Welcome to Food Week September 4 – 10, 2023. Inflation is tamed although the public hasn’t caught on yet. This week we learned about bivalveganism, where Jimmy Buffett’s real wealth came from, do it yourself Teppenyaki, the humble bay leaf and agricultural exceptionalism. And we gave up on red delicious apples as, you know food. Enjoy.
MACRO
- Fed holding off (for now) on new interest rate hikes.
- US net worth jumps in 2nd quarter, driven by home worth. With an under-supply of houses, that means, among other things, homes are expensive
- Inflation – perceived or otherwise – impacting shoppers plans for Halloween.
RETAIL AND CONSUMER
- Can we just move the red delicious apple to home decor section? Pretty to look at but not worth eating.
- Kroger Albertson’s consolidation still on track; the companies are promising to sell up to 650 stores to C&S and others. This would include brands such as QFC and Mariano’s but still represent less than 10% of sales.
- California town banning junk food in checkout aisle.
- Tyson is about to start claiming their meat is climate friendly. But they won’t share the data that the claim is based on.
- More sleaze from Eat Just.
RESTAURANTS AND FOODSERVICE
- As Brazil’s ambassador to the world, Fogo de Chao is doing just fine.
- Arby’s adding elk and vension to its fall LTO burger
- Will Pepper Lunch as a do-it-yourself Teppenyaki fast casual concept catch on? Maybe
- Stoned and drunk and worth billions: most of the Jimmy Buffett estate comes from the Margaritaville restaurant chain.
FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- Covid exposed the fragility of our supply chains, Even fundamental things like seeds are at risk.
- Norway’s farmed salmon industry is… not great.
- American agricultural exceptionalism is a pernicious myth.
- Table Grapes are in a mess. California lost half its crop and Peru, another major source, is struggling because of El Nino conditions.
FOOD WEEK LAGNIAPPE
- Mostly what I know about bay leaf is that one got stuck in my throat as a little kid. But now I know more.
- The Gimlet is one of the oldest cocktails, absolutely delicious with fresh lime juice, undrinkable otherwise.
- Can seaweed save lobstermen?
- Did you know that some vegans eat oysters? It’s called bivalveganism and I am already tired.
- The great French mustache strike of 1907