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Non-discount restaurant chains are getting pulled into the value wars. The industry’s preoccupation with price is forcing brands to change tactics in marketing and on the menu (even if they refuse to discount), reported Restaurant Business. Full Story
From $8 strawberries to $400 pineapples, a niche group of U.S. shoppers are paying top dollar for premium fruits. What motivates these consumers to spend so much on luxury produce? Food Institute Focus
The newly FDA-approved sweet protein brazzein could offer a sweet solution to the world's growing sugar problem. In fact, Oobli is banking on it. Food Institute Focus
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U.S. import prices fell for the first time in five months in May, providing a boost to the domestic inflation outlook, according to the Department of Labor. However, consumer sentiment was not lifted as it hit a seven-month low in June, reported Reuters. Full Story
McDonald’s is ending its drive-thru AI experiment with IBM. After two years of testing at over 100 sites, McDonald’s plans to remove AI implementation in its drive-thrus without immediate plans for further expansion. McDonald’s remains confident that “a voice ordering solution for drive-thru will be part of our restaurant’s future,” reported Restaurant Business. Full Story
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There will be a private reception on June 24, 5-8 pm to benefit Wellfare.org during the Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC at Legacy Records, a cool space within walking distance to Javits Center. | |
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Waffle House is implementing price hikes after increasing wages. CEO Joe Rogers III explained in a video message to employees that while customers in urban centers will see higher price increases, suburban areas will experience more modest hikes, reported RetailWire. Full Story
The Buc-ee’s convenience store chain has become a champion of electric vehicles. Though many EV makers are scaling back production, Buc-ee’s is building out its EV charging infrastructure, reported Fast Company. Full Story
We could be about to embark on the summer of soft-serve ice cream. Multiple examples suggest that soft-serve ice cream’s reach is expanding far beyond fast food, reported Restaurant Business. Full Story
Cattle are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions; Hawaiian seaweed may offer a solution. Businesses in the Hawaii area are getting funding boosts to help make farmed algae part of the solution to address the amount of methane that cattle produce, reported Grist. Full Story
Group of Seven leaders pledged to step up efforts against global malnutrition. The G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative will aim to "overcome structural barriers to food security and nutrition," according to a draft statement from the group, reported Reuters. Full Story
Latest sales & earnings for food-related companies (Updated Daily - FI Membership Required)
New Product News: Elijah's Xtreme Gourmet Sauces is commemorating its 10th anniversary with a limited-edition ghost pepper hot sauce. The brand was started by a father and son team selling at local farmer's markets and now boasts an international presence. Full Story
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From creative flavor combinations to the rising popularity of international flavors, it’s clear that consumers want more than a meal – they want an experience. What are the current trends? What are the key takeaways? And what’s the bottom line for food businesses? Watch Here | |
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Danone is increasing its investments in nutritional drinks for cancer patients and the elderly, betting an aging population will boost long-term growth. The dairy and plant-based business, which produces Actimel yogurt drinks and Alpro soy milk, remains Danone’s biggest unit, notching some $15 billion in annual sales, reported Bloomberg. Full Story
Ahmisa Companies acquired Minneapolis plant-based company Wicked Kitchen. The move is the latest in a series of consolidations and sales slowdowns in the plant-based industry; Ahmisa paid an undisclosed sum to add Wicked Kitchen to its plant-based seafood brands, Good Catch and Current Foods, reported The Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Full Story
Foodwaste startup Goterra is getting into aquaculture food supply. Goterra recycles food waste using modular maggot-based robotic systems. Black soldier larvae eventually eat through the waste, converting it into high-value, low-impact protein and fertilizer in less than two weeks, reported Startup Daily. Full Story
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China officially called for an anti-dumping probe into imports of EU pork and Spain is already calling for negotiations to avoid the tariffs. China's investigation into EU pork imports seems to be focused on Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Denmark, reported Reuters. Full Story
Meanwhile, Chinese Premier li Quiang visited New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra. The meeting was said to be "very positive" as China expressed demand for New Zealand's agricultural products, reported Reuters. Full Story
Food supplies in southern Gaza are at risk according to at least one UN official. The official noted that the risk of famine had been most acute in northern Gaza in recent months, but distribution of aid has been hampered by military operations, reported Reuters. Full Story
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Standard pasteurization methods may not fully destroy H5N1 avian influenza as a study from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found small amounts of infectious virus during testing. "This finding indicates the potential for a relatively small but detectable quantity of H5N1 virus to remain infectious in milk after 15 seconds at 72 degrees C. if the initial virus levels were sufficiently high," reported Reuters. Full Story | |
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Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. is recalling whole cucumbers shipped to 14 states, according to the FDA. Consumers are being advised to check with their local grocery store to see if the affected cucumbers were sold where they shop, reported NJ.com. Full Story
Classic Delight LLC of St. Mary’s, Ohio, has issued a recall of individually wrapped sandwiches due to possible Listeria contamination. The sandwiches were shipped to distributors in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, Maryland, and may end up in foodservice, convenience stores, and vending. Full Story
The U.S. barred imports of Chinese goods from certain companies due to the use of forced Uyghur labor. Food processor Shandong Meijia Group Co was among the targeted companies, reported Reuters. Full Story
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Northwest Cherry Growers projected a strong season for the crop. Analysts say cherries are well spread through the tree canopy with less larger clusters than in 2023, and warm weather is ramping volumes up, reported Fresh Fruit Portal. Full Story
Mango producers in Mexico shipped about 3.4 million boxes of product the week ending June 8 according to the National Mango Board. The Mexican season is expected to be about 0.5% higher year-over-year. Full Story
U.S. turkey eggs in incubators on June 1 totaled 23 million, down 16% from June 1, 2023, according to USDA. Eggs in incubators were down 8% from the May 1 total of 25 million eggs. Full Report
Peanut prices received by farmers for all farmer stock peanuts averaged 26 cents per pound for the week ending June 8, up 0.4 cent from the previous week, according to USDA. Full Report
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Wonderful Citrus is America’s largest integrated grower, shipper and packer of fresh citrus, including clementine/mandarin, navel and Valencia oranges; lemons; limes; grapefruits; and other citrus varieties. Wonderful Citrus owns, cultivates and harvests nearly 60,000 acres of fresh citrus and ships around the world each year to ensure a year-round supply. Our citrus can be found in all channels of distribution, most visible in the produce department of grocery stores across America under the flagship consumer brand of Wonderful® Halos® mandarins. | |
To learn more about this Food Institute Member, please visit: wonderful.com. | |
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