Consumer Insights
Consumer trade-offs in the face of inflation
As consumers are feeling the squeeze of inflation, their food choices and grocery shopping habits are shifting.
Results for "food label"
Technology
How ultraviolet light is improving food production and safety
Scientists are increasingly using ultraviolet light to aid in food production and safety from farm to table.
Food
The complicated business of foodservice coffee
As fewer consumers opt to go to a cafe or a drive-through for their daily cup of coffee, what can foodservice operators do to drive traffic?
Technology
How plant-based meat is evolving for the future
The future for plant-based meat goes way beyond burgers, chicken nuggets and traditional retail channels.
Food
Food retailers infiltrate new categories with private-label products
Store brands. Own brands. Private labels. However food retailers refer to their own lines of product offerings, they are anything but generic, and, bolstered by a number of factors, they are enjoying their time in the spotlight and food retailers are taking advantage of the attention by innovating in more product categories than ever before.
CPG
Why consumers are reaching for the avocado oil
The health benefits, food waste reductions and high smoke point are among the reasons why avocado oil is a major trend in 2023.
Sponsored
Great American Plant Company wants to help restaurants, retailers offer delicious, affordable plant-based proteins under their own brands
To help its retail and restaurant customers succeed, private-label brand Great American Plant Company brought on Chief Sales Officer Armetha Pihlstrom, who discusses how the company empowers its customers to make their brands household names in the plant-based category.
Food
Restaurants craft proprietary plant-based proteins that go beyond off-the-shelf products
In the quest to offer more meatless options, some restaurants are producing proprietary plant-based proteins, which allows them to tweak recipes to suit customers’ palates and values, and can offer more control when it comes to costs and product availability.
Food
Food retailers fight inflation with creative solutions
Find out how grocers are overcoming inflation-related obstacles and boosting customer relations via innovation to meet shifting behaviors.
Consumer Insights
How inflation is affecting decisions in the produce aisle
Demand for organic produce surged after the start of the pandemic and sales are still strong overall even as inflation drives belt-tightening.
Consumer Insights
Coffee drinkers increasingly brew premium, specialty blends at home
As pandemic-related food and beverage trends persist, consumers are attracted to quality, unique coffee products to enjoy at home.
Consumer Insights
Into the mainstream: What’s next for organic foods and beverages?
Organic foods and beverages across categories are more accessible than ever before in terms of both availability and price.
Food Retail
Innovation in private-label grocery products is capturing consumer loyalty
Food retailers have focused on product innovation and affordable prices to bolster their in-store brands.
Marketing
Understanding the influence of heritage on Black consumers
Numerator’s Amanda Schoenbauer details findings from her firm’s study on Black consumers, and how their heritage influences their shopping.
CPG
Connected packaging builds valuable digital experiences
Consumer packaged goods brands seek out connected packaging to create innovative marketing opportunities establish consumer trust.
Leadership
Are you a low-effort thinker?
Learn the signs of low-effort thinking and why you aren't immune to it.
Consumer Insights
What’s trending for ice cream?
Ice cream consumers are gravitating toward offerings that focus on indulgence, unusual flavors and vegan ingredients.
Food
Top 10: Campbell’s Soup’s new look, Walmart’s education investment and a new team at McDonald’s
Campbell's Soup cans got their first update in about 50 years.
Voice of the Educator
How to empower students to hear — not fear — different perspectives
The skill of communicating across differences is key for teaching students how to avoid the trap of labels -- and the “us” versus “them” mentality. The Moral Courage method can help students turn tense moments into rich conversations.
Food
Top 10: School meals, vegan food at Target and Chipotle’s wage increases
School nutrition, new plant-based foods at Target and Chipotle's pay raises made news this week.
Food
The food industry turns its focus to sesame
A rise in sesame allergies has caused a stir in the food industry in recent years. How are the government and the food industry responding?
Food
Top 10: Restaurant help on the way, new line to launch at Target, Ferrero celebrates Easter
Read the stories that resonated with most of SmartBrief's food-and-beverage readers this week.
Consumer Insights
How the pandemic fed the growth of food subscription services
The pandemic-era surge in online shopping has also fueled growth of subscription services offering safe regular deliveries.
Food
Top 10: $25B relief package for restaurants, cereal-flavored ice cream, less shaving = more beard oil
Legislative news involving the foodservice industry and stories about how a change in shaving tendencies is affecting CPG product lines made this week's top 10.
Consumer Insights
Restaurants vs. retail: Breaking down consumers’ plant-based appetites
Plant-based products are continuing to grow in popularity, both at restaurants and food retail, and certain product categories have emerged as consumer favorites in each channel.
Food
Retailers, manufacturers make CBD moves
With interest in the category only growing, where do manufacturers and food retailers stand on CBD-infused products?
Sponsored
Lamb options in the meat case feed consumer cravings for more variety
US consumers are cooking at home more than ever, and grass-fed lamb is a versatile, nutritious protein with endless culinary possibilities. Adding lamb to the meat case can appeal to shoppers looking to shake up their routine.
Edtech
Character education and development during the pandemic
Practical SEL strategies and character development for younger elementary students in school and during school closures.
CPG
Is the world getting close to its first taste of cultured meat?
Cultured meat startups won bigger investments in 2019 as they worked to make their products affordable and accessible.
Food
Top 10: Mondelez makes growth plans, Trader Joe’s to rebrand ethnic lines
Mondelez plans to feed pandemic-era demand for comfort food, Trader Joe's will rebrand its ethnic food lines in response to demand.
Food Retail
Private label plays a growing role in plant-based grocery trends
Kroger-owned King Soopers was recognized in a recent report for its range of private-label plant-based products.
Food
As secondary brands surge, CPG leaders need a digital playbook
For legacy CPG brands looking to compete with rising private label brands, the playbook for success has everything to do with digital, and centers around three necessary points of connection.
Consumer Insights
Series: How to deliver on what today’s health-conscious food consumers want
Whether it’s wanting healthier versions of classic dishes and snack foods or searching for grocery items that cater to particular dietary needs, the quest for a healthier lifestyle is pervading the food industry in full force.
Sponsored
Dispel these 3 myths to address consumer concerns at the meat case
Transparency and traceability are tools brands and retailers can use to clear up misunderstandings about animal welfare, antibiotic use and other aspects of meat production.
Sponsored
Quality and consistency influence which beef shoppers put in their baskets
Consumers are looking for quality and consistency at the meat case, and 25% of shoppers prefer manufacturer brands when buying fresh meat.
Food
Functional food and beverages persist during coronavirus
Shoppers are looking for snacks and beverages with ingredients that promote health and wellness, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
CPG
Category challenges: Catalysts for greater innovation or causes for decline
Between the rise of challenger categories and private label pursuers, how can we continue to unlock growth potential in the complicated and fast-changing food business?
Sponsored
Custom labels give grab-and-go customers the full picture of what’s on their plate
Off-premise foodservice is on the rise, and labels can make grab-and-go meals even more convenient by offering customers nutrition and ingredient info up front.
Sponsored
Online grocery shopping can help retailers increase their reach, boost impulse buys
Online grocery spending is projected to triple by 2023 to $74 billion, according to Acosta research. As more consumers turn to online ordering, retailers have a growing opportunity to reach a greater number of shoppers and boost sales.
Restaurant and Foodservice
The rise of natural winemaking means more accidentally vegan vintages
A growing number of vegans are seeking wines made without animal products.
Food
Top 10: Walmart’s wellness gummies, J. Alexander’s new concept, Crate & Barrel’s restaurant plans
Walmart's plans for a private-label line of wellness gummies topped this week's list of most-clicked food-and-beverage stories.
Food
Top 10: Whole Foods CEO on Amazon and marriage, Heinz releases Ed Sheeran bottles
Marriage…Ed Sheeran…don’t worry, we’re still focused on food and beverage -- this week’s most-read stories just ran the gamut, touching on some topics that spread a bit beyond the usual.