Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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How food innovation has continued during the pandemic
Coronavirus has shifted the reasons, processes and funds for new ideas and products, but manufacturers, funders and experts agree: Stopping the process is not an option.
Megan Poinski • July 27, 2020 -
Less is more: Why retailers and CPGs are moving toward selling fewer products in stores
As the coronavirus pushes some items off supermarket shelves, the food industry is finding a smaller selection reduces consumer confusion, boosts sales and trims expenses for grocers.
Christopher Doering • July 20, 2020 -
Borden
Battling bankruptcy and a pandemic, Borden looks ahead
Departing CEO Tony Sarsam spoke to Food Dive about the challenges and future prospects for the dairy processor. Its $340 million sale to Capitol Peak Partners and KKR was approved on Friday.
Lillianna Byington • June 29, 2020 -
Adeline Kon/Food Dive
Flour power: How manufacturers helped baking become the hottest new trend
Consumers stuck at home during the pandemic turned to their ovens for solace, but were met with empty shelves. Here's how companies plan to meet demand.
Megan Poinski • June 25, 2020 -
A historic reckoning with race leaves problematic food brands without an easy path forward
Remaking Aunt Jemima or Uncle Ben, with characters baked into brand identity, will require heavy investments. A pandemic-related windfall could help.
Peter Adams • June 24, 2020 -
Permission granted by Hershey
How Hershey CEO Michele Buck came to create a 'snacking powerhouse'
The food industry veteran has transformed the small-town maker of Kisses and Reese's through a series of acquisitions and innovation in core brands since taking over the 126-year-old company in 2017.
Christopher Doering • June 23, 2020 -
Christopher Doering/Food Dive
Private label prospects brighten as recession hits cash-strapped consumers
Even before the pandemic, sales growth in the sector was forecast to outpace that of national brands for the fourth straight year, according to IRI.
Christopher Doering • June 17, 2020 -
Adeline Kon/Food Dive
How coronavirus scrambled eggs
Prices have swung dramatically as the markets and demand have changed and consumers clamor for the protein staple.
Megan Poinski • June 15, 2020 -
Permission granted by PepsiCo
Consumers and manufacturers rethink DTC's promise as pandemic alters shopping habits
PepsiCo, Mondelez and Unilever are among the companies that have deployed direct-to-consumer shipping, which offers convenience for shoppers but complicated logistics.
Christopher Doering • May 26, 2020 -
Permission granted by Blue Mountain Brewery
Once thriving craft beer industry dealt crippling blow by coronavirus
With brewpubs and taprooms shuttered and consumers less willing to experiment, thousands of brewers could go out of business or experience major changes to their operations.
Christopher Doering • May 19, 2020 -
Permission granted by Minibar
Online alcohol sales may see permanent rise as coronavirus alters shopping habits
Data insights firm Kantar estimates that 30% of new customers who try buying booze through e-commerce for the first time during the pandemic will remain long-term users.
Christopher Doering • May 06, 2020 -
Photos by Getty; photo illustration by Kendall Davis/Food Dive
Meatpacking workers wonder whether job is a 'death sentence' amid outbreaks
Many are criticizing the industry’s response for waiting too long to implement safety precautions and close processing plants as thousands have tested positive for coronavirus.
Lillianna Byington • April 28, 2020 -
Megan Poinski/Food Dive
What will a virtual IFT be like?
Companies and scientists among the 25,000 attendees and 1,200 exhibitors usually at the annual event speculate about how the experience can be replicated online.
Megan Poinski • April 23, 2020 -
Permission granted by Veestro
Food startups grapple with financial roadmap as coronavirus sows uncertainty
The pandemic has made it harder to assess valuations for companies, forcing businesses to alter strategies on how and when to raise money.
Christopher Doering • April 20, 2020 -
Permission granted by Ajinomoto
From the blacklist to the spotlight: How MSG is staging a comeback
Ever since a 1968 editorial, consumers have shied away from monosodium glutamate, but manufacturers have continued to use it. Now the ingredient is beginning to lose its bad reputation.
Megan Poinski • April 16, 2020 -
Antitrust concerns cloud DFA's purchase of Dean Foods' assets
Although the bankruptcy court approved the sale, it needs the U.S. Department of Justice to sign off. Some are hoping that roadblock will stop the deal.
Lillianna Byington • April 16, 2020 -
Emma Cosgrove
Coronavirus casts a spotlight on risks facing food workers, employers
While many CPG manufacturers have increased pay and improved safety within their facilities, some unions and employees have asked whether it is enough.
Christopher Doering • April 06, 2020 -
Lillianna Byington/Food Dive
'It's a huge blow': How businesses are moving forward after coronavirus canceled Expo West
The annual trade show is critical in helping launch products, and the loss of face time with retailers and buyers has left many companies searching for creative solutions to recover.
Lillianna Byington, Christopher Doering and Megan Poinski • March 19, 2020 -
Danielle Ternes/Food Dive
How two years of changes in dairy led to two major bankruptcies
Struggling with competition from milk alternatives, innovative startups and private label, this timeline shows how Borden and Dean Foods got here and what’s next for the industry.
Nami Sumida and Lillianna Byington • March 04, 2020 -
Emma Cosgrove
CFO in the Know: Getting acquired in a 'snack-eat-snack' market
Small food companies often form in hopes of acquisition by giants like Hershey or Mondelez. How can CFOs best help their companies prepare for such large-scale acquisitions?
Jane Thier • March 03, 2020 -
Anheuser-Busch
Farm to pint: How Anheuser-Busch cultivates its ingredients amid a changing climate and consumer
In addition to stringent farming protocols, the company is investing millions to find the next rice, hops and barley varieties that can be grown using less water or are more resilient to diseases.
Christopher Doering • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Just
Cell-based meat products are years away, so why are states making so many laws about them?
Seventeen laws about meat labeling were passed in 14 states in 2019, and nine states are considering similar legislation this year.
Megan Poinski • Feb. 12, 2020 -
(2018). [illustration]. Retrieved from US Department of Agriculture.
Food manufacturers can put GMO labels on their products in 2020. Will they?
Large manufacturers need to disclose detectable bioengineered ingredients by 2022, and attorneys and analysts think many will wait until the last minute.
Megan Poinski • Jan. 27, 2020 -
Once a sidekick in food, the pea finds itself the star of the show
The little round legume has grown in popularity as a way to add nutrients, replace allergens and respond to consumer demand for more plant-based meats, beverages and other products.
Christopher Doering • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Christopher Doering
Big Beer quickens pace of innovation as sales of iconic brews languish
With volumes of the popular alcohol dropping for the fourth straight year in 2019, hard coffee, kombucha, spiked seltzers and flavored versions of popular brews could be the future.
Christopher Doering • Jan. 21, 2020
