Welcome to Food Week January 30 – February 5, 2023. This week a hot job market, a confident restaurant industry, healthy walnuts, a cooking oil quiz and Sushi terrorism. Other stuff too. Enjoy.
MACRO
Crazy hot job market makes avoiding a recession possible.
China’s re-opening means supply chain repair but maybe inflation too?
The world food index has fallen 18% since the height of COVID in 2021.
RETAIL AND CONSUMER
Hershey can’t lose. Inflation seems to have no impact on snacking.
What shrinkflation is, as measured by government economists, and how it impacts inflation.
Magic Spoon hits the sweet spot and transitions to store brand from direct-to-consumer.
7-Eleven using robots for delivery in West Hollywood.
The meal kit/subscription food industry still hasn’t figured it out.
RESTAURANTS AND FOODSERVICE
Rent deliquencies for restaurants fell by 10% but for minorities it actually rose.
Sushi terrorism rocks Japan.
Restaurant industry approaching stability.
A California restaurant uses technology as a marketing feature.
Food Truck manufacturing soaring.
FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
Eggs are still high. The main reason is Avian Influenza. Backyard flocks likely contributed to the spread of the virus. People are now buying chickens for more backyard flocks because of price. This should go well.
Banana supply and pricing is… nutty.
Highly processed foods not only makes them bad for you, they are addictive.
Feeding chickens on surplus grocery food.
FOOD WEEK JANUARY 30 LAGNIAPPE
A sophisticated guide to gas station snacks for the gourmand.
Which cooking oil is healthy? A quiz. 6 of 10 for me.
Chef hacks for home meal prep.
Sturgeons provide caviar but they are pretty amazing on their own.
Can walnuts really prevent cancer?