Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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Permission granted by Almond Board of California
Despite drought, almonds will keep on growing
California produces about 80% of the world's supply of the nut, which farmers have spent many years learning to produce more of with less water.
Megan Poinski • Nov. 4, 2021 -
Scott Barbour via Getty Images
Why the food and beverage industry is building toward the future in 2021
Pandemic-related increases in consumption and a revitalization of CPGs are leading to more big facility construction projects, but challenges in staffing and supply chain may cloud the industry's growth.
Megan Poinski • Oct. 25, 2021 -
Courtesy of Farther Farms
Inside Farther Farms' mission: Using french fries to make the food system more sustainable
The New York startup is pioneering a unique method of making fresh food shelf stable, hoping to reduce the industry's reliance on the cold chain.
Megan Poinski • Oct. 21, 2021 -
Catherine Douglas Moran/Food Dive
5 ways to boost plant-based products in grocery stores
From appointing category managers to dedicating shelf space, maximizing sales of animal alternatives at retail requires a holistic approach.
Megan Poinski and Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 18, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Food Dive
Technology is revolutionizing food, but how can it be explained to consumers?
Companies are making real dairy, meat and eggs without animals and using fermentation to produce new analogs, but the challenge is describing it in a way that sounds appetizing — and not like science fiction.
Megan Poinski • Sept. 20, 2021 -
Permission granted by Heineken
From snack bars to beer, CPGs rethink the art of sampling in a post-COVID world
The pandemic has changed how companies provide a taste of their products to shoppers — a valuable practice that can boost long-term sales for a brand.
Christopher Doering • Aug. 23, 2021 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Progress report: Brands face increasing pressure on recyclability claims in 2021
Major corporations have pledged to make big recycling-related changes by 2025, and environmental groups are holding them accountable through reporting requirements, shareholder agreements and lawsuits.
Megan Quinn • Aug. 17, 2021 -
Christopher Doering/Food Dive
Has the hard seltzer bubble popped? Analysts and beer makers say not so fast
Despite the abrupt warning by Truly maker Boston Beer in July that it overestimated demand, many predict further growth in the category and a few major players to eventually dominate.
Christopher Doering • Aug. 16, 2021 -
Adeline Kon and Christopher Doering/Food Dive
The thrill-seeking, concert-loving CEO behind Hain's rapid turnaround
Mark Schiller, whose rare blend of humor and business savvy played a part in reviving brands at PepsiCo and Pinnacle Foods, is immersed in his biggest challenge yet: Hain Celestial.
Christopher Doering • July 27, 2021 -
Adeline Kon and Christopher Doering/Food Dive
Inside Hain Celestial's fight to regain its swagger
Once a disjointed collection of brands and close to having its stock delisted, the organic and natural products leader has cut money-losing products, prioritized innovation and improved its credibility with retailers.
Christopher Doering • July 26, 2021 -
Courtesy of Daring Foods
Why chicken is taking over plant-based meat
With Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods entering the space and new options filling freezer cases, the potential for the poultry analog suddenly seems limitless.
Megan Poinski • July 20, 2021 -
Courtesy of Cutwater Spirits
As canned cocktails boom, brands eyeing longevity face new marketing challenges
The explosive category is nearing an inflection point that will force companies to focus on deepening brand identity and targeting millennial drinkers.
Asa Hiken • July 12, 2021 -
Courtesy of Impossible Foods
How Impossible Foods is getting Gen Z interested in plant-based meat
With its products in public school cafeterias and a teen-focused website that connects animal agriculture to global warming, the company aims to feed and educate the next generation.
Megan Poinski • June 21, 2021 -
Christopher Doering/Food Dive
Molson Coors' CEO has a bold plan to 'fundamentally change' the beer maker. But will it work?
As consumers turn to other beverages, Gavin Hattersley has moved aggressively into energy drinks, diet soda and tequila to revive his company's portfolio — all while combating challenges like COVID-19 and a security breach.
Christopher Doering • June 15, 2021 -
Paula Bronstein via Getty Images
Meat processors wrestle with worker shortages as US economy reopens from COVID-19
With protein demand soaring, companies like Tyson Foods are offering employees better benefits and flexible hours as they consider wider use of automation throughout their businesses.
Christopher Doering • June 9, 2021 -
Permission granted by Sensient
Big Food hit pause on switching to natural colors. What will it take to make the shift?
Manufacturers point to a lack of consumer demand for swapping out artificial colors in brightly hued foods, but new research — and legislation — may force their hands.
Megan Poinski • June 3, 2021 -
George Frey via Getty Images
As inflation rages, food and beverage manufacturers pass higher costs on to consumers
Coca-Cola, Nestlé and General Mills are just a few of the CPGs to announce hikes as they face a jump in expenses for ingredients, manufacturing, packaging and transportation.
Christopher Doering • May 4, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Food Dive
After the pandemic, how is the food business likely to fare?
With recent growth rates likely to slow down, future success may depend on companies' plans to improve operations, innovate and prevent price increases.
Megan Poinski • April 29, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Food Dive
How COVID-19 impacted the food business
In a four-part series, Food Dive examines how CPG sales and demand were influenced by the pandemic and what business could look like going forward.
Megan Poinski • April 22, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Food Dive
Why some food and drink companies lost sales during the COVID-19 pandemic
As consumers changed, they started looking at things to eat with a more critical eye, considering their health, well-being and wallets — and bringing declines in some categories.
Megan Poinski • April 22, 2021 -
Christopher Doering/Food Dive
Coca-Cola and PepsiCo proxy clash with activist investor over sugar hints at future skirmishes
The fight may be a prelude to more battles as shareholders seek greater influence in corporate America on issues such as politics, diversity, health and the environment.
Christopher Doering • April 19, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Food Dive
How much of a boost did food companies get from COVID-19?
Publicly traded large CPGs had long been struggling with little or no sales growth because of shifting consumer preferences and challenger brands stealing market share. The pandemic changed all that.
Megan Poinski • April 13, 2021 -
By the numbers: How food sales during COVID-19 compare to the year prior
The pandemic's shutdown of food and drink away from home was a boon to some companies and a bane to others, according to data from earnings reports.
Megan Poinski • April 13, 2021 -
Help wanted: Food manufacturers compete over workers as big data, e-commerce stoke hiring frenzy
While employers prioritize adding people who can pivot across multiple jobs, prospective employees are placing more value in what companies stand for before they accept a job.
Christopher Doering • March 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of Bel Brands USA
Plant-based cheese is full of startups. Will dairy providers get into the segment?
New companies and entrenched plant-based food makers are bringing growth and innovation to the sector, while most traditional cheese makers are hanging back. Are they missing an opportunity, or is it not worth their effort?
Megan Poinski • March 16, 2021
