Row 7, a new seed company co-founded by high-profile chef Dan Barber and backed by former Whole Foods Co-CEO Walter Robb (among others) is promising to restore character, flavor and nutrition to produce that’s grown blander and more uniform from decades...
While NAFTA’s status remains in limbo, the US Department of Agriculture is “leaving no stone unturned” in its efforts to strike trade agreements with countries outside of North America that will benefit US farmers, ranchers and manufacturers of finished...
Products made from insect protein have been hailed as both sustainable and healthy. For this reason, direct sales to health conscious gym bunnies are a “huge opportunity”, according to the founder of high-growth insect processor Eat Grub.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to “burrow out” overly restrictive regulations, “strike the best deal” for trade and “get a reasonable solution to an agriculture workforce,” amid the ongoing immigration debate, Sec. Sonny Perdue told stakeholders...
Jeff Harmening, General Mills’ CEO, told attendants at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) the company could see more acquisitions as part of its ‘reshape the portfolio for growth’ strategy.
'No one wants to pay more than they have to for groceries...'
Consumers are tired of cavernous stores with “90 different jars of pasta sauce,” said Tom Cindel, director of operations at ALDI’s Moreno Valley, CA, division, pointing to a shelf at the recently opened store in Monrovia, CA. “We just buy this one, it’s...
Gluten-free products are already widely perceived as a better-for-you option, but occasional gluten-free shoppers would like to see additional health claims added to the label, new consumer research reveals.
The steady growth of Kashi’s Certified Transitional program in the past two years along with positive consumer and retailer response to the protocol shows how paying more for ingredients from farms in the process of becoming certified organic can also...
Unilever has become the first consumer goods company to publicly disclose all the suppliers and mills it buys palm oil from, both directly and indirectly, it says.
With glyphosate in the spotlight again as anti-GMO activist group Moms Across America released test results suggesting trace levels of the herbicide (commonly used with GE crops) in brands from Lipton to Skippy’s, we spoke to Amin Talati Upadhye attorney...
Consumers are embracing online grocery shopping nearly twice as fast as predicted just a year ago, but there are still significant barriers that retailers must address to maximize their reach across channels, according to new Nielsen data.
As a relative newcomer to the baby food category, Nosh wants to do more than just feed babies' and toddlers' stomachs, it wants to feed their minds with products that teach foundational skills and knowledge.
With its distinctive brand and commitment to high protein, Lenny & Larry’s has carved out a loyal following and success across multiple retail channels, so what’s next for the company?
Love and passion, not a bottomless bank account and fierce competitive spirit, are the cornerstones for Bob’s Red Mill’s longevity and success, according to founder Bob Moore, who recently celebrated his 89th birthday and has overseen operations at the...
US retail sales of culinary coconut oil – a category demonstrating explosive growth in recent years – have continued to decline, according to new data from SPINS, with the strongest reversal of fortunes in the conventional (MULO) channel, where sales...
An infusion of $2OO million from a series E fundraise could help long-time Whole Foods Market delivery service Instacart hold its own against the retailer’s new owner Amazon’s decision last week to test two-hour delivery of the grocer’s products through...
A new study published in The BMJ yesterday suggests that consuming ultra-processed foods could increase the risk of developing some cancers, but the researchers and public health experts warn that significantly more science is necessary before drawing...
While the hype over edible insects has died down somewhat over the past couple of years, the demand for so-called ‘alternative’ proteins has not, and if suppliers can develop more efficient farming techniques, the potential market for protein-packed bugs...
More than half of US adults will celebrate Valentine’s Day today by spending a record-breaking $20.1 billion, or about $150 each on average, on “holiday indulgences,” including a variety of traditional sweets and better-for-you foods and beverages, according...
Responding to consumers’ increasingly fragmented dietary preferences, GoMacro revamps the packaging for its low-sugar Thrive bars to better communicate “how accommodating” the protein bars are for a variety of restrictions and needs, according to the...
A controversial recommendation in the White House’s budget proposal released Feb. 12 to overhaul how benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, are delivered to recipients could cost food retailers billions...
The Philadelphia Eagles were not the only big winner during the Super Bowl LII earlier this month, Mountain Dew, Pepsi and Doritos also were victorious with commercials that not only grabbed headlines and generated social media buzz, but also drove near...
The number of consumers seeking out and purchasing organic foods or products with clean labels continues to rise, with the products seen as healthier, more nutritious and more environmentally friendly, says a new report.
New legislation that would increase funding for organic agriculture research could help close the expanding gap between growing consumer demand for organic products and insufficient organic supply, according to legislators and industry stakeholders.
While most consumers remain blissfully ignorant of their role in food production, enzymes – nature’s microscopic biological catalysts - are helping firms improve product quality, clean up labels, reduce costs and lower their environmental impact, helping...
Sustainable often pops up in marketing to describe how products are made or packaged, and while consumers increasingly buy these products at a premium, some in the natural products industry fear the concept is becoming greenwashed while others say the...
A highly functional, neutral-tasting chickpea flour that mimics the functionality of wheat flour but also “behaves like modified starch in some applications” could significantly improve the organoleptic and nutritional profile of gluten-free pastas, baked...
The food industry remains on the hook along with families and local communities to more actively address childhood weight gain after new research published yesterday in The BMJ found comprehensive school-based programs that promote healthy-eating and...
More products boasting the energy-managing, cognitive-enhancing and mood-moderating effects of adaptogens, CBD and nootropics will break out in 2018 as consumers continue to seek holistic and preventive ways to manage their mental health, according to...
It started as an experiment. Would busy parents be prepared to pay for a service that delivered a week’s supply of pre-packed, nutritionally-balanced kids’ lunches to their homes, giving them one less thing to worry about?
Think you’re on safe ground if you follow the letter of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act? It’s a good start, said attorneys at a recent webinar, but it won’t stop you getting sued: “We’re beyond the days when you can just check for compliance with FDA...
More than 1,600 foods and beverages evaluated by the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program will lose stars and roughly 1,400 items will gain stars as of Feb. 1 when the program updates how it assesses the nutritional quality of products to better reflect...
Consumers are embracing grocery shopping online faster than originally anticipated, and both manufacturers and brick-and-mortar retailers are at risk of being caught flat-footed unless they quickly hire the staff and build the technology necessary to...
There has been a notable increase in demand for coconut, sunflower and safflower oil, coupled with increased interest in Non-GMO and organic options in the fats and oils arena, say experts at value added vegetable oils specialist AAK USA.
Despite downward price pressure in the nutrition bar category, Bobo’s continues to sell its organic oat bars for nearly three times as much as its competitors – helping it curry favor with retailers and earn prime in-store positioning that further boosts...
While some commentators still suspect that the ‘emperor has no clothes’ despite the steady influx of cash being pumped into the burgeoning meal kit industry, the meteoric growth at Sun Basket – which boasts industry-leading margins as well as customer...
Peanut butter and jelly maker JM Smucker Co. prepares for the departure of the head of its food and beverage for the US at a delicate time when it is navigating shifting consumer preferences away from “big food” and rising supply costs for some of its...
Consumer demand for products that are healthier for them is quickly expanding to include those that also are better for the environment – creating new opportunities for companies that strive to be more sustainable and barriers for those that do not, according...
Inspiring consumers through beautiful Pinterest posts, delicious recipes, heart-warming blog posts and viral videos can help build brand awareness, but the most effective digital marketers also make each experience easily shoppable, according to new research...
For the first time, Generation Z is emerging as an influencer in grocery spending and early indications suggests that they will favor more organic, healthy products as well as authentic and multicultural offerings, according to new research from Acosta....
The launch of Amazon Go and a separate $5.5 million infusion of seed preferred financing into Cargo’s “in-car commerce platform,” underscore how quickly the grocery channel landscape is changing and the need for brands to take an omni-channel marketing...
The increasing speed with which new fads emerge and old ones fade can leave companies scrambling to innovate and launch products before consumer whims shift, but as cookie maker Donsuemor shows there are other ways to meet changing trends without changing...
Members of Congress chastise the US Department of Agriculture in a Jan. 17 letter for threatening to withdraw a widely popular final rule passed in the 11th hour of the Obama Administration that would heighten animal welfare standards for organic producers.
The jury may be out still on whether trace amounts of the popular herbicide glyphosate pose health risks to humans, but industry insiders predict mounting consumer fear about the possibility will pressure more food and beverage manufacturers in 2018 to...
The explosion of new diet plans that demonize carbohydrates offer a unique opportunity for fiber ingredients that can be added to foods or be offered as standalone dietary ingredients.
Hoping to overcome sales-limiting stereotypes about prunes and expand when and how people consume them, the California Dried Plum Board is teaming with the meal kit provider Chef’d to showcase the dried fruit’s diverse uses and benefits in three new meals...
The global financial crisis that began with the housing market crash in 2008 may technically be over, but its long-term impact will continue to influence how consumers spend their money in 2018 and beyond and which companies and brand they support, according...
From cannabis cuisine - Jeff Sessions’ recent interventions notwithstanding - to ‘intrinsic nutrition' (a renewed focus on nutrient-dense foods naturally rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, and other nutrients), here are 10 macro trends to watch...
A joint venture between ingredient suppliers Cargill and PURIS announced today will allow for the significant expansion of pea protein production at a time when more consumers are looking for plant-based options that deliver health benefits, are sustainable...
