Over $22B Worth of Cargo is Stuck on Container Ships Off California
There was fleeting hope that Southern California port congestion had turned the corner. The number of container ships waiting offshore dipped to the low 60s and high 50s from a record high of 73 on Sept. 19, trans-Pacific spot rates plateaued, the Biden administration unveiled aspirations for 24/7 port ops, and electricity shortages curbed Chinese factory output.
The reality is that the port congestion crisis in Southern California is not getting any better.
The time ships are stuck waiting offshore continues to lengthen...
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This Week in Retail: Buying Opportunities Increase for Pork
Meat and poultry features are bountiful this week as consumers hunker down for hearty home-cooked meals during chilly autumn evenings. While Halloween is just around the corner, some retailers are already showcasing Thanksgiving promotions.
This week in retail, buying opportunities were lower week-over-week for turkey and seafood features. Towards the tail-end of October National Pork Month, marketing campaigns pushed pork features higher than the previous week. Meanwhile, retail activity for chicken and beef was nearly flat with the week prior.
Buying opportunities for seafood this week are centered around fresh/frozen fillets—namely tilapia—and raw shrimp. The fresh/frozen fillets complex makes up 33% of ad space and averages $6.89 per pound, 20.1% above a year ago. Tilapia is up 7.8% from this week last year at $5.93 per pound on average. Atlantic salmon boneless filet is also widely featured and averages $8.68 per pound, compared to $7.70 per pound last year. The raw shrimp complex claims 23% of ad space. The regional price spread for 16-20 raw ranges from $6.99 per pound to $8.99 per pound, generally on par with year-ago levels...
America is Freezing Food at Record Rates
Americans have been freezing food at record rates these past two years, with a majority of people across the country (55%) saying they bought a second or even third freezer to house all the extra frozen food.
A recent survey* of 2,000 people across America revealed that some of the most common foods in freezers are vegetables, soups and sauces. And close to a third reported feeling ‘stressed,’ ‘uneasy,’ or ‘surprised’ when they open their freezer and see all the unused food; one-half say they have to waste their frozen food because...
Chipotle Announces Third Quarter 2021 Results
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. today reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2021.
Third quarter highlights, year over year:
- Total revenue increased 21.9% to $2.0 billion- Comparable restaurant sales increased 15.1%- Digital sales grew 8.6% and accounted for 42.8% of sales- Operating margin was 12.3%, an increase from 6.7%- Restaurant level operating margin was 23.5% 1, an increase of 400 basis points- Diluted earnings per share was $7.18, a 154.6% increase from $2.82. Excluding a $0.16 after-tax net impact resulting from a tax benefit, which...
North American Meat Institute Statement on Cattle Contract Library Act
The North American Meat Institute, a trade association for meat and poultry packers and processors of all sizes, today released the following statement regarding the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021, H.R. 5609, which was marked up and reported out of the House Committee on Agriculture:
“Members of the Meat Institute are still analyzing the bill and how it might affect their operations,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “More time is needed to consider how the bill will affect livestock producers..."
IRI Releases Data Detailing Availability of Key Thanksgiving Holiday Sides
IRI®, a global leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and media companies, today released new data on availability of a basket of five Thanksgiving-related grocery categories across stores nationally.
“As the holiday season approaches and widespread supply chain challenges continue to impact industries across the economy, IRI is tracking a basket of items for their availability, demand, price and promotion for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Dr. Krishnakumar (“KK”) S. Davey, president of IRI Client Engagement. “Halloween season is shaping up nicely..."
GrubMarket Expands to Canada through Acquisition of Funtech Software
GrubMarket today announced it has completed the acquisition of Vancouver-based Funtech Software, a provider of comprehensive eCommerce systems and online grocery software solutions to both online grocery companies and brick-and-mortar grocery stores, enabling them to manage their business online and reach more consumers. This marks GrubMarket's first acquisition in Canada, and the formation of GrubMarket's first overseas software technology R&D center, leveraging the rich software engineering resources in the Vancouver area.
Founded in 2017 by Sam Qi, Funtech designs, develops and supports eCommerce storefronts across platforms...
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Helps Families Celebrate Together With Care This Holiday Season
This holiday season, care is in the air and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® is the perfect one-stop-shop to help guests care for their loved ones and make this holiday season special. After more than a year of interrupted and often cancelled family gatherings, Cracker Barrel boasts a variety of seasonal offerings made with care, fully prepared meals, and holiday gift options to help guests celebrate with family and friends both in store and at home. For a limited time...
Jack in the Box Signs Seven Development Agreements in Q4 of Fiscal Year 2021 to Open 47 Stores
Jack in the Box Inc., one of the nation’s leading QSR chains, announced today it has awarded seven development agreements in Q4 of fiscal year 2021 to open 47 new restaurants. In total, Jack in the Box has awarded 23 development agreements in fiscal year 2021 to build 111 stores over the course of the next several years. The agreements will help the brand grow in existing markets including Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, as well as new ones such as...
Mercatus Survey Reveals 75% of Online Grocery Orders To Be Fulfilled at Grocery Stores
Mercatus, the leading provider in digital commerce solutions for grocery retail, today announced findings from its annual eGrocery survey of U.S. consumers, conducted in collaboration with Incisiv. The report, titled eGrocery Transformed: 2021 market projections and insight into online grocery's elevated future, confirms that U.S. online grocery customers are predominantly oriented towards grocery pickup services with 75% of survey respondents preferring store pickup.
The number of online grocery customers who report using curbside pickup at least once in the last year increased to 61% on average...
Urner Barry Releases October Emerging Plant Protein Report
According to the latest USDA WASDE, the outlook for 2021/22 U.S. rice this October is for reduced supplies with lower domestic use, unchanged exports, and smaller ending stocks. Supplies were reduced on lower projected imports that more than offset minimally higher production. NASS increased the average all rice yield by 2 pounds per acre, to 7,625 pounds. Total domestic and residual use was decreased by 1.0 million cwt to 146.0 million on lower supplies, and ending stocks were reduced to 33.2 million cwt, down 1.0 million. The season-average farm price for all rice remains unchanged at $14.80/cwt.
Persistent rainfall across the southern United States this spring delayed rice planting and field operations, which has led to slightly slower than average harvest pace to date. For the week ending October 3...
BASF and Cargill expand partnership for the Animal Feed Industry
BASF and Cargill are expanding their partnership in the animal nutrition business, adding research and development capabilities and new markets to the partners’ existing feed enzymes distribution agreements. Together, they will develop, produce, market, and sell customer-centric enzyme products and solutions. The goal is to bring farmers feed innovations that reduce nutrient waste, improving feed efficiency, and promote animal growth and wellbeing.
“We are proud to enter this next stage of collaboration with Cargill. Through joint solutions we will further increase the value creation opportunities in the enzymes space..."
Yum China Inaugurates Digital R&D Center to Further Implement Digital Strategy
Yum China Holdings, Inc. announced the opening of its Digital R&D Center with three sites in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Xi'an. The inauguration of the Digital R&D Center represents an important milestone for the Company's strategy to build a dynamic digital ecosystem comprised of 1) the Digital R&D Center, 2) joint venturing, and 3) third party collaboration, to provide a solid foundation for Yum China to further develop its brands and businesses, accelerate expansion and capture market opportunities.
The Digital R&D Center will consolidate and...
‘Tis the Season: Ruth’s Chris Steak House Unveils Holiday Offerings
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, known for its unmatched dining experience and steaks served on 500-degree sizzling plates, today announced its holiday offerings available soon in-restaurant or for pick-up at more than 150 locations nationwide.
Enjoy the Holidays at Ruth’s Table
Ruth’s Chris’ in-restaurant menu for Thanksgiving encompasses the following:
Traditional Thanksgiving DinnerSingle portion inclusive of the below; exclusively available in-restaurant on Nov. 25.- Starter: Choice of Caesar Salad, Steak House Salad or Lobster Bisque- Entrée: Sliced Oven Roasted Turkey, Ruth’s Sausage and Herb Stuffing...
Quiznos Adds a Flavorful Twist to Traditional Favorite with the New Bison Reuben Sandwich
Quiznos is shaking up its fall menu with its latest innovation, the limited-time only Bison Reuben, bringing a unique twist to a popular sandwich. The Bison Reuben features tender and delicious, premium bison from High Plains Bison and is piled high with sauerkraut, swiss cheese and tangy Thousand Island dressing, all served on toasted rustic rye bread.
Quiznos is proud to partner with High Plains Bison to push the boundaries of fast-casual sandwich options and offer a flavorful, high-quality corned bison, free from...
NCBA Welcomes Cattle Contract Library Bill Amid Ongoing Push for Transparency
Today, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the introduction of the Cattle Contract Library Act, led by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX).
The bipartisan bill would establish a cattle contract library within USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS), equipping cattle producers with the market data they need to make informed business decisions and exert greater leverage in negotiations with major meatpackers.
The cattle contract library is widely supported by industry groups and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and the...
Panera Bread Announces Its Goal to Become Climate Positive By 2050
Today, Panera Bread announces its commitment to become climate positive – removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits – by 2050. The first national fast casual restaurant company to set a climate positive target, Panera today updated its Food Beliefs to include climate goals, establishing an ambitious vision for its business. With approximately 25 percent of global greenhouse gases created from food production1, Panera hopes to lead and inspire its industry to address the climate crisis.
“Climate change is one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time..."
NAMI: Meat and Poultry Industry to Assist USDA in Reducing Salmonella Infections
The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new national goal of reducing Salmonella illnesses by 25 percent and committed to continue working with USDA and other groups to achieve the shared goal of reducing Salmonella infections.
“As an industry, our goal is to produce safe products without exception,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “The industry has significantly improved efforts to reduce incidence of Salmonella, and we will continue to work with..."
Albertsons Sees More Inflation
Albertsons Cos. projected higher inflation for the rest of the year, driven by higher supply-chain and labor costs across the food industry.
The Boise, Idaho-based supermarket chain is passing through some price increases to shoppers but said it is also offering cheaper alternatives. Executives said consumers are still spending heavily on groceries as they stay at home and cook more than they did before the pandemic.
"We have not seen material change in customer behavior," Chief Executive Officer Vivek Sankaran said Monday during a call with analysts.
Food companies say they have been...
Taco Bell® Is Giving Fans A "Wake Up Call" With Free Burritos On October 21
Skip the snooze button because breakfast is officially back at nearly all Taco Bell restaurants nationwide. To ensure that no one is sleeping on its breakfast menu, Taco Bell is giving consumers a craveable reason to celebrate in the form of a free Toasted Breakfast Burrito at Taco Bell restaurants nationwide on October 21 from 7-11 AM (local time), while supplies last*.
Taco Bell is using their late-night influence to encourage fans to get some sleep so they can wake rested and...
NPPC’s Neil Dierks to Receive USMEF Distinguished Service Award
Neil Dierks, chief executive officer of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), has been selected to receive the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s (USMEF) Distinguished Service Award. Created in 1991, the award honors outstanding figures who exemplify the exceptional dedication responsible for the red meat industry’s success in building global demand for U.S. pork, beef and lamb. It will be presented Nov. 11 at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Carlsbad, Calif.
Dierks has served in several senior roles at NPPC since 1990, but noted that his initial interaction with...
Walmart Selects Spartanburg County for New High-Tech Grocery Distribution Center
Today, Walmart announced plans to build a new, high-tech distribution center for fresh and frozen groceries in Spartanburg County, set to open in 2024. The new 720,000+ square-foot facility will create more than 400 full-time regional jobs and will rely on the combination of Walmart associates, automation technology, robotics and machine learning to process grocery perishables – such as produce, eggs, dairy, flowers and frozen goods – and deliver them to nearby stores. The high-tech facility marks Walmart’s largest grocery distribution center to date and...
IHOP® Launches New Hand-Crafted Melts to All-Day Dine in and To-Go Menus
Today, IHOP® introduces its latest menu innovation of Hand-Crafted Melts, a collection of sandwiches with savory flavors, as part of the restaurant’s ongoing commitment to the prioritization of the P.M. daypart and portable menu options. Guests can choose from a lineup of seven different Hand-Crafted Melts – featuring craveable flavors and quality ingredients such as 100% Black Angus steak and all-natural roasted turkey.
The new Hand-Crafted Melts include a range of ingredients, such as signature sweet and tangy IHOP...
Red Robin Celebrates Veterans Day with a Free Red's Tavern Double Burger to Honor U.S. Veterans
This Veterans Day, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews gives thanks to our courageous military men and women honoring them in the best way Red Robin knows how – with a free delicious burger and bottomless fries to top it all off. Red Robin Royalty® members who have a military designation will receive a FREE Red's Tavern Double burger - available for dine-in or to-go, starting November 1.
The free offer is redeemable for two weeks where Military Royalty members...
REPORTER: Acute Shortage of HGV Drivers Leads to Major Supply Issues in the UK
This article was originally featured in the Fall 2021 Edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine.
Critical supply chains are nearing a breaking point in the United Kingdom with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) reporting a shortage of 100,000 drivers in July.
The shortage of drivers has been a key factor in recent inflationary pressure. Delayed deliveries are mounting, and rising driver wages have led to retailers absorbing higher operating costs.
A leading retailer in the UK is offering...
Amazon Hiring for 150,000 Seasonal Jobs to Help Deliver Great Holiday Experiences
Amazon continues to provide diverse employment opportunities for people of all backgrounds and skill levels, announcing today 150,000 seasonal jobs are now available across the U.S. All Amazon jobs in the U.S., including seasonal roles, have an average starting pay of $18 per hour, sign-on bonuses up to $3,000 and an additional $3 per hour depending on shifts in many locations.
“We are proud to be offering a huge range of full-time, part-time, and now seasonal jobs with great..."
September Retail Sales Grew as Delta Variant Favored Spending on Goods Over Services
Retail sales increased again in September as worries about the COVID-19 delta variant pushed consumer spending toward merchandise rather than services like dining, entertainment or travel despite supply chain disruptions and inflation, the National Retail Federation said today.
“Today’s retail sales data confirms the sheer power of the consumer to spend, and we expect this to continue,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Despite persistent challenges related to the global pandemic, supply chain and labor shortages, retailers and their partners have shown resilience..."
Retail Sales Rise, Showing Strong Consumer Demand and Higher Inflation
Americans stepped up their spending in September, a sign of resilient demand and rising inflation as consumers head into the holiday shopping season.
Sales at retail stores, restaurants and online sellers rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7% in September from the previous month, the Commerce Department said Friday. The rise in sales reflects persistently strong demand and higher consumer prices.
Consumers, armed with stimulus payments and rising wages, have stepped up spending this year, shrugging off the Delta variant of Covid-19, the end of enhanced unemployment benefits and...
Technomic Reveals Global Opportunities for the Burger Menu Category
Technomic released the 2021 Burger Global Menu Category Report exploring an in-depth look into global sales, consumer preferences, menu trends, operator insights and brands to watch related to the burger category.
“Burger is one of the largest and most dynamic menu categories on the global stage, and restaurant operators have significant opportunities as recovery scenarios begin to set in across international markets” explains Aaron Jourden, senior research manager of global at Technomic. “The new Global Burger Menu Category Report allows operators and suppliers alike to..."
Smithfield Foods Wins World Sustainability Award for Innovative Manure-to-Energy Programs
Smithfield Foods, Inc., a vertically integrated food company and the world's largest pork processor, is honored to receive the World Sustainability Awards' (WSA) prestigious "Profit with a Purpose" award. The company is recognized for aligning sustainability and profitability through its innovative renewable natural gas (RNG) programs, which significantly reduce carbon emissions by converting methane from hog manure into clean energy for consumers while presenting new revenue opportunities for family farmers.
Smithfield was selected following a rigorous three-stage judging process and was announced the winner during a virtual...
Publix Announces Three Officer Promotions
Today Publix CEO Todd Jones announced three officer promotions, effective Jan. 1, 2022, to support the company’s growth and expanding initiatives.
Kyle Davis, Director of Warehousing, will be promoted to Vice President of Distribution. Davis, 59, began his career in 1988 at the Miami warehouse. He worked in various positions before being promoted to Boynton Beach warehouse superintendent in 1994, Jacksonville produce warehouse superintendent and Jacksonville distribution manager in 1997 and Deerfield Beach distribution manager in 2004. He was promoted to his current position in 2007 overseeing various warehousing locations across Publix’s operating area...
ANALYSIS: A Brief Look at October Pork Month Features
Historically, during the month of October, hog and pork products are marketed around the US...
Evans Food Group Recalls Pork Products Imported Without Benefit of Inspection
Evans Food Group Ltd., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 10,359 pounds of pork pellet products that were not presented for import re-inspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The pork pellet products were imported on September 15, 2021 and further processed into pork rind and chicharrones items. The products subject to recall are listed here.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 6030” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped...
Taco Bell's® Steal a Base, Steal a Taco Makes History
The 2021 World Series is around the corner which can only mean one thing, free tacos are on the horizon for everyone in America thanks to the highly anticipated return of Taco Bell's 'Steal a Base, Steal a Taco.'* Taco Bell and MLB have continually celebrated the 'Taco Heroes' who have stolen the first base of the Fall Classic and scored free tacos for America, cultivating a loyal fanbase of baseball and taco enthusiasts who look forward to this unique experience each year. To commemorate its 10th year...
REPORTER: Growing Hope Among U.S. Farmers
As the pandemic continues into 2021, the economic impact on the U.S. agricultural system has been well documented. News outlets— this one included—have covered everything from demand shocks, to labor shortages, to trade disruptions. But one of the lesser discussed consequences of COVID-19 is the toll it has taken on the mental well-being of U.S. farmers and farmworkers—a population already prone to heightened levels of depression and suicide...
UNFI to Expand Grocery and Delivery Service for Independent Retailers with DoorDash Relationship
United Natural Foods, Inc., today announced it has entered into a reseller agreement with DoorDash, the nation’s leading last-mile logistics platform, to bring on-demand grocery delivery solutions to independent retailers nationwide through the DoorDash marketplace.
UNFI’s arrangement with DoorDash will give local grocers the opportunity to leverage the DoorDash platform to build an ecommerce and delivery offering that meets the needs of their customer base while enabling UNFI to expand its end-to-end and last-mile-delivery services to its suite of...
Domino's Pizza® Announces Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Domino's Pizza, Inc., the largest pizza company in the world, announced results for the third quarter. Global retail sales increased 10.0% in the third quarter, or 8.5% excluding foreign currency impact. U.S. same store sales decreased 1.9% during the quarter versus the year-ago period. The international business posted strong results, with same store sales growth of 8.8% during the quarter. The third quarter marked the 111th consecutive quarter of international same store sales growth. The Company had third quarter global net store growth of 323 stores, comprised of 45 net...
Wendy's and Google Cloud Partner to Enhance the Wendy's Restaurant Experience
Wendy's® and Google Cloud today announced a partnership to enhance the Wendy's restaurant experience and unlock new customer, restaurant, and employee experiences through data-driven insights.
Wendy's intends to leverage Google Cloud's data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and hybrid cloud tools to create new ways customers can order food in the drive thru, on their mobile devices and through other touchpoints. By expanding the ways customers can engage with the brand in the future, using technology like speech-to-text and...
Del Taco Amplifies Delivery Reach through Partnership with REEF
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s second largest Mexican quick service restaurant*, today announced a delivery-only partnership with REEF to help expand guest access to the brand. Through REEF’s successful delivery restaurant model, the collaboration will initially kick off this month by expanding Del Taco’s reach to the dense urban Mid City area of Los Angeles, the first of several planned delivery-only locations.
“Our partnership with REEF is an efficient, scalable way to provide even more access and convenience to our loyal Del Taco fan base,” said Del Taco...
This Week in Retail: Spread Between Food at Home vs Away from Home Narrows
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), showed the food index up 0.9 percent last month after gaining 0.4 percent in August. The Food at Home (FAH) index showed a 1.2 percent over the month increase with gains across all six major food group indices. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs demonstrated a 2.2 percent over the month increase. The index for dairy and related products posted the smallest increase at 0.7 percent.
The BLS defines the CPI as the change in prices paid by consumers for goods and services. Overall, the CPI rose by 0.4 percent in September. Notably, gains in the indices for food and shelter contributed to more than half of the monthly all items increase. Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 5.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.
The BLS reports that the index for Food Away From Home (FAFH), which was up 0.4 percent in August, gained 0.5 percent in September. Over the last year, the FAFH index rose 4.7 percent. Increases for limited and full-service meals offset a decline in the index for food at employee sites and schools...
REPORTER: Here's What's Happening with Urner Barry's COMTELL
Urner Barry is continually pushing limits and exceeding expectations when it comes to providing the highest quality of service to customers. The team has been making some exciting headway on some powerful new tools coming soon to COMTELL.
As far as progress on the COMTELL product roadmap goes, one of the main focuses throughout the last few months has been the development of an Excel Add-In. The Add-In will allow access to the COMTELL historical...
REPORTER: Urner Barry to Host Global Protein Summit In-Person This November
Urner Barry’s Global Protein Summit is making its return this November.
Urner Barry’s Global Protein Summit will be held in Chicago on November 1-3, 2021. Specifically designed for those in the beef, pork, and poultry industry, this three-day agenda is packed with intel from the foremost experts on economics and agribusiness.
As the last 18 months have proven—over and over, again and again—producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the foodservice...
DoorDash Establishes $1,000,000 Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund
DoorDash, the nation's leading last-mile logistics platform, today announced at the second annual Main Street Strong Restaurant Conference a $1,000,000 Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund to provide relief grants to local restaurants across the United States affected by state- or federally-declared natural disasters throughout the next year in partnership with Hello Alice.
Small businesses are the center of local economies, yet nearly 40% of small businesses are unable to reopen following a disaster according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Disaster can occur at a moment's notice and access...
Urner Barry Releases October Soy & Wheat Report
In the latest WASDE report, the USDA stated that the outlook for 2021/22 U.S. wheat this October is reduced supplies, lower domestic use, unchanged exports, and decreased ending stocks. Projected 2021/22 ending stocks were reduced by 35 million bushels to 580 million, which are the lowest U.S. ending stocks since 2007/08. The projected 2021/22 season-average farm price was raised $0.10/bu to $6.70/bu on reported NASS prices to date and price expectations for the remainder of 2021/22.
Soybean supplies for 2021/22 were projected at 4.7 billion bushels, up 145 million on higher production and beginning stocks. With higher crush and unchanged exports, 2021/22 ending stocks were projected...
REPORTER: Sugar Prices on the Rise Despite Consumption Normalizing and No Projected Demand Growth
Historically, sugar consumption has been resilient through economic disasters, and we’ve seen the same through the COVID-19 global pandemic. While overall consumption levels were maintained, however, we did see changes in consumption patterns: As foodservice, beverage, and even confectionery consumption fell immediately following shelter-in-place policies, increased retail demand offset much of the declines as consumers took up new hobbies such as cooking and baking...
NRF Statement on White House Supply Chain Summit
The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay following NRF’s participation in today’s White House meeting with the business community, carriers, as well as labor and port representatives in order to find solutions to address supply chain challenges.
“We thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Buttigieg, Director Deese and Port Envoy John Porcari for their leadership to address the ongoing global supply chain disruption. It is critically important that we all come together – business, labor and government – to address the current issue..."
VIDEO: Morning Market Roundup October 12
Urner Barry's reporters discuss elevated UK beef prices, Mexican beef exports, and egg exports to South Korea.
Nathan's Famous Announces Agreement with Branded Virtual Kitchens
Nathan's Famous, Inc., the American tradition serving New York favorites for more than 100 years, announces a new agreement with Branded Virtual Kitchens Canada, Ltd (BVK). The agreement will offer operators with existing kitchens the opportunity to add the Nathan’s Famous menu as a virtual concept without any investment from the restaurant.
"We are thrilled with the response we have seen for Nathan's Famous in Canada since expanding there in 2019,” states James Walker, Senior Vice President, Restaurants. "We are excited to move forward with the collaboration with Branded Virtual Kitchens..."
Stop & Shop and Instacart Team Up to Offer 30-Minute Convenience Delivery Service In the Northeast
Committed to providing customers with convenient ways to shop, Stop & Shop is taking convenience to a new level, partnering with Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, to launch Stop & Shop Express. Stop & Shop Express allows customers to shop for groceries, convenience items, and other household essentials delivered to them in as fast as 30 minutes. Stop & Shop is the first grocery retailer in the Northeast to make this service available with Instacart.
Perfect for when you forget the key ingredient in...
REPORTER: Plant Protein Manufacturers Attempt to Get the Next Generation to Jump Aboard
Can you remember sitting at the dinner table staring at those vegetables growing up—perhaps hoping they would just disappear?
Well, those vegetables now come in the form of every child’s favorite: chicken nuggets or a hamburger patty.
Plant protein continues to make headlines with new product launches and partnerships with major restaurant and retail brands. Among them are products geared towards kids...
Fresh Del Monte Further Commits to Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors, and marketers of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, announced today its participation at this year’s World Biodiversity Summit, occurring alongside the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). Fresh Del Monte’s Chief Sustainability Officer Hans Sauter will join industry leaders in a panel discussion on “Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture at the Center of Development Strategies - Challenges and Opportunities,” – a conversation centered around how to transition the industry toward more...
Kroger Delivery Expands with New Fulfillment Centers
The Kroger Co., America's largest grocery retailer, today announced it will offer more customers Kroger Delivery through the addition of new Kroger fulfillment centers powered by the Ocado Group, combining vertical integration, machine learning, and robotics to provide an affordable, friendly, and fast fresh food delivery service.
"Kroger Delivery is a thriving part of our dynamic ecosystem and is transforming grocery e-commerce and meeting a range of customer needs through the introduction of first-of-its-kind technology in the U.S. developed by Ocado," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO...
Freshly names former Amazon executive Anna Fabrega as Chief Executive Officer
Freshly Inc., the leading fresh-prepared meal delivery service in the U.S., today announced that Anna Fabrega, Freshly's Chief Commercialization Officer, has been named CEO effective today. The appointment comes as Mike Wystrach, Freshly Founder and CEO, has decided to step down from his position and transition to an advisory role to the Freshly Board.
"From small beginnings hand-delivering meals to consumers, to building standard-setting technology and a nationwide network that delivers more than one million meals per week and helps make eating..."
U.S. Fast Casual Restaurant Visits Rebound After Steep Declines in 2020
U.S. fast casual restaurants didn’t fare as well as traditional quick service restaurants early in the pandemic, but their customers are returning, reports The NPD Group. Online and physical visits to fast casual restaurants in the year ending August 2021 were up +8% compared to a year ago, which keeps traffic on par or flat to pre-pandemic visits in August 2019. In the quarter ending June 2020, at the height of pandemic lockdowns and restaurant restrictions, fast casual visits were down -23% compared to the prior year...
REPORTER: Disease Issues, Higher Feed Costs Curb Hog Supplies
While the world continues to strive towards “normalcy,” conditions for hog producers in the United States are anything but in 2021.
Starting in April last year, producers were plagued with an overwhelming bottleneck of hog supplies due to pandemic-induced processing slowdowns. Euthanasia of heavy hogs or piglets in addition to herd contraction efforts helped tighten front-end hog supplies heading into 2021.
Thinner slaughter supplies coincided with robust domestic and export demand for U.S. pork...
Blue Apron Announces Commencement of Fully Backstopped $45 Million Rights Offering
Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has commenced a $45.0 million rights offering as part of its planned $78.0 million capital raise, each as previously disclosed in the Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 15, 2021.
Under the terms of the rights offering, the company is distributing non-transferable subscription rights to each holder of its Class A common stock (as well as the holders of certain warrants issued to the company’s lenders) held as...
AYO Foods Expands Nationwide, Achieving 80x Increase in Distribution Just One Year After Launch
AYO Foods, a premium meal solutions brand delivering an authentic and delicious line of West-African inspired cuisine, today announced that its brand has achieved 80 times increase in distribution as their products have now expanded nationwide across leading retailers. Furthermore, the company has been able to achieve this tremendous milestone just one year after launching their operations in 2020 of last year.
"We are so excited to experience such tremendous growth in just a short period of time," said Fred and Perteet Spencer, co-founders...
McDonald’s Accelerating Climate Action to Reach Net Zero Emissions by 2050
Today, McDonald’s Corporation is announcing its commitment to achieve net zero emissions across its global operations by 2050. As part of this initiative, the Company is joining the United Nations Race to Zero campaign and signing on to the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign. In pursuit of a 1.5°C future, McDonald’s will increase the emissions reduction levels in its existing 2030 science-based target across all scopes of emissions in line with developing SBTi best practices and will set a...
Crider Foods Recalls Canned Beef With Gravy Products Due to Possible Unsafe Levels of Lead
Crider Foods, a Stillmore, Ga., establishment, is recalling approximately 525,717 pounds of canned beef with gravy products that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead, due to a spice mix used from an outside supplier, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The canned beef with gravy product items were produced on October 22, 2020 and March 15, 2021 production dates. The following products are subject to recall:
- 12-oz. cans of...
REPORTER: Beef Grocery Prices Higher as Inflation Spills Into Food Costs
If you have filled up your grocery cart at any point during the year, you may have experienced some sticker shock along the way. While retail beef prices are down from 2020 pandemic highs, when the second run on the supermarkets coincided with reduced slaughter from COVID-19 plant shutdowns, the USDA All-Fresh Beef Retail in June was the second highest on record. And the average through...
Nick’s Famous Bar-B-Q Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Nick’s Famous Bar-B-Q, a Nashville, Tenn., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,140 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked pork barbecue products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The frozen RTE hickory smoked pork barbecue products were produced on September 7, 2021 and September 8, 2021 and packaged on September 8, 2021. The following products are subject to recall:
- 20-lb. boxes of...
How Walmart is Navigating the Supply Chain To Deliver This Holiday Season
We have all seen and heard a lot in recent months about supply chain issues across the retail industry. With so many news stories about port delays, increased consumer demand and holiday season forecasting, it’s natural to wonder whether items will make it to store shelves and how this might affect holiday preparations.
But increased demand for the products customers want is nothing new for this time of year, and it’s certainly nothing new for Walmart. We’ve been delivering the holidays for over 50 years. This year, we’re...
NCBA Vice President Urges Congress to Listen to Producers on Cattle Markets
Today, NCBA vice president and South Dakota rancher Todd Wilkinson testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. Wilkinson addressed the need to avoid one-size-fits-all policy prescriptions, and the importance of considering nuanced policies that properly address transparency, processing capacity, price discovery and oversight in the cattle markets.
“As producers struggle to get by, large meatpackers have realized record-breaking windfall profits. These profits have not been shared equitability with cattle producers,” Wilkinson said. “Because the challenges facing our industry are..."
NPPC Congratulates Rod Snyder on EPA Appointment
The National Pork Producers Council today applauds the political appointment of Rod Snyder as senior adviser for agriculture to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan. Snyder, a long-time friend of agriculture and the pork industry, has worked at the intersection of agriculture and environmental issues for nearly two decades, most recently serving as president of Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture.
The following statement can be attributed to NPPC President Jen Sorenson...
Retail Imports Remain High, But Could Be Higher Without Port Congestion
Imports at the nation’s largest retail container ports should remain at near-record levels this month but could see a slight dip from last year’s unusually high numbers as congestion slows the movement of backed-up cargo, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
“The cargo is there for larger gains at several ports but congestion issues are impacting fluid operations,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said...
Instacart Acquires FoodStorm
Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, today announced its acquisition of FoodStorm, a SaaS order management system (OMS) that powers end-to-end order-ahead and catering experiences for grocery retailers. With this acquisition, Instacart is expanding its enterprise technology portfolio to further support its retail partners' ecommerce needs, investing in more innovative technology solutions that help retailers grow, compete, and better meet the evolving needs of their customers.
The process for ordering prepared foods from grocers typically requires customers to call the store or place an order in-person - a labor-intensive and...
This Week in Retail: Seafood Reigns Number One in Retail Ads This Week
Grocers' protein promotions this week included more seafood, which claimed the top spot in retail buying opportunities at about 30%. This is up from 27.3% the week prior and 25% this time last year.
The uptick in seafood featuring might be attributed to increased marketing campaigns for National Seafood Month. Organizations such as NOAA Fisheries utilize this month as a time to educate consumers about the U.S. seafood industry while sharing creative recipes to integrate fish, shrimp, and more into mealtimes and even tailgating parties.
Retailers widely featured 16-20 raw shrimp this week at an average of $7.78 per pound. Down 7.5% from the week prior, this attractive price point could draw more consumers to the seafood case.
The regional price spread for Atlantic Salmon boneless fillet ranged from $7.66 per pound to $8.86 per pound, generally down from week-ago levels but up on average from 2020. In the fresh/frozen fillets complex, tilapia averaged $4.99 per pound, down 8.6% from the week prior and 6.2% below 2020...
NAMI Witness to House Ag Committee: Beef & Cattle Markets Driven by Supply & Demand
Following warnings about government intervention in beef and cattle markets from leading agricultural economists from around the country, François Léger, Owner and CEO of FPL Food, on behalf of the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) offered his perspective on the market as a beef packer and processor during the House Agriculture Committee’s hearing to “Review the State of the Livestock Industry.”
“The cattle and beef industry are driven by the supply and demand fundamentals of the free market, and the cattle industry is cyclical,” Léger said...
Grubhub And Restaurant Strong Fund to Give $4 Million to Restaurants
Today, Grubhub, a leading global online food delivery marketplace, and The Greg Hill Foundation's Restaurant Strong Fund, announced they will be giving $4 million in grants to support restaurants across the country that have been working hard to survive the pandemic. Ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, the grants are part of the Restaurant Strong Fund's All Day campaign and will help restaurant owners fund indoor and outdoor dining improvements, equipment and technology maintenance and upgrades, marketing and promotion efforts, staff hiring and training, Covid-19...
Subway® Continues Eat Fresh Refresh™ with New Fall Menu Updates
Subway® restaurants today announced the latest updates to its menu as part of the brand's Eat Fresh Refresh™, which began in July and continues to elevate the entire guest experience. Joining the Subway menu are craveable new items and reimagined fan favorites that perfectly capture the best parts of fall in every bite.
Headlined by the all-new Baja Steak & Jack sandwich, Subway unveiled new Baja Chipotle and Peppercorn Ranch sauces, more flavorful twists on two of its most popular sandwich add-ons...
PERSPECTIVES: Weinstein Wholesale Meats Rides the Wave of Change to a New Era in the Business
Over the last year, we’ve seen companies that were once thriving struggle to deal with the uncertainty and hardship that the pandemic brought. At the same time, we’ve seen companies quickly pivot and utilize new opportunities that have made a lasting impact on their business model.
One such company was Chicago-based Weinstein Wholesale Meats, a national purveyor of beef, veal, lamb, chicken, and pork. The company has been family owned since its inception in 1959 and supplies their customers with a full range...
Urner Barry Releases October Pulse Protein Report
On October 5, the USDA reported an average $51.00/cwt for U.S. #1 garbanzo beans compared to $40.00/cwt at the end of September. U.S. whole green peas averaged $25.00/cwt as of end-September, a slight increase of $0.84/cwt as of end-August. Prices for North American yellow peas saw an increase of $4.17/cwt last month, totaling $28.33/cwt.
After making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Louisiana at the end of August before weakening to a tropical storm, Hurricane Ida caused significant damage to oil and gas processing facilities, grain facilities and ports. After a two-week closure, Cargill restarted its Westwego, Louisiana, grain export terminal and unloaded its first grain barge. Also, power was restored to Cargill's heavily damaged terminal in...
REPORTER: Taking a Look Back at the Development of the USDA’s National School Lunch Program
The USDA’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted initiative where participating schools provide free or reduced-price nutritious lunches to children in low-income households.
NSLP was created under the Richard B. Russell National School Act. In 1946, it was signed into law under President Harry Truman. This program has become the Nation’s second largest food and nutrition assistance program...
REPORTER: A Summer of Extreme Volatility for Pork
The pork market continues to contend with a confluence of significant variables that have made for price extremes and unparalleled volatility.
The labor shortages that began early on during the COVID-19 outbreak have persisted, and in some areas grown worse as time has gone on. In addition, tight hog supplies, which are partially a result of culling actions taken last year, as well as potentially from more recent PRRS outbreaks, have lifted hog prices to lofty...
August Beef Exports Top $1 Billion; Pork Exports Remain on Record Pace
U.S. beef exports soared to another new value record in August, topping the $1 billion mark for the first time, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports posted another strong month in August, remaining ahead of the record pace established in 2020.
August beef exports totaled 132,577 metric tons (mt), up 21% from a year ago and the second largest volume this year, while export value climbed 55% to $1.04 billion. For January through August...
Del Taco Expands Southeast Footprint with First North Carolina Deal
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s second largest Mexican quick service restaurant*, has signed a deal with successful North Carolina-based franchise group, Ram Restaurants Inc. (“Ram Restaurants”) to open five units within the Raleigh and Durham areas. The deal, expected to bring Del Taco restaurants to North Carolina for the first time, comes only weeks after Del Taco announced a development agreement for Southern Virginia.
“On the heels of a great run of multi-year same store sales growth and a stated desire to penetrate the Southeastern US..."
NCBA Supports Additional USDA Funding for Beef Supply Chains
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an additional $100 million investment into the food supply chain infrastructure. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) supports this step to prioritize the expansion of beef processing capacity and dedicate further resources to build a more resilient cattle industry.
“Our number one goal at NBCA continues to be opening up new opportunities for cattle producers to be profitable,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “The pandemic accentuated a number of vulnerabilities within our supply chains—chiefly the choke point..."
New COMTELL Feature: "Manage Quote Days" Button in My Items & Databuilder
COMTELL users can now specify exactly which weekdays they would prefer to see in their MyItems and Databuilder groups!
Urner Barry has added a “Manage Quote Days” button to the menus of My Items and Databuilder! This highly requested feature can be particularly productive for users who price their proteins off of one or two specific weekdays. By clicking on the Manage Quote Days button, users can choose which days of the week they would like to see their items quoted...
REPORTER: Quick Bites: What’s New and Interesting in Foodservice
THE VEGAN TREND CONTINUES
Grubhub released their third annual “State of the Plate” report, a mid-year report that analyzes what Grubhub users ordered from the platform between January and June 2021. It should come as no surprise that vegan options continue to be a hot trend for diners. According to the global online food delivery marketplace, so far this year vegan orders have increased by 17%, with plant-based burgers specifically increasing by 28%...
REPORTER: U.S. Cattle Ranchers Battle Drought, Higher Feed Costs
The nation’s cattle feeders continue to navigate an uncertain and challenging environment in 2021. Ranchers are grappling with large supplies, persistent drought in the western half of the U.S., higher feed costs, and a sluggish cash cattle market.
Through July 20, USDA’s drought monitor reported that about 32% of the nation’s cattle inventory was located within an area experiencing drought. Due to poor pasture conditions and limited forage availability in areas of cattle country, some...
Newk's Debuts 9 All-New Signature Menu Items
Newk's Eatery has launched a revamped menu with a focus on high-quality ingredients and premium proteins such as tenderloin steak and grilled salmon.
Newk's new menu features a new look and delicious new items, including:
- Newk's Cheesesteak Sandwich made with medium-rare petite tenderloin steak, Newk's signature pimiento cheese, cheddar cheese, red and yellow bell peppers, caramelized onions and mayo on Parisian bread.- Portabella Veggie Sandwich made with portabella mushrooms, red and yellow bell peppers, Swiss cheese and basil pesto on Parisian bread.- Salmon Caesar Salad, featuring grilled salmon atop a...
New Texas A&M Report: Government Interference in Beef & Cattle Markets has Unintended Consequences
In response to a bipartisan request from the House Agriculture Committee, Texas A&M University has completed a comprehensive report on the U.S. cattle and beef markets written by leading economists across the country. Among its key findings is that proposals increasing government intervention and mandates will cost livestock producers billions of dollars.
“Thursday the House Agriculture Committee will hold the fourth Congressional hearing this year on beef and cattle markets. It is no surprise that the Texas A&M analysis reflects the expert testimony at..."
The Kroger Family of Companies to Hire 20,000 Associates
The Kroger Co. today announced its Family of Companies' second nationwide hybrid hiring event, including virtual and on-site interviews, will take place from 2-5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 13. The organization's mission is to hire 20,000 associates by finding talent for retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, supply chain, merchandising, logistics, corporate, and pharmacy and healthcare roles.
"The Kroger Family of Companies is eager to welcome 20,000 associates to our organization as we prepare for an incredible holiday season where customers are planning to return to larger family gatherings and..."
Maple Leaf Foods Increases Pre-Cooked Bacon Capacity Through Creation of Bacon Centre of Excellence
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. today announced that it has completed construction of a $182 million expansion to its Winnipeg prepared meats plant, significantly increasing its bacon production capacity with new in-house capacity for pre-cooked, microwaveable bacon.
This investment in new state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and cultivated in-house expertise represents a Bacon Centre of Excellence within Maple Leaf and positions the company to meet the growing customer and consumer demand in the pre-cooked bacon market and drive innovation...
Do Good Foods Launches Infrastructure Platform That Combats Climate Change
The Kamine Family, an established pioneer with a 40-year history of building large-scale infrastructure projects nationwide, today announced the launch of Do Good Foods. Backed by a $169M investment from Nuveen, Do Good Foods is the first scalable solution to eliminating the 48 billion pounds of food waste generated by grocery stores each year. The company’s closed loop system collects foods such as fruits, vegetables, and meats after human donations can occur, and upcycles them into a nutrient-dense animal feed to create sustainable animal protein...
NRF Statement on Biden Administration’s China Trade Policy
The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French in response to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s announcement on the Biden administration’s China trade policy.
“American businesses across the country continue to be severely impacted by the tariffs put into place by the previous administration. Today’s long-awaited announcement proved the Biden administration’s trade strategy on China to be lackluster at most, and will further inflict unnecessary damage to the American economy and retail supply chains.
“The continuation of these harmful..."
REPORTER: With Commodity Prices Surging Higher, is this the Next Supercycle?
Inflationary pressures have been discussed ad nauseam in 2021 as a reviving U.S. economy and a cash infusion by the government pushed many items higher. But as the effects have spilled over to reach Main Street, there has been growing concern. Many CEOs of the largest companies have discussed the impact inflation has had on their business as it is top of mind for many...
On The Border Launches Major Menu Enhancements with New Bold Offerings
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, the world’s largest Mexican casual dining brand, has introduced more than 20 new menu items this past year, including the following that launch today:
- Honey-Chipotle Shrimp Tacos – Crispy-fried shrimp, hand-tossed in honey-chipotle sauce with cilantro, spicy avocado ranch and shredded cabbage.- Tacos Al Pastor – Braised and seasoned carnitas with pineapple salsa.- Tacos Al Carbon – Corn tortillas with fajita chicken or steak, served with Jack cheese, pico de gallo, fresh guacamole and roasted red chile-tomatillo salsa.- Smokehouse Fajitas...
Offer Returns to Applebee’s with a Dozen Double Crunch Shrimp for Only $1 with any Steak Entrée
Get a bite of this, Applebee’s fans! Now and through the rest of the month, guests can add some crunch to their meals by adding an order of one dozen Double Crunch Shrimp to any steak entrée for just $1. This delicious deal is available however guests choose to dine – whether its Applebee’s To Go, Delivery or your local neighborhood restaurant, the options are endless!*
Applebee’s Double Crunch Shrimp is battered, fried golden brown and served with cocktail sauce. Order any...
Del Monte Foods, Inc. Publishes 2021 Sustainability Report
Del Monte Foods, Inc. today published its fiscal year 2021 Sustainability Report, highlighting progress toward its sustainability goals and reaffirming the company's mission to nourish families with earth's goodness to create a healthier tomorrow where nutritious foods are more accessible to all.
"At Del Monte, we're growers of good. This past fiscal year, we extended this ethos not only to growing what's good, but also to taking care of what's good: our team members, our growers, our customers and our communities," said Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods...
Publix to Hire 30,000 Associates in Fourth Quarter of 2021
Publix plans to hire approximately 30,000 associates across the company’s seven-state operating area through the remainder of the year. The company will hire associates to work in stores, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities for nonseasonal positions.
“As we continue to grow, having a dedicated team ready to meet our needs is vitally important,” said Publix Vice President of Human Resources Marcy Benton. “Whether associates are new to the workforce or making a career change, Publix provides great benefits and a strong culture in which its associates build long..."
REPORTER: British Farmers Resist Controversial Trade Agreement
Brexiteers have long argued that negotiating trade deals without the oversight of Brussels was a key advantage to leaving the EU. Even so, opinions remain divided about the advantages of a new agreement with Australia.
Published on June 17, an “agreement in principle” will allow Australia to send a set quota of agricultural goods to the UK without tariffs. According to the agreement, quotas will steadily increase over a 15-year period until which point there will be...
Kraft Heinz Completes Purchase of Assan Foods, Expanding Presence in Key Growth Markets
The Kraft Heinz Company announced today that it has completed the purchase of Assan Foods from privately held Turkish conglomerate Kibar Holding. The proposed deal was first announced on June 11, 2021.
Assan Foods, headquartered in Istanbul, is a rapidly growing sauces-focused business with local manufacturing facilities in Balikesir and Izmir, Turkey. Assan Foods has been a certified Kraft Heinz production partner since 2019 and offers Kraft Heinz the opportunity to further build its retail and foodservice businesses across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa...
McCormick® Celebrates National Taco Day with Announcement of Director of Taco Relations & Free Tacos
In honor of National Taco Day, the McCormick® brand announced today the hiring of their first ever Director of Taco Relations, a position for which they received more than 5,000 applications. Storyteller, content creator, and taco connoisseur Jo Luna has officially been chosen for the highly sought-after role. Jo's love of tacos is rooted in her Hispanic heritage and upbringing in the border town of El Paso, Texas; but has only grown as she's traveled around the world, sharing her culture and...
REPORTER: ASF in the Dominican Republic: What Does it Mean for Pork?
On July 29th, the USDA confirmed that African Swine Fever was discovered in samples from pigs in the Dominican Republic. Since the outbreak that began in China during the summer of 2018, this is the first set of cases that have hit the western hemisphere and the closest the virus has been to the United States. The initial reaction to this news was fear, and hog futures tumbled as a result...
REPORTER: Lackluster Cattle Slaughter and Tight Supplies Help Lift Boxed Beef Prices
For those monitoring cattle slaughter levels, there is a common takeaway that processing capacity has not yet recovered to prepandemic levels. Production and distribution challenges due to ongoing labor shortages may continue to impact chain speeds for months to come.
Inadequate slaughter levels for the current level of demand are helping fuel a renewed rally in boxed beef prices. Following a demand-driven...
National Cattlemen’s Foundation Accepting Applications for Beef Industry Scholarships
The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry.
Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play an important role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program.
“We are proud to partner with..."
Ranchers Seek Positive Action from Incoming Bureau of Land Management Director
The Public Lands Council (PLC) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today issued the following statement on the Senate confirmation of Tracy Stone-Manning as Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM):
“The BLM has been without Senate-confirmed leadership for multiple years, so last night's confirmation is an important step for an agency that manages hundreds of millions of acres across the West. Public lands ranchers are ready to get to work with Director Stone-Manning, especially because the mission of the BLM is critical to the..."
Hofmann Sausage Company Launches Oktoberfest Limited Edition Beer Bratwurst
Hofmann Sausage Company announces the production release of a special infused seasonal sausage for the month of October. The Hofmann Oktoberfest Beer Bratwurst is a limited-edition product made with a New York created lager.
"This beer brat is just the start of Hofmann making seasonal items that consumers will love," said Pat Favalo, National Sales Manager for Hofmann. "It is handcrafted, full of flavor, and has the texture of a traditional bratwurst. Many generations have boiled bratwurst in beer which started in Germany, but our brats are infused with..."
NRF Economist: ‘Watch What Consumers Do, Not What They Say’ as Recovery Continues
Despite falling consumer confidence numbers amid the recent rise in COVID-19 infections, shoppers are continuing to spend, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.
“With consumer spending accounting for roughly two-thirds of U.S. gross domestic product, all eyes are closely watching shoppers’ ability to drive the economy,” Kleinhenz said. “If consumer finances are any indication, there’s reason to be optimistic: Households remain in good shape, with consumers in the aggregate actually underspending relative to current income. Even though enhanced unemployment benefits have expired..."
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