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The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders


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  • A still frame from a video of manufacturing Kraft Heinz ketchup.
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    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
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    Ready for the 'Great Reset'? How digital transformation can future-proof food manufacturing

    Modern technology can remake the sector into a resilient and responsive business, even through the turmoil of the pandemic, writes Keith Chambers of Aveva.

    Keith Chambers • Sept. 16, 2021
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    False advertising lawsuits are ramping up in food and beverage

    A review of current cases and trends shows that legal action challenging "healthy," added sugar, artificial flavoring and "all-natural" claims will escalate in the year ahead, write Pooja Nair and Cate Veeneman of Ervin Cohen & Jessup.

    Pooja S. Nair and Cate Veeneman • Aug. 23, 2021
  • A grocery aisle at the Wegmans store in Tysons, Virginia
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/Food Dive
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    3 metrics CPG startups should play to their advantage

    As up-and-coming brands struggle to stand out in today’s competitive food and beverage landscape, here’s how they can demonstrate their value, writes Susan Dunn of NielsenIQ. 

    Susan Dunn • July 6, 2021
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    Mark Wilson via Getty Images
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    Ready to sell: How CPG brands can ensure a successful exit strategy

    When it comes time to divest, founders should heed these four factors to create an attractive package, writes Josh Wand of ForceBrands and Pinata.   

    Josh Wand • June 1, 2021
  • Perdue chicken
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    Courtesy of Perdue
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    How Perdue and Mercy For Animals found common ground

    The journey from adversaries to allies required conversation and compromise and often caused tension, but ultimately proved rewarding, write Perdue's Mark McKay and Mercy for Animals' Leah Garcés.

    Mark McKay and Leah Garcés • May 24, 2021
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    Courtesy of Better Juice
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    6 consumer nutrition trends for 2021

    A recent survey of registered dietitian nutritionists highlights the opportunity in foods that support immunity, are affordable and provide comfort, writes Louise Pollock of Pollock Communications.

    Louise Pollock • April 23, 2021
  • How Tyson is rethinking the online shopping experience for fresh meat

    The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated consumers' use of e-commerce to buy food. The fresh meat company is leveraging tech to improve the occasion, writes Jennifer Fitting, director of e-commerce for Tyson Foods.  

    Jennifer Fitting • April 5, 2021
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    USDA. (2017). Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Earth to the meatpacking industry: 2021 is coming up, exit the time capsule

    The manufacturing process must change, and not just for change's sake. Lives, not just reputations, are at stake, writes Phil Kafarakis, president emeritus of the Specialty Food Association.

    Phil Kafarakis • Dec. 23, 2020
  • PepsiCo
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    Permission granted by PepsiCo
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    The future is not what it used to be: How digitization will revolutionize the food system

    While the industry wasn't fully prepared for the pandemic, technological changes in areas like processing and packaging should help it respond to future challenges, said René Lammers, PepsiCo's chief science officer.

    René Lammers • Dec. 14, 2020
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    Retrieved from Pixabay.
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    CPGs still struggle to measure environmental progress, but there's a solution

    Guidelines are currently voluntary, unenforceable and serve as mechanisms that appear to make the problem go away without actually solving it, writes Kearney's Adheer Bahulkar and Henrique Gonda.

    Adheer Bahulkar and Henrique Gonda • Nov. 30, 2020
  • Woman preparing for pathogen virus pandemic spread quarantine.Choosing nonperishable food essentials.Budget buying at a supply store.Pandemic quarantine preparation.Emergency to buy list - stock photo
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    eldinhoid via Getty Images
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    The holiday CPG challenge: Convince consumers not to trade down

    Even though shoppers may be looking to save money on this year's festive feasts, there are ways to get them to buy brand-name products. Meghan Howard of Chicory offers several suggestions. 

    Meghan Howard • Nov. 18, 2020
  • The food industry is not recognized for sustainability. How can we fix that?

    Companies are making real progress with environmentally friendly policies, but rarely are recognized. Puris Holdings CEO Nicole Atchison looks at how that could be changed.

    Nicole Atchison • Nov. 9, 2020
  • COVID-19 and our food: Temporary change or a new normal?

    The pandemic has made significant changes in what consumers eat, how they buy it and their feelings about food safety. Joseph Clayton of the International Food Information Council discusses some of the group's latest survey results.

    Joseph Clayton • Nov. 4, 2020
  • Avoiding the aura of fraud in organic certification

    Organic food is big business, and regulations — both required and voluntary — are there to protect the seal's integrity. Erin Westbrook and Matthew Veenstra of Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr explain how suppliers can get products through the system.

    Erin Westbrook and Matthew Veenstra • Nov. 3, 2020
  • Former Vice President of the United States Joe Biden speaking with attendees at the Presidential Gun Sense Forum hosted by Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action at the Iowa Events Center in
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    "Joe Biden" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Elections have consequences: How a Biden win could reshape the food policy agenda

    If the former vice president wins the White House, there will be significant changes in regulatory priorities and a new focus on larger issues impacting the industry, writes Sean McBride of DSM Strategic Communications.

    Sean McBride • Oct. 19, 2020
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    Impossible Foods
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    Plant-based meats aren't 'impossible,' but current expectations may be

    When it comes to thinking about the potential or threat of these offerings, Katie Thomas at Kearney writes companies need to move carefully and not buy into the hype.

    Katie Thomas • Oct. 6, 2020
  • Why the food supply chain needs a technology makeover

    The pandemic shows that the methods that have been used are outdated. Rob Bailey of BackboneAI explains how to design a system that moves foods more smoothly.

    Rob Bailey • Sept. 21, 2020
  • goPuff offers convenience product delivery in some metro areas
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    Permission granted by goPuff
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    The COVID-19 consumer: goPuff's 5 consumer trends to watch

    Preferences are changing during the pandemic, and Daniel Folkman of goPuff analyzed purchase data to determine the most relevant insights.

    Daniel Folkman • Sept. 9, 2020
  • Snacks.com homepage, May 12, 2020
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    Retrieved from Snacks.com on May 12, 2020
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    As food brands experiment with DTC, seamless customer service can't be overlooked

    Brad Birnbaum at Kustomer said shipping to a person's home can create stronger relationships and brand loyalty, but companies need to do more to maintain that connection.

    Brad Birnbaum • Aug. 28, 2020
  • This is a custom sketch to go with an opinion piece about a Kraft Heinz manufacturing plant for Food Dive.
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    Permission granted by Sam Brunner
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    Making food in a COVID world: A day in the life of a Kraft Heinz plant manager in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

    The coronavirus has drastically changed manufacturing. Beth Mielke shares a typical day in this new normal at her factory that makes Philadelphia Cream Cheese.

    Beth Mielke • Aug. 13, 2020
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    Real Dietitian
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    Advertising for the 'reasonable consumer' in food and beverage labeling

    With false advertising and labeling lawsuits here to stay, Pooja S. Nair at Ervin Cohen & Jessup said contradictions between how a product is marketed and what it is made of could prove extremely costly for a brand.

    Pooja S. Nair • Aug. 5, 2020
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    Aldi
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    Building brand loyalty to last beyond the pandemic

    From being authentic to doing things that help the greater good, Louise Pollock at Pollock Communications says companies need to find ways to stay relevant with consumers during these unprecedented times.

    Louise Pollock • July 27, 2020
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    GMA
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    How CPG brands can leverage mobile to retain consumers

    As people shop more online, Greg Archibald at InMobi Marketing Cloud said food companies have an opportunity to use the technology to reach a wider audience and drive sales.

    Greg Archibald • July 23, 2020
  • Getting strategic over the future of chicken during COVID

    With the food supply facing challenges, a trio of authors at Kearney said retailers need to focus on improving surety of supply and right-sizing their cost structure for poultry products.

    Michael Brown, Bahige El-Rayes and Sam Rowland • July 6, 2020
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    Dollar Photo Club
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    Why we should elevate credible science

    As real scientists and their proven methods of research are coming under attack, Wendelyn Jones of ILSI North America writes about why it's so important to come to their defense.

    Wendelyn Jones • June 22, 2020