NPPC Welcomes Comment Period Extension for Packer and Stockyards Competition Proposed Rule

NPPC appreciates USDA’s move to extend the comment period for the Packers & Stockyards Act proposed rule on Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity. Pork producers rely on enforcement of the Act to ensure fair marketing opportunities and support policies that allow them to make decisions that best fit their unique circumstances. NPPC joined with other stakeholders and members of Congress in requesting the additional time to comment on this proposed rule to allow greater participation throughout the pork and livestock industries and ensure producer voices are heard...

Small Business Administration Releases $83 Million in Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants

Last week, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released the remaining $83 million in funding in the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) program.

“The SBA has contacted the recipients of the awards. In addition to other SBA assistance programs, the RRF has helped more than 100,000 restaurants and other food and beverage business owners survive the pandemic. The SBA and the Biden-Harris Administration are committed to help struggling restaurants get back to business with currently available products and resources...

The Fresh Market is Your Holiday Celebration Destination

The holidays are truly a time to be savored. And for more than 40 years, The Fresh Market has been helping guests make their holidays special—and easy—with fully prepped meals, desserts, party platters, gift ideas, and ways to give back.

Gifts That Surprise and Delight

This year, The Fresh Market is the destination for gift giving—whether it’s putting together a gift basket, a stocking or need a last-minute gift, the specialty food retailer has an array of options. Those include a variety of stocking stuffers, all affordably priced...

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Signs Franchise & Development Agreement to Debut in Canada

Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® announced today the signing of a Master Franchise and Development Agreement in Canada to begin growing Freddy's footprint across nine of Canada's provinces excluding Quebec, marking the brand's entry into the country. Led by veteran franchisees Jim Werschler and Gregg Most of North 49 Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, the deal is part of the brand's latest efforts to strategically expand across target markets throughout North America as new operators join its attractive franchise model. The Master Franchise and Development...

Record 196.7 Million Consumers Shop Over Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend

A record 196.7 million Americans shopped in stores and online during the five-day holiday shopping period from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The total number of shoppers grew by nearly 17 million from 2021 and is the highest figure since NRF first started tracking this data in 2017. 

“The Thanksgiving holiday shopping weekend is a tradition treasured by many American families,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “As inflationary pressures persist..."

Congress Must Act to Prevent Rail Service Disruptions

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) released the following statement today urging congressional action to prevent rail service disruptions:

“The National Turkey Federation urges Congress to act swiftly on legislation to resolve rail labor disputes and prevent disruptions to rail service. The freight rail system plays an important role in the food and agriculture supply chain, including the transport of feed ingredients essential to turkey production. Transportation delays could have a sizable impact on turkey producers and consumers...”

CFO Glenn Nunziata to Leave Smithfield Foods at Year's End

Smithfield Foods today announced that Chief Financial Officer Glenn Nunziata will leave the company at the end of the year. The company named Mark Hall, currently Smithfield's executive vice president, finance, as its new CFO, effective January 1, 2023.

"We are grateful to Glenn for his invaluable contributions to Smithfield as CFO over the last seven years," said Shane Smith, Smithfield's president and CEO. "During Glenn's tenure, we have become a better company, achieving new levels of operational excellence and a strengthened balance sheet while growing organically..."

Hold the Phone — Burger King® Will Airdrop 65,000 Free Whopper® Sandwiches

It’s reigning Whopper sandwiches — 1/4 lb* of flame-grilled beef delivered straight to your smartphone. The Whopper is known for going big, and its birthday celebrations are no different. Last year, BK offered the Whopper for its original price of 37 cents and now, the brand will airdrop 65,000 codes for free Whopper sandwiches in Times Square and on social to celebrate the sandwich’s 65^th birthday.

Today only, lucky fans of the Whopper in Times Square, NYC, can turn on the airdrop or nearby share function...

Long-time Procurement Lead Carl Abbott to Retire at the End of 2022

Land O’Frost, one of the nation’s best-selling brands of pre-sliced deli meats and a producer of specialty meats, today announced that Carl Abbott, who has served Land O’Frost for the past 49 years, will retire at the end of 2022.

During his tenure at the company, most in the capacity as vice president of procurement & specialty meats, Abbott developed and applied a deep knowledge of the meat industry and created supply chain efficiencies that helped fuel the consistent growth of Land O’Frost.

“The past five..."

Bojangles Wants You to Celebrate “12 Days of Bo*” This Holiday Season

Can you hear the Bo-jingle bells? The holiday season has officially begun, and this year, Bojangles is encouraging fans to celebrate “12 Days of Bo*” with a series of fun promotions to go along with its delicious – and convenient – meals perfect for a family gathering or on-the-go life.

To celebrate the most wonderful time of year and help customers stretch their holiday budgets, Bojangles’ “12 Days of Bo*” features surprise and delights for its most loyal fans, rewards for app users and a fun celebrity...

NCBA and PLC Denounce ESA Listing of Lesser Prairie Chicken

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) announced their opposition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) final rule to list the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act.

“Over and over the science has proven that healthy, diverse rangelands – the exact kind of landscape maintained by livestock grazing – are where the lesser prairie chicken thrives. Cattle ranchers’ efforts to conserve these acres are absolutely critical to the survival of the species,” said NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and Public Lands...

Restaurant Brands International and McWin to Grow Iconic Burger King® and Popeyes® Brands in Europe

Today, Restaurant Brands International and McWin, one of the most reputable operators in Europe, are excited to announce that affiliates of McWin have acquired exclusive master franchise and development rights to develop the Burger King and Popeyes brands in several countries in Eastern Europe, with new restaurants to open in 2023.

McWin, through its newly established Rex Concepts CEE platform, is set to expand the flame-grilled Burger King brand in Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania, and to bring the iconic fried chicken...

NRF Reiterates White House Call for Congressional Action to Avoid Rail Strike

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay following the White House’s call for immediate congressional intervention to avoid a rail strike and subsequent shut down of the U.S. freight rail system. The directive comes as the cooling off period expires Dec. 8 and railroads begin to suspend operations ahead of a labor strike.

“The freight rail system is an integral part of America’s transportation system, moving cargo to communities in every corner of the country every day..."

Pudu Robotics BellaBot Gain Popularity in Carrefour Stores in Poland, Fueling European Growth

Pudu Robotics ("PUDU" or "the Company"), a leading commercial service robot manufacturer, has seen great success in its expansion in Poland with its BellaBot gaining popularity in the country through its collaboration with retailer Carrefour.

Carrefour has deployed BellaBot, PUDU's signature smart delivery robot, in two of its retail stores in Warsaw to deliver Pepsi beverages and chips since Sept 26. The unique shopping experience has been well received by local consumers, so much so that the bot, dubbed "Kerfuś", has won over the hearts of many...

Cargill Announces Acquisition of Owensboro Grain Company

Cargill and Owensboro Grain Company, a fifth-generation family-owned soybean processing facility and refinery located in Owensboro, Ky., today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement where Cargill will add Owensboro Grain Company (OGC) to its North American agricultural supply chain business.

Owensboro Grain Company was founded in 1906 as a small grain merchant and today operates a fully integrated soy processing facility, producing soy products, including protein meal and hull pellets for animal feeds, crude and degummed oil, lecithin, various blends of refined vegetable oil for human consumption, biodiesel...

Gov. Ricketts Begins Japan Trade Mission, Promotes Nebraska Ag Products in Tokyo

This week, Governor Pete Ricketts is leading a trade mission to Japan to promote Nebraska’s quality ag products and to pitch Nebraska as a top destination for international investment.

The Governor and trade delegation will meet with government officials, promote Nebraska beef, pork, ethanol, and other ag products, and encourage Japanese businesses to invest in Nebraska.  Delegates on the mission include representatives from ag businesses, state commodity organizations, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Department of Agriculture (NDA), and the Department of Economic Development (DED)...

ASAP.com & Chipotle Mexican Grill Sign Major Food Delivery Agreement

ASAP.com, the on-demand delivery brand for Waitr Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ASAP), has announced a national food delivery agreement with Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG). Effective immediately, ASAP.com will begin delivery from Chipotle restaurants in many markets.

The partnership with Chipotle, one of the leading fast-casual restaurants in the US, is a significant move for ASAP.com as the company evolves from a regional company to a national one under the new ASAP brand name.

“The new agreement with Chipotle immediately boosts our appeal to a wider audience as we grow...

“Get Jazzed” for the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show

The Big Easy is ready to host the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, Feb. 1-3. New Orleans, famous for its world class cuisine, jazz music and lively nightlife, is a perfect venue to bring the cattle industry together for education, entertainment and engagement.

The annual convention will kick off on Feb. 1, with Buzz Brainard, host of Music Row Happy Hour, returning as emcee. The Opening General Session will include a casual conversation between “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan and NCBA President and Minnesota cattle...

US Foods Announces Dave Flitman as Chief Executive Officer

US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE: USFD), one of the largest foodservice distributors in the United States, today announced that Dave Flitman will become Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective Jan. 5, 2023. Flitman will also be a member of the US Foods Board of Directors (the “Board”).

Flitman brings to the company a wealth of global business leadership, executive management skills and extensive commercial distribution experience, along with significant expertise in operational excellence, supply chain, and general management with more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing and distribution across multiple industries...

ANALYSIS: Beef Cold Storage Stocks Break 8-Month Seasonal Highs

USDA monthly cold storage data released last week showed beef stocks held in the nation’s freezers at the end of October was 509,949,000 pounds. This was three percent below last month, but nearly eight percent above last year.

It broke the string of eight straight months since February that stocks were the highest on record for that month as it crossed below October 2018...