Welcome to Food Stuff for October 1. Things are bad but then again they are likely to get worse. Fuel prices, food inflation, higher interest rates. Higher tariffs and screwworms. MAy a big glass of Kava will make us feel better.
FoodStuff Macro
The Fed raised interest rates but then unemployment went up so mixed messages.
$100 per barrel of oil means price pressure everywhere.
A super El Nino is upon us with profound effects on agriculture.
Retail and Consumer
What is the Costco ‘Star of Death’ and why should you care?
In a power move, Kroger has removed Red Bull from all stores over undue price increases.
Millions of people are being dropped from SNAP in September.
Barbell Shopping patterns.
Kroger and Albertson's continue the trend and expand private label.
Instacartt says GLP-1 still driving consumer interest in protein.
In a political move, DOJ announces an investigation into rising beef prices. Most of the factors are known.
Nutrition and Health:
Martha Stewart promoting pasteurized shell eggs.
Carbs and blood sugar myths.
Xylitol linked to heart attack and stroke. Also, is Allulose sugar or not? Yes and no and maybe.
MAHA has tangled the food safety net. Alright, the men in charge have put big holes in it.
About the new California law for labeling Ultra Processed Foods.
Omega 3s and the immune system. Overlaps with foods with Creatine.
Restaurant and Foodservice
I am not the target demographic but why Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop would succeed in delivery is beyond me.
Steak’n Shake is going full MAGA. Interesting timing…
Coffee chains compete for closed Salad and Go locations for rapid expansion.
Hacks for your Filet-O-Fish.
Providing meals as a way to get workers to return to office.
Food Supply Chain
The world production of beef projected to fall 2%, mainly due to trade disruption and frictions.
Farmers and ranchers will be allowed to process their own meat but concern is food safety will suffer.
More food inflation from grain exports through the Black Sea, way down due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The now inaccurately named Department of Labor tried to reduce guest farmworker wages; courts intervened.
Drinks
Kava based, non-alcoholic drinks are coming.
Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktails continue to soar.
Maybe Craft Beer isn’t over?
On again, off again: Trump removes tariffs on Irish Whisky.
Sweet vermouth as a quick upgrade to an Old Fashioned.
The French 75. Carajillo. The Bee's Knees. The Seoulside
FoodStuff October 1 Lagniappe
The growth of urban farming in the US.
Many companies struggling with deadlines for dye removal. However, General Mills fully committed to removing artificial dyes, which for a company that makes cereal marketing to kids is meaningful.
Pythagoras hated beans. That is all.
Can Protein maxxing actually age you?
Places where people are refusing to tip.
Tavern dining during the dark ages.
