Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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6 trends that will shape the food and beverage industry in 2020
What will this new year bring? We see the launch of meat substitutes that go beyond the burger, the elevation of alternative dairy products and smaller M&A deals.
Lillianna Byington, Megan Poinski and Christopher Doering • Jan. 08, 2020 -
How to have nearly 50 years of success in plant-based food: Follow Your Heart
With unflinching ethics and a commitment to sustainability, the company that practically started the animal-free segment grew from a vegetarian lunch counter to a grocery store CPG staple, selling Vegenaise, cheeses and yogurts.
Megan Poinski • Dec. 03, 2019 -
Cannabis is hot, so why are investors wary?
The regulatory gray area for the substance in food and beverage has led to hesitation, causing some brands to struggle with fundraising.
Lillianna Byington • Nov. 25, 2019 -
How Dean Foods' bankruptcy is a 'warning sign' to the milk industry
Struggling with debt and changing consumer demands, the largest dairy producer in the U.S. filed for Chapter 11. Food Dive looks at how the company got here and what's next for the sector.
Lillianna Byington • Nov. 21, 2019 -
Behind the scenes: Data and technology bring food product R&D into the 21st century
With CPG companies under pressure to develop items faster and stretch their spending, Conagra, Mars Wrigley and Ferrara are rethinking the decades-old way of creating new things for consumers.
Christopher Doering • Nov. 20, 2019 -
After the summer's hard seltzer spike, will the segment lose its fizz?
This year, market leader White Claw saw exploding sales and even a shortage — and legacy brewers are trying to cash in on what they hope is a lasting trend.
Lillianna Byington • Nov. 14, 2019 -
Does the beef against beef make financial sense?
As the holidays approach, plant-based protein companies are making a play for the dinner table.
Barbara Ballinger • Nov. 13, 2019 -
Why private equity firms are buying food and beverage brands
It's all about opportunity for return, helping brands get to the next level — and having something delicious in the portfolio, investors and analysts tell Food Dive.
Megan Poinski • Oct. 29, 2019 -
How soda gets healthy: Remaking the classic beverage with less sugar, more benefits
The drink has long been panned for its association with diseases, but upstarts are trying to redefine the category.
Christopher Doering • Oct. 28, 2019 -
How retro candy brands are hitting the nostalgia sweet spot
Just in time for Halloween, Russell Stover and others are rethinking their marketing and positioning. Will consumers bite?
Shane Schick • Oct. 24, 2019 -
How 5 food and beverage brands created lasting magic for a modern market
They have long legacies — and bright futures — as they keep their eyes on both the past and the trends that today's consumer is looking for.
Jessi Devenyns • Oct. 22, 2019 -
Turning back time: How brands tap into nostalgia to build their future
From Hostess Brands' Twinkies to B&G Foods' Green Giant vegetables, CPG companies are turning sentimental in an effort to reduce their marketing expenses and get consumers to open their wallets.
Anastassia Gliadkovskaya • Oct. 02, 2019 -
Why Chicago is the nation's capital of food and beverage manufacturing
About 4,500 companies call the metro area home today, employing about 130,000 people in manufacturing, distribution and marketing. Here's why they wouldn't be located anywhere else.
Megan Poinski • Oct. 01, 2019 -
How big name investors can change a brand's future
"It's like the cool kid in class. If the popular kids do it, then other people are more willing to try," said the CEO of Chirps Chips, a cricket snack brand that secured an investment from Mark Cuban.
Lillianna Byington • Sept. 24, 2019 -
How Folgers has ushered in almost 170 years of happy mornings
The coffee brand has stayed on top through innovation and an eye on its rich history despite growing competition, new trends and shifts in how and where people drink the beverage.
Megan Poinski • Sept. 23, 2019 -
3 hot trends on the Expo East show floor
From Katy Perry's appearance to CBD everything, the 35th annual showcase of natural products was a firework of new tastes and ideas.
Megan Poinski, Christopher Doering and Lillianna Byington • Sept. 16, 2019 -
Legacy veggie burgers fight to keep their sizzle in a Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods world
Conagra's Gardein, Kellogg's MorningStar Farms and Kraft Heinz's Boca have moved aggressively to keep pace as new products with a more meat-like taste and texture hit the market.
Christopher Doering • Sept. 11, 2019 -
Venture capitalists feast on food in search of big profits
Investors have pumped millions of dollars into nascent companies tied to trends such as plant based and sustainability with the hope of striking it rich.
Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 04, 2019 -
Food and beverage veterans make an exodus to cannabis
Despite regulatory complications, more executives have been recruited to the trendy space in recent months.
Lillianna Byington • Aug. 12, 2019 -
Beyond bottles: How today's drink packages quench consumers' thirst
Resealable cans, portability, sustainability and reinvented user experiences are helping beverage companies stand out on crowded shelves.
Jessi Devenyns • July 30, 2019 -
With the dairy industry in a sour state, Borden CEO plots comeback for one-time milk giant
In its heyday, the Texas company posted $7 billion in sales and was the nation's largest dairy producer. Today, revenue sits at $1.2 billion and its reach spans just 13 states.
Christopher Doering • July 23, 2019 -
Was Prime Day a grocery win for Amazon? Four experts weigh in
The company along with Whole Foods ran a slew of online and in-store promotions, though the ultimate measure of success may be a record number of Prime membership signups.
Jessica Dumont • July 18, 2019 -
How the food industry has weathered an unpredictable 2 years of Trump's trade tactics
With new tariffs announced in tweets, trade agreements awaiting approval and mixed signals from the White House, the period has been filled with ups and downs.
Lillianna Byington • June 26, 2019 -
Why reusable food packaging has a promising future
Consumers are looking for both convenience and sustainability, and companies are responding with containers, bottles and bags designed for many uses.
Jessi Devenyns • June 25, 2019 -
Maintaining mouthfeel: The challenge of preserving food texture on the shelf and during delivery
Manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, restaurants and packaging designers are all working together to make sure the consumer gets items that feel freshly made — wherever they are.
Alicia Kelso • June 24, 2019
