CPG
Trends report: The latest in sweets and snacks
From combination flavors to better-for-you treats, the sweets and snacks category is seeing a bevy of new trends.
Food
Restaurant and Foodservice
Restaurants roll back restrictions as more people get vaccinated, but most stop short of requiring proof
Many US restaurants are taking an “honor system” approach when it comes to customers’ vaccination status in an effort to avoid pushback from guests and the possibility of running afoul of state rules against asking for proof of vaccination.
Food Retail
Grocers continue to make e-commerce moves
The pandemic has upended the grocery industry and food retailers large and small are catering to a more digital clientele.
Restaurant and Foodservice
How restaurants can encourage and empower employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19
Many US restaurants are encouraging employees and patrons to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and providing incentives for those who do. However, legal complications are keeping most restaurant operators from making vaccination mandatory.
Food
Top 10: Grocer growth plans, Wendy’s new ad
News of expansion from ALDI and Lidl, as well as a new Wendy's ad, made news this week.
Consumer Insights
5 food & beverage trends accelerated, altered or accentuated by the pandemic
We are living through an unprecedented time in which the pandemic has accelerated, altered or accentuated trends in many spheres of food and beverage culture.
CPG
Investors see the potential in plant-based alternatives
Investor interest in plant-based foods continues to grow after high-profile IPOs and growing consumer demand.
Food
Post-pandemic restaurant success means balancing the new normal with old habits
Findings from Datassential’s Firefly 500+ report reveal an analysis of the country’s 500 largest restaurant chains and the most pressing industry trends.
Food
SmartSummit: Fighting racism through the food and hospitality industries
Last week, experts gathered at SmartBrief’s Food & Beverage SmartSummit to discusswhat actions the industry take to make meaningful contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Food
Top 10: High-ranking grocers, restaurant mask guidance, Hershey’s acquisition
Tales of grocers, restaurant mask guidance and Hershey grabbed reader attention this week.
Consumer Insights
Indoor gardening is here to stay
In a time when food and beverage consumers valued essential products, healthy eating, convenience and home-cooked meals, the indoor gardening market was poised for significant growth.
Consumer Insights
Will the future food supply chain reflect pandemic-era changes?
Innovative food companies and delivery platforms took lead roles in the pandemic.
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.
Consumer Insights
Health & wellness in the US today: Cultural shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic
Several long-term shifts have been reshaping the American health and wellness landscape over the past two decades.
Sponsored
How milk nourishes people and planet
Yin Rani, CEO of MilkPEP, discusses some of the sustainability success stories in the US dairy industry and how farmers and processors are working to further reduce their carbon footprint.
Restaurant and Foodservice
Creating plant-forward menus that serve the planet, consumers and the bottom line
Finding ways to cater to customers’ plant-forward tastes and innovate with new dishes and practices that benefit the environment and boost the bottom line will be key to the next chapter of the plant-forward movement, a panel of chefs said.
Sponsored
From recalls to rebrands: The evolution of crisis and issues management
In this interview, Premiere Response co-founder and Executive Vice President of Customer Engagement Beth Ziff discusses how working with a customer relationship management firm can give brands an edge when dealing with recalls and other issues.
Food
Top 10: Clorox prices, Target’s new stores, chicken sandwiches
News about Clorox, Target and the world of crispy chicken sandwiches piqued SmartBrief readers' interest this week.
CPG
Is the future of produce all in the genes?
Gene-editing tool Crispr could be responsible for more of what's in consumers' crisper drawers.
Sponsored
Q&A: What brands need to adapt to today’s unpredictable and accelerating pace of change
In this interview, Acosta Chief Growth Officer John Carroll discusses the changes that the grocery retail industry has experienced over the past year, and what brands -- and Acosta -- are doing to keep pace with the changing landscape.
CPG
Why consumer data is key to growth for F&B companies
The ability to speedily gather, analyze and act on massive amounts of information is permanently changing the food and beverage landscape.
Sponsored
Q&A: Exploring the pandemic’s effect on the frozen food category
Acosta Senior Manager of Business Intelligence Christina Davis discusses what factors are driving growth in the frozen food category and what retailers and frozen food brands can do to maintain growth and attract new customers.
Food
Top 10: Free school meals, sustainability goals, Reese’s-themed makeup
Read this week's 10 most popular food-and-beverage stories on SmartBrief.
Sponsored
Q&A: Why the POS of the past doesn’t work for today’s ghost kitchens
In this interview, OrderB4 founder and CEO Randy Murphy discusses the virtual kitchen system's origins in restaurants and what makes it an ideal solution for brands, ghost kitchen operators and consumers.
Consumer Insights
Datassential: Subscription models shined in 2020, will see further growth
There were few bright spots for restaurants in 2020. The subscription model was one of them.
Food
Top 10: Amazon’s grocery plans, Taco Bell’s digital store model, Honest Co.’s IPO
Read this week's 10 most popular food-and-beverage stories on SmartBrief
Sponsored
Creating easy, adaptable school meals with mashed potatoes
Fresh-dried potatoes are a time-saving pantry staple that can work for breakfast or lunch, both in the cafeteria and for grab-and-go.
Consumer Insights
What’s next for dairy alternatives?
From plant-based to animal-free dairy, substitutes to traditional milk, ice cream and other dairy products have soared in popularity and are expected to continue to grow in the future.
Food Retail
Farmers’ markets played a bigger role in feeding America in the pandemic
Farmers' markets around the US became essential sources of fresh, local food during the pandemic.
Sponsored
Keep students engaged with meals and activities all school year long
Keep students engaged with what’s going on at school through meals and activities inspired by holidays and the seasons.
Sponsored
Q&A: How the pandemic will shape grocery shopping habits for years to come
Colin Stewart, executive vice president of business intelligence at Acosta, discusses which pandemic-era changes will be part of the “new normal” and what grocery retailers can do to meet shoppers’ evolving needs.
Consumer Insights
The power of personalization in food shopping: Two online retailers show the way
Consumer priorities in food and beverages have shifted toward finding items that signal increased personalization to health and wellness needs and goals.
CPG
Branding lessons from top food and beverage companies
How do the top food and beverage brands dominate the industry? They've invested in consistent branding.
Food
Top 10: Rethinking the buffet, Pepsi x Peeps, H-E-B’s new flagship store
SmartBrief’s food and beverage readers were interested in news about Golden Corral’s buffet, a Pepsi and Peeps collaboration and stories about food retail.
Consumer Insights
What role will robots play in the future of food delivery?
With demand for convenient and contactless food delivery options on the rise, autonomous delivery vehicles have the potential to be a game-changer for foodservice and food retail.
Food Retail
What’s on tap for beer sales in 2021?
Retail sales of beer grew in stores and online during the pandemic, with some trends expected to continue in 2021.
Restaurant and Foodservice
Burger trends: Balance between meat and not, daring and classic
From innovative sauces and high-end meats and cheeses to innovative replacements for the traditional bun, Datassential takes a look at the the biggest opportunities for growth in the ever-successful category.
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: New goldfish crackers and a Fresh Market IPO
Pepperidge Farm and Ferrero have created new snacks, The Fresh Market plans to go public and $1.9T COVID-19 relief plan helps restaurants.
Consumer Insights
The pandemic has dramatically altered the way Americans snack
The pandemic emerged to disrupt consumers’ food and beverage purchase and consumption routines and significantly alter the current nature of snacking in America.
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.