USMEF Spring Conference Spotlights U.S.-China Trade Relations, Innovative Promotions for US Red Meat

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concluded its spring conference Friday in San Antonio. The three-day meeting examined a number of key issues for U.S. exporters while also updating members on promotional activities for U.S. pork, beef and lamb in a wide range of international markets.

Thursday’s general session focused on agricultural trade relations between the U.S. and China, including a deep dive into the market access gains achieved for U.S. beef and pork through the 2020 Phase One Trade and Economic Agreement...

Americans Plan to Go Big for Mother's Day this Year: OpenTable Data Shows Reservations are Up 39%

After two years of canceled celebrations and plans, Mother's Day dining is back in full force. Data from OpenTable shows that Mother's Day reservations are up 39% compared to pre-pandemic 2019 and 13% compared to 2021. Americans are feeling the excitement: according to a recent survey, 45% of those celebrating Mother's Day are planning to make up for lost time by "going big" for their mom or a mom-like figure this year.

But some things never change...

NCBA Welcomes Announcement on Japan – U.S. Trade Agreement

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomes the announcement that the United States and Japan have reached an agreement in principle on the Japanese beef safeguard. As part of the terms of the Japan – U.S. Trade Agreement, both countries entered consultations after the volume-based safeguard was triggered in March 2021. NCBA strongly supported efforts to secure improvements to the beef safeguard that are mutually beneficial for Japanese consumers and American cattle producers.

“While the details of the agreement in principle have not been disclosed, NCBA is encouraged that today’s announcement means we..."

NRF Welcomes EU-U.S. Agreement on Transatlantic Data Flows

The National Retail Federation welcomed the announcement today that a long-sought agreement in principle on transatlantic data flows has been reached between the United States and the European Union.

“Transatlantic data flows are vitally important to global retailers that operate establishments in Europe or sell goods online or by mobile apps to European consumers,” NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said. “NRF and our members have long supported a coherent regulatory system for EU-to-U.S. data transfers that works for both consumers and businesses and provides..."

United States and Japan Reach an Agreement to Increase Beef Safeguard Trigger Level

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today announced that the United States and Japan have reached an agreement to increase the beef safeguard trigger level under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. The new three-trigger safeguard mechanism will allow U.S. exporters to meet Japan’s growing demand for high-quality beef and reduce the probability that Japan will impose higher tariffs in the future.

“This agreement is a great win for our two countries that ensures American farmers and ranchers...,”

Technomic Releases 2022 Foodservice Predictions for the U.S., Canada and Global Markets

Technomic released three whitepapers uncovering 2022 foodservice predictions for the U.S., Canada and global markets. Navigating labor constraints, supply chain challenges and shifting consumer behaviors, operators will focus on adapting strategies and finding new innovative solutions.

Overall, Technomic predicts that industry recovery will continue in 2022, forecasting that the U.S. will surpass its 2019 sales level and Canada will be just 3% shy of pre-pandemic sales levels. From menu restructuring to rethinking the guest experience, operators across regions will reconsider priorities aligned with...

Kraft Heinz Announces Intention to Combine U.S. and Canada Businesses to Form the North America Zone

The Kraft Heinz Company announced today that it will combine its U.S. and Canada businesses to create the North America Zone, which is expected to be effective in the second fiscal quarter of 2022. The move is meant to advance the global food and beverage leader’s long-term, sustainable growth plans—which were first outlined at its Investor Day event in September 2020—by bringing increased agility to its innovation agenda, operations, and go-to-market approach. The Company’s U.S. and Canada businesses...

UK Lamb Could be Shipped to the U.S. in the New Year

Lamb exporters in the UK will have access to the American market – worth an estimated $48.9 million (£37 million) in the first five years of trade – as we head into 2022.

After extensive risk evaluations, US authorities have today removed the small ruminant rule, which was introduced more than 20 years ago banning imports of lamb from countries where scrapie had been identified.

Work has been ongoing to finalise this important piece of legislation in the US, effectively allowing UK processors to be eligible to ship...

Survey Says Americans Want Chicken on their Friendsgiving Plates

Please pass the…chicken! As Americans kick-off the holiday season, many are also gearing up for Friendsgiving – a moment to appreciate our friends that matter most. And this year, friends are choosing chicken as their Friendsgiving centerpiece.

A recent survey of more than 1,000 people across America revealed 65% of people who celebrate Friendsgiving want chicken during the holidays and 77% want to create new traditions, which may include anything from who is at the table to decorations to games played. More than two thirds want...

NCBA Urges Vilsack to Halt Brazilian Beef Imports

Today, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) called on Secretary Vilsack to immediately suspend all imports of fresh beef from Brazil to the United States.

In the letter to USDA, NCBA asked for a suspension until the agency conducts a thorough risk assessment and review of the processes that Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA) uses to detect disease and other threats to consumers. NCBA also urged USDA to review Brazil's veterinary diagnostic laboratory system.

"It's time to keep Brazilian fresh beef out of this country until USDA can..."

NRF Issues Statement on Administration’s Vaccine Requirement for U.S. Employers

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French in response to the issuance of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s new emergency temporary standard. The new federal rules will require all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workers are vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19.

“Over the past 19 months, retailers across the country have taken extraordinary measures to keep their employees, customers and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of these efforts..."

Over 96% of Tyson Foods’ Active Workforce is Vaccinated

Tyson Foods announced today that it has achieved nearly full vaccination of its active workforce. President and CEO Donnie King released the news in a note to team members. The full note is below.

"Throughout the pandemic, your health and safety has been our top priority. We have used every tool at our disposal to help keep you safe. And getting vaccinated is the single most effective tool to protect you, your families, and our communities against the COVID-19 virus. That’s why we decided, in August, to require all..."

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...

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...

The McRib is Back at McDonald's® USA This Fall

McRib fans to the front of the line; the tangy and tantalizing sandwich you've been waiting for all year is almost back! The legendary McRib will make its triumphant return to McDonald's® USA menus this fall - you can grab the craveable sandwich beginning Nov. 1 for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide.

The McRib made its debut 40 years ago and quickly became a fan-favorite thanks to the unmistakable flavor of the seasoned boneless pork patty slathered in BBQ sauce and topped with slivered onions and...

Chipotle Launches Smoked Brisket In The United States And Canada

Chipotle Mexican Grill today announced Smoked Brisket will be available at U.S. and Canada restaurants for a limited time. Made with Responsibly Raised® beef, the new protein is smoked to perfect tenderness, charred on the grill, and seasoned with Mexican spices, including fire-roasted jalapenos and chipotle chili peppers. The protein is hand-chopped and finished with a new Brisket sauce made with smoky chili peppers.

Brisket: The Chipotle Way
Brisket has been consistently among the top requested menu items by Chipotle guests. Over the past two years, Chipotle's...

Amazon Announces Plans to Hire 125,000 Employees in Hundreds of Cities and Towns Across America

Amazon continues to provide opportunities for full-time and part-time jobs in logistics as it expands its footprint to better serve customers in communities where they live. Today, the company announced that it is providing an additional 125,000 local employment opportunities throughout the U.S., on top of the 40,000 corporate and technology jobs announced earlier this month. The roles in fulfillment and transportation offer an average starting wage of more than $18 per hour—and up to $22.50 per...

Wendy's and REEF Announce Development Commitment for 700 Delivery Kitchens

The Wendy's Company and REEF – the largest operator of mobility, logistics hubs and kitchens – today announced a new development commitment to open and operate 700 delivery kitchens over the next five years across the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. The commitment builds upon the successful test of eight delivery kitchens in Canada beginning in late 2020. Through this commitment, REEF will become the first Wendy's® franchisee in the United Kingdom.

Wendy's and REEF expect to open approximately 50 delivery kitchens in 2021, with the remainder launched by 2025...