Nomad Bringing No-Waste Mission to More Vancouver-Area Cafes
Nomad, a Vancouver coffee shop founded by Annette Kim, has eliminated disposable cups across its locations, diverting over 220,000 cups since 2022 and targeting one million by 2027. The chain uses a $2 deposit for 3D‑printed clay cups and a $1 deposit for lids, achieving a 60 % return rate. A second shop opened in Kitsilano, and plans include a third location with an experimental “Nomad Lab” and on‑site roastery. Expansion aims to scale the zero‑waste model while maintaining product quality.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Chicago’s Most Exciting New Bar Program
Chicago’s Radicle bar, launched by the team behind Daisies, offers most cocktails at $10, a stark contrast to the $20‑plus prices common nationwide. Beverage director Nicole Yarovinsky kept pour costs between 18% and 22% by using cost‑effective sourcing, pre‑measured kits,...
Q&A and Playlist: Jermaine Stone, the Wolf of Wine
Jermaine Stone, known as the “Wolf of Wine,” turned an accidental entry into the wine world into a decade‑long podcast that fuses wine tasting with hip‑hop culture. His series “Tasting Notes from the Streets” earned James Beard and Emmy nominations and...
Checkpoint RFID Innovation Secures Scotch Whisky Traceability
A BBC investigation uncovered widespread fraud in the Scotch whisky cask investment market, prompting calls for tighter regulation and digital oversight. With more than 33 million casks stored in Scotland and limited traceability, Checkpoint Systems and parent CCL Industries introduced SmartCask...
Industry-Funded Study of the Week: Kimchi
A May 2026 study in Bioresource Technology found that lactic‑acid bacteria isolated from kimchi can bind nanoplastic particles in the intestines of germ‑free mice, more than doubling the amount of plastic expelled in feces. The research was financially supported by...
![A Timeline of America’s Trendiest Coffee Drinks [Infographic]](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/294a06a2d23b20d438b9e2224b02453d.webp)
A Timeline of America’s Trendiest Coffee Drinks [Infographic]
VinePair’s infographic charts the evolution of America’s coffee culture from the early‑1970s drip coffee boom to the protein‑infused brews of 2025. It highlights how innovations such as the Mr. Coffee machine, Starbucks’ espresso bar, and viral TikTok trends reshaped consumer preferences....
Norteño Brings Warmth Into the Frozen Section With Inviting Taquitos Packaging
Norteño partnered with design agency Design Happy to revamp its frozen taquitos packaging, aiming to convey warmth and home comfort rather than typical Mexican food clichés. The new visual system uses abstract home-inspired motifs and vibrant color palettes to differentiate...
Turner Duckworth Redesigns Blue Diamond’s Barista Almond Milk
Turner Duckworth has refreshed the packaging of Blue Diamond’s Barista Almond Milk to better resonate with coffee‑shop consumers. The redesign introduces a sleek, coffee‑centric visual language and tactile elements that differentiate the product on café shelves. Blue Diamond aims to...
FDA Was Too Heavy Handed with Redaction Pen in This Outbreak Report
A U.S. Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in 2024‑2025 was traced to frozen vegetables imported from Egypt, resulting in 27 confirmed cases across 13 states. The CDC and FDA investigations repeatedly reopened the case, but the FDA’s final report heavily redacted key...
Kroger Vs. Walmart: The War Grocery Didn’t Anticipate
Kroger announced on February 9, 2026 that former Walmart U.S. president Greg Foran will become its chief executive, marking the first time the grocery giant has hired an outsider. The market rewarded the move, with Kroger’s stock jumping as much...
Sunday Edition: Consolidation
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service identified Listeria monocytogenes as the leading cause of food‑borne outbreaks it investigated in fiscal year 2025, accounting for roughly 250 illnesses and 140 hospitalizations across multiple states. The Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration’s...
Salad Recalled in Canada because of Contamination with Listeria
Co‑op has recalled its creamy garlic and spinach salad in Canada after detecting Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall spans Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan, covering products with UPC codes starting 0 284616 and best‑before dates from March 24 to...
Raw Farm Recalls Cheese Linked to E. Coli Outbreak
Raw Farm LLC finally issued a voluntary recall of its raw cheddar cheese after the FDA and CDC linked it to a nationwide E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Seven of nine confirmed patients, including over half under five, had consumed the...
Raw Farm – Finally – Recalls Cheese Linked to E. Coli Outbreak
Raw Farm announced a voluntary recall of several raw cheddar cheese batches after the FDA issued an advisory linking its products to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The recall includes seven specific items ranging from 8‑oz blocks to 80‑oz bags,...
Stop Studying for the Test: Why Restaurants Must Make Food Safety a Daily Routine
A former NYC health inspector reveals that most restaurants treat food safety as a reactive, exam‑style task, fixing issues only when inspectors arrive. He argues that the real obstacle is limited managerial bandwidth, not lack of knowledge. Static checklists fail...
Startup CPG Newswire: Oktane Scores Golden Ticket: KeHE Distribution Trend Finder Taps Performance Beverage for Nationwide Growth
Oktane Energy, a DMV‑based performance beverage, has been awarded a Golden Ticket through KeHE’s Trend Finder program, granting the brand accelerated placement in KeHE’s nationwide retail network. The distinction highlights Oktane as one of the most promising emerging brands in...
Startup CPG Newswire: The Neighborhood Beverage Company, Parent Company of Once Upon A Coconut, Acquires Punch’d Energy, Expanding Its Better-For-You...
The Neighborhood Beverage Company (NBC), parent of Once Upon a Coconut, announced the acquisition of Punch’d Energy, a natural‑caffeine gummy brand. The deal adds a patented green‑coffee‑bean formula to NBC’s better‑for‑you lineup, expanding its reach into the functional energy category....
Startup CPG Newswire: Medase Cocktails Accelerates Growth with Strategic Investment,Founder Honors and New Pricing Strategy
MEDASE Cocktails announced a strategic investment that will support more than $20 million in annual sales, alongside a national founder accolade and a new consumer‑friendly pricing model. Co‑founder Monica Cornitcher was named to Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500, highlighting the brand’s...
Startup CPG Newswire: Blackbird Foods Expands Plant-Based Pizza Minis to Sprouts Farmers Market Nationwide
Blackbird Foods announced its Blackbirdie Pizza Minis are now stocked nationwide at Sprouts Farmers Market. The 5‑inch, chef‑crafted mini pizzas come in dairy‑free cheese and plant‑based pepperoni varieties and are sold in four‑pack boxes. They cook in 90 seconds in...
Startup CPG Newswire: Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches Expands Nationwide with Wegmans Launch
Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches, a Richmond‑born CPG brand, is launching its products in Wegmans stores nationwide this spring. The rollout features three flagship 4‑pack flavors—Cookie Monster, Brookie Dough, and Banana Pudding—available at all locations, with two additional varieties offered in...
Startup CPG Newswire: Chee Hoo Launches a Protein Popsicle Worth Shouting About
Chee Hoo Treats, a Hawaiian‑inspired frozen‑dessert brand, announced the launch of Chee Hoo Protein Pops, a new line of whey‑protein‑enriched popsicles. The debut flavor, Pineapple Breeze, delivers 12 grams of whey protein and 110 calories per pop, with no added refined...
The VinePair Podcast: The Middle Tier Is Merging and Morphing
VinePair’s latest podcast highlights a rapid wave of middle‑tier mergers in the U.S. alcohol sector. Reyes Beverage Group (RBG) has deepened its footprint by buying five more RNDC markets, while Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS) snapped up Anheuser‑Busch InBev’s...
Weekend Reading: AI’s Analysis of Soda and Alcohol Marketing on Social Media
Vital Strategies' Canary platform used AI to analyze soda and alcohol marketing on social media. It found Coca‑Cola appeared in 795 posts during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, generating about 6 billion impressions, while digital alcohol ads posted nearly 4,000...
Startup CPG Newswire: Harry’s Famous Sauce Expands Lineup With Two New Sauces For Even More Flavor, Versatility, and Convenience In...
TofuGo, a Seattle‑based startup founded by former M&A executive Caroline Dai, has launched the first mainstream U.S. snack brand built around dougan, a traditional Sichuan tofu preparation. The brand’s debut includes two shelf‑stable, zero‑sugar bars—Soy BBQ and Spicy Chili—each delivering...
Startup CPG Newswire: Harry’s Famous Sauce Expands Lineup With Two New Sauces For Even More Flavor, Versatility, and Convenience In...
Harry’s Famous Sauce, the debut brand of The Open Food Company, announced two new jarred sauces—Rustic Tomato Basil and Original Tarragon Vodka—expanding its chef‑crafted lineup. The sauces are made with non‑GMO, vegan, gluten‑free ingredients, contain no added sugar, and retail...
Snack Like It Matters
Amy’s Minocqua Marketplace newsletter spotlights a new snack line anchored by Mavuno Harvest, a Kenya‑born venture that dries organic fruit and nuts for U.S. consumers. The company uses a direct‑trade model that pays small‑holder cooperatives a premium, turning post‑harvest waste...
Zebra Striping, Reset Refreshers, and Other NoLo Need-to-Knows
Inmar Intelligence's 2026 NoLo report shows 41% of U.S. consumers have reduced or stopped alcohol, while off‑premise sales of non‑alcoholic beer, wine and spirits rose 22% year‑over‑year. The study highlights a seasonal momentum that extends beyond Dry January, driven by...
Weekly Coffee News: Record-Setting Ecuador Auction + New NKG Coffee Council
The inaugural Ecuador Farmer’s Collection auction on March 26 set a new benchmark, with a washed Gesha from Andrés Yepez selling for $318 per kilogram, the highest price ever recorded for an Ecuadorian coffee at an international auction. Lavazza reported a 15.7%...
Gallo Finalizes Acquisition of Four Roses Bourbon From Kirin Holdings
E&J Gallo Winery announced the completion of its acquisition of Four Roses Bourbon from Kirin Holdings, finalizing a deal valued at up to $775 million. The transaction marks the first time in 83 years that Four Roses will be U.S.-owned, adding...
All Roads Lead to Sysco.
Sysco Corp. completed a $29 billion acquisition of Restaurant Depot, merging the nation’s largest on‑site delivery distributor with the leading cash‑and‑carry wholesaler. The combined entity now serves roughly 750,000 foodservice establishments, effectively controlling the majority of both delivery and in‑store purchasing...
Gold Awards Highlight Montenegro’s Quality-First Olive Oil Ambitions
Montenegro’s publicly owned producer Kuća Maslina secured its first Gold Award at the 2026 New York International Olive Oil Competition with the monovarietal Mirovica, a Žutica‑based oil rooted in the historic Stara Maslina tree. The mill combines traditional hand‑picking and...
Why Does a FDA Salmonella Mango Report Look Like a Page Out of the Epstein Files?
The FDA released a public report detailing a Salmonella outbreak linked to imported mangoes. The document’s typography and layout closely resemble a page from the high‑profile Epstein legal files, a similarity highlighted by food‑safety blogger Marler. The article juxtaposes the...
Major Ag Lender Warns of Arabica Land Losses From Climate Change
Rabobank, one of the world’s largest agricultural lenders, released a climate risk report warning that up to 20% of current Arabica coffee‑growing land could become unsuitable by 2050. Already 8% of the area is classified as unsuitable, with the most...
Coffee Circle and Bean Voyage Win 2026 SCA Sustainability Awards
Coffee Circle and Bean Voyage were named winners of the Specialty Coffee Association’s 2026 Sustainability Awards, announced ahead of World of Coffee San Diego. Coffee Circle captured the for‑profit category, highlighting its €1‑per‑kilogram model that has funneled more than €5 million...
Under the Hood: How a Global Supply Shock Reaches Napa Valley
A sudden closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up global oil and natural‑gas prices, sending energy costs soaring for diesel‑dependent businesses. The price shock is already felt in Napa Valley, where vineyards face higher fuel bills, pricier industrial...
Grocery Update #147: Three Ways New York’s Public Grocery Experiment Could Fail.
New York Mayor Mamdani proposes five city‑owned grocery stores funded by a $70 million allocation, aiming to curb soaring food costs and address severe food insecurity. Analysts warn the pilot could falter if the city outsources operations to private firms, relies...
The Buildout Podcast: De Vie
Barney O’Kane and Alex Francis, alumni of Paris’s iconic Little Red Door, launched De Vie in September 2025, positioning it as a fresh, staff‑centric cocktail bar in the capital. The Buildout podcast episode spotlights their motivations for opening in Europe,...
With Children Ill with E. Coli and an Epidemiological Link to Raw Farm Cheese, Why No Recall?
The FDA and CDC are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 tied to RAW FARM raw dairy products. Nine people in three states have fallen ill, including three hospitalizations and one case of hemolytic uremic syndrome, with children...
USDA’s Newest Label: Made in America
The USDA announced a new voluntary "Product of USA" label for meat, poultry and egg products that meet strict domestic‑origin criteria. To qualify, animals must be born, raised, harvested and processed entirely within the United States. The label is part...
Turkey Seeks Greater Returns From Olive Oil Expansion
Turkey’s olive sector has doubled its tree count to about 200 million, delivering a record 475,000 metric tons in the 2024/25 harvest and cementing its place as the world’s second‑largest producer. Despite the volume surge, 40 % of the oil is still shipped...
U.S. Spirits Exports Slid 3.8 Percent in 2025 Amid Ongoing Tariff Battle
U.S. spirits exports fell 3.8 percent in 2025 to $2.37 billion, driven primarily by a Canadian provincial boycott that cut shipments to the neighbor by more than 70 percent. Excluding Canada, overall spirits exports grew 2.5 percent, but whiskey suffered a 19 percent global decline...
Tequila 101
Tequila has transformed from a regional mezcal offshoot into a global spirits powerhouse, with over 150 distilleries and 2,492 registered brands by 2025. The spirit’s identity is anchored in blue Weber agave, which takes five to seven years to mature,...
Front-of-Package Label Designs: Which One Works Best?
A recent randomized controlled trial evaluated several front‑of‑package (FOP) nutrition label designs, including the FDA’s proposed format and a multi‑high‑in label used in Latin America. The multi‑high‑in label—featuring color‑coded red, yellow, and green signals—significantly outperformed the FDA version in helping...
How Oil and Gas Prices Affect a Restaurant Bill
Rising oil and gas prices are inflating every stage of the restaurant supply chain, from farm production to transportation, which pushes food costs higher. Higher fuel costs also strain restaurant labor as employees face increased commuting expenses, prompting turnover and...
Why Buy Raw Milk From Raw Farms?
Raw Farms, formerly Organic Pastures, has been linked to a string of food‑borne illness outbreaks and product recalls spanning two decades, most recently a 2024 Salmonella outbreak that sickened 171 people. The company repeatedly violated federal food‑safety regulations, prompting a...
The MAHA Media Hub: Why We Must Stop Eating Ultra-Processed Foods
The MAHA Action Media Hub will be streamed live on Wednesday, April 1, from 4 pm to 5 pm Eastern Time. The free, public Zoom event brings together a diverse panel—including FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, senior HHS advisors, academic researchers, and...
Metabolic Meals Hit with Salmonella Lawsuit
The CDC and state health agencies linked a multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak to Metabolic Meals deliveries during the week of July 28, 2025. Twenty‑one cases were reported across 13 states, with eight hospitalizations and no fatalities. Investigators identified several meal...
With ‘High Voltage,’ Shock Top Follows Voodoo Ranger up the ABV Ladder
Shock Top introduced High Voltage, a 9.6% ABV double wheat beer, debuting in Southern California and rolling out nationwide in May. The 19.2‑ounce cans are priced at $2.99, marking the brewery’s strongest‑abv offering to date. The launch mirrors a broader...
Salmonella Cucumbers Cause Outbreaks and Lawsuits
The CDC, FDA and state partners traced a 2025 multistate Salmonella Montevideo outbreak to cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, resulting in 69 infections across 21 states, 22 hospitalizations and no deaths. Epidemiologic interviews showed 83% of ill respondents had consumed...
Constellation Brands To Acquire HOPWTR. But Why?
Constellation Brands announced the complete acquisition of HOPWTR, the calorie‑free, hop‑infused sparkling water it first invested in through its venture arm in 2021. The deal adds HOPWTR to Constellation’s expanding non‑alcoholic lineup, which already includes Corona Non‑Alcoholic and Modelo Chelada...