FMI Welcomes SQFI New Director of Business Development, North America

Today, FMI — The Food Industry Association welcomes Jackie Galarza as director of business development, North America for the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI. Galarza brings more than a decade of experience building businesses, developing strategic partnerships, and turning trusted customer and supplier relationships into measurable results across the food, beverage, spirits, and packaging industries.

“As a natural connector and results-oriented leader, Jackie will focus on strengthening our Certification Body and key-account relationships and support continued growth across North America,” said Gigi Vita, chief food...

Chartwells Higher Education Reveals Top 5 Campus Dining Trends

Today's college students are rewriting the rules of campus dining, seeking food that acts as both a sensory adventure and a targeted wellness tool. Aligning with these new expectations, Chartwells Higher Education, a recognized leader in contract food management, has released its 2026 Fall Flavor Forecast, identifying the five food, beverage, and dining trends that will inspire campus menu planning this semester.

Driven by student input and culinary insights from Chartwells' expert team of chefs, this year's forecast spotlights a generation that views food as more than just fuel. Last year...

Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending August 7, 2026

President Donald Trump’s war with Iran has reached its sixth month, lasting far longer than the weeks-long conflict he initially predicted. A combination of diplomatic efforts and renewed military threats this week has highlighted the limited options before the White House as it looks for a way to end the war.

The administration now faces a decision: continue escalating pressure on Iran or pursue negotiations aimed at reaching a resolution...

RFK Cooking Show? HHS Launches Cooking Series Centered on “Real Food” Message, and More

On July 30, US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr. launched “The Real Food Show,” according to a press release. The new cooking series will be aimed at helping Americans prepare healthy, affordable meals at home using whole-food ingredients. 

Kennedy announced the initiative at Fort Drum during the opening of the Belvedere Bistro, a military dining facility operated by Compass Group as part of Chef Robert Irvine’s food modernization effort for US bases. 

Circana’s 2026/2027 Global Food and Beverage Outlook Predicts Slow-to-Moderate Growth 

U.S. consumers are no longer just cutting back; they are recalibrating how they buy, according to new Circana Compass research released today by Circana LLC. The insights show the U.S. retail food and beverage (F&B) industry grew 2.2% in the first half of 2026, and Circana projects growth will settle into a 2-3% range in 2027 as shoppers optimize spending amid financial pressure, shifting lifestyle priorities, and increasingly digital, AI-assisted shopping behavior. The findings signal a return toward pre..

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

Retail sales climbed for the ninth month in a row during June as positive factors overcame challenges to the economy, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today [July 13, 2026] by the National Retail Federation.

“The summer shopping season got off to a strong start in June,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Consumers took advantage of summer sales events, and many got an early jump on back-to-school shopping. The willingness to spend on retail goods has been supported by the retail industry’s laser focus on affordability as well...

Casey’s Unveils New Three-Year Strategy Centered on Food, Store Growth, and Technology

Casey’s General Store, a nationwide convenience store chain, has unveiled a new three-year strategic plan focused on expanding its food business, growing its store base, and leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency. The company’s previous strategic plan, announced in 2023, helped Casey’s exceed both its strategic and financial goals.

“Our success over the last three years reinforces what makes Casey’s unique: a differentiated model that brings together restaurant-quality food, best-in-class convenience, and fuel at scale,” said Darren Rebelez, President...

Proxy Foods AI and Aperio Global Partner to Deliver Secure, AI-Driven Food Innovation 

Proxy Foods AI, the enterprise AI platform redefining product development across the global food and beverage industry, today announced a strategic partnership with Aperio Global, an expert in Zero Trust and quantum-resilient security for regulated and critical infrastructure sectors.

Together, the companies are launching a next-generation intelligence platform that uses AI to accelerate product formulation, optimize ingredients, and predict performance – engineered for the speed, scale, and compliance needs of global food manufacturers, consumer packaged goods (CPGs), foodservice and ingredient companies.

Why This Partnership Matters Now

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Sales Grew in April Despite High Gas Prices and Sustained Inflation

Retail sales rose for the seventh consecutive month in April even as gas prices rose and inflation remained stubborn, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by the National Retail Federation.

“Retail sales continued to grow in April despite higher gas prices driven by the ongoing conflict in Iran, cautious consumer sentiment and the persistent concerns about sustained inflation,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Spending on household priorities remains solid, supported by a steady labor market...

Day 55 of Iran War: Iran Refuses Strait Reopening; Peace Timeline Unclear

Iran’s parliament speaker said Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the US blockade remained in place, calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire between the two sides.

In Washington, the Senate voted 55–46 to reject a war powers resolution aimed at limiting US President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war on Iran, marking the fifth failed attempt to curb presidential war powers. The White House on Wednesday said Trump has not set a deadline by which Iran must submit a peace proposal...

Day 40 of Iran War: US, Iran Agree to Two-Week Truce as Hormuz Reopening Tied to Talks

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week truce late Tuesday, with Tehran committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under temporary arrangements. The White House said Israel was also party to the truce. 

Under the ceasefire terms, Iran and Oman would coordinate shipping access and could levy transit fees on vessels passing through Hormuz, a critical artery for roughly one-fifth of global oil flows.

The reopening of the strait would free approximately 130 million barrels of crude oil...

Private-Label Brands Surge Across US and Global Markets, Circana Reports

According to two new reports from Circana, private-label brands are rapidly expanding across CPG and FMCG markets, led by food and beverage in the US, where private label holds a 24% value share in those aisles. The data shows the sector has evolved into a strategic growth driver for retailers and has built strong momentum recently.

Circana’s global research, Category Transformation or Simply Competition: A Global Private Label Perspective, explores regional approaches to private brands across the European Union, Australia, and the...

IUF and TESCO Signed a New Global Agreement to Strengthen Workers’ Rights in Food Supply Chains

The IUF with its affiliate USDAW, the union representing workers in the largest UK supermarkets chain TESCO, signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TESCO.

It establishes a collaborative framework to promote and protect workers’ rights across TESCO’s global food supply chains, with a focus on gender equality. The MoU contributes to the implementation of human rights due diligence initiatives as it reflects a shared commitment to responsible business conduct, with TESCO committing to engage its suppliers on improving labour conditions and meaningful...

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor’s January Data Shows Fourth Consecutive Monthly Gain

Retail sales saw a moderate monthly increase and strong year-over-year gains in January, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by NRF.

“Consumers demonstrated continued resilience in January, showing moderate spending growth on the heels of record-high spending during the holiday season,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “This was the fourth consecutive month that sales rose from the month before, and year-over-year gains were particularly strong. Consumer spending continues to drive the broader economy forward, supported...

Australia’s Food and Wine Group Returns to South Korea

The Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group will make its first return visit later this month when it heads to South Korea for its eighth Taste the Wonders of Australia campaign.

The Collaboration Group, which includes Meat and Livestock Australia, along with Hort Innovation, Dairy Australia, Wine Australia and Seafood Industry Australia, aims to deepen commercial relationships with key partners in trade, retail and foodservice, reinforcing South Korea as a priority export destination for Australia’s premium food and beverages.

South Korea is one of Australia’s most significant trade partners, with a population of more than 50 million and dense urban centres...

Campbell’s Acquisition of La Regina Announced Alongside Earnings

On December 9, The Campbell’s Company officials announced plans to acquire a majority stake in an Italian tomato processor called La Regina Di San Marzano, according to the company’s latest earnings report. By the second half of 2026, the acquisition will be complete after two payments toward the total $286 million valuation, according to Campbell's leaders. 

The company entered into definitive agreements to acquire a 49% interest in La Regina, the producer of Rao’s tomato-based pasta sauces...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 36 - Essential Procurement Skills & Advice, Feat. Malcolm Harrison

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals.

On today's episode, we welcome Malcolm Harrison, an international board-level executive with expertise in general management, operations, procurement, and sales. He has worked in diverse business environments across Brazil, China, France, Gulf states, the UK, the US, and West Africa. A veteran and engaging leader, Malcolm has always sought to improve business performance through growth and efficiency. He has a track record of quickly identifying gaps and opportunities for continuous improvement

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 35 - Discussing Evolution of Procurement, Feat. Janet Standing

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals.

Today we discuss the role of procurement, and how procurement decisions turn market insight into business advantage.

This is a complex issue, a lot more than one may think. Procurement professionals operate in a high-pressure environment characterized by aggressive goals, tight deadlines, and complex supply chains. But there are ways to stay ahead of the game. 

On today's episode, we welcome Janet Lung Standing.

2025 Industry Insights on Consumer Resilience and Holiday Shopping Trends From ICSC

In 2025, the world continues to navigate challenges like the fluctuating job market, food inflation, politics and tariffs.

Amid these uncertainties, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is dedicated to supporting and enhancing marketplaces where people shop, dine, work, play, and gather, viewing them as vital to both communities and economies.

The company has released its 2025 Holiday Shopping Intentions survey, highlighting consumer resilience in seeking value and experiences despite individual financial obstacles.

The survey indicates an anticipated 3.5-4% growth in retail...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 34 - AI Adoption in Agri-Food, Feat. Beth Pollack

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals. 

Today we explore something different. A trend that is definitely here to stay and one that we are all integrating into our workflows. This transformative trend, however, is only in the infancy stages of its huge potential, and many of us, it is fair to say, are struggling to realize how to use it, and some of us even fear it… We're talking about AI, of course.

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 33 - M&A in the Global Agri-Food Industry, August 2025

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals. Today, we bring you up to speed with merger & acquisition activity in the global agrifood landscape that occurred in August 2025 as part of the monthly M&A focus series.

M&A activity has somewhat slowed down this summer. Beyond the obvious seasonal  business activity slowdown due to summer holidays, let’s not forget impacts of the ongoing tariffs situation, global trade deals and disputes, and overall market uncertainty.