There will be continued opportunity for brands to innovate in the year ahead, especially in the plant-based, premium, and health and wellness categories, according to research firm IRI, reports Food Dive. In addition, trends will also remain shaped by the “new normal” of consumer behavior during the pandemic, including more at-home cooking, the elevation ofRead More
The Biden-Harris administration is prioritizing small businesses in the latest round of Paycheck Protection Program loans. Since the round opened last month, the share of funding going to businesses with fewer than 10 employees is up nearly 60 percent. The share of funding going to businesses in rural areas is up nearly 30 percent andRead More
California Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon have reached an agreement on a relief package for individuals, families, and businesses suffering economic hardships from the pandemic. The agreement reflects an increase from $500 million to more than $2 billion for grants up to $25,000 for smallRead More
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are continuing to underscore that there is no credible evidence of food or food packaging transmitting SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. In a statement, Janet Woodcock M.D., acting commissioner of food and drugs at theRead More
Ninety-two percent of 400 New York City restaurants surveyed could not afford December rent, according to research from NYC Hospitality Alliance. The number of establishments unable to pay rent has steadily increased since the start of the pandemic. In June, 80 percent of restaurants could not afford to pay rent; in July, 83 percent; August,Read More
Nathan’s Famous Inc. has partnered with Impossible Foods to add the Impossible Burger to the restaurant chain’s menu. The launch of the first Nathan’s Impossible Burger will take place in the tri-state area and Florida, with plans to expand in the coming year. The burger will feature an everything-bagel seasoned bun, four pickle chips, twoRead More
All 72 Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores will be rebranded as US Foods Chef’Stores effective March 1. This follows US Foods acquisition of Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores in April 2020. This change will combine the power of the US Foods brand with the assortment, pricing, and customer service of Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores and pave theRead More
Join the SFA for another Ask the Experts webinar on Thursday, February 18 at 1 p.m. ET. PPP Forgiveness is not granted automatically. It is the borrower’s responsibility to submit the correct form with the accurate calculation and information with all required documentation to your PPP lenders. Join Man-Li Lin, Economic Development Specialist, Small BusinessRead More
More than half (59 percent) of shoppers will continue with some of their pandemic shopping habits post-COVID, according to research from Acosta. Sixteen percent said they will continue with all or most of their new habits and 21 percent said they would go back to their pre-pandemic habits. Four percent said they weren’t sure whatRead More
Because of the pandemic, this Lunar New Year looks a lot different. We cannot gather physically, but I can stay connected to family and friends through food. There is so much rich diversity in the foods eaten during Lunar New Year, all across the many different ethnicities and regions in China. More »
