Weekly Roundup – Week of 6.13.2022

June 17, 2022

This week’s roundup features our top five newsworthy stories covering the food and beverage industry, curated from our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:

Celebrate Juneteenth By Visiting Black-Owned Restaurants

While June 19th marks Juneteenth day, there are many ways to support Black-owned businesses all year round, including visiting a restaurant that serves your favorite cuisine or trying a new place you’ve never been to. Here are a few Black-owned restaurants across the country offering tasty creations – from smoky barbecue to soulful dishes and indulgent desserts: Luella’s Southern Kitchen in Chicago, Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland, and On The Bayou in Milwaukee. If you’re unable to visit a restaurant in person, Goldbelly has put together a curated list of Black-owned restaurants for food delivery right to your home. For more ways to support Black-owned businesses, Read The Full Article.

Packaging That Ends Soggy Food?

We’ve all been there. Opening takeout and delivery food at home to find soggy onion rings, fries, or breaded foods that have lost their crisp is upsetting. Bill Birgen, a rocket scientist, may have a solution to help restaurant operators maintain the integrity of orders until they arrive home. Birgen invented a product, now called SAVRpak, which is a 4-inch-by-4-inch patch of plant-based pulp that is cooled in advance and then placed inside a delivery container. Using thermodynamics, these “food-safe packs soak up the moisture that takes the crunch out of food.” SAVRpak was introduced at the National Restaurant Show and the company is now in partnership with Sysco. Learn More.

A Chance To Earn $25K (and a job!)

TikTok has partnered with Seeds of Change, awarding foodie TikTokers a chance to earn a year of free product, $25,000, and a 10-week run as Chief Rice-Tok Creator. Seeds of Change offers quick and easy-to-prepare rice and grain meal options, and avid TikTok creators have an opportunity to showcase creative ways to use Seeds of Change products. The article states that TikTokers can share their “ultimate rice recipe video with the hashtag #BeASeedofChange and fill out the application for their chance to win the TikTok dream job.” Find The Details Here.

Expanding The Growing RTD Cocktail Category

What appears to be the perfect pairing, the Jack and Coke RTD cocktail is set to launch in late 2022 via a combined partnership between Brown-Foreman and Coca-Cola. The beverage, blending Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coke, will be available in sugar and no-sugar options. This new endeavor expands Coca-Cola’s efforts to grow its share within the RTD category beyond its partnerships with Molson Coors and other beer brands under the moniker Constellation Brands. And while Brown-Foreman launched Jack Daniel’s RTD products with cola in 2020, the company states that “partnering with Coke and its global reach was a logical next step.” Read More.

Chocolate Factory Manufacturing Mishap Has A Sweet Ending

Two individuals fell into a chocolate tank while completing maintenance work at the M&M/Mars factory in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. First responders cut a hole in the side of the tank for the external contractors to escape. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is still investigating the incident. An updated report announced that both individuals did not suffer injuries but were taken to the hospital for cautionary measures. Find The Story Here.

Stop back each week for our top stories and notable industry articles.