Welcome to Food Week September 25. Questions, questions. Will financial markets bounce back after the government shutdown is averted? Is the US on the road to being a net food importer? Is Florida orange juice in trouble? Can bacteria save us from the plastics? Is Target’s ‘urban crime’ crutch for poor performance real? All this and more. Enjoy!
MACRO
- Pointless government shutdown averted; Congressional clown show just warming up.
- The world produces 380 million tons of plastic waste a year. Only 9% make sitit into recycling. So yes, plastic eating bacteria is something worth encouraging
- Target closing stores in metro areas attributing crime. But are they really ? They are citing shrink numbers But shrink in general is only up slightly. Costco, others say it’s not a problem. And target is opening stores in the same metros. Hmmm.
RETAIL AND CONSUMER
- Coca Cola’s Fairlife label has a dubious supplier, according to humane care groups.
- Apparently tinned fish is all the rage.
- Once valued at $3.5 billion, Blue Apron sells after market cap falls to just $35 million.
- Florida’s orange juice production lowest in decades. Does climate change mean the end of OJ as a staple?
- Combination of food inflation and the ending of COVID support programs was led to an escalation in food insecurity.
RESTAURANTS AND FOODSERVICE
- Darden Restaurants are a mystery with mid-tier doing well, fine dining struggling and new-acquisition Ruth’s Chris saving the day.
- Do not return your curly fires at this Texas Jack in the Box. They will shoot you.
- AI will soon know your delivery order before you do.
- Subway’s ownership bullies franchisees on last time on their way out of the door.
- Short and snarky profile of the founder of Dunkin Donuts. Apparently not a fan of the chain.
FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- A replacement for palm oil. Would be a big win for forests and the environment generally
- Is the US on the way to being a net importer of food?
- Is serving exotic meats like Tiger (or mammoth) the way to establish familiarity with cultivated meat production?
- We never heard of etrog. It’s a hard-to find Calabrian fruit that Rabbis prize for celebrating the Sukkot holiday. That is why the site is called Gastro Obscura.
FOOD WEEK LAGNIAPPE
- The really interesting guy who designed the nutrition label. Unfortunately, he had to die for me to learn about him.
- Information about bitters, which are kind of an MSG for cocktails.
- Home cooking hacks in a clicksticle.
- Martini rules and regs.
- We may be getting our king crab legs from the Caribbean soon.