Instacart and ALDI Announce New Pilot For EBT SNAP Online Payment

Instacart announced its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT SNAP) integration in partnership with ALDI. For the first time, EBT SNAP participants will be able to access fresh food and pantry staples from ALDI via Instacart's same-day delivery and pickup services. The multi-phased launch will begin in Georgia in the coming weeks across more than 60 ALDI stores, with anticipated plans to expand to more than 570 stores across Illinois, California, Florida and Pennsylvania in the coming months.

The introduction of Instacart's EBT SNAP payments comes at a time when food insecurity in the U.S. has compounded as the nation continues to be impacted by COVID-19. According to Feeding America, due to the effects of the pandemic, more than 54 million people may experience...

Survey: COVID Led to Surge in Off-Premise Dining, Other Operational Changes for Franchisees

The 2020 Restaurant Franchise Pulse survey, conducted by TD Bank, found that coronavirus lockdowns and unwillingness to eat out at restaurants led restaurant franchisees to pivot to a pick-up and delivery model.

Just shy of 75% of survey respondents prioritized off-premise dining with enhanced delivery and online or mobile ordering methods due to COVID-19. This led to a 19% jump in the percentage of sales linked to off-premise orders.

An interesting note was that although 86% of respondents had delivery...

ANALYSIS: What’s Going On with Tom Breast Meat?

It’s safe to say that Thanksgiving and the whole bird centric activity which typically...

ANALYSIS: SpareRibs Lingering Around PEDv 2014 Levels

Like most items throughout the fresh pork complex, spareribs underwent a significant rally from...

Whole Foods Market Forecasts Top 10 Food Trends for 2021

Whole Foods Market global buyers and experts unveiled their top 10 anticipated food trends for 2021 in the retailer’s sixth annual trends predictions. Hard kombucha, upcycled foods, leveled-up breakfasts and jerky made from produce are among the food influences expected to take off in the next year.

Each year, a Trends Council of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members, including local foragers, regional and global buyers and culinary experts, compile trend predictions based on decades of experience and expertise in product sourcing, studying consumer preferences and being on the frontlines with...

Lidl to Install Hospital Grade Air Filters in All U.S. Stores to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

Following recently issued Centers for Disease Control guidelines stating that the COVID-19 virus can be spread through the air, Lidl US announced it will install new air filtration systems rated MERV 13 or higher in all of its U.S. stores by the end of this year. Air filters rated MERV 13 or higher, which are typically found in hospitals, help filter out COVID-19, according to public health and industry leaders.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have worked diligently to protect the health of everyone in our stores by meeting or exceeding CDC guidelines and this measure to create cleaner, healthier air is no different," said Johannes Fieber, CEO of Lidl US. "Customers and team members in Lidl stores can breathe easier knowing we have...

Coronavirus Changing Eating Habits of Vegan, Vegetarian, and Flexitarian U.S. Consumers

The majority of U.S. consumers report eating more comfort foods, snacks, and treats because of the coronavirus, reports market research firm Packaged Facts in a new study. Some consumers are eating more healthily and more locally produced foods, while a smaller portion are eating less healthily, less fresh produce, and more processed foods.

"The coronavirus has had an impact on consumer eating habits, with some tending toward less healthy foods, while others are experiencing the opposite and hunkering down with healthier foods," says Jennifer Mapes-Christ, food and beverage publisher for Packaged Facts.

Vegans, who already tend to think they eat a healthy diet, are most likely to report eating...

Bacon Farmers Seek Immediate COVID-Relief Action 

President Trump expressed disappointment regarding the ongoing stalemate in the development of new COVID-relief legislation, saying his lead negotiator “hasn’t come home with the bacon.” Without immediate relief for hog farmers in crisis, the treasury secretary may not be the only one not bringing home the bacon, according to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).

“We’ve lost hog farmers of all sizes due to the COVID pandemic and need additional relief to preserve a highly competitive pork production system in the United States,” said NPPC President Howard A.V. Roth, a hog farmer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. “Without federal assistance, we will...

Soy Protein: An Introduction and Import Assessment

If you are like a growing number of shoppers across the globe, checking the ingredients label on the back of food items has become instinctual. One such ingredient, soybeans and further processed soybean powders (like flours, concentrates, and isolates), have garnered increased media attention partly associated with its use in a growing number of novel, plant-based products. Generally, goods containing soy are considered either “traditional soyfoods” which use whole soybeans in the creation of more obvious items like soy milks, tofu, and soy sauces or “formulated foods” which contain concentrated forms of soy protein in products including comminuted meats, protein bars, soups, cereals, frozen desserts, and meat analogues.

Like peas and lentils, the soybean (Glycine max) is a species of legume plant and has numerous invaluable production applications. Most widely grown in...

P.F. Chang’s Launches To Go Concept In New York Market

As consumers across the country seek dining options to fit their changing habits, P.F. Chang’s is excited to announce the expansion of its P.F. Chang’s To Go concept now launching in New York.

Opening today at 240 W. 40^th in New York City, the location marks the first of three P.F. Chang’s To Go openings in New York over the coming weeks. It follows three other openings in Chicago, which launched earlier in 2020.

These new restaurant additions will allow more guests to experience the P.F. Chang’s Asian favorites they know and love in a convenient format that provides a solution for online ordering, takeout, catering and delivery in areas that don’t have a P.F. Chang’s restaurant nearby...

ANALYSIS: Pork Cutout Showing October Highs

With both heightened retail and export demand continuing into the Autumn months, along with labor constraints and limited cold storage stocks, the Urner Barry Pork Cutout has ascended to...

NRF Foundation Introduces COVID-19 Trainings to Aid Retail Employees

The NRF Foundation today launched two new credentials in its RISE Up program in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The credentials focus on Retail Operations and Customer Conflict Prevention to further ensure retail workers — and the millions of customers they serve — can work and shop more safely and help keep the economy open.

“Retailers have been on the front lines of this pandemic as economic first responders and are going above and beyond to maintaining a safe work environment for themselves, their colleagues and their customers,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “These new credentials will give employees the training they need to continue operating and serving customers safely. An informed workforce will build customer confidence and show...

Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims Reach Highest Number Since August 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, initial unemployment claims for the week ending October 10 reached 898,000, an increase of 53,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the highest number since August 22, and economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected about 830,000 claims. The increase in claims indicates that the labor market is still struggling to get back to its pre-pandemic mark.

The 4-week moving average was 866,250, an increase of 8,000 from the week prior. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 6.8% for the week ending October 3, a decrease of 0.9 percentage point from the previous week's revised rate. Those receiving first-time benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program continued to...

ANALYSIS: Nothing Average About Turkey Weights

This year being what it is, or has become as the case might be, there is not a protein offering on the street that has not had its traditional market world uprooted. Demand patterns have...

Cargill Study Shows Consumer Support of Farmers Grows As a Result of COVID-19 Challenges

A recent Cargill study found a majority of consumers stand ready to rally around farmers in support of their efforts to put food on tables around the globe. Consumer recognition for the challenges and expectations farmers face grew amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as processing and transportation bottlenecks, especially in the protein industry, stretched the global food supply. In the latest Feed4Thought survey, Cargill found nearly one-third of consumers in the U.S., Brazil, Vietnam and Norway have a renewed appreciation for animal agriculture.

“Farmers and ranchers have faced tremendous pressures caused by COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. And those pressures came on top of the multitude of challenges farmers already faced as they worked to feed the world in...

Sysco Launches Holiday Toolkit for Restaurateurs to Help Navigate COVID-19 Shopping Season

Sysco Corporation announced the launch of its Holiday Toolkit, to its Foodie Solutions platform. This is the latest tool for foodservice operators who have been forced to quickly pivot to shifting business requirements and trends during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Holiday Toolkit, provides simple ideas generating additional revenues and providing guests with restaurant-quality solutions for easy gift-giving and holiday meals including Unique takeout offerings, such as charcuterie and cheese boards with wine pairings; Take-and-make meal kits paired...

COVID-19 has Flipped the Value Proposition of Omnichannel Shopping for Constrained Consumers 

With few alternatives available during the widespread lockdowns earlier this year, e-commerce quickly became a go-to means-to-an-end for shop-needy consumers around the globe. Six months later, that early reliance on e-commerce has expanded into a fundamental dependence on still-evolving omnichannel shopping experiences.

The premise of omnichannel shopping certainly wasn’t borne out of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the global health crisis has dramatically elevated consumers’ use of both on- and offline channels in tandem, whether for click-and-collect, contactless delivery or an array of other fulfillment options. And across consumer groups, online channels have become the most critical shopping resources for...

Demand for Grass-Fed Beef Products to Boost Market Growth 

The grass beef market size is poised to grow by $14.50 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 6% throughout the forecast period, according to the latest report by Technavio.

Report Highlights

The major grass beef market growth came from the fresh grass-fed beef products segment. The awareness of the health benefits of grass-fed beef such as higher content of omega-3 fatty acids linoleic acid and antioxidant vitamins like vitamin E fuel its demand in the US, Australia, and other markets. This consequently adds to the revenue, thus boosting...

DoorDash Helping Restaurants Prepare for Winter With $2 Million in Cold Weather Grants

DoorDash might be focused on delivery and take-out, but they are doing what they can to help restaurants that are struggling with dine-in.

In March, when the coronavirus began to spread across the U.S., restaurants were forced to shut down their dining rooms and rely solely on take-out. Since then many states have allowed restaurants to reopen, but some are only allowed outdoor seating or limited indoor capacity. While that wasn't a big problem over the summer, the impending cold weather has...

Domino's Pizza Announces Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Domino's Pizza, Inc. announced results for the third quarter. Global retail sales increased 14.4% in the third quarter, or 14.8% excluding foreign currency impact. U.S. same store sales grew 17.5% during the quarter versus the year-ago period and were positively impacted by customer ordering behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing the positive sales momentum in the Company's U.S. stores business. The international business also posted positive same store sales results, with growth of 6.2% during the quarter. The third quarter marked the 107th consecutive quarter of international same store sales growth and the 38th consecutive quarter of U.S. same store sales growth.

During the quarter, the Company reported 209 gross new stores and 83 net new stores, comprised of 44 net new U.S. stores and 39 net new international stores. The Company's net store growth reflects the closure of 126 stores, primarily in India. The number of temporary store closures in...

Trump Administration Extends Free Meals for Kids for Entire School Year

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending flexibilities to allow free meals to continue to be available to all children throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year. This unprecedented move is part of USDA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring all children across America have access to nutritious food as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“As our nation recovers and reopens, we want to ensure that children continue to receive the nutritious breakfasts and lunches they count on during the school year wherever they are, and however they are learning,” said Secretary Perdue. “We are grateful for the heroic efforts by our school food service professionals who are consistently serving healthy meals to kids during these trying times, and we know they need...

Retailers Say White House and Congress Cannot Wait on New Pandemic Recovery Legislation

The National Retail Federation expressed concern over President Trump’s decision to stop negotiating with congressional leaders on new legislation intended to help the economy recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The pandemic isn’t over and neither is the economic crisis it has created,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “There are many families still struggling to make ends meet and businesses facing obstacles to putting workers back on the payroll. We need a vaccine to ensure our personal health. And we need...

International Production and Processing Expo Will Not Be Held In-Person in 2021 

The health and safety of all IPPE participants is paramount. After thoughtful and thorough consideration, show management for the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) has made the difficult decision to not hold the in-person component of IPPE 2021 in Atlanta, scheduled for Jan. 26-28. The decision was based on numerous factors, including extensive surveys, direct feedback from our industries and other stakeholders, as well as the expected decrease in participation due to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For many decades, our industries have engaged in an in-person event to serve and connect leaders in networking, learning opportunities and experiencing new technology. However, we concluded that due to...

Burger King CMO, Fernando Machado, Talks Plant-Based Burgers at the 2020 Urner Barry ECGPS

During our second day of packed content and industry leading insights at Urner Barry’s Executive Conference and Global Protein Summit, participants were fortunate to hear from Chief Marketing Officer, Fernando Machado of Restaurant Brands International, which operates popular quick service restaurant (QSR) brands like Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes. Leading with a presentation on how QSRs have navigated the global COVID-19 pandemic, Machado was asked to comment on how consumer demand behavior has shifted between the Impossible Whopper, traditional beef Whopper, and chicken sandwiches.

Reinforcing Burger King’s commitment to monitoring how consumers preferences evolve and shift, Machado affirmed, “Our demand for beef burgers is there and continues to grow. The traditional Whopper is still, by far...

ANALYSIS: Lamb and Mutton Production Hit All-Time Lows

Yearly production has continued to lessen for lamb and mutton on the domestic front due to diminished interest in...

More Than 60% of Americans Have Dined In a Restaurant in the Past Month, Despite COVID-19 Concerns

A survey of 501 people in the U.S. found that 63% of Americans ate at a restaurant at least once in July, with 22% dining in a restaurant five or more times. At the same time, 58% of Americans said they would feel uncomfortable or very uncomfortable eating in a restaurant because of the coronavirus. The study was conducted by B2B research firm The Manifest.

The contradiction between people's discomfort about in-restaurant dining and their actions is likely a result of access to outside dining options during the summer months.

With as many as 75% of restaurants at risk of going out of business, local restaurants and small business restaurant owners must prepare for...

ANALYSIS: Chicken Cold Storage: A Reflection of the Times

August’s cold storage coincide with the current market status of most major lines and serve to remind us of the supply-side challenges which marketers continue to wrestle with...

Weekly Unemployment Claims Decrease as Slow Recovery Continues 

According to the U.S. Labor Department, initial unemployment claims for the week ending September 26 totaled 837,000, a decrease of 36,000 from the previous week's revised level. This was the fifth consecutive week that claims were under 1 million after staying there for five months following COVID-19 related shutdowns. While the number of claims is showing a slow recovery, the total is still well above any number the country has seen prior to the pandemic.

The 4-week moving average was 867,250, a decrease of 11,750 from the previous week's revised average. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was...

French Plant-Based Protein Maker Roquette Sees Short-Term COVID-19 Impact

The plant-based protein market has seen a slowdown in new product launches and lower sales in restaurants and cafeterias due to COVID-19 but benefited from more people cooking at home and trying new products, French manufacturer Roquette said.

The market for plant-based protein such as meat-free burgers has surged in the past few years, attracting major investment from global agrifood groups, including Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Nestle, hoping to capitalize on a trend towards healthy eating generally, including less red meat.

But lockdowns around the world to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have shaken the market, Jean-Philippe Azoulay, Head of Pea and New Proteins Business at French ingredient maker...

Restaurant Industry Awaiting Next Round of Aid; Could Receive $120 Billion Through HEROES Act

Earlier this week Democrats from the House of Representatives introduced their plan for another round of COVID-19 economic relief, dubbed the HEROES Act. The proposal would provide $2.2 trillion in relief and includes the RESTAURANTS Act, featuring $120 billion in grants for independent restaurants, bars and other foodservice outlets.

The Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) urged the House of Representatives to pass the relief proposal to “give America's 500,000 independent restaurants a fighting chance to survive...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Holdings--In Tune With the Times

The most recent release of the USDA’s cold storage report helps to support the current standing of most major lines within the turkey complex while, at the same time, reflects...

ANALYSIS: Pork Cold Storage 2020 Update 

Cold Storage is a key metric that allows us to see the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had, and continues to have, on the pork market overall. The diminished production in Q2, due to...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Rabobank's Poultry Quarterly Q4 2020: The Challenge of Balancing Volatile Markets 

Moving through Q4 2020 and into 2021, the global poultry industry will operate in a volatile market context, with pressure coming from foodservice and wholesale markets. Possible new waves of Covid-19 will add to the market ups and downs, and the impact of a deep economic crisis will make markets more price-driven.

“Over the whole year, we expect a slight increase in global poultry production, mostly as a result of poultry expansion in China and Vietnam, where African swine fever has reduced pork availability, and also from expansion in the US. The rest of the world will be...

Cal-Maine Foods Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 (13 weeks) ended August 29, 2020.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 were $292.8 million, a 21.4 percent increase compared to $241.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company reported a net loss of $19.4 million, or $0.40 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to a net loss of $45.8 million, or $0.94 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Dolph Baker, chairman and chief executive officer of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., stated, “Our results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 reflect continued challenging market conditions as we proactively monitor and...

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...

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...

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..."

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...

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...

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...

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...

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..."

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...