Boston Market Launches New Summer Sandwich Menu 

The first day of summer – and longest day of the year – is just around the corner, and that can only mean one thing: time to sack the sad sack lunch. While the nation gears up for summer Fridays and weekend picnics in the park, we quickly forget that lunch is arguably the most important meal of the day, and no one deserves a subpar sandwich. To help guide the way (well, minus the "sub") toward more mouth-watering midday options, the rotisserie everything experts at Boston Market® are debuting four new sandwich offerings this month that must be tasted to be believed – literally.

Friday, June 21 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Boston Market is inviting everyone to leave that corner bakery and/or cafe in the dust and enjoy a free sandwich on the house – pitting "theirs" against ours in a full-on sandwich throwdown. Simply bring in your current favorite sandwich and taste the difference fresh, never frozen (and never "fil-a'd") rotisserie chicken can make. You'll be hooked. Guests are then invited to vote for...

ANALYSIS: April Turkey Exports: A Year Over Year Assessment

According to the USDA’s most recent data, total turkey exports for the month of April came in just shy of 25,200 metric tons; a substantial 8.2% rise over this time last year...

ANALYSIS: Tom Weights and Breast Meat Values

As marketers patiently await “deli season” and the improvement in buying outreach which typically comes along with it, they turn their attention to the supply side in an effort to further refine their market expectations...

Technavio: Global Poultry Market Projected to Grow 

The global poultry meat market is expected to post a CAGR of about 4% during the period 2019-2023, according to the latest market research report by Technavio.

A key factor driving the growth of the global poultry meat market is the increasing import and export of poultry meat. Various countries have increased the import of chicken meat in recent years. For instance, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, China, and Iraq were some of the key importers of chicken meat during 2018. In addition, there has been a significant increase in the import of chicken meat from emerging economies including Philippines owing to the rising demand for chicken meat among the consumers. Therefore, the rising export of chicken meat from...

Butterball Launches New Flavor In Premium Deli Portfolio

In 2018, Butterball launched its premium deli portfolio, featuring specialty and seasoned items with category-driving flavors that were selected specifically for the premium set. This year, Butterball is adding to this premium line with its new flavor option, Herb Roasted Thanksgiving Style Turkey Breast, to build on the Thanksgiving flavor Butterball is most recognized for. Joining Butterball’s signature Thanksgiving Style Roasted Turkey Breast product, the Herb Roasted Thanksgiving Style item will deliver a unique and complimentary flavor profile to any deli case. Oven roasted with a topical herb seasoning, this product allows consumers to enjoy the savory flavor combination of holiday stuffing and oven roasted turkey year-round.

Each of the following deli turkey and chicken items provide consumers with a premium eating experience and wholesome ingredients...

As Grilling Season Begins, Turkey Patties Take Off

Summer is coming up, and with it comes grilling. While beef and pork have long held dominion over the summer grill, there’s been increased interest in turkey patties for grilling in recent years, as consumers lean towards more lower calorie options. Turkey has long been a go-to for burger substitutes due to its low fat content, good micronutrient profile, and a perceived “health halo”.

n the past, consumers have found turkey patties to lack sufficient flavor. Last year, unseasoned turkey patty sales fell eight percent. To remedy this situation... 

ANALYSIS: Monthly Slaughter Report Helps to Clarify Cold Storage Plateau

Back in the end of March, Urner Barry called into question the accuracy of February’s inventory figures stating...

Perdue Responds to UGA Study on USMCA

The University of Georgia recently published a study claiming the new United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement would cost some Georgia vegetable and fruit growers revenue and jobs. The sensational assertions are flat wrong. As a proud UGA alumnus, I’m here to tell you USMCA is good for Georgia’s farmers and all American agriculture.

Chapter by chapter, verse by verse, USMCA improves virtually every component of NAFTA and Georgia’s agriculture industry stands to gain significantly. It’s important to note we didn’t get all the improvements we wanted for seasonal fruits and vegetables. While we were hopeful we could make progress in the renewed NAFTA, USMCA isn’t a step backward. The UGA study assumed we lost ground, but the facts are it wasn’t ground we had to begin with. Since the inception of NAFTA more than 20 years ago, agricultural trade between our three countries has...

Sikorski Sausages Co Ltd Recalls Meat and Poultry Sausage Products 

Sikorski Sausages Co., Ltd., a London, Ontario, Canada establishment, is recalling approximately 74 pounds of various imported meat and poultry sausage products that were not presented for import re-inspection into the United Sates, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The various ready-to-eat meat and poultry sausage items were imported on May 14, 2019. This spreadsheet contains a list of the products subject to the recall.

The products subject to recall bear Canadian establishment number...

MIBO Fresh Foods LLC Recalls Salad with Meat Products

MIBO Fresh Foods LLC, a Fort Worth, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 1,460 pounds of salad with meat products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains anchovies, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

The ready-to-eat Chef salad with ham and turkey items was produced on May 10 and May 13, 2019. The following products are subject to recall...

UB Executive Conference: Meat and Poultry Panel Captivates with Complex Analysis and Insight

Day two of the 2019 Executive Conference was filled with premium analysis and top insights, and it all led up to the highly anticipated Reporter Panel discussions. This year, the congruent breakout sessions featured a Poultry and Red Meat panel, with Urner Barry Market Reporters Gary Morrison, Dylan Hughes, Russell Barton, and Evan Addis. Here are a just few highlights from the session:

Examining a few macro-economic factors, Gary Morrison kicked off the conversation noting that the stock market is in its longest bull run in history. There is record low unemployment. Consumer confidence is up, and wages are rising. And it’s protein that tends to benefit from more spending—as consumer spending buoys consumption.

“Right now, we’re seeing all-time... 

U.S. Exports for Most Major Meat Commodities Grew in 2018

U.S. exports of beef, pork, and broilers (young chickens) were strong in 2018, driven by domestic production increases and favorable foreign demand. Compared to the previous year, beef exports increased 10.3 percent, pork exports increased 4.2 percent, and broiler exports were 4.1 percent higher than in 2017. Lamb and mutton exports were 1.5 percent lower despite stronger domestic production. Turkey exports declined 1.8 percent, with lower turkey production likely a contributing factor. Egg exports were 6.1 percent lower in 2018 than a year earlier, while production increased 2.1 percent year over year.

The ERS Livestock and Meat International Trade Data product provides monthly and annual data on U.S. meat and livestock exports and imports. The data are broken down by country and commodity and are available for cattle, beef, hogs and pigs, pork, lamb and mutton, broilers, turkeys, and eggs. An analysis of the data helps explain...

Final Investigation of Salmonella Infections Linked to Raw Turkey 

The final public update by the CDC of a Salmonella outbreak linked to raw turkey products has been released due to the number of newly reported illnesses decreasing. About a month has gone by since people reported getting sick. Illnesses in this outbreak occurred from November 20, 2017 to March 31, 2019. However, consumers can continue to get sick because this Salmonella strain is present throughout the turkey industry, including raw turkey products, packaged raw pet food, and live turkeys. The CDC stated that it will continue to monitor the Pulsenet database for any new illnesses, and public health partners will continue to investigate any newly reported illnesses.

State and local health departments interviewed people about foods consumed and other exposures in the week before they became ill. Of the 200 sick people interviewed...

Urner Barry to Host Global Protein Summit in Chicago This Fall

Urner Barry, the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry, is pleased to announce a brand-new event designed to bring clarity and insight into the increasingly complex business of food and agriculture, through the first-ever Global Protein Summit.

Urner Barry’s Global Protein Summit will be held in Chicago on October 7-8, 2019. Specifically designed for those in the beef, pork, and poultry industry, this two-day agenda is packed with intel from the foremost experts on economics and agribusiness. Hear from top speakers and analysts on China and other global trade partners, African Swine Fever, alternative proteins, changing consumer demands, and what to look out for as we move forward.

“We understand how complex this environment has become, and how hard it is to navigate through the rapid pace of change in the global protein markets,” says Jim Kenny, COO at Urner Barry. “Our customers are telling us that...

This Week in Retail: The Rundown on Easter Features

Pork moved into the top spot this week just in time for the holiday, claiming 25.4 percent of protein feature volume. Beef came in second, scoring 23.6 percent, with seafood closely following at 23 percent. Chicken accounted for 16.2 percent. Turkey features were bumped up to 5.6 percent, compared to 3.6 the week prior.

When comparing holiday week retail prices year-over-year, we have to go back to the week of March 26^th, 2018, as Easter fell three weeks earlier last year. Looking at the retail ham complex, ham features come in at an average price of $1.66 per pound, compared to $1.86 per pound during the week leading up to Easter a year ago. That’s an 11 percent drop YOY and should...

U.S. Beef, Poultry and Egg Products Gain New Market Access in Tunisia

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the government of Tunisia and the United States have finalized U.S. export certificates to allow imports of U.S. beef, poultry, and egg products into Tunisia.  This announcement follows meetings between U.S. and Tunisian officials on the safety and wholesomeness of U.S. beef, poultry, and egg products.

“President Trump continues to prioritize the opening of new markets for U.S. agricultural products, and we welcome Tunisia’s agreement to begin imports of U.S. beef, poultry, and egg products,” said Ambassador Lighthizer. “New access to the Tunisian market is an important step in ensuring that American farmers and ranchers can continue to expand their exports of U.S. agricultural products.”

“I'm convinced that when the Tunisians get a taste of U.S. beef, poultry, and eggs, they're going to want more. These products coming into Tunisia are...

Technomic: Growing Chains Keep Chicken in the Spotlight while Turkey Struggles with Momentum

Technomic's 2019 Center of the Plate: Poultry Consumer Trend Report shows that innovation is necessary for turkey dishes to be at the forefront of consumers' minds year-round. Craveable preparations, particularly outside the holiday season, could encourage more diners to consider turkey dishes, according to the report. Meanwhile, chicken remains a staple of the American diet, and consumers' love for the protein shows no signs of slowing.

"At a time when growth is hard to come by, the limited-service chicken category is performing exceptionally well," explains Charles Winship, senior research analyst at Technomic. "The category's growth has ramifications across ...

Butterball LLC Recalls Turkey Products

Butterball, LLC, a Mount Olive, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 78,164 pounds of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The prepacked raw ground turkey was produced on July 7, 2018. The following products are subject to recall ...

Boar's Head Brand Expands its Simplicity Line to the Delight of All Natural and Organic Shoppers

Boar's Head Brand®, one of the nation's leading providers of premium fine crafted foods products, is excited to give shoppers more options to choose from when selecting all natural and organic products for themselves and their families. Boar's Head Simplicity® line, launched in 2016 with a few selected items, now offers a complete line of products in categories such as beef, turkey, ham, cheese, bacon, franks, charcuterie and hummus.

"In the past, consumers who chose all natural and organic products believed they needed to trade taste for these attributes. At Boar's head, we disagree. We leveraged over a century of experience in crafting fine foods along with our culinary expertise to deliver both things in our newly expanded Simplicity line. The response has been...

Hain Celestial Group Completes Sale of Plainville Farms 

The Hain Celestial Group, a leading organic and natural products company with operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East providing consumers with A Healthier Way of Life, today announced that it has completed the first step in its divestiture of the Hain Pure Protein operating segment with the sale of the Plainville Farms business to Plainville Brands, LLC. The sale brings Plainville back to its roots as a truly independent company backed by a group of private investors committed to the long-term success of the business.

As a result of the sale, the leadership team at Plainville remains in place and will ...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Breasts and Breast Meat Close the Price Gap

Following a multi-year departure from the historical norm, the price spread between bone-in and boneless turkey breast quotations has gradually shifted back into something a little bit more recognizable...

Perdue Foods Appoints David Zucker as its First SVP of E-Commerce and New Ventures

Perdue Foods has announced the appointment of David Zucker as Senior Vice President of E-Commerce and New Ventures, a new position for the company. Zucker will oversee all aspects of Perdue’s e-commerce strategy.

“E-commerce is an increasingly important part of the Perdue Foods growth plan, and we’re pleased that David Zucker is onboard to lead our efforts,” said Mark McKay, President of Perdue Premium Poultry. “We have to meet consumers where ...

White Castle Adds New Turkey and Cheddar Slider to Expanding Retail Product Lineup

White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain and pioneer of the slider, today announced the addition of the new Turkey Slider to its expanding and ever-craveable retail product line. The new Turkey Slider, made with a Butterball® all natural white meat turkey patty, topped with smoked cheddar cheese and served on a White Castle signature bun, will begin to arrive on shelves in March and adds to a diverse lineup of retail offerings available at grocery, mass, dollar and convenience stores across the United States.

Since becoming one of the first restaurant brands to offer its menu items in retail over 30 years ago, White Castle has been innovating to add new products that cover every hunger. Today, White Castle's retail lineup has grown beyond hamburgers and cheeseburgers to include ...

Jon Nash to Lead Cargill’s North American Protein Business 

Cargill has selected Jon Nash to lead its North American protein business. He will report to Brian Sikes, who was recently appointed to the executive team as leader of the company’s global protein and salt businesses.

Nash began his career at Cargill in 1998. Most recently, he was the president of Cargill’s Protein foodservice business, where he strengthened and built strategic customer relationships. He brings a diverse mix of commercial, operations and finance experience. Nash has served as vice president of operations and was the general manager and controller of the ...

Urner Barry Announces Keynote Speaker for the 2019 Executive Conference in Las Vegas

Urner Barry’s 2019 Executive Conference is just around the corner, and we are so excited to announce this year’s keynote speaker will be (drumroll please…) Arby’s President Rob Lynch!

That’s right. Rob Lynch, along with a host of top speakers and strategists, will be headlining this must-attend event at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, April 28-30^th.  

Rob Lynch serves as President of Arby’s, part of Inspire Brands. Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 8,300 Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, SONIC Drive-In, and Rusty Taco locations worldwide.

Inspire Brands closed out 2018 with the $2.3 billion acquisition of Sonic Corp, making it the fifth largest restaurant company in the U.S...

Dunkin’ Brings New Go2s Value Menu Choices to its January Menu

January is a time when many Americans put saving money at the top of their list of New Year’s resolutions. Dunkin’ is giving guests a great way to start 2019 with great value choices, offering its popular Dunkin’ Go2s value menu to bring customers the chance to choose from three of the brand’s popular breakfast menu items priced at $2, $4 and $5 for two of their go-to favorites.

Available beginning today at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide for a limited time, the Dunkin’ Go2s menu includes ...

When it Seemed People were Growing more Detached from Farming, “Generation Yum” Delivered a Surprise

Young people are living up to the “Generation Yum” label coined by author Eve Turow with their connection to the people, places and practices that raise our food—according to new research from Cargill.

“I’m thrilled that people are deepening their understanding of agriculture,” said Hilary Maricle, co-owner of Maricle Family Farms in Nebraska, U.S., and mom of five. “By creating harmony between farmers and consumers, we can help people appreciate where their food comes from—and how innovative practices are creating healthier, more sustainable farms ...

ANALYSIS: Frozen Bagged Turkeys Maintain Price Solidity

With 2018 in the rear-view mirror, turkey market participants now take some time to develop their expectations for 2019...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Freezer Stocks: Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

Following what is arguably the most logistically challenging time of the year, last Friday’s Cold Storage Report gave...

Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, Inc. Recalls Raw Ground Turkey Products

Class I Recall
Health Risk: High

Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, Inc., a Faribault, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 164,210 pounds of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Reading, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The raw ground turkey items were produced on October 22, 2018 and October 23, 2018. The following products are subject to recall ...

This Week in Retail: Countdown to Christmas

It’s the final shopping week before Christmas—only four days left to procure last minute gifts and the vast amount of food needed to stock the fridge for visiting guests and holiday meals.

In a last minute shake up before the holiday, pork has taken over the top spot among protein ads this week with 26.5 percent! In second place is beef with 24.1 percent of total protein ad volume, followed by seafood with 23.8 percent. Chicken has fallen back to 11.2 percent, compared to 19 the previous week. Turkey features are up to 8.6 percent from just 3.2 percent last week.

Hams make up the largest portion of pork features this week, claiming 38.1 percent. Ad prices for hams are lower overall compared to a year ago, averaging $1.77 per pound. That’s nearly...

NTF Applauds Passage of 2018 Farm Bill

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) released the following statement on passage of the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report by the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate:

“The 2018 Farm Bill represents an unprecedented investment in animal health. The health of the turkey industry depends upon the health of our flocks. The National Turkey Federation applauds passage of the Farm Bill and the inclusion of key provisions to help make certain animal health is a priority and that there is a coordinated effort in place to address any threats. The creation of the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, along with mandatory funding, will provide the tools and resources animal agriculture needs to help prevent, identify and respond to disease outbreaks.

“The National Turkey Federation has been working alongside members of the animal agriculture industry for several years to see these tools to strengthen animal health become a reality. The threat of...

Boston Market makes Holiday Prep a Breeze with Festive Meal Solutions for All

Signature Holiday Heat & Serve meals including Prime Rib, Holiday Home Delivery, Catering and more are available during the most wonderful time of the year

Prime Rib? Ham? Turkey? Check! Holiday hosts can check every item off their grocery list this year with the help of the Holiday Experts at Boston Market®. For those who wish to pick up and bring home a pre-cooked holiday feast, have one shipped directly to their door or even enlist catering services for their social or work event this month, Boston Market is offering a variety of meal solutions to make any celebration just that much more merry and bright.

"We pride ourselves on helping so many make their holiday meals special by providing more time for families at the table instead of the kitchen," stated Boston Market Chief Executive Officer, Frances Allen. "Let us do the work for you ahead of any holiday celebration you have on the calendar leading up to the New Year. With options like Prime Rib Heat & Serve, Holiday Home Delivery, hot and ready-to-eat catering and ...

CTI Foods LLC, Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork and Poultry Sausage Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

Class I Recall 
Health Risk: High

CTI Foods LLC, an Owingsville, Ky. establishment, is recalling approximately 29,028 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat (RTE) pork and poultry sausage links products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen, ready-to-eat sausage links items were produced and packaged on Aug. 4, 2018. The following products are subject to recall:

23.4-oz. pouches of “Jimmy Dean HEAT ’n SERVE Original SAUSAGE LINKS Made with Pork & Turkey” with a Use By date of Jan. 31, 19. The product bears case code A6382168, with a time stamp range of 11:58 through 01:49.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number ...

Stampede Meat Newly Renovated Facility Opens

Stampede Meat celebrates the grand opening of its New Mexico plant after a $36 million investment 

The newly renovated facility will drive immediate growth for Stampede and create 1,295 new jobs

Stampede Meat, Inc., announced its grand opening today at a ribbon cutting ceremony, just five short months after announcing the company's expansion outisde of Illinois for the first time in its 24-year history. Stampede will invest more than $36 million to renovate and reopen the former Tyson Foods facility in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Over the next year, the facility will increase Stampede's existing 285,000 square footage and 190 million-pound capacity by more than half. Once fully utilized, the facility will support $300 to 400 million in incremental top line growth.

Stampede Meat CEO and President Brock Furlong was joined by New Mexico Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Matt Geisel at the ceremony. "We are poised to have our single largest sales growth in our 24-year history, due in no small part to this critical investment ...

National Turkey Federation Chairman Presents National Thanksgiving Turkey to President Trump 

National Turkey Federation Chairman Jeff Sveen presented the National Thanksgiving Turkey named “Peas” to President Donald J. Trump today during the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation is a time-honored American tradition, which is marking its 71st year since the presentation began in 1947.

“Thanksgiving is a time of great American traditions, and today we continue a very special one—when a lucky Turkey gets a presidential pardon,” said President Trump. “In this grand tradition, I am pleased to announce that...

Gabbing about Gobblers: Turkey Talk with Russ Whitman

Russ Whitman is in the studio to discuss seasonal trends in the Turkey market, specifically the... 

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Prepares to Serve Guests this Thanksgiving 

On Cracker Barrel’s busiest day of the year, America’s Thanksgiving experts offer three ways for guests to relax and enjoy the holiday

This Thanksgiving, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® is connecting family and friends around the table by offering several in-store and carryout meal options to help guests put the focus back on time spent with family. As the Thanksgiving expert, Cracker Barrel will once again offer its Homestyle Turkey n’ Dressing Meals for in-store guests, as well as its popular...

Meat Institute Testifies at Hearing Assessing Economic Impact of New U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement

SVP of International Affairs Bill Westman underscores importance of North American trade for U.S. meat sector

North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) Senior Vice President of International Affairs Bill Westman today emphasized the critical importance of the Canadian and Mexican export markets to the long-term economic strength of the U.S. meat and livestock sectors in testimony before the U.S. International Trade Commission. During the hearing, which sought input on the economic impact of the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Westman affirmed that...

Jennie-O Turkey Store Provides Information on Limited Voluntary Recall of Raw Ground Turkey Products

Jennie-O Turkey Store has voluntarily recalled a limited amount of raw ground turkey products, involving one production line from a single day’s production. Information for consumers is available on the Jennie-O Turkey Store website at https://www.jennieo.com/content/ground-turkey-recall.

The recall only includes fresh raw ground turkey with expiration dates of 10/1 and 10/2 and is no longer in stores. Please note, no other Jennie-O® varieties, other packaging configurations, or code dates are included in this recall.

Statement from Jennie-O President, Steve Lykken:

“On behalf of the thousands of Jennie-O team members, we were concerned to learn that someone became ill after exposure to Salmonella in a raw turkey product. The turkey industry has... 

Jennie-O Turkey Recalls Raw Ground Turkey Products due to Possible Salmonella Reading Contamination

Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC, a Barron, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 91,388 pounds of raw ground turkey products that may be associated with an illness outbreak of Salmonella Reading, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The raw ground turkey products items were produced on September 11, 2018. The following products are subject to recall...

This Week in Retail: Thanksgiving Outlook 2018

Thanksgiving is next week, and some supermarket shelves are already being cleared of some key essentials. As grocers restock in an attempt to keep up with demand, we have the latest outlook on what Turkey Day 2018 will bring.

The Show-Stopper

First, let’s take a look at the bird. ‘Tis the feast of fowl after all.  Buying opportunities at retail have more than doubled since last week, currently claiming 16 percent of total protein features. Turkey has seemingly taken circular share away from chicken, falling to just 12 percent this week versus 19 percent a week ago.

Average regional ad prices for frozen turkeys range from...

Farm Bureau Survey: Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Down for Third Straight Year

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 33rd annual survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $48.90, or less than $5.00 per person. This is a 22-cent decrease from last year’s average of $49.12.

“Since 2015, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner has declined steadily and is now at the lowest level since 2010,” said AFBF Chief Economist Dr. John Newton.

The featured food on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – cost slightly less than last year, coming in at $21.71 for a 16-pound bird. That’s roughly $1.36 per pound, down 3 percent from last year. The survey results show... 

National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony

On Monday, November 19th, President Donald J. Trump will pardon the National Thanksgiving Turkey at the White House. This year, the 71st anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation will be celebrated as the President reviews our Nation's traditions and wishes all Americans a happy holiday...

Plant Based Foods Association Launches First Certification for Plant-Based Food Claims

Select Tofurky and Oatly items are first certified by NSF International

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) today launched a new Certified Plant Based program, the first and only plant-based food certification. The Certified Plant Based protocol, which focuses on plant-based alternatives to animal-based foods, specifies the criteria required to make a certified plant-based food claim. NSF International is the certifying agency.

“The launch of the Certified Plant Based seal is an exciting next step for the fast-growing and...

Jimmy Dean Brand Petitions Merriam-webster to Change the Definition of Sandwich

This National Sandwich Day, Jimmy Dean Brand Calls for Recognition of all Types of Sandwiches – Bread and Breadless Alike – in Honor of Jimmy Dean Delights® Egg’wich

The Jimmy Dean® brand believes the current definition of sandwich is stale. Americans’ culinary preferences are evolving, with more than one in three Americans* vowing to eat less bread in the new year. In fact, a recent study* found that half of Americans have eaten a breadless sandwich. Timed to National Sandwich Day (November 3) and the launch of the Jimmy Dean Delights® Egg’wich sandwich, Jimmy Dean brand is calling on Americans to help get all sandwiches a seat at the dictionary’s proverbial kitchen table – and SIGN A PETITION to update the definition of sandwich to represent both bread and breadless options...

This Week in Retail: Aggressive Features Grab Busy Consumers’ Attention

This week in retail, beef features claim the number one spot with 23 percent, followed closely by seafood and pork, both just shy of 23 percent. Chicken ads account for 19 percent of total protein volume. Turkey features have risen to account for 7 percent of total protein volume, compared to 5 percent the previous week and just 3 percent the week before that. 

Frozen turkeys make up 51 percent of total turkey ads this week—up from 29 percent the previous week.  Feature prices for frozen turkey range from 91 cents per pound to $1.02 on average.

Elsewhere in the meat case, busy shoppers can pick up 80% lean ground beef at cheaper prices than a year ago. Averaging $3.19 per pound this week, ground beef is 12 percent lower YOY. Additionally, more roasts are finding their way into shopping carts as the weather gets increasingly cold. The roast complex averages $4.77 per pound this week, 24 cents per pound over a year ago.

Meanwhile, pork roasts average just... 

National Turkey Federation Statement on CDC Investigation of Salmonella Reading

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted an update today to their investigation announced in July into multistate illnesses attributed to Salmonella Reading. Epidemiologic evidence suggests raw turkey products and raw turkey pet food are possible sources. No specific product, brand, facility or company has been linked to the illnesses, nor is the CDC recommending consumers stop eating any turkey products.

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) released the following statement on the investigation:

“Food safety is a top priority for the turkey industry, and we take great pride in providing safe, nutritious and delicious food for consumers. Although NTF members work diligently to prevent foodborne bacteria on their farms and in processing, it is well known that bacteria are naturally present in the environment. As a result, raw meat and...

Jennie-O Launches Turkey Tracker Just in Time for the Holidays

Get the whole story on your whole turkey.

Jennie-O Turkey Store, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL), today announced the launch of its online Turkey Tracker where consumers can track their fresh or frozen JENNIE-O® whole turkey back to its originating farm. Each fresh and frozen turkey package now includes a tracking code stamped on the package's hang tag that can be entered into the JENNIE-O® Turkey Tracker page on the company's website. Once the code is entered, a regional farm where the turkey was raised is revealed along with a story about the farmers...

JENNIE-O Launches ‘Give Your Family the Bird’ Advertising Campaign for Thanksgiving in Select Markets

This holiday season, Jennie-O Turkey Store, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL), is encouraging busy hosts to give their families the bird — a JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ turkey, that is.

This new, lighthearted media and digital campaign speaks directly to consumers who are shopping, cleaning, balancing family dynamics and are up to their elbows in food preparation for holiday get-togethers. JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ turkey is so easy to prepare that it takes the stress out of holiday meal planning. First off, JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ turkey is preseasoned and goes right from the freezer to the oven with no thawing required...

Honeysuckle White Expands Thanksgiving Traceable Turkey Program

Consumers Can Give Thanks to the Family Farmer who Raised their Honeysuckle White Turkey

This Thanksgiving, more consumers will be able to trace their Honeysuckle White turkeys to the family farm where they were raised, thanks to a blockchain solution that brings transparency to consumer’s food purchases.

Through a simple text or by entering an on-package code at HoneysuckleWhite.com, consumers can trace their turkey back to the family farm, access the farm’s location by state and county, view the family farm story, see photos from the farm and read a message from the farmer.

“Honeysuckle White is committed to food transparency and we are excited to bring more consumers an inside look at...

This Week in Retail: For Grocers, November is Game Time

Retailers rejoice. It’s November.

November—the month of intense competition for open parking spots and available shopping carts. A month where ambitious shoppers strategize their grocery game plan to edge out hordes of consumers vying for the last can of cranberry sauce. When turkey touting, pantry piling, holiday-stressed houses frequent the supermarket all month long, prepping for the long weekend of family feasts.  

It is among the top three grocery months of the year in terms of sales and store traffic. And, while consumers are probably just now realizing that Thanksgiving is only three short weeks away, the industry has been prepping for months...

Poultry Producer Zacky Farms to Close Business

California-based Zacky Farms has announced that the company will be shutting down operations early 2019.

In a statement on their website, the company said:

"It comes with great sorrow that Zacky Farms has announced that it will be winding down its operations. Zacky has struggled in the current state of the industry and it has been impossible for it to continue profitably. Zacky has been diligently engaged in seeking business and capital; however, those exhaustive efforts have been unsuccessful and Zacky must now proceed with steps to cease operations. As Zacky winds down, it is presently expected that all operations will completely cease on January 19, 2019...

NHDSC and Beef Checkoff Promote New, Trendy Recipes for National Bologna Day

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) celebrated National Bologna Day, October 24, in partnership with the Beef Checkoff, showcasing bologna's classic deliciousness with innovative, new chef-developed recipes that show how trendy bologna can be. The recipes included...

This Week in Retail: Which Retail Items Saw the Biggest YOY Drop in Feature Price?

This week in retail, beef ads decidedly claim the top spot among proteins in terms of volume share, grabbing 25.3 percent of circular space. In the number two spot, seafood just barely edges out chicken’s 22 percent share with 22.7 percent. Pork claims 22 percent of ad space. Notably, egg feature volume has been a bit higher the last two weeks, with 4 percent or more.

Looking at the meat case, the biggest year over year retail feature price drops are found in chicken leg quarters, bottom round roasts and—frozen turkeys. That’s right. It’s happening. November kicks off next week and grocers are getting a jump on the month’s key sale items.

For now, premium frozen turkeys are featured in the Northeast region at an average $0.89 per pound, which is down from $1.49 per pound a year ago. Store brand turkeys run as low as $0.57 per pound, compared to the average a year ago of $0.99.

Chicken leg quarters are offered at just $0.64 per pound on average, down 51 percent from last year at this time! This is the largest YOY percent drop for any retail item in our sampling... 

Meat Institute Reiterates Support for USDA Regulation of Cell Based Meat Products

The North American Meat Institute once again argued that the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has primary jurisdiction for regulation of new cell-based meat products at a joint USDA/FDA public meeting on the use of animal cell culture technology to develop products derived from livestock and poultry.

In his oral comments, North American Meat Institute Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Mark Dopp explained the many benefits of USDA regulation for cell based meat producers.

“That the inspection system FSIS administers is more rigorous than the one administered by FDA is undeniable. Administration officials have said as much. But I am baffled why...

Muscle Maker Grill Introduces New Healthier Burger Menu

Muscle Maker Grill, the fast-casual restaurant brand, which promotes a healthy lifestyle by offering nutritious alternatives to traditional dishes, today announced the addition of a build it yourself burger bar menu available at participating locations for a limited time.

Muscle Maker Grill’s new healthier burger bar menu is a great option for those looking to indulge in a burger without the guilt. True to its mission of delivering healthier menu items without sacrificing taste, Muscle Maker Grill’s new burger menu has something for everybody. Guests can choose from four nutritionally packed protein options, grass-fed beef, turkey, all natural chicken breast or a veggie burger. The burgers are offered in five styles: Mushroom Supreme, California Club, Classic, Jalapeno and the Recovery burger. All burgers are served on whole wheat buns and come with a side of our baked sweet potato fries. Burger toppings include healthier options such as avocado, reduced fat mayo, turkey bacon and reduced fat cheeses. Burger bar styles are listed below...

Aramark Heats Up Arenas with 25 New Menu Items for the NHL and NBA Seasons

To kick off arena season, Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) -- the food and beverage provider at nine NHL and NBA arenas, who will serve nearly eight million fans attending NHL and NBA games -- is heating up the ice and hardwood with new menus stocked with everything from hometown hot dogs to vegetarian poke bowls.

Some of the new menu items Aramark is introducing at the arenas it serves include...

Americans Say Breakfast is their Favorite Meal for Sausage

It’s a perfect food for any time of the day, but for many Americans, the morning just isn’t complete without sausage. New research commissioned by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) and conducted online by The Harris Poll in September 2018 ahead of October’s National Sausage Month shows breakfast is the meal Americans say is their favorite for sausage. Overall 89 percent of Americans eat sausage, and among those, nearly 3 in 4 (74%) like to eat sausage for breakfast, followed by 59% who like it for dinner. A majority of those who eat sausage (61%) like it savory, while 54% like their sausage spicy.

“Americans clearly enjoy waking up their taste buds with sausage. And with so many different choices and flavor profiles, it’s no surprise that Americans love sausage and enjoy eating it throughout the day,” said NHDSC President Eric Mittenthal. “It’s the perfect food to...

Jack Link's To Launch Three New Protein Snack Products for 2019

Jack Link’s Protein Snacks, the global leader in meat snacking, continues to transform the protein snacking game by developing products that bring new consumers to the category and create new protein snacking occasions. For 2019 innovation, portability and on-the-go snacking continue to be key platforms for the company as it extends its presence outside the main meat snack set. The new products include Jack Link’sSmoked Beef Sausages, Jack Link’s Steak Bites and Cold Crafted Linkwich.

“We are on a mission to make protein snacking accessible to everyone,” said TD Dixon, chief marketing officer at Jack Link’s Protein Snacks. “Consumers continue to seek more protein in their diet, so we’ve focused our innovation efforts, whether that be form, packaging or flavors, to provide consumers new opportunities to engage in the category. These efforts are creating incredible growth for our customers and the entire category.”

3 New Products, 3 New Protein Snacking Occasions. Jack Link’s 2019 new products include...

NTF Statement on U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Turkey Federation (NTF) released the following statement on the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement: 

“Mexico and Canada are key export markets for the U.S. turkey industry. The USMCA will help to ensure that America’s turkey growers and processors have fair access to these markets and takes important steps to stabilize the U.S.’s trade relationship with our neighbors. The agreement will result in a 29 percent increase in U.S. exports to Canada. Robust export markets are vital in growing the turkey industry. When given the chance to compete head-to-head on price and quality, U.S. turkey producers have shown their ability to respond in providing the world with wholesome, delicious turkey products. There are many...

PERDUE® Unveils New Packaging to Resonate with Millennials and Loyal Customers

Salisbury, Md. – To enhance credibility and preference amongst today’s evolving consumer, PERDUE® is introducing a new, modern package design for its line of fresh chicken. The contemporary design introduces a variety of playful illustrations and vibrant colors aimed to inspire and connect with the millennial demographic, while staying true to the PERDUE® way. The re-design also highlights trusted product attributes like no-antibiotics-ever, 100 percent vegetarian fed, no animal by-products, raised cage free and with no hormones or steroids*.

This re-brand makes the fourth major packaging update in the history of the brand, further highlighting key...

Boston Market Launches Nationwide Delivery

With online delivery and curbside pickup available now, rotisserie favorites from Boston Market have never been more accessible - from guests' fingertips to the family table in minutes

Boston Market®, the rotisserie everything experts, today announced the launch of online delivery available to its guests across 330 restaurants nationwide.

Boston Market lovers who want to enjoy home style rotisserie meals at a convenient value from the comfort of their home can go to BostonMarket.com or download the Boston Market app to place their orders. Boston Market has also partnered with Grubhub and DoorDash, two of the leading online delivery services with nationwide reach, to ensure that its full menu of rotisserie meals is accessible to guests in any way they want to experience delivery across the United States...

Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Infections Linked to Raw Turkey Products

CDC and public health and regulatory officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Reading infections linked to raw turkey products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) is monitoring the outbreak.

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by CDC. DNA fingerprinting is performed on Salmonella bacteria isolated from ill people by using techniques called pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). CDC PulseNet manages a national database of these DNA fingerprints to identify possible outbreaks. WGS gives a more detailed DNA fingerprint than PFGE. WGS performed on Salmonella from ill people in this outbreak showed...