Barilla Confirmed as the World’s Leading Food Company for Reputation - Ranking 9th Overall Globally
Barilla has been named the top‑ranked food company for reputation in the 2026 Global RepTrak® 100, climbing to 9th place overall – a 16‑spot jump from 2025. The Italian group operates in more than 100 countries, runs 30 production sites and produces over 2 million tons of pasta, sauces and bakery items each year. Its new BITE Innovation & Technology Experience centre, staffed by 200 specialists, drives sustainable product and packaging breakthroughs. Barilla also highlighted strong social initiatives, including a 45% rise in water recycling and a gender‑neutral parental‑leave policy offering 12 fully paid weeks to both parents.
Video Forum: Natalie Ryan, The Emerson Group
Natalie Ryan, vice president of data strategy, insights and analytics at Emerson Group, highlighted the critical role of timely, actionable information for retailers and their CPG partners. She examined current shopper trends, noting how AI is reshaping demand forecasting and...
AlaSkins Founder Sara Erickson Built Sustainable Pet Treat Company to Boost Alaskan Seafood Industry
Sara Erickson launched AlaSkins in 2016 to convert discarded fish skins from Alaska’s commercial fisheries into premium pet treats. Starting with a $7,000 credit‑card investment, she persuaded processing plants to save skins, eventually scaling to a dedicated plant that purchases...
DoorDash Report Shows Where You Can Find the Lowest Price for Breakfast Basics
DoorDash released its first quarterly local‑commerce report, showing that price pressures are easing for breakfast items as the Breakfast Basics Index dropped 22.3% year‑over‑year, driven largely by lower egg prices. Household‑goods prices were essentially flat, slipping just 0.3% YoY. Regional...
Bold Design for a Fresh Concept
La Michoacana Frozen Creations opened its first U.S. location in Los Angeles, unveiling a bold storefront designed by Mindful Design Consulting. The concept showcases authentic Mexican frozen treats within a vibrant, motion‑driven interior. The design repurposes a commercial shell into...
Prices for Everyday Household Goods Drop in March
Numerator’s March 2026 Consumer Goods Price Index shows a modest 0.02% decline in everyday household goods prices after a 0.19% rise in February, leaving the year‑over‑year index 2% higher than a year ago. The data, which cover roughly 20% of...
Rainforest Distribution Opens Fort Pierce, FL Facility, Expanding Coverage
Rainforest Distribution opened a 62,817‑square‑foot distribution center in Fort Pierce, Florida, featuring ambient, refrigerated and frozen temperature zones. The site gives the company access to 37 % of Florida’s population within two hours and 92 % within four hours. It expands Rainforest’s...
‘You Can Never Really Catch up’: The Iran War Is Exacerbating Already High Grocery Bills and It Will only Get...
The Iran‑Israel conflict has pushed diesel, fertilizer and shipping costs higher, nudging U.S. produce prices upward. USDA data shows tomatoes, bananas and onions have risen since the war began, while the UN’s food price index climbed 2.4% in March. Experts...
Tops Friendly Markets Launches MoolahVille Cash Back Rewards Program
Tops Friendly Markets has launched MoolahVille, a cash‑back rewards program running through May 23 across its 147 stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Shoppers earn “Moolah” coins—10 coins per $50 spend and extra coins on specially tagged items—redeemable for unlimited...
Alaskan Legislators Pass Resolution Urging Continued Ban on Russian Seafood Imports
Alaska’s Senate passed a resolution urging the federal government to keep and strengthen the ban on Russian seafood imports that President Biden first imposed in 2022 and expanded in 2023. Lawmakers argue Russian subsidies and lax environmental standards keep fish...
The 2026 SN Power List
The 2026 Supermarket News Power List spotlights nine grocery leaders shaping the industry, from Atty McGrath’s promotion to CEO of Aldi to Liz Roche’s push for transparent retail‑media measurement at Albertsons. It also highlights CEOs driving growth and innovation, such as Sprouts’...
Sargento Leaps Into Lunch Snack Kit Market with Natural Alternative
Sargento, the cheese‑centric food brand, announced its entry into the lunch‑snack kit segment with a new "Naturals Snack Kit" that pairs its natural cheese sticks with fruit, nuts and whole‑grain crackers. The kits are priced at $4.99 and will debut...
Thrive Market Launches Climate Action Working Group
Thrive Market announced the Climate Action Working Group, a joint effort with Planet FWD, PCX Markets and Climate Positive Consulting. The program gives its more than 1,000 marketplace brands and owned‑brand suppliers tools to measure carbon emissions and plastic packaging...
The Great Comeback of Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is experiencing a rapid resurgence as health‑focused influencers tout it as a low‑carb substitute for flour, mayonnaise and other staples. Viral recipes—from protein‑packed wraps to low‑fat cookie dough—have sparked a surge in consumer demand across age groups, from...
Another Fast-Food Franchise Owner Has Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Will the Burger Joint Close Any Locations?
Multiple entities linked to Friendly Franchisees Corporation, which operates 65 Carl’s Jr. restaurants in California, have entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The five filing entities each hold assets and liabilities below $50,000, prompting uncertainty about potential store closures. Carl’s Jr. parent...
Island Pacific’s Philhouse Named Top Las Vegas Culinary Destination
Island Pacific’s in‑store restaurant Philhouse was named a top Las Vegas culinary destination by Dailywise, highlighting the grocer’s push to elevate Filipino cuisine beyond the grocery aisle. The accolade arrives during Filipino Food Month, which the chain celebrates with a...
Publix's Oven-Ready Meal Kits Feature Easy Clean-Up
Publix has introduced its Aprons Meal for More line of oven‑ready meal kits, priced at $24.99 per package. The kits feature chef‑inspired recipes that cook in a single container, requiring about 30 minutes in a conventional oven. By eliminating the...
Minnesota Restaurants Pushed to 'Breaking Point,' New Report Shows
A new State of Hospitality Report from Hospitality Minnesota warns that restaurants across the state face shrinking profits, rising operating costs and staffing pressures, exacerbated by a federal surge in early 2026. Owners cite lower traffic, higher wages and costly...
The Evolution of the Energy Drink Category
The energy‑drink category is evolving from high‑caffeine, male‑focused products to healthier, niche‑oriented offerings. Functional beverage consumption is now mainstream, with 34% of U.S. adults and 53% of Gen Z drinking energy drinks at least every two weeks. Brands such as Celsius,...
The Fresh Market Offers All-in-One Meal Solutions for Two
The Fresh Market has launched "Our Market Meal Kits," all‑in‑one dinner solutions for two that can be prepared in 20 minutes or less. Each kit bundles premium proteins such as chicken, shrimp, sirloin steak or Atlantic salmon with pre‑made sauces,...
Cal-Maine Relies on Diversification with Egg Prices Falling
Cal-Maine Foods reported a 53% plunge in third‑quarter FY2026 net sales to $667 million and a 90% drop in net income, down to $50.5 million, as conventional egg prices fell 70% year‑over‑year. Specialty eggs and prepared‑food products together accounted for more than...
Data Reveals Commodities Most Vulnerable to Food Fraud
A global food‑fraud report released by the Food Authenticity Network, using data from three incident‑tracking platforms, identifies processed foods, milk and dairy, and beverages as the most at‑risk commodities in 2025, together representing nearly half of all regulatory filings. Processed...
Clemens Brand Expands Bacon Lineup with Fully Cooked Foodservice Topping
Clemens Food Group’s Hatfield brand unveiled a Fully Cooked Bacon Topping aimed at foodservice operators, offering pre‑cut ⅜‑inch and ½‑inch pieces that eliminate traditional bacon preparation. The ready‑to‑heat product promises consistent flavor, reduced labor, and lower waste for kitchens facing...
Domino’s Debuts Slice Sauce with Exclusive Shinola Merchandise Access
Domino’s Pizza has introduced a new creamy dip called Slice Sauce, paired with a limited‑time partnership with Michigan‑based Shinola. Customers who order a Handmade Pan or Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza online between May 7 and June 14 receive a password to shop...
Sargento Takes a Bite at Lunch Snack Kits
Sargento, the family‑owned cheese maker, has launched Mighty Bites, a line of refrigerated lunch snack kits that pair 100% natural meats and cheeses with branded crackers and sweet treats. Each kit supplies 12‑14 grams of protein and comes in five...
High Gas Prices Are Crimping Grocery Spending, Research Finds
Rising gasoline prices are forcing U.S. shoppers to tighten their grocery budgets, a new Snipp survey shows. More than a third of the 1,000 respondents said they have cut back on grocery spending, while 37% report higher weekly bills compared...
Kylie Jenner’s Vodka Soda Brand Sprinter Expands Into Hydration
Kylie Jenner’s Sprinter brand is branching out of vodka‑sodas with the launch of k2o, a beauty‑focused functional beverage powder. The mix‑in combines electrolytes, bioactive collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid to promote skin moisture and hydration, and is offered in peach,...
Toufayan Bakeries Launches Seed Oil-Free Wraps Nationwide
Toufayan Bakeries, a family‑owned bakery from New Jersey, has rolled out its full line of seed‑oil‑free wraps nationwide and on Amazon. The wraps replace soybean, canola and sunflower oils with avocado oil and come in five flavors, including Classic and...
Diageo Supplier to Idle 2 Kentucky Whiskey Distilleries
MGP Ingredients, a key supplier to Diageo and other spirit makers, will idle its Limestone Branch and Lux Row Kentucky distilleries starting May 1, with the pause expected to last at least a year. The shutdown will affect 33 employees, though...
Big Food’s High‑stakes Race to Reformulate
Big food companies are undertaking a sector‑wide reformulation effort driven primarily by tightening regulations on sugar, salt and fat, alongside shifting consumer preferences for healthier and novel ingredients. Supply‑chain volatility and cost pressures are also prompting ingredient swaps, while sustainability...
Why Americans Spend $22 on Smoothies Despite Feeling Terrible About the Economy
U.S. consumer confidence has slipped to a decade low, yet premium‑food retailer Erewhon is thriving, selling $22 smoothies and opening three new stores in 2025. The specialty‑food market now exceeds $219 billion, up 150% in ten years, outpacing overall grocery growth...
Marcos’s Pizza Signs 12-Unit Franchise Agreement in Southern California
Marco’s Pizza, based in Toledo, Ohio, has signed a franchise agreement to open 12 new restaurants in Southern California, to be owned and operated by franchisee Baljit Gill. The chain already runs three locations in the region—Upland, Fontana and Hesperia—and...
Publix Signs Leases For 3 New KY Supermarket Locations
Publix Super Markets has signed leases for three new 54,964‑square‑foot stores in Kentucky—Richmond, Versailles and Bowling Green—each paired with a Publix Liquors outlet. The locations are expected to generate roughly 150 jobs across the three sites. The move deepens Publix’s...
Joseph Phelps: ‘We’re Always Looking to the Future’
Three years after LVMH’s Moët Hennessy acquired Joseph Phelps, winemaker Ryan Knoth is steering the estate toward a future that respects its historic DNA while sharpening the quality of its flagship Insignia. Knoth, who arrived in 2023 after a 17‑year Napa...
Ahold Delhaize USA Joins Responsible Labor Initiative
Ahold Delhaize USA announced it has become a member of the Responsible Labor Initiative (RLI), an international group that tackles human‑rights risks in global food and beverage supply chains. The membership grants the grocery giant access to grievance mechanisms, risk‑assessment tools and...
Burger King Tests Sliders in Oregon and Ohio
Burger King will pilot its new King Size Sliders in Columbus, Ohio, and Portland, Oregon from April 14 to May 4. The sliders are sold in two‑ or six‑piece boxes and come in three flavors, though pricing has not been...
2025 U.S. All-Channel Results: LRB Dollars Grew +2.5%. Volume Fell -0.9%
The 2025 BD Fact Book shows U.S. liquid refreshment beverage (LRB) sales grew 2.5% in dollar value while overall volume slipped 0.9%. Carbonated soft drinks (CSD) posted a 3.1% value increase with a 0.7% volume decline. The report covers packaged...
Opening Thoughts: April 8, 2026
Beverage Digest released its 31st Fact Book, a comprehensive snapshot of U.S. non‑alcoholic beverage sales for 2025. The edition compiles all‑channel data, from grocery and convenience stores to online platforms, revealing modest volume growth and heightened competition. It highlights a...
NAD Flags Bayer One A Day Men’s Fertility Positioning
The National Advertising Division (NAD) ruled that Bayer’s One A Day Men’s Fertility multivitamin uses pre‑conception timing and sperm‑health language that implies a boost to men’s chances of conception. NAD also found the product’s antioxidant and ingredient‑specific claims unsupported by...
NutraWomen Wednesday: Rosie Goldwasser, Founder of More Than Matcha
Rosie Goldwasser turned her side‑project, More Than Matcha, into a six‑figure nationwide brand in just one year and recently left consulting to run it full‑time. A pivotal appearance on the reality series "60 Day Hustle" forced her to treat the venture as...
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...
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...
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...
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...