USDA Makes $123 Million in Grants Available for Meat and Poultry Processors

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, partnering with the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, has made $123 million in grants available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) Phase 2. 

The first round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program began in November 2022, when the Biden-Harris Administration invested $73 million in 21 grant projects. 

MPPEP provides grants to help eligible processors expand their processing capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP "to encourage competition and sustainable growth in... 

Food Retailers & Suppliers Continue to Innovate as Inflation, Workforce, Supply Chain Issues Persist

Food retailers and suppliers, facing formidable challenges with a changing workforce, inflation, The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2023supply chain hurdles, intense competition and shifting consumer buying habits, are investing in more creative and proactive approaches to future-proof their businesses, according to FMI—The Food Industry Association’s annual comprehensive research analysis The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2023.

The 74th annual report finds the food industry is prioritizing innovation to increase efficiency and foster redundancies across product supply and assortments; investing in technology for worker recruiting, training... 

Imports Building Toward August Peak as One Labor Dispute Ends But Others Develop

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to climb toward an August peak this summer, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. But even though a tentative contract agreement has been reached at West Coast ports, retailers are closely following labor disputes at ports in western Canada and a potential Teamsters strike against United Parcel Service.

“We were relieved that labor and management at West Coast ports reached a tentative agreement last month...

Proposition 12 Has Been Upheld — What We Know So Far

Following several years of contention, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold Proposition 12 on May 11, 2023. Proposition 12 is a California law that sets animal-welfare standards for meat sold within the state. Click here for the ruling.

Below is a fact sheet on Proposition 12 as it pertains to pork and hogs compiled by Urner Barry's market reporters. Urner Barry will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates when possible.

Quick Facts:

• California defines “confined in a cruel manner” as a breeding pig with less than 24 Sq ft of room
  • California represents ~12-13% of US pork demand
  • There were only six farms in CA in 2017 that sold more than 5000 hogs...

United Natural Foods Advancing Initiatives to Improve the Effectiveness and Efficiency Supply Chain

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) today announced further actions to significantly improve its supply chain capabilities and overall customer experience as part of its four-part transformation agenda to provide increasing value to its customers and suppliers, effectiveness and efficiency in its operations, and enhanced value for its shareholders. These actions include improved operating procedures, increased associate training programs, and the deployment of technological improvements, such as the rollout of Systems Application Enterprises, Inc. (SAE) scanning technology, and plans for a new Symbotic Inc. (NASDAQ: SYM)...

Brinker International Names New Supply Chain Leader

Brinker International, Inc. recently announced James Butler has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer. In his new role, Butler oversees all supply chain functions, including procurement, food safety and quality assurance, distribution and logistics, brand program management and supply chain systems for Brinker's corporate-owned restaurants.

"James is a visionary leader who builds collaborative, integrated teams and coaches future leaders to continually improve and drive results," said Kevin Hochman, President and CEO of Brinker International. "He will play a key role in executing on our new strategic...

Beef Quarterly Q4 2022: As the US Goes, So Goes the World

Beef markets are still performing well, but macroeconomic pressures are building up beneath the surface. Cattle prices are generally favorable, supported by seasonal conditions and consumer demand. But consumer confidence is waning, given the slowing economic backdrop, which may yet cause demand to soften. We see emerging supply-side dynamics that will also influence markets. The central question is whether beef markets are shaped more by demand-side or supply-side pressures as we head into 2023...

ADM and Partners Awarded Field to Market’s Collaboration of the Year Award 

ADM and its partners, Keurig Dr Pepper, PepsiCo, and Practical Farmers of Iowa, have won the Field to Market: Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture™ 2022 Collaboration of the Year Award for their regenerative agriculture project supporting Nebraska farmers. The award, one of Field to Market’s Sustainability Leadership Awards, recognizes an outstanding collaboration and cross-sector partnership in advancing continuous improvement in sustainable agriculture at the field and landscape level.

The project, “Supporting Nebraska Farmers to Boost Resiliency Via Cover Cropping,” provides farmers with technical assistance, peer support networks...

Lineage Logistics Extends U.S. EPA SmartWay® Transport Partnership

Lineage Logistics, LLC, the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, today announced it has renewed its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership, a program that provides a framework to assess the environmental performance and energy efficiency of goods moving through supply chains so partnering companies can reduce their environmental footprint.

Launched in 2004, the SmartWay program helps companies advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking and improving freight transportation efficiency. Moreover, the program also helps companies select more efficient...

Blue Apron Is Now Available in the U.S. Amazon Store Without a Subscription

Blue Apron is now offering meal kits without a subscription in the U.S. Amazon store. This is a continued expansion of the company’s third-party channel strategy to increase exposure to a wider pool of potential customers outside of its ecosystem.

“Our customers regularly tell us how much they love our meals. By offering a selection of products in the U.S. Amazon store, we are able to provide Amazon customers the opportunity to buy a range of chef-curated meals that will arrive quickly to their door...”