Welcome to Food Week November 14 – 20, 2022. Lots of surprise this week with the FDA approval of lab grown meat, a lady freaking out about pink barbecue, the banning of alcohol from World Cup, the origins of crab rangoon and more. Plus a mini Turkey day tip-fest with info like how much turkey per person. Hint: less than one. Enjoy!
MACRO
- A lot great data suggesting inflation is moderating. Hopefully the Fed takes this into account.
- For instance price for food commodities are heading down, leading the relaxation of inflation. However the price of diesel is preventing it from falling further.
- Some, limited progress on Climate Change.
RETAIL AND CONSUMER
- Will there be even further consolidation in supermarkets?
- A new suit by consumer groups claim that digital coupons are unfair to those who don’t shop with their phone.
- Inflation is a worldwide phenomenon. In Britain it has led to an spike in grocery shoplifting.
- With the lack of interest in alt-proteins, maybe it is time for cultivated meat to take the center stage. FDA approval puts lab-grown meat.
- Target struggling, generally. But food is help propping it up.
RESTAURANTS AND FOODSERVICE
- No hooligan fuel? Qatar decides to ban alcohol at stadiums in a last minute decision.
- Customer hostility at an all-time high for servers. But Point-of-Sale (POS) helping to drive more tipping.
- Happy Joe’s turns managers into franchisees.
- Woman’s 911 call over pink barbecue has experts defending smoked meat.
- Crab Rangoon, like many Chinese Restaurant dishes, is very much a development born in the Western Hemisphere. But what makes it unique is it was probably invented by the founder of Trade Vic’s.
FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- The culture war in Nebraska over plant based meats. New Governor not just hostile to ‘meat’ and ‘milk’ labelling but to the existence of the products themselves.
- A new federal lawsuit accuses 11 major meat producers of conspiring to suppress workers’ wages and benefits. Of course these jobs remain among the most dangerous. Of course, Tyson decides to end vax requirement for them.
- Almond production continues to decline in the face of climate change.
- Using food waste to create solar panels.
FOOD WEEK LAGNIAPPE NOVEMBER 14
- About Amaro.
- Quiz from the New York Times: is a vegetable better for you raw or cooked? Won’t share my embarrassing score.
- Thanksgiving survival guide. How much turkey per person? Look here. And pie tips. Thanksgiving may be the only meal people make wherein they consider what they are going to do with the food afterwards when planning the menu.
- Weirdo Sandwiches of the 20s.
- Having mouse in your wine bottle isn’t what it sounds like. It still isn’t good.