United States With sweet corn shortages in the Midwest region and Europe, coming into season with lower than usual inventories, plus some loss of yields here in the Pacific Northwest, expect for a tight sweet corn market with prices firm going forward. Most Northwest suppliers are officially off market, for the time being. Carrot harvest …
The Return of the Automat, A Modern Solution to “Contactless” Eating
In the early 1900’s the residents of Philadelphia experienced a new kind of dining – the first Automat called “Horn and Hardart” (named after its founders) had just opened. It was a huge success. Food was chosen by the customer from a wall of cubbies that were coin-operated, and the quality of food couldn’t have …
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Food Safety Becomes Political in Taiwan
Just a few weeks ago Taipei’s streets were filled with thousands of protestors gathered for the “Autumn Struggle”, an annual march organized by various Taiwanese labor groups. The anger of the marchers was fueled by a recent decision of the current government to allow the importation of U.S. pork that contains the additive ractopamine. This …
South America Begins Berry Season
United States Northwest sweet corn harvest will be completed in the next week. While a fewprocessors are already done, there are a few still processing. The weather has turned cool, so everyone is trying best to button up the season before a major frost hits. The market is a tight one both on conventional corn …
Robots Gain Popularity in Retail Grocery Stores
Have You Met Marty? He’s made by Badger Technologies and only one of five robotic systems currently in place in grocery stores throughout the U.S. He checks inventory, alerts staff to spills on the floors and directs customers to various store locations. As of April 2020, 172 Giant Stores and 325 Stop and Shops have …
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FDA PROPOSES NEW RULE FOR FOOD TRACEABILITY
The FDA has proposed a new rule “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods” (Food Traceability Proposed Rule). This is a key part of the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint and would implement Section 204(d) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This was prompted by the many produce recalls over the …
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Maine’s Wild Blueberry Season Disappointing
United States Northwest sweet corn is full steam ahead. The season is expected to be a tight one both on conventional corn and organic corn. The smoke cover in the Pacific Northwest from fires cooled the air and delayed the growth of much of the harvest. Processors are scrambling to finish up the season before a …
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In Search of Restaurant Survival as Consumers Demand More Affordable and Safer Food
Throughout the world, COVID-19 has changed the way people dine both inside the home and out. Public attitude towards restaurants and choice of eating places has changed. Restaurant owners have had to become more innovative and adapt to these differences in order to keep their businesses open and hopefully, profitable. Some are ready and anxious …
Getting Smarter About Food Safety
The FDA is initiating a new approach to smarter FOOD SAFETY that will use technology and other methods in order to create a more digitized traceable food system. Simplicity and modernization are also keys in the development of this “smarter food safety” along with effective leadership and additional education in the area of food safety …
Study Shows COVID-19 Not Transmitted by Food
Several weeks ago, while food shopping, I noticed a sign above where eggs are sold asking shoppers not to open egg cartons (to check for broken eggs) as touching the carton could enhance the spread of the Corona Virus. This inferred that the virus could be spread on packaging materials like an egg carton and …
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Potato Market Still Uncertain
United States Northwest sweet corn has commenced, and so has the true heat of summer! Processors are between 35% and 45% complete with their pack. Favorable weather continues continue in the Pacific Northwest for this crop. Packers are keeping true to their budgets and quality. Carrot will commence in late September. The sometimes-forgettable Lima Bean …
MUST READ CHINA UPDATES
COVID-19 on the way out – Is everything back to normal? In Wuhan, things changed suddenly with the onset of COVID-19 about eight months ago. Life in China came to a standstill and the government forced the closure of just about every shop and type of entertainment; travel in and out as well as within …
Truth and Transparency: Is Your Product Label “Clean” Enough for COVID Consumers?
In the food industry, there is really no definition for “clean label”, yet its importance cannot be underestimated. It has taken on even greater significance with the impact of COVID-19 and more buyer demand for truth and transparency. And the global market for “clean” labelled food sales this year will be worth $180 billion – …
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COVID-19 Leads to E-Grocery Boom Snapshot: China & the USA
USA Online grocery sales in the U.S. grew 22% in 2019 (Coresight Research U.S. Online Grocery Survey 2020) and COVID-19 lockdowns have propelled e-commerce food shopping to an even higher level. In April 2020, e-commerce sales overall jumped 49% compared to early March before lockdowns went into effect, according to new data from Adobe’s Digital …
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Northwest Sweet Corn Season Begins!
United States Northwest green peas harvest has been completed. Conditions have been good; however, weather heated up in the middle of the pack which caused bunching for some processors. Overall budgets were met, however there may be more lower grade peas than desired, with high quality AAA grade product at a premium. In regard to …
Reduced Mango Season in Mexico
United States Northwest green peas are in peak harvest. Conditions have been good; however, weather has heated up in the last week which may affect grades coming out of the fields. Depending on who you speak with, some processors have been unable to keep up with harvest as peas are coming in quickly due to …
State of the Specialty Food Industry Report
Each year the Specialty Food Association publishes a detailed industry report – it is a joint research project prepared by Mintel and SPINS/IRI. The report covers the three most recent calendar years of sales data and has figures for 63 specialty food categories. In addition, it includes data and insights from a 23-question customer survey …
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Export of Frozen Food to China Now Under Scrutiny
Earlier this month, Chinese officials advised that traces of the Coronavirus were found on chopping boards used for cutting imported frozen salmon at the Xinfadi market in Beijing. With 137 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Beijing, salmon was immediately removed from the supermarkets in major Chinese cities despite the fact that the National Health …
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Green Pea Season Starts
United States Most Northwest Green Pea processers will begin harvest this coming week. Conditions have been perfect for pea growing in the Northwest and yields and quality expected to be excellent. Northwest corn plantings began in April and approximately 50% of crop is now planted, with an expected harvest date of end July. The weather …
Disrupted Supply Chains Bring Rising Food Prices
A shopper commented, “Each time I go to the store it seems the grocery bill is higher. Even frozen food that is normally a cheaper option than fresh seems to cost more. Hopefully prices will come back down once things get back to normal.” Unfortunately, prices are not likely to come down anytime soon. The …
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