Weekly Roundup – Week of 11.11.24

November 15, 2024

Find the latest news and insights surrounding the food and beverage industry – all curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:

Marketing Essentials for Food Brands in 2025

The Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) conference emphasized the convergence of innovation, collaboration, and culture in food marketing. Industry experts discussed data-driven marketing, emphasizing the importance of personalized strategies and the impact of digital transformation on customer engagement. They also highlighted how brands can foster consumer loyalty through cultural awareness and responsible messaging. Collaboration between retailers, suppliers, and tech providers was spotlighted as a key to addressing emerging challenges. This approach positions brands to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. Read More

Manufacturer Focus: Valuable Takeaways From McDonald’s Recent E. Coli Outbreak

There has been a flood of news coverage in light of McDonald’s recent E. coli outbreak and a heightened focus on food safety. The Food Safety Modernization Act will soon enforce new compliance measures, making rigorous traceability essential. This incident underscores the importance of aligned protocols between brands and suppliers, especially for new menu items or ingredients. Smaller suppliers should review their procedures, as issues in larger supply chains reveal that any provider can face serious risks. Ultimately, robust quality checks can safeguard consumer trust across all scales of the food industry. Read Article

Are Restaurants Turning to Imported Plant-Based Foods To Boost Global Menu Options?

Many restaurants and chefs still rely on imported plant-based ingredients to achieve the high quality, authentic textures, and bold flavors customers expect in vegan dishes and often found in ethnic options. These specialty ingredients allow chefs to replicate the flavors of traditional dishes with plant-based alternatives, catering to a growing demand for innovative, health-focused dining options. As consumer preferences shift toward veganism and greater ingredient transparency, the import of diverse, top-quality plant-based products supports the industry’s ability to create satisfying and culturally rich meals while encouraging sustainable food choices. Learn how two restaurateurs have had success with their plant-based and vegan menus. Read Story

Insights Driving Consumer Food Purchases

A new survey conducted by Tastewise discovered some valuable insights into what’s driving consumers’ food preferences and purchases prior to the holidays. Key findings include:

• Traditional Holiday Favorites: Most respondents are excited about classic holiday dishes (e.g., turkey, latkes, holiday roast) as seasonal staples.
• Recipe Inspiration: Family recipes and traditions are preferred over other sources for holiday food and drink ideas.
• Low- and No-Alcohol Beverages: This is the top beverage trend, with significantly more respondents interested in trying these options than fusion or multicultural holiday dishes.
• Health-Conscious Choices: 62.9% are interested in healthy or allergy-friendly holiday recipes.
• Plant-Based Preferences: Consumers are 3.4 times more likely to associate holiday celebrations with plant-based options over locally sourced ingredients.

For more insights, Read Survey
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Will Quantum Farming Replace Traditional Indoor Farming?

Dr. Tsipi Shoham, a former cancer researcher, founded GreenOnyx to promote healthier diets by making fresh produce more accessible. Inspired by research linking quality nutrition to lower cancer risks, she developed “quantum farming,” a scalable, AI-driven method to grow nutrient-rich produce with minimal resources and long shelf life. Unlike traditional indoor farming, this technique minimizes water use and production costs, aligning with global needs to improve food security sustainably. Shoham envisions quantum farming helping address public health challenges by boosting fresh produce availability worldwide. Learn More

Every Friday, we share sound bites of top trending news from the food industry. Make sure to visit often to stay informed.