Warren/Rounds Resolution Myth-Facts

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released the following Myth-Fact resource debunking the mischaracterizations about beef and cattle markets in a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Mike Rounds (R-SD):

Myth: In the press release announcing the resolution, Senator Warren says beef companies have lowered wages for workers. This assertion is completely false.

Fact: The meat and poultry industry values its workforce and, according to Rabobank and other well documented sources, average starting hourly wages for workers have increased from $14.60 to $22.00 an hour...

DoorDash Unveils What -- and How -- Americans Have Been Ordering Online This Year

Today, DoorDash released its second annual Restaurant Online Ordering Trends Report which takes a deep dive into consumer online ordering preferences and emerging dining trends as to what Americans are ordering online and eating now.

The restaurant industry has dramatically changed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and off-premise dining is now more important than ever for both restaurants and customers. In fact, in Q1, more consumers than ever before were ordering on DoorDash and there are more DashPass members than ever before...

Checkers® & Rally's® Introduces its All-New Bacon Brewhouse Sandwich - for a Limited Time

Checkers & Rally's, an iconic and innovative drive-thru restaurant chain known for its bold and flavorful food at an exceptional value and its people-first attitude, brings the (Brew)house down with its Mother Cruncher chicken sandwich that infuses both bacon and beer cheese flavor sauce for that party-in-your-mouth taste.

Now available for a limited time, Checkers & Rally's new Bacon Brewhouse Mother Cruncher features a crispy all-white meat chicken breast topped with its new savory beer cheese flavor sauce topped...

IHOP® Selects TRAY POS as New Vendor

TRAY, an innovative Point of Sale and restaurant management platform geared toward Enterprise restaurants, today announced a multi-year deal with IHOP® restaurants in the US.

In this new partnership, IHOP will be upgrading its current POS systems to TRAY's system. The new system allows IHOP franchisees to leverage more efficient training, and allows for more up to date technology throughout the restaurants. Since TRAY technology uses Android-based hardware, it provides an additional cost-savings opportunity for franchisees and allows for rapid conversion with minimal restaurant disruption...

Walmart and Symbotic Expand Partnership to Implement Industry-Leading Automation System

Symbotic LLC, a revolutionary A.I.-powered supply chain technology company, and Walmart Inc. announced an expanded commercial agreement to implement Symbotic’s robotics and software automation platform in all 42 of Walmart’s regional distribution centers over the coming years. This is an expansion of Walmart’s prior commitment to deploy Symbotic Systems in 25 regional distribution centers.

The end-to-end software-enabled high-density robotics platform plays a strategic role in supporting the retailer’s goal of modernizing its vast supply chain network and allows Walmart to transform its regional distribution...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Production: Is Hatchability Beginning to Heal?

With 2022’s trade environment riddled with challenges ranging from price volatility to disease, buyers and sellers of chicken are going through the production stats with a fine-tooth comb in hopes of finding any sign of relief...

USMEF Statement on Study Confirming Effectiveness of Export Market Development Programs

On May 18, the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) released an economic impact study confirming the effectiveness of export market development programs in expanding demand for U.S. agricultural products and generating a strong return on investment. The study was commissioned by the U.S. Grains Council on behalf of USAEDC members. More details are also available in this USAEDC press release and infographic.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement...

McDonald’s Agrees to Sell Russian Assets to Existing Licensee

Days after McDonald’s announced it would exit the Russian market and sell its entire portfolio, the company reached a sale and purchase agreement with its existing licensee Alexander Govor.

Govor will acquire the entire Russian McDonald’s restaurant portfolio and operate the restaurants under a new brand. Govor has served as a licensee since 2015 and has operated 25 restaurants in Siberia.

McDonald’s said the agreement remains subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approval, with closing expected to occur in the coming weeks...

New Acosta Report Explores the Rising Impact of Inflation on Consumer Dining Habits

Acosta, a global integrated sales and marketing services provider in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, today released its sixth edition of The Why? Behind the Dine, a research report providing foodservice-specific insight bolstered by the expertise of its CORE Foodservice division.

Acosta's findings show that while most consumers (54%) are dining out less often due to inflation, about one-third are choosing to trade down rather than trade out, opting for less expensive restaurant and meal options to counter rising prices...

Lineage Logistics Named to CNBC Disruptor 50 List for Second Year in a Row

Lineage Logistics appeared on CNBC Disruptor 50 list in back-to-back years the company announced on May 17. The company landed on the #3 spot after debuting at the #17 spot in 2021.

CNBC’s list displays the 50 fast-growing private companies in a number of industries. 

Companies named as a CNBC Disruptor 50 are selected by CNBC and CNBC.com editorial staff using a proprietary blend of quantitative and qualitative information submitted by more than 1,400 nominated companies, Lineage shared in a press release...

Sysco to Deploy 800 Electric Trucks by 2026 for U.S. Customers

Food distribution giant Sysco signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with truck manufacturer Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) to deploy nearly 800 battery-electric trucks set to serve Sysco customers by 2026, both companies announced jointly on May 19.

"Sysco is committed to making meaningful investments to support achievement of our climate goals, including those that encourage the development of electric tractors and trailers. We are eager to partner with a like-minded industry leader like Daimler Truck North America to deploy battery electric trucks nationwide,” said Marie Robinson...

This Week in Retail: Beef Ads Lag Leading Up to Memorial Day

The Memorial Day holiday is just one weekend away and grocers are gearing up for the unofficial start to the summer grilling season.

This major retail occasion typically drives sales from the meat case, with items like burgers and hot dogs stealing the spotlight.

Beef features account for 28% of total protein ad volume this week, up slightly from the previous week. Pork and seafood are tied for second with 25%. Chicken claims 16%, even with the week prior. 

While beef holds the top spot in retail buying opportunities, market participants have reported lackluster beef features for this time of year. May is typically the strongest period of the year for beef demand...

While beef holds the top spot in buying opportunities, market participants have noted lackluster beef features for this time of year. May is typically the strongest period of the year for beef demand...

Urner Barry Releases May Soy & Wheat Report

In the latest WASDE report, the USDA stated that the outlook for 2022/23 wheat this May is reduced supplies, lower exports, and higher prices. U.S. 2022/23 wheat supplies are projected down 3%, as lower beginning stocks more than offset a larger harvest. All wheat production is estimated at 1,729 million bushels, up 83 million from a year ago. Also, all wheat yield is projected at 46.6 bushels per acre, a slight increase from last year. The USDA's first survey-based forecast for 2022/23 winter wheat production is down 8% from last year, with abandonment for Winter Wheat at the highest level since 2002. However, Spring Wheat production is expected to rebound significantly from last year's drought-reduced Hard Red Spring and Durum crops primarily on return-to-trend yields.

Globally, the 2022/23 wheat outlook is for lower supplies, increased trade, and reduced ending stocks. Production is forecast at 774.8 million tons, 4.5 million lower than a year prior. Reduced production in Ukraine, Australia, and Morocco was partially...

Smithfield Foods Commemorates 20 Years of Sustainability Leadership in New Report

Smithfield Foods, Inc., an American food company and one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein producers, today published its 2021 Sustainability Impact Report, the company's 20th, outlining its holistic approach to responsible food production and efforts to produce Good Food, do Good Work and be Good Stewards of its animals and the environment. In addition to reporting on progress toward goals and targets across seven key pillars, the report commemorates 20 years of industry sustainability leadership and milestones focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).

"Since the..."

ANALYSIS: Turkey Breasts: To Debone or Not To Debone

During these unprecedented times when seasonality has taken a back seat to other more disruptive variables, it is important to maintain a sense of perspective on current market behavior...

Former Disney Chairman and CEO Joins Gopuff as Investor and Advisor

Gopuff, the market-leading and fastest-growing platform for immediate delivery of consumers’ everyday needs, today announced that Bob Iger, former Disney CEO and Chairman, will become an advisor and investor. Mr. Iger will advise co-founders and co-CEOs Yakir Gola and Rafael Ilishayev, and the broader executive team, to help deepen Gopuff’s consumer engagement and growth globally.

“Bob Iger is one of the most important and visionary business leaders of this generation. He defined consumer engagement, product innovation, and organizational excellence,” said Gopuff co-founder and...

Impossible Foods Launches in the United Kingdom

California-based Impossible Foods, the fastest-growing plant-based meat company in the U.S., is making its European debut in the United Kingdom this week with the launch of two of its latest products — Impossible “Chicken” Nuggets™ Made From Plants and Impossible Sausage Patties™ Made From Plants.

Both products will be available starting May 19 at restaurants across the country — including many of the UK’s best-loved chicken shops — offering Brits a plant-based chicken nugget. Impossible “Chicken” Nuggets are preferred two-to-one by UK consumers...

NCBA Blasts Overreaching, Political Special Investigator Bill

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) condemned the unfunded and duplicative Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022, which was marked up this morning by the House Agriculture Committee.

“Cattle producers strongly support effective oversight of the meatpacking sector, but the special investigator bill does nothing to accomplish that goal. Rather than focusing on adequate staffing and funding for the woefully under-resourced Packers and Stockyards Division at USDA, this hasty proposal was rushed through the legislative process without consideration of the confusing bureaucratic mess it would create..."

ADM Named to 100 Best Corporate Citizens List for Third Consecutive Year

3BL Media has named ADM to its annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking, recognizing outstanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency and performance among the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies. This is the third consecutive year ADM has appeared on the prestigious list.

“ADM has a foundational culture of execution and innovation, but even more important is the unwavering commitment our colleagues to deliver our purpose to unlock the power of nature to enrich the quality of life,” said Chairman and CEO Juan Luciano...

Hofmann Sausage Company Adds Ingles Markets as a Grocery Retailer

Hofmann Sausage Company announces that three of its retail hot dog items are now being sold chainwide in Ingles Markets. As of May 1st, Ingles Markets sells Hofmann Skinless German Franks, Skinless Beef Franks, and Skinless Dinner Franks.

Ingles Markets is based in Asheville, North Carolina, where the company began in 1963. The grocery chain operates 200 grocery stores in the southeastern United States with annual sales of almost $4 billion. Ingles Markets are in the following states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia...

Marco's Pizza® Promotes Ideal Pizza Pairings for Your Zodiac Sign While Mercury is in Retrograde

Marco's Pizza is here to fulfil everyone's obsession with the stars – and pizza! To embrace the inevitable occurrence of Mercury in Retrograde and combat any uninvited energy, Marco's Pizza and professional astrologer Lisa Stardust teamed up to get pizza lovers' lives back in delicious order.

As Mercury slows down from May 10 to June 3 and potentially causes miscommunications or disagreements across people's lives – there's one thing we can all agree on: that pizza can bring positive vibes to every situation...

Mintel Announces 2022 Global Food and Drink Trends

In Southeast Asia, more than 50% percent of consumers* in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore worry that life will not be the same as it was before the pandemic, according to Mintel Global Consumer research on the holistic consumer.

A period of time that saw lockdowns, food panic buying and homes becoming offices impacted consumer behavior in a multitude of ways, including food becoming more than a source of sustenance, but also a source of reassurance. Mintel’s 2022 Global Consumer Trends explores these behavioral changes, with insight and recommendations for food, drink and...

Perdue AgriBusiness Associates Achieve Safety Milestone

Associates at Perdue AgriBusiness, an operating division of Perdue Farms, achieved a safety milestone by completing their fiscal year (April 2021-March 2022) without experiencing an Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordable lost-time case and achieved 1.7 million consecutive lost-time free work hours in doing so.

“It’s our associates’ daily focus on workplace safety that makes this kind of milestone possible,” said Scott Fredericksen, president of Perdue AgriBusiness. “It also reflects a company commitment to involve our associates in creating a safe and productive work environment. Many of..."

Robert Downey Jr.'s FootPrint Coalition Ventures Joins Motif FoodWorks 

Motif FoodWorks, the Boston-based food technology company making plant-based food better tasting and more nutritious, today announced an investment by Robert Downey Jr.'s FootPrint Coalition Ventures. Along with the investment, the companies will partner on the development of new-to-the-world plant-based food forms.

Separately, Motif also unveiled an expanded product portfolio—in addition to its food technologies—for foodservice providers, distributors, and retailers with private labels. The new products include finished alternative beef, pork and chicken formats that feature its breakthrough food-technologies...

April Retail Sales Grew With Consumers ‘Taking Higher Prices in Stride’

Consumers accustomed to inflation continued to spend in April as retail sales overcame higher prices to show both monthly and year-over-year increases, the National Retail Federation said today.

“April retail sales demonstrate consumer strength and willingness to spend despite persistent inflation, supply chain constraints, market volatility and global unrest,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “While consumers are facing higher prices, they are preserving their budgets by shopping smart. Retail businesses are also facing increased costs like higher energy bills and rents as well as the..."

Cargill to Build New Soybean Processing Facility in Southeast Missouri

Cargill has unveiled plans to build a new soybean processing facility located in Pemiscot County, Mo. near Hayti and Caruthersville to support growing domestic and global demand for oilseeds driven by food, feed and fuel markets. The facility will be the first of its kind for Southeast Missouri with an annual production capacity of 62 million bushels of soybeans. Cargill anticipates breaking ground on the project early next year with plans to be operational in 2026. The new facility will add approximately 45 full-time positions to the region when...

Hormel Foods Named One of the Top Corporate Citizens in the United States

Hormel Foods Corporation, a global branded food company, today announced it has been named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media. The 2022 ranking recognizes outstanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency and performance among the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies. Hormel Foods has been included on the 100 Best Corporate Citizens list 13 times.

"Hormel Foods is committed to responsibly shaping the future of food with a reputation as a company that cares about our people, consumers, communities and planet," said Jim Snee...

Brinker International Inc. Announces CEO Retirement and Succession Plan

Brinker International, Inc. announced today that Wyman Roberts will retire as Chief Executive Officer and President of the company, President of Chili's® Grill & Bar and as a member of the Board of Directors effective June 5, 2022. Roberts, 63, will continue to serve the company in an advisory role for 12 months as part of the company's succession plan.

The Board of Directors appointed Kevin Hochman, 48, as President and CEO of Brinker International, President of Chili's, and as a member of the Board of Directors effective June 6, 2022...

Vital Farms Announces Expansion of Egg Central Station

Vital Farms’ world-class egg washing and packing facility expected to generate over $300 million in additional revenue and create over 50 high-quality jobs

Today, Vital Farms, a Certified B Corporation that offers a range of ethically produced foods nationwide, announced the expansion of Egg Central Station, its world-class egg washing and packing facility in Springfield, Missouri. The 150,000 square foot facility nearly doubled from its original size, creating additional capacity that will enable Vital Farms to continue growing its pasture-raised egg business. The expanded facility will...

GrubMarket Releases Standalone Mobile Ordering Apps for Food Wholesalers and Distributors

GrubMarket, a prominent software technology enabler for the food supply chain industry, today announced the release of custom mobile ordering apps, further extending its eCommerce offerings for suppliers. The apps can function as standalone products or integrate with GrubMarket's innovative and proprietary WholesaleWare software platform, which offers an end-to-end solution for food wholesalers and distributors to manage their entire business digitally. Integrations with other commercial software systems are also available.

The new apps offer a convenient and user-friendly mobile solution for suppliers to streamline their businesses...

GOOD Meat & ADM Partner to Accelerate Cultivated Meat Production

Eat Just, Inc., a company that applies cutting-edge science and technology on a mission to create healthier, more sustainable foods, announced today that its GOOD Meat division has entered into a joint development agreement with ADM, an international leader in nutrition that powers many of the world’s top food, beverage, health and wellness brands. This is ADM's first strategic partnership of its kind in the cultivated meat sector, which analysts predict could become a $25 billion global industry by 2030.

GOOD Meat created the world’s first real, high-quality...

Motional and Uber Eats Launch Autonomous Deliveries in Santa Monica

Today, Motional and Uber launched autonomous deliveries for Uber Eats customers in Santa Monica, California. Motional’s all-electric IONIQ 5 vehicles, operating autonomously, are now conducting end-to-end food deliveries.

“Autonomous delivery signifies the next phase of Motional’s commercial roadmap,” said Abe Ghabra, Motional’s Chief Operating Officer. “This service will provide the learnings and experience needed to make Motional the trusted AV provider for on-demand delivery networks. We’re proud to partner with Uber on this important milestone and begin introducing Uber Eats customers to autonomous technology...”

Cybersecurity Tips for Your Farm Business

Security experts are urging all farmers, including pork producers, to make cybersecurity a top priority for their businesses. This type of criminal activity continues to target America’s food industry.

Security experts are urging all farmers, including pork producers, to make cybersecurity a top priority for their businesses. This type of criminal activity continues to target America’s food industry.

The FBI informed the food and agriculture sector that ransomware actors are more likely to attack. The agency says agricultural cooperatives are of particular concern during critical planting and harvest seasons...

NAMI Applauds Nomination of Alexis Taylor to be USDA Undersecretary for Trade

The North American Meat Institute today applauded the nomination of Alexis Taylor to be the Undersecretary for Trade at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Alexis’ experience working in Congress, in the Department and as Oregon Secretary of Agriculture make her uniquely qualified for this role,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute. “She is the right..."

McDonald’s "de-Arching" from Russia, Plans to Sell Entire Portfolio

McDonald’s announced it will officially exit the Russian market and has begun a process to sell its entire portfolio in the country.

Back in March, McDonald’s shuttered all of its Russian locations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with over 800 locations closed, and all operations were paused.

“The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and the precipitating unpredictable operating environment, have led McDonald’s to conclude that continued ownership of the business in Russia is no longer tenable, nor is it consistent with McDonald’s values,” the company...

Wingstop Signs Agreement for Development Rights for South Korea

Wingstop – the rapidly-growing and technology-forward fast casual wing restaurant – today announced an agreement for the development rights for South Korea, contributing to its robust international expansion pipeline. The agreement outlines an initial commitment of 60 restaurants over a ten-year period, with the potential for 200-250 total restaurants in the country, the first expected to open in early 2023.

Korea is a key growth market outlined in Wingstop's strategic roadmap to becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand. This expansion follows the brand's proven strategy that has been...

Now You Can Order Domino's® Pizza … With Your Mind

What if you could order pizza with your mind? Now you can, thanks to Domino's new mind ordering app. Domino's Pizza Inc., the largest pizza company in the world, is teaming up with Netflix to introduce the latest strange thing to come out of Hawkins National Lab.

Domino's mind ordering app is a new immersive experience which places "test subjects" inside Hawkins National Lab in Hawkins, Indiana – transporting them to the center of "Stranger Things" in 1986. Users can explore the lab, uncover Easter eggs, use their...

Toast and US Foods Renew Strategic Partnership to Help Restaurants Streamline Operations and Thrive

Toast, the all-in-one digital platform purpose-built for the entire restaurant community, today announced the renewal of its strategic partnership with US Foods, a leading foodservice distributor that works with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators across the US.

Toast and US Foods share core values of helping restaurants succeed. The renewed partnership will allow both companies to build deeper relationships with restaurant owners and foodservice operators, providing the right technology solutions to save the operator time, grow revenue and improve the customer experience...

NCC Response to House Committee Report on COVID-19 Workplace Safety

Attributable to National Chicken Council (NCC) President Mike Brown:

“NCC member companies have long been committed to protecting and enhancing worker safety, a commitment that well predates the COVID-19 pandemic. But when the COVID-19 pandemic reached American shores, it was immediately clear that worker safety would be paramount.

“As a critical infrastructure sector staffed by essential workers, the chicken industry was presented with a seemingly impossible task – keep food on the tables and keep workers safe, all in the face of a highly transmissible and all-but..."

USMEF Statement on USDA Undersecretary for Trade Nominee

Today the White House announced the nomination of Alexis Taylor to serve as USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement in support of the nomination...

Do Good Foods Launches Carbon-Reduced Chicken in Philadelphia

Today, a new climate-forward food company, Do Good Foods, has officially launched Do Good Chicken in grocers throughout Philadelphia. The company is on a mission to change the world with products that enable people to "Do Good" with everyday purchases. Its first introduction, Do Good Chicken, is a simple, tasty, good for plate and planet option that helps fight food waste and combat climate change.

Each year, about 40% of healthy grocery food gets tossed into landfills. According to the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization...

New Sweet Onion Steak Teriyaki Sandwich Headlines Summer Blockbuster Season at Subway®

Subway® knows what guests have been craving — and that is more Sweet Onion flavor. Today, Subway announced one of the brand's most beloved sandwiches is getting the refresh treatment with the debut of the Sweet Onion Steak Teriyaki. Available for a limited time only, this twist on a Subway classic packs a flavor punch of familiar sweet onion and savory teriyaki, with notes of soy, sesame, garlic and black pepper.

"The new Sweet Onion Steak Teriyaki is the long-awaited sequel our fans..."