Bill Gates Awards $7M Grant to Belgian Startup Using AI to Develop Climate-Resilient Crops
Belgian agtech startup Rainbow Crops received a $7 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to scale its AI‑powered Trait Foundry platform. The technology combines multiplex genome editing, precision breeding and high‑throughput phenotyping to develop climate‑resilient varieties of corn, sorghum and rice. The funding will expand AI models, increase library generation, and accelerate delivery of drought‑ and heat‑tolerant traits for smallholder farmers. Success could help offset projected yield declines of up to 40 % in key staples under climate change.
Ursula’s Paddington Announces Closure in Late May
Chef‑owner Phil Wood announced that Ursula’s Paddington will close on Saturday 23 May as its lease expires. The colourful venue opened in 2021, blending Australian flair with European bistro style. Wood cited the growing difficulty of running a small independent restaurant...
Mezcla Raises the Plant-Based Protein Bar with $9.5M in Series B Funding
New York‑based Mezcla closed a $9.5 million Series B round led by Bluestein Ventures to accelerate product development and broaden distribution. The funding brings total capital to $16.5 million and follows a 128 % compound annual growth rate since 2022. Mezcla’s plant‑based bars, built...
Arthur Team to Close Current Iteration After Seven Years Operating
Sydney’s Arthur restaurant announced it will close its current seven‑year iteration on 31 May, with a new restaurant and bar under the same name slated to open in July. The venue has built a reputation for a 100 % Australian set‑menu,...
Woodford Reserve Just Unveiled Its Annual Kentucky Derby Bottle
Woodford Reserve has unveiled its 2026 Kentucky Derby bottle, featuring a new label designed by artist Anna Murphy titled “Dress to Impress, 152.” The limited‑edition bourbon, identical to the standard Woodford Reserve expression, will retail for $50 and hits shelves nationwide...
Are Your Cost-Cutting Initiatives Actually Saving You Money?
Food manufacturers are feeling a sharp cost squeeze, with 78% reporting a 13% average rise in per‑product expenses. Common cost‑cutting tactics—deferring maintenance, slashing training budgets, and postponing visibility investments—often generate hidden expenses that outweigh the intended savings. The article argues...
A Vital Neighborhood Coffee Pop-Up Opens a Bricks-and-Mortar in Altadena
Bevel Coffee, a former pop‑up, opened its first permanent 600‑sq‑ft storefront on Allen Avenue in Altadena. Owner Kevin Mejia serves a Honduran‑Ethiopian espresso blend roasted in his garage, alongside matcha lattes, loose‑leaf teas, and pastries from Bakers Kneaded. The opening...
Amazon’s Disruption of Walmart Is a Slow Work in Progress
Amazon is rolling out a new supercenter model that doubles as a fulfillment hub, with the first site slated for Orland Park, Illinois in 2027. The hybrid design dedicates roughly half the space to warehousing and the rest to a traditional...
Farm Bill Markup Sparks Debate over Nutrition and Rural Policy
The 2026 Farm Bill preserves existing nutrition programs such as SNAP, TEFAP and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, extending them through FY2031 without additional funding. Democrats and health‑focused NGOs argue the bill fails to address hunger, restore cuts, or...
Golden Steer’s Mob Mentality
Golden Steer, a storied Las Vegas steakhouse operating for 68 years, has opened a flagship location in Manhattan. The restaurant recreates its neon‑lit, mob‑era ambience with slot‑machine décor, a “Mob Room,” and the city’s “largest baked potato.” Its menu sticks to classic...
Adejoké Bakare Hosts a West African Feast at Home
Adejoké Bakare invited friends to a West African feast, featuring five signature dishes curated by Chishuru’s head chef. The menu ranged from classic steamed bean cakes to a Senegalese twist on pain perdu, each presented with detailed home‑cooking instructions. Bakare’s...
How Cachasol Built A Hospitality-First Tequila Brand
James “Monty” Montero launched Cachasol, a tequila brand built around a six‑acre agave farm and on‑site distillery in Sayulita, Mexico. The venture replaces traditional shelf‑first distribution with immersive tours, cooking classes, and a farm‑to‑table bar that serve as the primary...
Heaven Hill Just Released the Oldest Edition of Its Unicorn Heritage Collection Whiskey
Heaven Hill has unveiled the 22‑year‑old straight bourbon from its Heritage Collection, the oldest release in the series to date. The expression blends 270 barrels distilled in 2003, bottled at barrel proof (64.6% ABV) without chill filtration, and carries a...
Field to Film Festival Amplifies Indigenous and Rural Youth Voices
The 4th Annual Youth Storytellers Field to Film Festival, part of Groundswell International’s Youth Storyteller Program, invites Indigenous and rural youth to document agroecological transformations in their communities. Running through March 12, the 2026 edition places a special emphasis on...
Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style at Langan’s Brasserie
Langan’s Brasserie is hosting a Mother’s Day Sunday feast in Mayfair, pairing seasonal British‑European dishes with a collaboration with Narciso Rodriguez. Each mother receives a Pure Musc Blanc fragrance gift, and guests can order a limited‑edition Pure Musc cocktail inspired by...
![[Business Case Builder] The High Cost of Doing Nothing](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/ccbcb1a37a7fb9c5f2302325e578e67d.webp)
[Business Case Builder] The High Cost of Doing Nothing
Food manufacturers facing the FSMA 204 deadline are urged to modernize legacy ERP systems, which silently generate costs in inventory waste, recall exposure, compliance labor, manual workarounds, and slow financial closes. QAD’s sponsored Business Case Builder provides fill‑in worksheets, KPI‑to‑dollar translation,...
One Nation Under Ranch—Why America’s Favorite Condiment Keeps Climbing
Ranch dressing, America’s top‑selling condiment since 1992, has entered a phase of unprecedented cultural saturation, exemplified by a $3.10 ranch‑dressing milkshake at Great Wolf Lodge. Google Trends data show a sharp rise in interest beginning in 2011 that never receded...
Champagne-Forward French Brasserie Returns to The Rocks
French brasserie Ananas is set to reopen on 6 May in The Rocks, occupying a smaller, heritage‑rich space adjacent to Hunter St. Hospitality’s Sahtein. The venue, which originally operated from 2012‑2016, will seat 100 diners with a private room for...
These New Rare Agave Spirits Double as Elegant Sculptures
Singular Archive, founded by veteran spirit maker Vicente Cisneros, launches a limited‑edition line of agave‑based liquids housed in handcrafted metal and crystal sculptures. The spirits are deliberately left unclassified by Mexican authorities, allowing the use of rare agave varietals such...
![[Webinar] Firefighting Vs. Foresight: AI and the Industry 5.0 Shift in Food & Beverage](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/4ba93ef6d39045f1f7ffad09eece49a5.webp)
[Webinar] Firefighting Vs. Foresight: AI and the Industry 5.0 Shift in Food & Beverage
Frost & Sullivan and Aptean are hosting a webinar on March 26, 2026 to discuss the Industry 5.0 shift in food and beverage. The session highlights how AI‑embedded, unified platforms can replace fragmented, reactive processes across production, quality, supply chain, and finance. Speakers will illustrate...
‘Unearthing the Future’ Unpacks the Food and Farming Systems Impacting Human Health
The Lexicon of Food and BBC StoryWorks have launched a six‑episode digital film series called “Unearthing the Future,” which examines how language influences food and agriculture systems. The episodes spotlight topics such as land access, alternative proteins, and school lunches,...
How Michelob Ultra Zero Became The Best Selling Non-Alcoholic Beer In America
Michelob ULTRA Zero, launched by Anheuser‑Busch in January 2025, became the United States' best‑selling non‑alcoholic beer within a year, according to Circana data for the 52 weeks ending January 25 2026. The product rides on the Ultra brand’s active‑lifestyle positioning and benefitted from...
Now on Resy: Baro, Fat Rabbit, Lowerline, and More Local Favorites
Resy has added 29 new restaurants to its New York City roster, spanning neighborhoods from Prospect Heights to the Upper East Side. The lineup includes everything from New Orleans‑style barbecue at Lowerline to high‑end omakase at Coral Omakase and casual...
My Top Five Thai Restaurants in London, by Chef Kim Ratcharoen
Chef Kim Ratcharoen curates his personal list of the five best Thai restaurants in London, blending traditional flavors with contemporary twists. The guide spotlights venues ranging from modest street‑food‑style eateries to upscale dining rooms, each praised for authenticity, ingredient quality,...
Food Tank’s Weekly News Roundup: The Next Farm Bill, Producers Stand Their Ground, and the Latest Progress on Deforestation
The House Agriculture Committee is set to markup a farm bill draft that critics say neglects SNAP cuts and fails to protect rural seniors, prompting over 100 hunger groups to lobby for the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act. At the...
Musafir, Kyiv: It Takes Guts and Good Generators to Run a Buzzy Restaurant in Wartime Ukraine — Review
Musafir, a high‑end restaurant in Kyiv’s Podil district, has stayed open despite Russia’s invasion, relying on diesel generators and a resilient staff. The venue blends Middle‑Eastern flavors with Ukrainian ingredients, drawing locals and expatriates seeking a sense of normalcy. Owner‑chef...
Astoria’s FisherPoets Give Testimony to Transition
The 29th FisherPoets Gathering in Astoria, Oregon, brings commercial fishers, artists, and policymakers together to share poetry, essays, and songs about a shifting seafood industry. Founded by salmon fisherman Jon Broderick in 1998, the event has grown from a single...
EVU Outlines Path for Protein Diversification in 2028–2034 CAP Proposals
The European Vegetarian Union (EVU) released an analysis of the European Commission’s 2028‑2034 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) proposals, highlighting opportunities to boost agricultural diversification and plant‑based protein crops. The paper flags eight promising measures and six areas of concern, recommending...
At L.A. County's Largest Black-Owned Farm, Healing Grows From the Ground Up
Bloom Ranch, a 250‑acre property in Acton, became Los Angeles County’s largest Black‑owned farm when podiatric surgeon Dr. Bill Releford bought it in 2023. The pesticide‑free operation grows collards, kale, peaches and a variety of herbs, while offering guided tours,...
Ingredion Launches New Pea Protein Solution
Ingredion has introduced VITESSENCE® Pea 100 HD, a pea‑protein ingredient engineered for cold‑pressed nutrition bars. The formulation tackles common texture problems by keeping bars soft over shelf life while eliminating gritty and chalky sensations. Sensory tests show a clean break...
Collective Action Confronts Food System Inequities in Connecticut
Azeem Zakir Kareem, former hip‑hop artist, co‑founded the Samad Gardens Initiative in Bloomfield, Connecticut, to train urban residents as regenerative farmers. The pandemic exposed food deserts, prompting him to launch the Liberated Land Cooperative, Connecticut’s first statewide Community Supported Agriculture...
How A $200 Million Pea Protein Business Is Fueling The Ozempic Generation
Puris Proteins, a family‑run AgTech firm based in Minneapolis, has become the United States’ largest pea protein producer with roughly $200 million in annual revenue. The company supplies seeds to farmers across 20 states and provides pea protein ingredients to about...
New York Gets Its First Taste of Tokyo Pizza
Tokyo’s Seirinkan pizza, led by master chef Susumu Kakinuma, launched a limited‑time pop‑up at Tao Group’s Sake No Hana in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The menu offered three handcrafted pies—margherita, marinara and a white with wasabi—priced at $45 each, and...
Ancient Crunch Makes Health, Taste And Beauty The New Snack Standard As It Expands Its Tallow-Fried Masa Chips In Retail
Ancient Crunch, a snack brand focused on pre‑industrial processing, is scaling its tallow‑fried masa tortilla chips from online‑only to roughly 2,000 retail doors, including Sprouts and an upcoming rollout at Whole Foods. The company’s chips use nixtamalized organic corn and...
What to Cook when You Don’t Feel Like Chopping an Onion
The article explores the growing "lazy cooking" trend, highlighting how home cooks can skip onions without sacrificing flavor. Chef Stephen Chavez outlines five onion‑free dishes—scrambled eggs, cacio e pepe, pesto pasta, chicken piccata, and breaded chicken cutlet—and recommends flavor‑boosting substitutes...
Costco’s Rotisserie Chicken Is Caught in a Legal Broiler
Costco’s Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, long‑priced at $4.99, is now the subject of two class‑action lawsuits. The first, filed in California, alleges the chicken contains sodium phosphate and carrageenan despite marketing it as preservative‑free. The second, filed in Washington, claims...
Landmark Vote Positions Helsinki as a Plant-Based Policy Frontrunner
Helsinki City Council approved a landmark initiative to cut the city’s meat and dairy procurement by 50 % by 2030, replacing them with plant‑based meals in schools, daycares, hospitals and other municipal venues. The motion passed 57‑23 with broad cross‑party support...
Beyond Meat Expands New Line of Protein Drinks with Four Additional Flavors
Beyond Meat announced four new flavors for its Beyond Immerse sparkling protein drink—Cherry Berry, Strawberry Lemonade, Piña Colada, and Cucumber Grapefruit. The beverages, available in 10‑gram and 20‑gram protein versions, also deliver 7 grams of fiber, antioxidants and electrolytes. Launches are limited‑time and...
New Research Project at TU Berlin Develops Standardization for Plant Protein Functionality
A three‑year research initiative led by Prof. Dr. Stephan Drusch at TU Berlin, in partnership with the University of Hohenheim, is developing standardized methods to quantify the techno‑functional properties of plant proteins such as solubility, emulsification, gelation and foaming. The...
Happy Plant Protein Outlines New Value Creation Strategy for Mills and Agricultural Co-Ops
Happy Plant Protein, a Finnish food‑tech firm, introduced a dry‑extrusion process that converts locally sourced pea, faba bean, oat and soy flours into textured vegetable protein (TVP). The technology lets regional mills and agricultural co‑ops upgrade low‑margin flour into high‑value...
How GLP-1 Medications Are Driving Food and Beverage Innovation
GLP-1 weight‑loss drugs are reshaping food consumption, prompting manufacturers to redesign products for smaller portions, higher protein, fiber, and micronutrients. About 10 % of U.S. adults currently use these medications, and over half meet eligibility, creating a sizable market. Companies like...
The 4-Stage Integration Gap Holding Food Manufacturers Back in 2026
Food manufacturers are largely stuck in a hybrid, partially connected integration state, where systems like ERP and MES exchange data inconsistently. A 2025 survey shows nearly 70% of firms cite cost as the primary obstacle to deeper digital transformation, yet...
Chefs in the Schools: Equitable Meals Across New York City
Chefs in the Schools (CITS) completed a three‑year pilot that delivered scratch‑made, plant‑based meals to nearly one million New York City public‑school children daily. The program developed 44 culturally inclusive recipes, trained cooks in over 1,000 schools, and engaged more...
Recipe: Sauerkraut and Pancetta Soup for Bad Weather
The Financial Times published a recipe for a sauerkraut and pancetta soup designed as a hearty option for cold, rainy days. The dish combines tangy fermented cabbage with salty pork belly, creating a rich broth that promises both comfort and...
Book Excerpt | Meat: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity’s Favorite Food―And Our Future
Bruce Friedrich’s new book argues that plant‑based and cultivated meat are essential to curb animal‑agriculture harms. It reveals that creating convincing plant‑based meat is a complex scientific problem, requiring teams of biologists, chemists, and engineers rather than simple culinary tricks....
A Sushi Master Is Hiding Above Eleven Madison Park
Japanese sushi master Eiji Ichimura has launched an open‑ended residency at the Studio, a nine‑seat counter perched above Eleven Madison Park in New York. The omakase menu, priced at $325 per guest, focuses on edomae‑style sushi with rare items like...
A Winter Storm Equals Flooding and Disaster for Three L.A. Restaurants
Presidents Day flash‑flood warnings inundated three Los Angeles eateries, forcing Gritz N’ Wafflez, Sala Coffee & Wine Bar, and Valley Grounds Coffee to halt service. Gritz alone anticipates $25‑30 k in repair costs and a similar amount in lost revenue, while...
Istanbul, a City Powered by Soup: Here’s Where to Refuel, Around the Clock
Istanbul’s culinary scene is anchored by an extensive network of soup kitchens and 24‑hour eateries that keep the city humming after dark. The FT guide maps out the most iconic broth‑centric spots, from historic çorbacı houses in Beyoğlu to modern...
![[EBook] Winning the Shelf Playbook](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/articles/db8c4581aaa2e332f96e79d1b6b92fab.webp)
[EBook] Winning the Shelf Playbook
Tastewise’s new eBook, “Winning the Shelf Playbook,” argues that point‑of‑sale data alone can no longer secure shelf space in 2026. Brands must leverage real‑time consumer signals—claims, usage occasions, prep contexts, and basket behavior—to craft SKU stories that resonate with empowered...
Chef Joseph 'Joe' Randall, Trailblazing 'Dean of Southern Cuisine,' Dies at 79
Chef Joseph "Joe" Randall, celebrated as the “Dean of Southern Cooking,” died on Feb. 14 at age 79. Over a five‑decade career he championed Black chefs, founded the African American Chefs Hall of Fame in 1993, and opened culinary schools in...