What is fueling grocery consolidation?

When news hit last month that Albertsons Cos. is in advanced talks to acquire Price Chopper for approximately $1 billion — which would cement its status as the No. 2 grocer behind Kroger Co. — it wasn’t much of a surprise to anyone following the grocery industry.

9 food and beverage experts identify the industry’s biggest challenges in 2017

With 2016 now in the past, food and beverage manufacturers can look to the challenges and opportunities that the new year brings. Considering impending legislation, FSMA rule rollouts and a new presidential administration all coming in 2017, the entire food and beverage supply chain could see major changes to their products and operations.

Food safety regulatory outlook for 2017

Forecasting the direction of food safety policy and enforcement may be difficult in the wake of any general election. The incoming administration will select its own team, and this team may bring new visions and perspectives to federal agencies and offices.

Competition heats up in the cold brew category

The expanding ready-to-drink coffee and tea category has many manufacturers seeking retail shelf space for their products. Refrigerated beverages need to steal slots from juice and fruit drinks, while ambient products are pushing out carbonated beverages and isotonics.

Meat, potatoes feeding US spot truckload market

Meat and potatoes are providing more demand and raising prices for the US spot truckload market, as load activity remains unusually high for mid-December, nearly double year-ago levels, according to DAT Solutions. E-commerce freight is the extra helping of gravy, the load-board operator said, since more shipments are being moved closer to the holidays.
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Fate of frozen food may depend on moisture management

To get frozen food sales gushing, manufacturers may need to contain moisture in their products more effectively. Failing to do so might lead to problems appearing in such forms as tough texture, reduced shelf life and moisture migration into the crust.

Report: Transportation is just as important to food safety as in-house operations

Manufacturers looking to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act have undergone a number of changes to make their operations and ingredient sourcing safer, but transportation of products and ingredients is also key to the safety of the food supply, according to a new report from Lockton.

Uber sets its sights on long-haul trucking and brokerage markets

For shippers, carriers, brokerages and really all other industry stakeholders that have not given much thought to the possibility of Uber becoming a truckload carrier, it appears it may be time to change that mindset.

Fallout from Hanjin’s bankruptcy has potential to impact ocean rates and capacity in the short-term

With Korean ocean carrier Hanjin Shipping, the seventh largest ocean liner in the world that handles roughly 7% of U.S.-Asia cargo, filing for bankruptcy earlier this week, what happens next in regards to what happens to the cargo that was moving on Hanjin vessels at that time, as well as its subsequent short-term impact on the global supply chain remains far from clear.

Dairy alternatives projected to surpass $35B by 2024

Beverages continue to be a major segment for plant-based dairy, as almond, cashew, walnut and coconut milks continue to grow in popularity for drinking and cooking purposes. Almond milk boosted its share to 28% of new dairy product launches last year.