Half of food companies say coronavirus pandemic will make them stronger

A survey from Mattson showed innovation is continuing and consumers will be ready for new products once the outbreak is over.

By Megan Poinski • April 29, 2020

Trump orders meat plants to remain open despite outbreaks

As the number of plant closures continue to rise and supply concerns grow, the president invoked the Defense Production Act to keep production running.

By Lillianna Byington • Updated April 29, 2020

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.

By Lillianna Byington • April 28, 2020

Coca-Cola reports border bottlenecks, touts localized supply chain to keep products flowing

Health screenings and policy changes are slowing traffic at border crossings around the world.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 28, 2020

Hershey to acquire facility to manufacture face masks

The company will continue its chocolate manufacturing and concentrate its emergency response efforts in a dedicated facility equipped for PPE production. 

By Jessi Devenyns • April 28, 2020

Tracking coronavirus closures at food and beverage factories

Foster Farms idled its poultry plant in Fresno, California, this weekend after an outbreak among its workforce. The plant reopened on Dec. 7 after a deep cleaning. 

By Nami Sumida • Updated Dec. 8, 2020

Motif FoodWorks transforms home kitchen into lab during pandemic

Dilek Uzunalioglu, head of food applications, recruited her family to help with sensory evaluations and to taste test formulas.

By Lillianna Byington • April 23, 2020

Cattle associations urge DOJ probe as coronavirus pandemic price concerns continue

The USDA already announced it would investigate why an increase in what consumers paid did not convert into higher cattle profits for farmers, and now there is a push for more government intervention.

By Lillianna Byington • April 23, 2020

US pork farmers met with 'financial crisis' as pandemic rages on

The closure of restaurants and other foodservice outlets because of the pandemic could result in an estimated $5 billion in losses for the pork industry in 2020.

By Lillianna Byington • April 22, 2020

Virginia governor signs bill to regulate CBD in food

Despite federal prohibitions, the state's bill is intended to help guide the hemp industry by regulating facility conditions and production requirements.

By Lillianna Byington • April 21, 2020

Tyson reopens Iowa plant shuttered by coronavirus

Two weeks after the Columbus Junction factory thought to be the source of about 200 COVID-19 infections closed its doors, limited operations restart.

By Megan Poinski • April 21, 2020

COVID-19 and our food system: What we need to do now

In a world where fear dominates headlines and infects dialogue, Clareo's Scott Bowman writes about three ways to shift from anxiety to action to protect the safety and supply of food.

By Scott Bowman • April 21, 2020

Organic sales are up during the pandemic, but long-term challenges loom

A report from Mercaris found there are risks to the multi-billion dollar market because of threats to consumer income, livestock processing and import challenges.

By Lillianna Byington • April 20, 2020

Banana exports from the Philippines may drop 40% amid coronavirus

Quarantine measures are hurting the second largest exporter of the fruit, which accounts for 20% of global banana production and 90% of total exports to Asia.

By Jessi Devenyns • April 16, 2020

Inside small food companies' struggle to survive the coronavirus outbreak

Specialty Food Association President Phil Kafarakis said the group's more than 4,000 members face unprecedented challenges, from liquidity to distribution, and they will last long after the pandemic.

By Megan Poinski • April 15, 2020

Smithfield Foods warns of shortage as it closes major pork plant indefinitely

The South Dakota​ facility is one of the biggest pork processing operations in the U.S. The company announced it will also close an additional two plants in Wisconsin and Missouri.

By Lillianna Byington • Updated April 16, 2020

Terra Ingredients sees demand jump 30% amid coronavirus

Orders for the organic grain and pulse ingredients provider are coming in for both food for people and livestock feed — and 10% of that is from new customers.

By Megan Poinski • April 9, 2020

More meat plants close as employee coronavirus outbreaks grow

Cargill, Maple Leaf and Smithfield Foods are the latest companies to suspend production at processing facilities as workers test positive for COVID-19.

By Jessi Devenyns • Updated April 9, 2020

Transportation bottlenecks snarl inputs to food supply chains

Global agricultural commodity prices are jumping as pandemic mitigation efforts constrict logistics and trade.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 8, 2020

Tyson and JBS close plants as coronavirus hits meat manufacturing

A county health department in Colorado is also investigating employee complaints that a JBS plant is not taking adequate steps to disinfect equipment and promote social distancing.

By Jessi Devenyns • Updated April 14, 2020

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.

By Christopher Doering • April 6, 2020

Kraft Heinz breaks output records during coronavirus pandemic

The mega-manufacturer is working around the clock at its 39 factories across the U.S. — and will keep going as long as there is demand, said Mitch Arends, senior vice president of operations and manufacturing.

By Megan Poinski • April 3, 2020

Dairy farmers forced to dump milk because of coronavirus-related closures

Seven of Wisconsin’s largest farm groups are asking USDA to step in and purchase products that would have gone to the foodservice industry under normal circumstances.  

By Jessi Devenyns • April 3, 2020

SweeGen opens regional innovation centers for stevia research

The company will open facilities in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America to increase collaboration with customers in different parts of the world.

By Jessi Devenyns • April 2, 2020

Coronavirus-related supply chain concerns push more Olam customers to source domestically

The CEO of Spices told Food Dive that orders in March for onion, garlic and chilies grown in the U.S. were up 20% from the previous year.

By Lillianna Byington • April 2, 2020