United States Potatoes: U.S. potato production finished slightly below the prior year, with the processing segment continuing to be shaped by contracted programs. For the coming season, contract discussions are active across major growing regions, and early indications suggest processing raw material pricing is trending lower in new agreements. Blueberries (Cultivated): The U.S. cultivated blueberry …
Continue reading “Peru Mango Supply Tightens as Vietnam Offers Stay Competitive”
Recent federal nutrition guidance is reinforcing a back-to-basics message that prioritizes whole, nutrient-dense foods while calling for a meaningful pullback from highly processed items that rely on chemical additives. For food manufacturers and supply-chain partners, this direction matters because it aligns public guidance with the growing expectation that labels be simpler, ingredients be more familiar, …
Continue reading “Ingredient Simplification and Produce Handling Move Into the Spotlight”
Frozen is no longer the aisle you visit when time is tight—it’s increasingly the aisle you build around. Conagra’s Future of Frozen Food 2026 frames the category as a modern eating infrastructure: a place where convenience doesn’t have to trade off with ingredient expectations, and where shoppers can assemble meals that feel both intentional and …
Flavor forecasting for 2026 is widening the lens: it’s no longer enough for a product to taste good—it has to mean something. The next wave of winning profiles is being framed as “emotionally intelligent,” where nostalgia, comfort, and cultural identity carry as much weight as heat level or sweetness. In practice, that’s why “spicy” and …
Regulators and industry stakeholders are closely watching efforts to establish a federally recognized definition of ultra-processed foods. As definitions take shape, non-nutritive sweeteners used for sugar reduction are emerging as a key area of focus, including both traditional high-intensity sweeteners and sweeteners often positioned as plant-derived or “clean label.” For manufacturers, the way non-nutritive sweeteners …
Continue reading “Sweeteners Under Review as Ultra-Processed Food Definitions Evolve”
United States Blackberries (including marionberries/boysenberries): Processors reported good quality and sweetness, with yields sufficient to cover demand and carry some inventory for spot needs, supported by improved sorting performance. Blueberries: In Oregon, the blueberry run extended late due to mild fall weather; quality was strong with a higher share of top-grade packs, and processors noted …
Continue reading “Mexico Remains Lead Supplier as U.S. Avocado Arrivals Grow”
Crop News, December 2025 United States Cranberries: Early indications point to a materially smaller crop driven by weather, tightening domestic availability. As the largest producer and consumer, the U.S. shortfall is expected to redirect additional demand to Canadian suppliers and encourage earlier forward planning. Potatoes: U.S. potatoes head into winter on mostly solid footing: …
Continue reading “Mexico Avocados Stay Promo-Friendly Into Winter”
Walmart is rewriting the fine print on its store brands. The retailer said it will remove 11 synthetic dyes and more than 30 additional additives—covering categories like certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fat substitutes—from U.S. private-label foods across lines such as Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods. Reformulated items begin rolling out soon with …
Open the app, scroll for a minute, and you can watch a flavor travel from someone’s stovetop to a national shelf plan. In 2025, TikTok isn’t just reflecting taste—it’s compressing it. FoodNavigator-USA reports that viral recipes and creator-led flavor mashups are now a bona fide signal for what moves at retail, with teams tracking surges …
Continue reading “TikTok-to-Shelf: How Viral Food Trends Are Rewriting the CPG Launch Cycle”
United States Avocados: In the U.S. market, avocado pricing has entered a highly favorable phase, with both conventional and organic prices showing noticeable declines compared to last year and even the previous month. This downtrend is driven by a combination of steady Mexican supply and the seasonal wind-down of California’s domestic harvest. Retailers and foodservice …
A new study published in Cell Metabolism has reignited concerns about ultra‑processed foods (UPFs) — and the findings should put food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and private‑label brands on alert. Specifically, the research suggests that diets dominated by ultra‑processed ingredients may impair reproductive and hormonal health, regardless of total calorie intake. UPFs — defined broadly as …
Continue reading “Ultra-Processed Foods Under the Microscope”
A landmark partnership between Walmart Inc. and OpenAI marks a dramatic shift in how consumers—and businesses—will shop and sell online. Rather than typing keywords into a search bar and sifting through a long list of results, shoppers will soon be able to simply chat with a conversational AI—such as ChatGPT—and complete a purchase in the …
Continue reading “Retail’s Next Move: Conversational Commerce Takes Center Stage”
United States Carrots: Conventional varieties are progressing, with harvest expected early October. Organic carrots, however, have been affected by weed and disease pressure, and mitigation efforts are ongoing. Organic Green Beans: In Michigan, harvest and processing are complete. Despite heat and drought, strong irrigation and weed control resulted in excellent yields—some of the cleanest and …
Continue reading “Weather Disruptions Tighten Mexico’s Broccoli & Cauliflower Market”
The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) recently issued a response to the administration’s “Make Our Children Healthy Again” strategy report, supporting its mission to improve children’s access to nutritious foods. AFFI emphasized that frozen foods are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to this effort, particularly in communities where fresh options may not be readily available. Their …
Continue reading “The Push for Healthier Kids Is Putting Frozen Foods in the Spotlight”
Fall is no longer just about pumpkin spice. According to The Food Institute, consumer interest is shifting toward a broader, more dynamic flavor palette this season. Comfort and nostalgia still lead the way—but with more nuance, more culinary crossover, and more opportunities for brands to innovate. Here’s a closer look at the five flavors rising …
Continue reading “Fall Flavors Are Evolving: Here’s What Consumers Are Craving in 2025”
United States Beets: In Wisconsin, harvest is underway with early-season beets beginning to size up. The crop looks healthy, and yields are gradually improving. Carrot: In Washington, conventional crops are progressing well, while organic carrots faced early weed pressure but are recovering after hand-weeding. Green Beans: In Wisconsin, Planting is nearly finished with only a …
Continue reading “Columbia Basin Potato Crop Delivers Strong Yields”
If you’ve ever packed a school lunch in a rush (while locating missing shoes and permission slips), food safety might not be the first thing on your mind. But it should be—especially for young kids. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children under five are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness. That’s why they’re urging …
If you’re building menus or developing new SKUs for 2026, one of the most useful market signals right now is what tastes like comfort. But instead of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, today’s consumer is reaching for ponzu-splashed noodles, pandan-infused desserts, and samosa-spiced anything. According to Food Business News, this rising trend of “flavor escapism” is …
Continue reading “Why Global Flavor Exploration is the New Comfort Food”
United States Beets: In Wisconsin, crop sizing continues, with harvest anticipated to begin shortly. Berries: Berry crops across the Pacific Northwest are progressing well, with blueberry harvest already underway in Oregon and Washington—the region’s largest producers. Some mid-season blueberry varieties are ripening ahead of schedule, pointing to a slightly earlier harvest window. Raspberry production is …
Continue reading “U.S. Cherry Season Shines Bright in a Dynamic Global Crop Landscape”
Farmers markets are everywhere this time of year, bursting with fresh produce, local meats, and homemade goods. But while summer shopping feels more casual, food safety still matters. Check Before You Choose Inspect produce carefully—skip anything bruised or moldy. For meats, eggs, or dairy, make sure they’re properly chilled and displayed hygienically. Stay Clean Use …
Continue reading “Summer Means Farmers Markets – But Don’t Forget About Food Safety”