First Exports of UK Beef To the USA in 20 Years Underway

The first shipments of UK beef are to depart for the USA today, marking a historic moment for UK farmers and food producers.

Following the USA’s longstanding ban on EU beef – introduced in the wake of the BSE outbreak in 1996 – market access for UK beef was granted in March 2020. UK beef producers now have access to the US market for the first time in over 20 years.

Today’s news means the sector can now begin to reap the economic benefits of trade with the US – with industry estimating beef exports will be worth £66 million over the next...

A Snapshot of Plant-Based Protein Growth Amid the Pandemic 

Alternative protein markets, and those specifically utilized in the production of plant-based meat analogues, continue to boon as a result of COVID-19 economic implications. Primarily used to produce beef-like substitutes, products from companies like...

U.S. Shoppers Shift Shopping Strategies to Brace for Recessionary Effects

A much more discerning grocery shopper is emerging in the wake of initial widespread panic-buying sparked by COVID-19 this past spring that led consumers to disregard prices and stock up on products and ingredients required to prepare the entirety of their family meals at home. Retailers and their trading partners responded as rapidly as possible to the sudden spikes in demand by pulling back on promotional efforts and focusing on their supply chains to keep up, which led to higher prices on 64% of more than 500 grocery store categories.

The short-term result? FMCG sales shot up $77.9 billion across all U.S. channels for the 52 weeks ended Sept. 12, 2020, translating to year-over-year growth of 9.3%. While this lift was astounding for the retail industry, it’s time for stakeholders to...

Papa John's Sustains Strong North America and International Comparable Sales in September

Papa John’s International, Inc. provided preliminary estimated comparable sales information for the month of September and the third quarter fiscal period. In light of the uncertainty related to the pandemic, the company has continued to provide this information on a monthly basis.

President & CEO Rob Lynch said, “Six consecutive months of double-digit comparable sales growth were made possible by the hard work of Papa John’s team members and franchisees during the global pandemic. We remain confident that our innovation pipeline, marketing and technology platforms, and strong operations will continue to...

The Consumer Confidence Index Increased in September 

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased in September, after declining in August. The Index now stands at 101.8 (1985=100), up from 86.3 in August. The Present Situation Index – based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions – increased from 85.8 to 98.5. The Expectations Index – based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions – increased from 86.6 in August to 104.0 this month.

The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and analytics around what consumers buy and watch. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was...

Tim Ørting Jørgensen Joins Sysco as Executive VP & President, Foodservice Operations – International

Sysco announce on Wednesday that they have hired Tim Ørting Jørgensen as their new executive vice president and president, foodservice operations – international.

Jørgensen joins the team at Sysco after working with international dairy cooperative Arla for the past 30 years. He most recently served as Arla's executive vice president, international.

In his new position at Sysco, Jørgensen will be leading the company's operations in Canada, Europe, the Bahamas and Latin America, where he will be overseeing the development and execution of key strategies for growth in these geographics...

Kroger Announces New Senior Vice President of Supply Chain

The Kroger Co. announced the retirement of Robert Clark, senior vice president of supply chain, manufacturing and enterprise sourcing, after more than 35 years of service, effective February 1, 2021. Clark will be succeeded by Gabriel Arreaga, who is joining The Kroger Co. as senior vice president of supply chain, starting October 1, 2020.

Robert Clark, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Enterprise Sourcing, Announces Retirement

Clark began his career in the Fry's division as a bagger in 1985. He advanced to occupy several store, district and division leadership roles for Fry's, including being named vice president of merchandising in 2002. Clark relocated in 2010 to the Columbus division to serve as...

United Natural Foods Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Strong Full Year Fiscal 2020 Results

United Natural Foods, Inc. reported financial results for the fourth quarter (13 weeks) and fiscal year (52 weeks) ended August 1, 2020.

Fiscal 2020 Full Year Highlights

(Fiscal 2019 was a 53 week year that included the contribution from an acquisition for 41 weeks)

• Net sales increased to $26.5 billion
• Net loss of $(274) million, including $425 million pre-tax goodwill and asset impairment charges recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2020
• Adjusted EBITDA increased to $673 million
• Loss per diluted share (EPS) improved to $(5.10)
• Adjusted EPS increased to...

Panera Bread Hires Lauren Cody as Chief of Staff and Chief Customer Officer 

Panera Bread announced the appointment of Lauren Cody as Chief of Staff and Chief Customer Officer. A dynamic leader with global experience, Cody comes to the brand with more than two decades of experience in the food service industry. Cody has extensive expertise in consumer and business insights, general management and strategy creation and execution at companies within the US and globally.

“It’s an exciting time at Panera and we are very pleased to have Lauren join us as Chief of Staff and Chief Customer Officer, reporting directly to me,” said Niren Chaudhary, Panera CEO. “Panera is a brand that puts our guests first, and with Lauren driving strategy at the helm of our Customer Care division, we are excited to continue...

Boston Market Brings Back Fall Menu Items

With autumn well underway, Boston Market is bringing back seasonal items to the menu. Available for a limited time, guest favorites Chicken Marsala, Tuscan Chicken and Roasted Garlic & Herb Chicken return to Boston Market menus alongside Warm Apple Cobbler and all new Cilantro Lime Rice are now available at restaurants nationwide.

"This summer was unlike any other we've experienced in previous years, so we're getting back to what we know, love and appreciate this fall with familiar flavors that we hope can offer some much needed comfort and security", stated Randy Miller, President of Boston Market. "That is why we are so excited to be bring back...

US Foods Publishes 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

US Foods Holding Corp. has published its 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility report. This is the company’s first expanded CSR report, and it highlights the company’s 2019 progress across its three CSR pillars: people, planet and products.

“At US Foods, our CSR platform is built on our long-standing commitment to operating with the highest levels of integrity and a respect for the greater good,” said US Foods Chairman and CEO, Pietro Satriano. “We are proud of the progress represented in this report and the hard work of our associates who contributed to these efforts. We look forward to continuing to advance...

Pork Cutout Futures and Options To Be Launched by CME Group

CME Group recently made the exciting announcement that cash-settled Pork Cutout Futures and Options (ticker PRK) will be available for trade on November 9, 2020. This new contract will provide additional risk management tools for traders looking to hedge their price exposure to ever-fluctuating pork cutout values.

A “cutout” is the approximate value of a hog computed using the prices paid for the various wholesale cuts of pork, including the loin, butt, picnic, rib, ham, and belly. Pork cutout values have seen tremendous volatility since the onset of the pandemic. During the first wave of panic buying in the second quarter, the USDA pork carcass cutout value based on FOB Omaha skyrocketed by nearly 116%. As the surge in retail buying subsided...

Beyond Meat to Expand Walmart Distribution

Beyond Meat, Inc. announced a major expansion in its long-standing relationship with Walmart. Following this summer’s successful launch of the Cookout Classic value pack, Beyond Meat’s most affordable product offering to date, this fall, Walmart plans to triple availability of the Beyond Burger from approximately 800 locations to more than 2,400 stores nationwide beginning next week. The move comes as part of Beyond Meat’s effort to increase worldwide accessibility to simple, plant-based meat products made without GMOs.

Beyond Meat first launched its frozen products at Walmart in 2015. Since then, Walmart has expanded its Beyond Meat in-store offerings to include the Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage in the fresh meat aisle and most recently...

The Hartman Group's Shelley Balanko on Consumer Buying Trends in a Pandemic

During extraordinary times, insights into consumer behaviors become more vital than ever to businesses. The Hartman Group, a food culture consultancy, provides such trends, insights, and strategic counsels to professionals in the food and beverage industry. The company conducts its own primary research with expertise in areas including sustainability and the health and wellness consumer.

In 2012, the Hartman Group developed the Eating Occasions Compass, a database that documents the who, what, when, where, and why of eating occasions in the United States...

Blue Apron to Introduce First-Ever Thanksgiving Feast

Blue Apron is introducing its first-ever Thanksgiving feast, featuring chef-designed recipes created for an unforgettable, stress-free, and delicious Thanksgiving Day meal.

Known for its unique take on everyday recipes, Blue Apron's Thanksgiving-inspired, southern-style menu will give options to suit every holiday table for parties up to eight people. Complete with a step-by-step guide on how to organize, prepare, and cook a Thanksgiving meal, Blue Apron will also support its home cooks by sharing tips on its social channels to help make the holiday as fun as possible.

"Thanksgiving is going to be different for many families this year, and we're happy to join them in the kitchen by creating...

Kroger and Ocado Announce Location of Customer Fulfillment Center in Michigan

The Kroger Co. and Ocado announced Romulus, MI, as the latest location for a Customer Fulfillment Center (CFC). The location confirms a previous announcement stating Kroger and Ocado would construct a CFC in the Great Lakes Region.

"Kroger is incredibly excited to develop one of our industry-leading Customer Fulfillment Centers in Michigan in relationship with Ocado to bring fresh food to our customers faster than ever before," said Robert Clark, Kroger's senior vice president of supply chain, manufacturing and sourcing. "We continue to invest in and constantly improve our e-commerce capabilities, focusing on...

Bojangles Expands Barbecue On Its Menu

Bojangles is throwing its hat in the barbecue ring just in time for National Pulled Pork Day on October 12. New to most markets, Bojangles is now serving its Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ.

“Born and raised in North Carolina, we at Bojangles know Southern home-cooking like the back of our hand, and these hands have been busy smoking up the best barbecue in town,” said Chef Marshall Scarborough. “Just one bite of our hickory, smoked, pulled-pork barbecue will have you wanting to call it barBOcue.”

Bojangles BBQ can be enjoyed as...

China Declares War on Waste in Food Catering

Ongoing anti-food waste campaigns in China aim to reduce food loss in catering. Although China seems to have no immediate worries about food shortage, the coronavirus pandemic, the geopolitical turmoil, and the escalating trade tensions with leading exporters have the potential to restrict China’s access to edible oil and protein meals. China is highly dependent on these imports, often in the form of oilseeds, which are then domestically processed.

Based on Rabobank’s analysis, eliminating waste in food catering (including restaurants, group dining and food deliveries) could make up to 5% of the nation’s soybean imports (5m metric tons) and 6% of the palm oil imports (0.4m metric tons) unnecessary. In addition, 10m metric tons of feed grains, mostly corn, could also be ‘saved’ this way. As China’s corn is experiencing...

CHART: Industry Expectations for Weekly Cattle Slaughter

A New Way to Protect Your COMTELL Account

The security of your personal information is our priority at Urner Barry.  To further protect your data, we will be launching a multi-factor authentication login system for COMTELL.  This extra layer of security for your account will drastically reduce the likelihood of fraud, data loss, or any other interception of your information. 

Sysco Announces Launch of New Menu Concepts

Sysco Corporation announced the nationwide launch of ten exciting menu concepts exclusively for Sysco customers through the company’s Cutting Edge Solutions platform. These chef-tested and innovative products are being launched to help foodservice operators with on-trend dining options as they enter a new normal phase of restaurant dining amidst the global pandemic.

Designed to help Sysco’s customers stay ahead of their competition, Cutting Edge Solutions products are sourced from best-in-class suppliers at the forefront of innovation. Each offering meets important dining trends such as...

Winter Is Coming: US Restaurant Reopening Faces Next Pandemic Challenge

While outdoor seating has helped mitigate revenue losses caused by restrictions on dine-in foodservice during the COVID-19 pandemic to an extent, restaurants face an uncertain fall and winter, with further layoffs expected across the hospitality industry as temperatures fall, outdoor dining becomes uncomfortable, and the threat of COVID-19 continues to loom.

How are foodservice operators adapting to the shifting market environment and what effect are these changes having on foodservice products? US Restaurant Reopening: COVID 19 Impact on Supplies, a new study from The Freedonia Group, analyzes the reopening of restaurants in the...

U.S. Restaurant Dollar and Traffic Declines Ease in August as Consumers Gain Comfort in Dining Out

While August restaurant trends reflect an environment in which slightly less than 25% of restaurant units were under restrictions for on-premises dining during the course of the month, similar to June and July, the rate of traffic and dollar declines for the month eased slightly to  -10% and  -9%, respectively, compared to same period year ago, reports The NPD Group.

“As the summer progressed and mandated restrictions were lifted, an increasing number of consumers became more comfortable dining out based on the safety protocols restaurants put in place,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor and author of Eating Patterns in America...

Mosa Meat Raises Series B Funding to Prepare for Large-scale Cultured Meat Production

Mosa Meat, the European food technology company which introduced the world's first cultured beef hamburger in 2013, announced the first closing of $55M as part of a larger Series B funding round. 

Mosa Meat will use the funds to extend its current pilot production facility at its home in Maastricht, develop an industrial-sized production line, expand its team, and introduce delicious cultivated beef to consumers. While no date has been announced for an introduction to consumers, the company will work with regulators to demonstrate the safety of cultivated beef, in order to achieve regulatory approval to serve consumers in Europe who are craving change...

Kroger Provides Resources to Help Families Prevent Food Waste While Enjoying More Meals at Home

In September 2017, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) announced the launch of Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, the company's bold social impact plan aimed at ending hunger in the communities it calls home and eliminating waste across the company by 2025.

Three years later, Americans are more conscious of food waste than ever before. A recent national survey of Kroger shoppers conducted by 84.51˚, Kroger's data analytics subsidiary, revealed that food waste prevention is top of mind for many families as they continue to enjoy more meals together at home...

Agricultural Consultant Michelle Klieger Breaks Down the Needs and Wants of Today's Consumer

For decades, agriculture’s mantra has been to provide safe and affordable food. This dual-mandate resulted in a highly concentrated and specialized agricultural system that constantly improves efficiency and increases output throughout the supply chain. With this yardstick, agriculture has achieved its goal. In developed countries, food is widely available and takes up a smaller percentage of the average household budget than ever before. Yet, it’s too soon for agriculture to declare victory.

To maximize the food production system, resiliency and optimization were sacrificed...

Landlords and Retail Tenants Compromise to Emerge Stronger Post-COVID-19, says NRF and PJ SOLOMON

With close to zero revenue coming in the door for many bricks-and-mortar retail operations during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, retailers and their landlords are working together to address outstanding rent obligations, the National Retail Federation and PJ SOLOMON said today.

“We started to see some encouraging signs for the retail industry with June’s positive sales growth and within the backdrop of a gradually reopening economy,” said David French, NRF’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations. “The influx of stimulus-driven consumer spending and negotiations with landlords has helped keep retailers afloat. As retailers look ahead to cover rent and other expenses in the coming months, more federal government relief is needed to ensure the industry can continue to rebound and fuel the economic recovery..."

Darden Restaurants Reports Fiscal 2021 First Quarter Results

Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE:DRI) today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended August 30, 2020.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights, Comparisons to First Quarter Last Year

• Total sales of $1.53 billion, a decrease of 28.4% driven by negative blended same-restaurant sales of 29.0% and partially offset by the addition of 14 net new restaurants
• Same-restaurant sales by segment:..

Consumers Itching for Night Out but Restaurants Limited with Winter Weather on the Horizon

As consumers grow weary of eating at home and ordering takeout or delivery, restaurants in some of the states hit the hardest by the coronavirus are beginning to allow indoor dining, providing a glimmer of hope for operators as they look for a return to normalcy.

At the same time, many restaurants are limited by occupancy regulations and lack of real estate for outdoor dining capabilities. Plus, the cooler weather will be less appealing in the coming weeks...

Former Brooklyn Business Owners Plead Guilty in Scheme to Sell Misbranded Beef Products

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Howard Mora and Alan Buxbaum pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to conspiracy to commit wire fraud by using counterfeit United States Department of Agriculture stamps to sell misbranded lower quality beef at inflated prices to consumers.  When sentenced, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and criminal forfeiture of $250,000.

Seth D. DuCharme, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Bethanne M. Dinkins, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), announced the guilty pleas...

Jason Melbourne to Join the Board of Directors of Restaurant Brands International

The Board of Directors of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX: QSR) (NYSE: QSR) (TSX: QSP) ("RBI") announced today that Jason Melbourne was appointed to join the RBI Board of Directors as an independent member.

Mr. Melbourne is currently the Managing Director and Head of Canadian Equities at Canaccord Genuity in Toronto, Ontario. He has extensive capital market experience, including his previous roles at Genuity Capital Markets and CIBC World Markets – both based in Toronto. Mr. Melbourne is a strong supporter of public service and the community, including through his current board of director roles for the Ontario...

Gardein Debuts First-Ever Collection Of Plant-Based Meat Alternative Soups

Gardein, a brand of Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), is taking its collection of plant-based meat alternatives from the freezer case to the soup aisle with the debut of five new Gardein Soups, the first-ever line-up of soups featuring plant-based meat alternatives. Delivering "meaty" taste with 100% vegan ingredients, the soups are destined to be a cold-weather favorite for anyone seeking an alternative to traditional meat-based soups.

Hormel Introduces Hormel Black Label Egg Bites and Breakfast Combos

The makers of Hormel® Black Label® bacon products, a leader in breakfast meats in America, announced today the launch of Hormel^™ Black Label^™ Oven-Baked Egg Bites and Hormel^™ Black Label^™ Breakfast Combos^™ breakfast items. The new convenience offerings are designed to appeal to the many millions of consumers who want a high-quality, easy-to-prepare breakfast option with protein. Both product lines come in assorted varieties.

"Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, and now it's about to become the best one," said Nick Schweitzer, senior brand manager for Hormel Foods...

NCBA Responds To Cattle Market Transparency Act

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released the following statement in response to the Cattle Market Transparency Act, introduced today by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.):

“Price discovery is an issue of critical importance to cow/calf producers, stockers, backgrounders, and feeders across the United States, and more negotiated trade is needed throughout the cattle feeding regions to ensure sufficient price discovery. That is why all of NCBA’s 46 state affiliate organizations unanimously adopted a fed cattle price discovery policy at our 2020 Summer Business Meeting. This policy directs NCBA to pursue a voluntary approach to price discovery...

Walmart Sets Goal to Become a Regenerative Company

Building on more than 15 years of sustainability leadership, Walmart today announced it is doubling down on addressing the growing climate crisis by targeting zero emissions across the company’s global operations by 2040. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are also committing to help protect, manage or restore at least 50 million acres of land and one million square miles of ocean by 2030 to help combat the cascading loss of nature threatening the planet.

“We want to play an important role in transforming the world’s supply chains to be regenerative. We face a growing crisis of climate change and nature loss, and we all need to take action with urgency,” said Doug McMillon, president and chief executive officer, Walmart Inc...

John Manzella Talks Macro-economic Trends, Global Trade and What's Ahead

Leading up to Urner Barry’s Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit virtual event, Urner Barry’s Reporter sat down with keynote speaker John Manzella to highlight his upcoming presentations.

Manzella is a world-recognized speaker and author, as well as a nationally syndicated columnist on global business, trade policy, labor, and the latest economic trends. He is also the founder of both ManzellaReport.com, a premier source for global business and economic analysis, and Manzella Trade Communications, Inc., a public affairs, publishing and consulting firm...

Tofu Sales Skyrocket During the Pandemic, as Consumers Search for Affordable Meat Alternatives

American grocery store shoppers became accustomed to limits on certain household staples during the first half of 2020. The quest for toilet paper, ground beef and hand sanitizer sparked panic buying and supermarket aisle scuffles, while overzealous bread bakers desperately searched for flour and a drop in carbon dioxide supply threatened the soda industry.

But the biggest surprise of this year's COVID-19 public health crisis may be a sudden outpouring of love for tofu.

Since U.S. coronavirus shutdowns began in mid-March, tofu shortages have been reported from Seattle...

Chipotle's Carne Asada is Back on the Menu

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced it is bringing back Carne Asada to restaurants across the U.S. for a limited time. The premium steak option will also return to the menu in Canada and make its debut in France, where it will become Chipotle's first new protein introduced in the European market.

Chipotle's Carne Asada is grilled fresh in small batches, seasoned with a blend of signature spices, hand cut into tender slices, and is finished with fresh squeezed lime and hand-chopped cilantro. The protein is officially approved for the Whole30® program and is compliant with Keto and Paleo diets...

FAT Brands Completes Acquisition of Johnny Rockets, Increases Securitization Facility to $80 Million

FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Johnny Rockets from an affiliate of private equity firm Sun Capital Partners, Inc. for a purchase price of approximately $25 million. The transaction was funded with proceeds from an increase in the Company’s securitization facility. With the acquisition of Johnny Rockets, FAT Brands now franchises more than 700 restaurants around the globe in more than 30 countries with annual system-wide sales exceeding $700 million...

CHART: Industry Expectations for Weekly Cattle Slaughter

New York City Partners with Mercato to Equip Independent Grocers with Online Ordering & Delivery

Mercato has been selected by the City of New York to become the eCommerce marketplace that will connect underserved NYC communities to local grocery stores. Through this partnership, select stores in all five boroughs will begin offering their inventory online and via local delivery - a functionality these stores weren't previously equipped with.

"As a native New Yorker and the son of an independent grocer in Brooklyn, I am excited to work with the City to support these neighborhood grocers and to announce Mercato's commitment to improving access to quality food for residents of areas that were impacted by the COVID crisis while also providing these local retailers with a new sales channel..."

Top Plant-based Protein Producers Make Expansion, Distribution Efforts

A pair of companies leading the way for the plant-based protein industry, Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods both announced moves to boost their presence in the retail and foodservice landscape.

On Monday, Beyond Meat announced it will double the distribution of its Beyond Breakfast Sausage Patties. The company said the product will be available in additional Kroger, Super Target, Walmart, Publix and Harris Teeter stores by the end of the month.

“Following the initial release of our Beyond Breakfast Sausage Patties at retailers earlier this year, we heard an enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive response from consumers who asked for increased availability,” said Chuck Muth, Chief Growth Officer, Beyond Meat...

Protein Industry Reacts to Latest Coronavirus Aid Package

Following the announcement from President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue regarding an additional $14 billion in potential COVID-19 aid to agriculture producers, the protein industry provided their thoughts on the news.

Find the announcement regarding Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) here.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released a statement about what CFAP 2 could mean for beef producers in the country.

“We are pleased to see that USDA is using unspent funds in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to provide further relief to cattle producers who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic," said NCBA Vice President Of Government Affairs Ethan Lane...

Culver's Announces the Retirement of CEO and President Joe Koss

Culver Franchising System LLC announced today the retirement of CEO and President Joe Koss at the end of 2020.

After 23 years with this growing organization, to what is now nearly 770 restaurants, Koss made the decision to retire and spend more time with his family.

"Joe has positively impacted so many facets of our company in his time with us, especially his leadership through this unprecedented set of circumstances we've successfully navigated recently," said co-founder Craig Culver. "That said, we certainly know how important family is and fully support his decision to focus there..."

USDA Releases Roadmap to Address Salmonella

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Food Safety (OFS) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have released a plan to decrease Salmonella, one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses. The Roadmap to Reducing Salmonella: Driving Change through Science-Based Policy outlines programs and policies that are science-based, data-driven, and promote innovation to reduce Salmonella in meat, poultry, and egg products.

“This roadmap represents FSIS’ commitment to lead with science and data in all that we do. It puts us on a course to aggressively target Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens,” said USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears...

UK Businesses Now Eligible to Export Beef to the USA

A significant step in the collective effort across the UK to restart exports of beef to the US market for the first time in over 20 years has been reached following access being granted in March this year.

The first four food businesses, based in Northern Ireland and Wales, have now been officially listed by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service, as eligible to export UK beef to the USA.

This means that Kepak Group Limited (Merthyr) in Wales, along with Foyle Food Group (Foyle Campsie), WD Meats and Granville Food Care Ltd. in Northern Ireland, can now start production and export of UK beef for US consumers...

Johnsonville Welcomes Vermont Smoke & Cure to its Brand Portfolio

Johnsonville, LLC added a new brand to its portfolio with the purchase of a leading East Coast meat-snacking company, Vermont Smoke & Cure (VSC). The Vermont-based, privately held company will operate as a part of Johnsonville, while maintaining its current brand name, leadership team and operations. Established in 1962, VSC produces dozens of high-quality, clean-ingredient, hand-crafted meat snacks. Among its long list of delicious products are:

• Meat Snack Sticks (pork, beef, poultry and grass-fed beef)
• Bulk Pepperoni
• Summer Sausage

Publix Named Among Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Women

Publix has been recognized by Fortune as one of the Best Workplaces for Women, ranking No. 29 out of 100 companies on the 2020 list.

“We are honored to be recognized by Fortune as a best workplace for women,” said Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous. “Our inclusion on the 2020 list reflects Publix’s commitment to create a diverse culture that makes us stronger as a company.”

In a survey conducted by Great Place to Work, women were asked about experiences in their workplace based on their ability to reach their full potential and how their gender shapes those experiences. Great Place to Work then analyzed trends based on an organization’s size, industry and region...

The Whopper Is Now Free of Colors, Flavors and Preservatives From Artificial Sources

Today, Burger King^® restaurants are proud to announce the Whopper^® sandwich now features no colors, no flavors and no preservatives from artificial sources in all markets across the United States. It’s the Whopper^® and nothing but the Whopper. The milestone is one of various efforts and substantial changes Burger King has made to its menu to promote real food and high-quality ingredients for its guests. In the U.S., 85% of the Burger King permanent food menu is now free of colors, flavors, and preservatives from artificial sources, and the brand is striving to achieve 100% by the beginning of next year...

USDA to Provide Additional $14 Billion to Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by the Coronavirus

President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced up to an additional $14 billion dollars for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) will begin September 21st and run through December 11, 2020.

“America’s agriculture communities are resilient, but still face many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump is once again demonstrating his commitment to ensure America’s farmers and ranchers remain in business to produce the food, fuel, and fiber America needs to thrive,” said Secretary Perdue...

Papa John's Announces Plans For New Global Headquarters in Atlanta 

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced plans to open a new global headquarters in the Metro Atlanta, GA region, where menu innovation; marketing; customer experience; HR; diversity, equity and inclusion; communications; and development functions will be located. IT, supply chain, and legal teams will remain in the Louisville, KY headquarters. Papa John’s also maintains a headquarters office outside of London, UK, where its international operations are managed.

Papa John’s new headquarters in Metro Atlanta is a key element of a broader reorganization of corporate functions, reflecting the company’s ongoing transformation into a brand and culture that can effectively and efficiently deliver on the company’s purpose, values and strategic business priorities...

NCBA & PLC Hail Legislation To Modernize ESA

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC), this week celebrated the introduction of critical legislation that will modernize the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the first time in close to 30 years.

Introduced by Senator and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), John Barrasso (R – Wyo), the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 2020 will improve the existing law by strengthening state and local partnerships, incentivizing voluntary conservation efforts undertaken by ranchers and other land owners, and defend the ESA’s delisting process for animals that have successfully recovered and no longer need protection...

Plant-based Protein Labeling Legal Battle Heats Up in Oklahoma

Upton’s Naturals Co, a plant-based protein producer, and the Plant Based Foods Association are suing the state of Oklahoma for its ‘Meat Consumer Protection Act’ which will come into effect on November 1 and force products to print a label the size of the brand name stating that the product is plant-based.

Upton’s argues the Act is infringing on the company’s first amendment rights, per a complaint filed to a U.S. District Court. This is the second time the parties have taken...

Urner Barry's Reporter Fall 2020 Issue Released; Read It Online For Free Now

A brand new issue of Urner Barry's Reporter is out! Volume 15, Number 4 features a preview of Urner Barry's upcoming Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit, set to take place from October 6-9, 2020. Check out interviews with some of the speakers from our epic online event, including Scott Rasmussen, John Manzella, Fernando Machado and more! Click here to read.

Not a subscriber? Sign up for free! Click here to subscribe to Urner Barry’s Reporter, the quarterly newsmagazine for the food industry professional. 

Hormel Partners with Papa Murphy's Pizza to Launch New Plant-Based Pepperoni Style Topping

Hormel Foods, the makers of Hormel^® Pepperoni, America's No. 1 selling pepperoni brand* and the maker of the Happy Little Plants^® products, are introducing new Happy Little Plants^® pepperoni style topping at select Papa Murphy's locations across the country.

Good Food Institute’s Alison Rabschnuk Talks About the Growing Demand for Alternative Proteins

The plant-based food industry has not been immune to the impacts of COVID-19. Just like those in poultry, beef and seafood, the shutdown of the foodservice industry forced those in the plant-based world to shift their focus to retail. Fortunately for them, plant-based proteins have seen a significant jump in retail sales growth.

According to Alison Rabschnuk, Director of Corporate Engagement of the Good Food Institute, a non-profit that provides strategic support for companies working on plant-based and cultivated meat products...

NCBA Supports Disaster Relief Resources For Cattle Producers

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today released the following statement to highlight federal programs that are available for cattle producers across the country who are being impacted by wildfires, hurricanes, drought, and other natural disasters. NCBA also supports local assistance efforts that allow producers, communities, and the public to support affected producers:

"The wildfires and hurricanes that have plagued the country these last few weeks are significant disasters that are hurting cattle producers in multiple ways. From flooded operations, burned rangeland, decreased forage due to drought, and smoke inhalation risks for cattle and producers alike, this is a trying time for producers..."

NRF: August Retail Sales Grow as Pandemic Recovery Continues

Retail sales continued to recover from the coronavirus pandemic in August, showing a gradual improvement from July and larger gains year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said today.

“While August retail sales numbers were a bit mixed, we believe the consumer is resilient and is in good shape as we head into the holiday season,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Over the past several months, consumers have responded well to federal relief measures that have supported the recovery, so it comes as no surprise that they would take a pause on spending as some of these programs tapered off at the end of July..."

Sweet Earth Foods Launches Plant-Based Bacon Cheeseburger in Foodservice 

Sweet Earth Foods, a Nestlé brand and award-winning plant-based food innovator, announced the launch of their Plant-Based Triple Play, a fully plant-based bac'n cheezeburger to debut in foodservice.

The launch will debut at The University of Massachusetts Dining Program, which is the largest collegiate dining program in America and a recognized leader in campus food quality, nutrition, and innovation.

To celebrate National Cheeseburger Day (September 18th), they'll feature the Sweet Earth Plant-Based Triple Play in their Amherst location's dining halls, take-away, through...

ANALYSIS: Pork Trim Point Per Lean Comparison

Late seasonal domestic demand, export interest, lighter hog weights, and diminished availability of boning line workers have been noted as...

Study Sheds Light on U.S. Consumer Preferences on Conventional and Alternative Protein Products 

In the past six months, players within the plant-based protein industry have been dazzled by the performance of their alternative burgers, patties, nuggets, and sausages. As reported by the Good Food Institute (GFI) overall plant-based product sales increased to a peak of... 

Dunkin' Delivery with DoorDash Now Available at 3,500 Restaurants Nationwide

Dunkin' and DoorDash have teamed up to make delivery available at approximately 3,500 Dunkin' restaurants across the country, with further expansion planned over the coming months. To officially kick off the relationship, DoorDash is treating guests with a special offer. Starting September 15 through September 21, consumers that spend $10 or more on Dunkin' through DoorDash will be eligible for a free 25-count box of Munchkins and a $0 delivery fee.

According to Brandy Blackwell, Director of New Business, Delivery & Catering, for Dunkin' U.S., "Dunkin' guests know they can count on us to offer the most convenient ways to enjoy their favorite coffee and...

Cracker Barrel Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2020 Results

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 ended July 31, 2020 and provided an update regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2020 Highlights

• Dining room service gradually returned during the first two months of the quarter, and by the end of June, substantially all dining rooms were open at varying levels of reduced capacity.
• Comparable store restaurant and retail sales both improved sequentially each month during the quarter. Comparable store restaurant sales decreased...

PODCAST: Go With the Grain – Glenn Smith on Feed Ingredients

Glenn Smith, Director of Feed Ingredient Procurement at Wayne Farms, returns this week to Market Digest! Laura and Glenn discuss the increased demand for protein items as...

Adapt and Move Fast: A Q&A with Restaurant Brands International CMO Fernando Machado

We caught up with Fernando Machado, Global CMO at Restaurant Brands International, to talk about his perspective on the pandemic and foodservice impacts ahead of his much-anticipated appearance at Urner Barry’s upcoming Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit, broadcasting exclusively online October 6-9, 2020. Fernando’s focus is infusing Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons with purpose, improving product quality, overall sustainability, modernizing design, and inspiring the organization around tech, digital and brand development...

SpartanNash Announces New President and CEO

SpartanNash Company announced that it has hired Tony B. Sarsam as President and Chief Executive Officer. Sarsam will assume that role and join the Board of Directors, effective September 21, 2020. Interim President and CEO Dennis Eidson will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board and will serve as Executive Chairman for a period of thirty days to ensure a smooth transition with Sarsam.

Sarsam is an accomplished CEO who has a unique blend of consumer products and supply chain expertise in the food industry, which positions him especially well to lead SpartanNash Company. Sarsam most recently served as CEO of Borden Dairy Company, Inc. where he led business growth and positive trends in a challenging industry. He successfully led Borden through its recent restructuring and...

PepsiCo Announces Senior Leadership Appointment

PepsiCo, Inc. announced that Athina Kanioura has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. She will report to Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta.

In this new role, Kanioura will lead PepsiCo's end-to-end strategy to win both as a total company and in key markets, including the company's digitalization and data strategy. She will also lead company-wide transformation—ensuring that PepsiCo's scale is leveraged as the company focuses on accelerating growth and identifying areas of cost efficiency and optimization.

"Athina is a highly talented leader who will bring a cross-functional, technology-driven approach to...

NAMI Responds to Washington Post Article on OSHA Citations 

The Washington Post article discussed below was not featured on Urner Barry's sites. 

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today said the Washington Post missed the real story regarding the Occupational and Safety Health Administration’s (OSHA) citations of two meat packing companies related to COVID-19:

Kim Kindy of the Washington Post has written a story critical of OSHA’s citations of two meat packing plants. We agree OSHA deserves criticism, but for different reasons. OSHA’s citations against Smithfield Foods and JBS Foods are both confusing and revisionist.

Kindy neglects to look at the timeline. Let us review...

100,000 Restaurants Closed Six Months into Pandemic

Six months following the first shutdown of restaurants for the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant industry is in limbo. According to a new survey released by the National Restaurant Association, nearly 1 in 6 restaurants (representing nearly 100,000 restaurants) is closed either permanently or long-term; nearly 3 million employees are still out of work; and the industry is on track to lose $240 billion in sales by the end of the year.

The survey, which asked restaurant operators about the six-month impact of the pandemic on their businesses, found that overwhelmingly, most restaurants are still struggling to survive and don't expect their position to improve over the next six months. The findings include...

US Foods Fall Scoop Helps Restaurant Operators Stay On Point With Evolving Off-Premise Trends

US Foods Holding Corp. announced the launch of Fall Scoop 2020, titled “On Point With Off-Premise – Designed To Make It.” This special edition of Scoop features 14 products designed to address trends within off-premise dining such as labor-saving products perfect for DIY meal kits and products that will help ease diner safety and hygiene worries, including tamper-evident packaging and sanitation items.

“The restaurant environment has changed immensely with the surge in off-premise dining, and the ability for restaurant operators to adapt with creativity, labor savings and safety in mind is...

White Castle Introduces the Crave Clutch

White Castle is once again disrupting how customers transport its famous Sliders. The restaurant is adding yet another unique container – the Crave Clutch – to its lineup of iconic packaging. The colorful clutch makes its debut in all White Castle restaurants and will be available for a limited time. It's the first new package since White Castle introduced the 100-count Crave Crate in 2004.

Holding 20 Sliders of any variety, the Crave Clutch sits nicely between the classic 10 Sack and the 30-Slider Crave Case, making it the perfect choice for family meals and small gatherings. That's especially helpful now as people spend more time at home or outdoors in response to...

Colorado-Based Planterra Foods' Brand, OZO, Named the Plant-Based Food Choice of The Denver Broncos

Colorado's number one sports team and rising innovative local start-up, Planterra Foods, announced a three-year partnership with OZO, the Plant-Based Food Choice of the Denver Broncos. News of the two distinguished Colorado entities joining forces comes just in time for the Broncos' season opener against the Tennessee Titans, taking place tonight at 8:20 p.m. MST.

"At Planterra Foods, our goal is to provide delicious, clean and nutritious plant-based protein choices for everyone to experience, from vegans to flexitarians to meat-eaters. With our Colorado roots and focus on sourcing the heart of our products locally, it was very natural for us to team up with the Denver Broncos as we also share similar values in...

CHART: Industry Expectations for Weekly Cattle Slaughter

China and Japan Suspend Pork Imports from Germany Following African Swine Fever Case 

According to the German Food and Agriculture Ministry, China and Japan have suspended imports of pork and live pigs from Germany after a case of African swine fever was confirmed in a wild boar near the Polish border in the eastern state of Brandenburg, Germany. This comes as South Korea banned imports of German pork last week.

Pork imports of 40,230 tons from Germany last year accounted for about 3.3% of Japan's total imports of pork, the ministry reported. Japan did not import any live pigs last year, down from six in 2018. China's ban on imports comes as the country deals with its own spread of the disease. German pork exports to China total about...

Beyond Meat Introduces Beyond Meatballs at Grocery Stores Nationwide 

Beyond Meat announced that Beyond Meatballs will be rolling into grocery stores nationwide starting this week. With more consumers looking for nutritious options that are delicious and easy to prepare, Beyond Meatballs are conveniently pre-seasoned with a signature blend of Italian spices, pre-rolled and ready to cook.

Beyond Meatballs will be launching at grocery stores nationwide including Whole Foods Market, Stop & Shop, Sprouts, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Albertsons, and others by early October. Sold in the fresh meat section with a suggested retail price of $6.99 for 12 meatballs, Beyond Meatballs have...

Cher-Make Sausage Company Recalls Fully Cooked Meat Sausage Products 

Cher-Make Sausage Company, a Manitowoc, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 429-lbs of fully-cooked meat sausage products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced. The product contains milk (cheese), which is not declared on the packaging label.

The product labeled as “Old Fashioned Wieners” may contain cheddar wieners product. The product was produced on July 23, 2020. The following products are subject to recall...

Amazon Hiring 100,000 New Employees Across the U.S. and Canada 

Amazon continues to provide opportunities for regular full-time and part-time jobs in its fulfillment and logistics network as it expands its footprint to better serve customers in communities where they live. The company announced that it is hiring an additional 100,000 regular employment opportunities throughout the U.S. and Canada on top of the 33,000 Corporate and Technology jobs announced last week. The roles offer a starting wage of at least $15 per hour, and in select cities Amazon is offering sign-on bonuses up to $1,000 to new hires. On top of Amazon’s minimum $15 wage, the company offers full-time employees industry-leading benefits, which include health, vision and...

ANALYSIS: ASF Reported in Germany; A Look at German Pork Exports

An African Swine Fever case has been identified and confirmed in one wild boar in Schenkendöbern, Brandenburg, Germany on...

NAMI Issues Statement on OSHA Citation Related to COVID-19

The North American Meat Institute released the following statement from Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts regarding an Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) citation related to COVID-19.

“While the meat and poultry industry remains vigilant working with many government agencies to stop the spread of COVID-19, OSHA engages in revisionism.

“The meat and poultry industry’s first priority is the safety of the men and women who work in their facilities. Notwithstanding inconsistent and sometimes...

Sysco Introduces ‘Foodie Solutions’ to Help Customers Approach Foodservice During COVID-19 Pandemic

As foodservice operators continue to navigate the coronavirus pandemic and states begin to lift restrictions like indoor dining, Sysco has launched Foodie Solutions, a platform created to support foodservice operates during this time.

Through perspective from supporting restaurants and operators across the U.S. Sysco identified essential tools to help customers respond quickly to the changing environment and new trends that have developed during COVID-19 shutdowns.

“Foodie Solutions’ comprehensive suite of toolkits is designed to help operators drive traffic..."

Kroger Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results and Updates Full-Year 2020 Guidance

The Kroger Co. reported its second quarter 2020 results, provided a Restock Kroger progress update on the three-year transformation plan, and shared a COVID-19 response update.

Comments from Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen

"Each day I'm inspired by the work our incredible associates do to bring to life our purpose, to Feed the Human Spirit. I am proud of our dedicated associates who are serving our customers when they need us most. Our top priority is to provide a safe environment for associates and customers and as the pandemic continues, we will continue to rise to meet the challenge.

Customers are at the center of everything we do and, as a result, we are...

Foodservice Focus Shifts With No Tailgating, Spectators as Football Season Kicks Off

Most NFL fans won’t be firing up their grills in the parking lots or purchasing sandwiches while cheering their favorite teams this year.

At the same time, fans who typically head out to their favorite sports bar or restaurant to catch the game, may not have the opportunity or feel safe due to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns.

Early in the pandemic, family deals and other large portioned offerings were popular among restaurants. Similar deals are being revived as favorite...

Imports Spike as Economy Continues Recovery and Retailers Stock Up for Holidays

Imports surged to unexpected high levels this summer and may have hit a new record as the U.S. economy continues to reopen and retailers stock up for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“It’s important to be careful how much to read into these numbers after all we’ve seen this year, but retailers are importing far more merchandise for the holidays than we expected even a month ago,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Some of these imports are helping replenish inventories that started to run low after...

White Castle Launches Craver Nation Loyalty Program 

White Castle has launched its first loyalty program, Craver Nation. The program will provide valuable discounts and special offers to customers based on their individual purchase history at White Castle restaurants. Members will receive a free combo meal with four Original Sliders, a small order of fries and a small soft drink when they sign up.

"No two customers are quite alike, which is why we're offering a personalized experience that's not based on points or the number of purchases, but instead on their individual preferences at White Castle," said Lisa Ingram, president and CEO of White Castle and fourth generation family member. "We're looking forward to providing these special offers and...

Postmates Becomes Official On-Demand Food Delivery Partner of The NFL

The National Football League and Postmates, have entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement making Postmates the first official on-demand food delivery partner of the NFL. Postmates is also an official sponsor of NFL premier events including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and Draft, to name a few.

"People across the country aren't just ready to order their favorite gameday foods, they are eagerly awaiting the return of football. While most fans won't be able to physically go to the game, this partnership with the NFL allows us to bring the gameday experience, and...

Weekly Unemployment Claims Remain Elevated

The U.S. Labor Department reported 884,000 first-time filings for unemployment claims, unchanged from the previous week's revised level. For the week ending August 29, the advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 9.2%, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the unrevised rate the week before. Continuing claims from those filing for at least two weeks rose from the week prior, reaching 13.385 million. That is an increase of 93,000 from last week's report and an indicator that job improvement through the summer may be tailing off as fall begins.

For the week ending September 5, the 4-week moving average was 970,750, a decrease of 21,750 from the previous week's revised average. Claims under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program continued to rise, increasing more than...

Impossible Foods Launches Plant-Based Sausage in Hong Kong

Impossible Foods is rolling out Impossible Sausage Made From Plants in Hong Kong, the first international market for the award-winning, plant-based patty.

Impossible Sausage is the company’s first all-new product since the 2016 debut of Impossible Burger. California-based Impossible Foods launched Impossible Sausage to much fanfare at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Within six months, the patties have become available at more than 22,000 locations throughout the United States.

Starting today, Hong Kongers can buy Starbucks’ Maize Impossible Sandwich at...

Tyson Foods to Verify Sustainable Cattle Production Practices at Scale

Tyson Foods announced its work to verify sustainable beef production practices on more than 5 million acres of cattle grazing land in the U.S. This would be the largest known beef transparency program in the U.S., and part of Tyson Foods’ focus on sustainably feeding the world while taking care of people, the planet and animals.

Working with Where Food Comes From, the largest provider of certification and verification services to the food industry, Tyson Foods will source cattle from BeefCARE™ verified beef producers who are committed to raising cattle using...

NotCo Closes $85 Million Series C Round and Announces U.S. Expansion

NotCo, a food-tech company in Latin America, has announced the closing of an $85 million Series C investment round, co-led by Future Positive. NotCo is a startup that utilizes proprietary technology that can match animal protein to its replacement among plant-based ingredients. NotCo has launched plant-based products including dairy, eggs, and meat. The company has launched NotMilk, NotBurger, NotIceCream, and NotMayo in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. In less than three years it has become a fast-growing food-tech company in Latin America.

The new funding comes as the company announces scaled up operations and marks plans for international expansion leading with an entry into the United States, a promising market for its portfolio of products of plant-based food. The company will evaluate both...

ANALYSIS: Pork Offals in Cold Storage Decline as Fresh Supplies Remain Thin

The labor force continues to be stretched thin at many production plants following the wave of closures that occurred earlier in the year due to...

McDonald's to Test Reusable Cup Model for Hot Beverages 

McDonald’s Corporation has announced a global partnership with TerraCycle’s circular packaging service, Loop, to test a new reusable cup model for hot beverages. The initiative, which will first be trialed in 2021 across select McDonald’s restaurants in the UK, helps customers enjoy their favorite McDonald’s hot drink in a reusable cup, while cutting down on packaging waste. The model marks significant progress toward innovative circular packaging solutions that help protect the planet for communities today, and in the future.

This unique new partnership will conveniently allow customers to reduce waste by choosing a durable Loop-created cup, for a small deposit. The deposit can then be redeemed by returning the cup to participating McDonald’s UK restaurants in order to be...

Planterra Foods Launches Plant-Based Offerings for Foodservice Operators 

At a time when foodservice operators are pivoting to counteract the world's health pandemic, menu innovation, and addressing consumer's evolving demands are more vital than ever. Innovative Colorado-based start-up Planterra Foods is answering the call and launching a line of OZO plant-based protein products for foodservice. The OZO foodservice line is now available in four plant-based offerings: burgers, ground, nuggets and breakfast sausage patties, catering to all dayparts.

The debut of OZO will elevate the protein possibilities that foodservice operators can feature on their menu to attract new customers and increase check averages. To support its partners during this recovery period and...

Walmart Now Piloting On-Demand Drone Delivery

Walmart's latest initiative has the company exploring how drones can deliver items in a way that is convenient, safe, and fast. Walmart is taking the next step in the exploration of on-demand delivery by announcing a new pilot with Flytrex, an end-to-end drone delivery company.

The pilot is launching in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and focuses on delivering select grocery and household essential items from Walmart stores using Flytrex's automated drones. The drones, which are controlled over the cloud using a smart and easy control dashboard, will help...

National Pork Board Launches Pork as a Passport Campaign 

To celebrate pork’s position as a global, culturally relevant protein and offer weary home cooks in the U.S. a variety of authentic meal options, the National Pork Board has launched Pork as a Passport.

This new consumer marketing campaign elevates the at-home cooking experience by highlighting the common love for pork across a number of global cuisines. The Pork Board, and the 60,000 U.S. farmers it represents, introduced Pork as a Passport in an effort to encourage quarantine cooks to...

The Impact Virtual School Will Have on Daytime Meals  

With the pandemic still uncontrolled, “back to school” is a lot more complex for parents these days. On top of the usual routine, many parents are now faced with figuring out childcare, financial burdens, and how to balance this with a full-time job. With kids at home, meal preparation will continue to be among their many demands, and parents will need help with finding convenient options.

The coronavirus pandemic also has many still working from home. Daytime meals and snacks that were often purchased at restaurants and convenience stores during the workday have now moved into the home. Going out to get food is now viewed as less convenient and too expensive since the refrigerator is so close. However, restaurants can be...

Industry Veteran Debbie Roberts Joins Panera As Chief Operations Officer

Panera Bread announced the appointment of Debbie Roberts as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer effective September 8. A well-known restaurant industry leader, Roberts brings nearly 30 years of restaurant experience and will be a collaborative leader for all Panera operations and operations support functions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Debbie to Panera and looking forward to her bringing her strong record of cross-functional partnership, results-driven engagement, and especially, her focus on people as the core of operational excellence,” said Niren Chaudhary, Panera CEO. “As the brand continues to...

Bojangles Names Monica Sauls as the Company’s First Chief People Officer

Bojangles, Inc. announced that leading human resources and change management strategist Monica Sauls will join the company as Chief People Officer, effective Sept. 15. In this newly defined position that goes beyond the traditional human resources role, Sauls will drive the company’s culture, developing current team members and attracting new talent to support the company’s growth.

Reporting directly to Bojangles CEO Jose Armario, Sauls will lead talent acquisition, talent development, employee relations, diversity and inclusion and culture stewardship. She is the first African American to serve on Bojangles’ senior leadership team in the company’s...

CHART: Industry Expectations for Weekly Cattle Slaughter

Scott Rasmussen Talks Politics and What You Need to Know

Long recognized as one of the world’s leading public opinion pollsters, Scott Rasmussen is constantly measuring and analyzing the mood of the nation. That’s why when it came time for Urner Barry to create a lineup of dynamic speakers for the upcoming online Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit, Scott was a must-have headliner.

This exclusive online event is set to take place October 6-9, 2020 and will feature live and on-demand sessions exploring the biggest issues facing the food industry today. Being an election year...

Beyond Meat Announces Agreement to Begin Production in China 

Beyond Meat has signed an agreement with Jiaxing Economic & Technological Development Zone to design and develop manufacturing facilities in the JXEDZ, including a state-of-the-art production facility to manufacture plant-based meat products including beef, pork and chicken under the Beyond Meat brand in China. The production facilities will be located in the JXEDZ, a historic and commercially important development zone with ready access to Shanghai.

Beyond Meat, Inc. will be the first multinational company focused solely on plant-based meat production to bring its own major production facility into...