Once Upon a Farm’s move to file for an IPO is more than a headline about capital markets. It’s a signal that baby and kids’ food has become a scaled, competitive category. For manufacturers and sourcing teams, it’s another reminder that the fastest-growing “better-for-you” segments are increasingly built on fruit and vegetable inputs that must …
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United States Strawberries: Subnormal temperatures and freeze events slowed growth and coloring earlier in the month, tightening supplies and disrupting harvest rhythm. As temperatures moderated, production was reported to be recovering, with shippers working to cover committed programs. Blueberries: A major cold snap caused significant damage to floral buds and fruiting potential in parts of …
Clean label expectations continue to evolve as regulators and consumers take a closer look at ingredient lists, on-pack claims, and how products are positioned in the marketplace. What once centered on “simple” ingredients is increasingly tied to how brands define, support, and manage clean label standards across product lines. Food and beverage teams are navigating …
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AFFI-CON 2026 landed with the kind of energy the frozen industry recognizes instantly: a concentrated few days where calendars tighten, conversations sharpen, and the year ahead starts to take real shape. In San Diego, the show once again proved that frozen isn’t just a dependable corner of the store—it’s an increasingly strategic one, powered by …
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For juice, smoothie, and functional beverage brands, growth depends on far more than flavor innovation. As portfolios expand and production volumes rise, ingredient consistency, year-round availability, and operational reliability become just as critical as taste. Frozen fruit has increasingly become the backbone of scalable beverage programs—offering predictability in a market where fresh supply is anything …
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Frozen fried rice remains one of the most dependable workhorse items in the freezer aisle. It spans retail, foodservice, and private label, moves year-round, and depends heavily on ingredient consistency to deliver repeatable results at scale. Among its core components, green peas play a quiet but critical role in performance, appearance, and eating quality. A …
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Tamales are a high-expectation category. Shoppers and wholesale buyers notice texture, aroma, and presentation—and retailers feel it immediately when a batch doesn’t hold together, steams unevenly, or looks inconsistent in the case. While fillings and masa get most of the attention, corn husks often determine whether production runs smoothly and whether the finished tamale meets …
Passion fruit constraints out of Vietnam have reduced availability across frozen and processed formats, creating gaps for manufacturers and foodservice operators that rely on this fruit for beverages, desserts, and tropical blends. As supply tightens in one origin, another is proving increasingly important: Peru. A Reliable Alternative in a Tight Market Vietnam has long been …
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Outdoor recreation customers are no longer satisfied with basic trail food. Today’s campers, overlanders, and weekend adventurers want meals that feel intentional—bold flavors, clean ingredients, and products that work just as well at a campsite as they do at home. That shift is creating an opportunity for outdoor and camping retailers to rethink their food …
Strong supplier relationships are becoming a measurable advantage in today’s food industry. As brands tighten expectations around reliability, responsiveness, and execution, vendor scorecards are increasingly used to separate transactional suppliers from true partners. For procurement and operations teams planning ahead, these evaluations often influence not just renewal decisions, but where future growth opportunities are placed. …
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Cherry is moving quickly from a supporting role to a front-line flavor across food and beverage development. Once largely confined to seasonal desserts or classic beverages, cherry is now showing up in a wider range of applications—from frozen treats and baked goods to drinks and better-for-you formats. For sourcing and product teams, this shift signals …
Baby food brands are under more pressure than ever to deliver on safety, nutrition, and transparency—while still maintaining operational efficiency. Parents are scrutinizing ingredient lists, regulators are raising expectations, and manufacturers are being asked to innovate faster with fewer missteps. In this environment, frozen fruit and vegetable ingredients are quietly becoming a foundational tool for …
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Each year, the frozen category’s most productive conversations happen face-to-face—when buyers, suppliers, and service partners can compare notes quickly, pressure-test plans, and align on what matters most for the year ahead. That’s why AFFI-CON remains a key marker on the calendar for procurement, operations, and commercial teams working across frozen foods and ingredients. Why AFFI-CON …
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Varietal innovation doesn’t usually make procurement headlines—but it should. When a new apple earns recognition at a major grower and production-tech event like SIVAL in Angers, it’s a reminder that the most meaningful supply chain shifts often start in the orchard, not the warehouse. This year, the STELLAR™ apple was recognized with a Silver Award, …
Heat is one of the most reliable levers in product development—and jalapeños remain the workhorse pepper that delivers it without narrowing your customer base. From retail dips and frozen appetizers to sauces and frozen ready-to-heat meals, diced jalapeños add instant flavor and visual appeal across a wide range of SKUs. Right now, the advantage isn’t …