fortunes overseas. The company reached a …
Things haven’t been easy for Dungeness crabbers on the West Coast in recent years. Algae blooms and Domoic acid outbreaks have led to a variety of harvest closures from California through Canada. However, now that …
Daily readers of Today in Food likely have noticed a trend in our Washington section over the past few years. From Hershey’s to McCormick Spices and seemingly every company in between, food and beverage producers …
Shoppers looking through the meat case for the holiday season and the new year will likely see lower retail prices on beef, even for popular holiday cuts like the tenderloin and rib roast. What’s driving …
We are in the final stretch of 2016: Thanksgiving is over, and grocery retailers are looking forward to holiday sales fueled by Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza and New Year’s Eve celebrations. However, certain things will be …
The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Microsoft vs. Apple. Star Wars or Star Trek? The list of classic rivalries goes on, but in the food sector, is there one as storied as …
Is there anything more polarizing thna genetically-modified crops? Proponents note that the GMO traits allow farm products to be perfected and grown even in the most adverse conditions, while those against the production technique cite …
It’s the week after Thanksgiving, and people across the nation are starting to think about the upcoming holidays. After enjoying a calorie-loaded feast Nov. 24, and anticipating more food opportunities as the end of the …
U.S. consumers enjoy bananas just as much as anyone, but I was surprised to see that Japan is also one of the biggest banana-devouring nations in the world. The country relies upon imports for over …
