Opinion: Technical Gap Slowing Agroforestry in Key Colombian Lands
Colombia, the world’s third‑largest coffee producer, contributes 22% of GDP and up to 80% of exports, yet only 5% of its smallholder farmers are technically efficient. In the Meta department, coffee is grown under forest canopy in agroforestry systems across 539,010 hectares, offering a sustainable niche in the biodiverse Andean‑Amazonian piedmont. However, a severe technical knowledge gap, limited access to inputs, and lingering conflict impede productivity and market access. A nascent cooperative seeks to promote these coffees, but broader recognition and technical support remain lacking.
UK: Margate Entrepreneur Launches Microgreens Operation Supplying Local Restaurants From Indoor Unit
Vanessa Leppard, a 33‑year‑old former food‑industry professional, launched Margate Microgreens in a repurposed indoor unit in Margate, UK. The vertical farm grows pea shoots, red radish and broccoli garnishes using LED lights and heat mats. Within its opening week the...
Impossible Foods Partners with Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks & Rangers
Impossible Foods has signed a multi‑year deal to become the official plant‑based burger partner of Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. The agreement includes a dedicated concession stand, the Impossible Grille, serving a menu...
Clean Label vs Shelf Life: A New Food-Tech Solution Removes the Tradeoff
BioBlends, a food‑tech startup, uses bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to form a protective, non‑ingredient barrier that dramatically extends product shelf life without additives. In lab tests, its VOC spray kept bread mold‑free for up to 80 days, far surpassing...
Why Points-Based Loyalty Programs Aren’t Cutting It Anymore
The 2026 Paytronix Loyalty Report finds that traditional points‑only programs are becoming obsolete for restaurant chains, as brands shift toward experience‑driven models. AI analytics, gamified tiers and exclusive rewards now underpin the most effective loyalty strategies, turning one‑time diners into...
Food Tank Explains: Food Is Medicine
Food is Medicine (FIM) initiatives link nutrition, agriculture, and healthcare to combat diet‑related chronic disease. The article highlights that poor diets drive 45% of US cardiometabolic deaths and cost over $1.1 trillion annually, disproportionately affecting low‑income and minority groups. Programs such...
Sugar Factory Launches Frozen Rainbow Sliders at Jewel-Osco Stores
Sugar Factory is expanding beyond its restaurants by launching a frozen‑food line called Sugar Factory at Home, debuting its Rainbow Sliders in Jewel‑Osco stores across Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. The sliders—colorful buns with 0.8‑ounce beef patties—are sold in 5‑ and...
KFC’s Saucy Adds Premium Pepsi Drips Products
KFC’s tender‑focused spinoff, Saucy, is rolling out four premium Pepsi Drips beverages at its ten existing locations, with five more stores slated to open later this year. The Drips line blends classic sodas and lemonade with upscale add‑ins like caramel cold...
Girl Food and Boy Food
Between 2016 and 2019 the share of U.S. consumers who identified as vegan surged roughly 600%, a spike driven by heightened climate awareness, social‑justice movements, and the rise of millennial activism. Social media amplified veganism as a visual status symbol,...
Nju:design Revives 1950s Italian Illustration for Attianese Conserve
Italian agency nju:design has unveiled a new packaging suite for Attianese Conserve’s canned tomato line, drawing directly from 1950s Campania canning illustrations. The designs feature hand‑drawn artwork by Claudia Bartoli, rendered in a delicate, pre‑photography style. A bright pastel palette injects...
Japan’s Kanematsu Taps 2nd Nature’s AI Tech to Upcycle Ag Waste Into Functional Foods
Japanese trading house Kanematsu Corporation has partnered with U.S. startup 2nd Nature to apply artificial intelligence to its agricultural sidestreams, aiming to extract high‑value functional ingredients. 2nd Nature’s AgWaste Portal scans molecular data to uncover hidden proteins, fibers, peptides and...
HHS Issues New Guidelines for Food Served in Hospitals
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a memo directing hospitals to align their food service policies with the 2025‑2030 Dietary Guidelines. The rules require eliminating ultra‑processed foods, sugary drinks, refined grains, and processed meats, while mandating...
Manomasa Unveils Vibrant New Packaging Inspired by Latin American Culture
Snack brand Manomasa has launched a new packaging design for its Popped corn chips that draws on Latin American papel picado motifs and bold pink‑green colourways. The redesign, created by the design duo Derek & Eric, showcases flavors such as...
Bold, Athletic Type Brings Waterbird’s RTD Cocktails to Life
Tavern Agency has crafted a bold, typographic identity for Waterbird’s ready‑to‑drink (RTD) cocktail line, drawing on mid‑century Americana and vibrant color palettes. Oversized lettering places the product name front‑and‑center, while each flavor is distinguished by high‑impact hues. The design strikes...
New Thai Spot Wanglang Delivers Fresh Flavors
Feel like reading a restaurant review today? Here's my take on Thai newcomer Wanglang, just off Madison Square. https://t.co/SNxAKr3MfF https://t.co/l9NkuA1BPF
FDA Launches BRIDGE Project to Modernize Food Facility Inspections
The FDA has launched the Better Regulatory Inspections for Dynamic Government Efficiency (BRIDGE) Project to overhaul how domestic food facility inspections are planned, executed, and coordinated. The initiative introduces a data‑driven, risk‑based framework that aligns federal and state oversight, aiming...
California Carl's Jr. Franchise Blames Wages, Corporate for Bankruptcy
The Carl's Jr. franchisee out of California that filed for bankruptcy late last week blamed its financial distress on two issues: The state's fast-food wage and Carl's Jr. management. https://t.co/HdZ8TzblsJ
Famously Non-Smoky, Here’s the One Time The Macallan Resorted to Peated Malt
The Macallan, famed for its non‑smoky, fruit‑forward profile, briefly turned to peated malt between 1940 and 1958 when World War II coal rationing left the distillery without its traditional fuel. During that period, peat became the only reliable energy source, resulting...
US Rice Body Launches UK-Wide Campaign to Boost Demand
USA Rice, the trade group for American rice growers and merchants, has launched a UK‑wide promotional campaign to lift demand for US‑origin rice. The effort combines an ambassador panel, trade‑fair appearances, a roadshow and influencer partnerships throughout 2026. US rice...
Danone Snaps up Huel: How a Blend of Commercial Value and Sustainability Fed $1bn Deal
In March 2024 Danone announced a $1.15 billion acquisition of Huel, the UK‑based plant‑based complete‑nutrition brand. The deal bolsters Danone’s push into the fast‑growing “complete nutrition” segment and adds Huel’s subscription‑driven revenue stream to its portfolio. Danone highlighted Huel’s strong sustainability...
“We Need to Understand the ‘Why’” – Valio Innovation VP Talks Protein, GLP-1 and AI
Valio’s innovation chief, Dr. Kevin Deegan, says the dairy co‑op is riding a surge in protein demand while eyeing the emerging influence of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs. The company splits its focus 65:35 between value‑added consumer goods and ingredient sales, leveraging...
European Fresh Produce Shifts Sustainability Toward Costs
European fresh‑produce companies are moving sustainability from a branding exercise to a cost‑control imperative. 2026 priorities now focus on measurable variables such as yield stability, batch quality, shrink, packaging expenses and verifiable environmental data. Soil degradation alone costs the...
Tomatoes From Malaga Cost Nearly 3 Euros per Kilo at Origin
Tomato prices in Málaga’s greenhouse sector have surged to about €3 per kilogram, roughly $3.25, a record high. The Andalusian Price and Market Observatory reported average prices over €2/kg, nearly double the previous season and three times the first half...
Slurrp Farm Taps Into the Everyday Struggle Behind School Tiffins
Slurrp Farm, the millet‑based children’s food brand, launched a Back to School campaign featuring a short film that dramatizes parents’ daily worry about unfinished tiffins. The ad follows seven‑year‑old Kabeer’s chaotic morning and shows his mother packing Slurrp Farm Millet...
Harviestoun Kicks Off Brewery Expansion with Six-Figure Investment
Harviestoun, the Alva‑based brewery, is injecting over £0.5 million (≈$640,000) into a first‑phase expansion that adds a new warehouse, office space and brewing upgrades. The move will bring storage and logistics back onto the site, aiming to double output from just...
Having Trouble Dialing In? There’s An Equation For That
A recent Royal Society Open Science study quantifies how grind size and tamp pressure influence espresso puck permeability, delivering a predictive equation derived from X‑ray micro‑CT scans of two Square Mile coffees. Researchers mapped 22 samples, applied percolation theory, and...
Wealth Managers Forecast ‘Historic Surge’ in Fine Wine Demand Amid ‘Great Wealth Flight’
WineCap’s 2026 Wealth Report finds 97% of wealth managers expect fine‑wine demand to rise, marking the highest confidence in the study’s four‑year history. The market has recovered from a prolonged downturn, with bid‑offer spreads tightening and liquidity returning across key...
Little Debbie Enters Premium Cookie Segment
McKee Foods has launched Little Debbie Soft Baked Cookies, a new premium, portable snack line under its iconic brand. The 3‑ounce, individually wrapped cookies come in Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter varieties, offering a moist, bakery‑style texture. Positioned as a...
Little Caesars VP of Franchise Development Talks Brand Growth, Solid Operations
Little Caesars’ vice president of franchise and business development, Bryan Ketelhut, discussed the brand’s growth strategy on the Pizza Marketplace Podcast. He highlighted the company’s long‑standing focus on value, quality and convenience, anchored by the Hot‑N‑Ready model launched more than...
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite Launches Sugar Free Cookies Range
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite introduced a Sugar Free Cookies range, offering Choco Nut and Hazelnut & Oats variants that are protein‑rich, trans‑fat‑free and priced at ₹100 (≈$1.20) per 100‑gram single‑serve pack. The launch aligns with growing demand for healthier snacking in India. Meanwhile,...
South African Beer Industry Drives Sustainability Amid Climate Challenges
South Africa’s beer sector is embedding sustainability into its value chain, from locally sourced barley to water‑stewardship projects that restore Western Cape catchments. Major brewers such as SAB and Heineken are investing in resource‑efficient technologies, circular packaging, and low‑alcohol products...
Young Shoppers Turn to Food and Drink to Kick Start the Anti-Ageing Process, Ocado Retail Reveals
Ocado Retail’s latest research shows that 64% of British consumers aged 16‑34 now prioritize longevity when shopping, the highest rate among all age groups. This shift is driving strong sales growth in fibre‑rich meals (+187% YoY), gut‑health drinks such as...
GDK Brings in Former Chipotle and Costa Executive as Chair
German Doner Kebab (GDK) has appointed former Chipotle and Costa Coffee executive Jim Slater as Chair and Non‑Executive Director to accelerate its UK and international expansion. Slater helped grow Chipotle to more than 3,500 restaurants and led Costa Coffee into...
Fermtech Secures £2.5m Backing to Scale Production of Cocoa Made From Crop Waste
Oxford‑based biotech start‑up Fermtech announced a £2.5 million seed investment to accelerate its sustainable cocoa powder made from crop waste. The funding will be used to scale manufacturing facilities and expand market reach as climate‑driven supply constraints push chocolate prices higher....
Kentucky Bourbon Trail Hits 2.7m Visits in 2025
Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail welcomed 2.7 million visitors in 2025, matching its 2024 record and surpassing the 2023 figure of 2.5 million. The influx, driven largely by out‑of‑state tourists, generated average per‑trip spending of $600‑$1,400 and reinforced the trail’s $10.6 billion economic contribution to...
Bristol’s Beloved Mocha Mocha Coffee House Announces Nationwide Franchise Launch
Independent Bristol café Mocha Mocha Coffee House announced a nationwide franchise programme, opening its proven concept to entrepreneurs across the UK. The brand will offer comprehensive training, site‑selection assistance and supplier networks to maintain its high‑quality coffee and community‑focused experience....
Oscar Mayer Unveils First Bacon Innovation in Five Years with Maple Bourbon Bacon
Oscar Mayer has introduced its first bacon innovation in five years, unveiling Maple Bourbon Bacon cured with Evan Williams bourbon and finished with a 12‑hour slow smoke. The thick‑cut, maple‑kissed slices blend vanilla‑caramel notes from barrel‑aged bourbon, targeting the surge in...
Belgian Whisky Distillery Seeks Buyer
The Owl Distillery in Belgium, founded in 2004, is being liquidated and all assets are up for auction on the Auctim platform. The sale includes a fully operational production facility capable of one million litres per year, original copper pot...
MGP Halts Production at Kentucky Distilleries
MGP Ingredients announced a temporary halt to distilling at its Limestone Branch and Lux Row facilities in Kentucky, affecting 33 employees, as the U.S. whiskey market remains structurally oversupplied. The pause, effective May 1, could last up to 12 months while...
Shared Spirit Brings ‘Different Approach’ to Whisky Festivals
Shared Spirit, a culture‑led whisky festival, will debut in London on 6 June at St Mary’s Church, Primrose Hill. Designed for “people who don’t do whisky festivals,” the event replaces traditional hierarchy with a relaxed fair‑like atmosphere featuring small pours, food, music,...
New Reports Spotlight Persistent Food Safety Risks From Produce
Federal food safety agencies released two new reports showing fresh produce still drives most foodborne illness outbreaks. FDA’s CORE report logged ten public health advisories in 2024, including a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to carrots and a listeria outbreak...
Natural Grocers Adds Organic Pasture-Raised Eggs To Private Label Line
Natural Grocers has introduced Regenerative Organic Certified pasture‑raised eggs to its private‑label line, sold in 12‑count cartons. The eggs meet the retailer’s Gold Standard egg ranking and carry both Regenerative Organic and Certified Humane designations. Sourced from small family farms...
JonnyPops Expands to Canada
JonnyPops announced its official launch in Canada, partnering with major retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Save‑On‑Foods, Nature’s Fare Market, City Avenue Market, and select Costco locations. The company will roll out its organic, vegan, gluten‑free frozen pops nationwide, with...
The Best Restaurant in America Is a Full-On Caribbean Party
Food & Wine’s Global Tastemakers Awards named Kabawa in New York City the best restaurant in America. Chef Paul Carmichael, a Barbados native, transforms fine dining into a vibrant Caribbean celebration, from tamarind pod palate cleansers to a three‑course tasting...
La Vieja Fábrica Grows Presence in UK Supermarkets
La Vieja Fábrica, the premium Sevillian marmalade brand, is expanding its UK supermarket footprint by adding its Fine Cut, Thick Cut and St Clements varieties to Asda shelves. The rollout begins the week of 6 April and is supported by a focused...
Deep Eddy Vodka to Shut Second Distillery and Tasting Room
Heaven Hill Brands announced that its Deep Eddy Vodka distillery and visitor centre in Dripping Springs, Texas, will close this summer after a $6 million expansion. The site will be sub‑leased to another vodka producer beginning August 1, 2026, while production remains at...
Healdsburg, CA Becomes Michelin Hotspot Despite Population Under 12,000
Healdsburg, a Northern California town of just under 12,000 people, has emerged as a Michelin‑recognized restaurant hub, boasting 13 guide‑listed venues and a three‑star Japanese restaurant, SingleThread. The surge highlights the Michelin Guide’s shift toward small‑town culinary excellence and promises...
Abbey Lands Distillery Planned for 2027
Whitby Distillery is launching a second equity campaign to raise £200,000 (US$268,660) for its new Abbey Lands Distillery, a destination site beside Whitby Abbey. The new venue will feature a visitor experience, tasting bar and the brand’s first small‑batch coastal...
The Debate: Should We Scrap the ‘Table Tax’?
The City Am debate pits two camps over England’s pavement licence system, dubbed the ‘table tax’, which charges restaurants to place tables and chairs on sidewalks. Fees vary dramatically, from £0 to £1,400 (about $1,800) annually, with new licences costing up...
PepsiCo Warns of $2 Billion+ Snack Margin Hit as Chip Prices Soar
PepsiCo told investors that soaring chip costs—some bags now over $7 and Doritos up nearly 50% at Walmart—could shave billions off its snack margins. The company is rolling out price cuts of up to 15% while Elliott Management has taken...