Welcome to Food Week March 14, 2025. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to those who observe. By the way, the actual Irish find the celebrations amusing and bemusing. Also BTW you will notice two different spelling of whisk(e)y in this weeks update. We will alternate depending on the nation that the spirit is coming from. Also jaggery, grapefruit weirdness and the increasingly annoying ‘Yes Chef.’ And tons more. Enjoy!
MACRO
- Dead cat bounce on Friday but the financial markets remain in low grade panic.
- Trump threatens 200% tariffs against EU and sales of US goods in Canada to plummet.
- For the measles outbreak in West Texas, Kennedy promotes cod liver oil. I wish I was kidding.
RETAIL AND CONSUMER
- Dollar General does not see growth, even in a gloomier economic environment.
- After a good run lately, butter gets bashed in new survey which recommends moving to plant oils.
- We are now at the “pastor helps the needy‘ stage of egg shortage. However the last couple of weeks have shown moderation.
- Will 7 Eleven merge with a competitor or has the Kroger Albertson’s failure made them gun shy?
- Some people think vegans are maniacal zealots. And some vegans try to prove the point. Quote: “People might think a glass of milk is innocuous,” she said. “It’s not. It’s full of violence.”
- Dua Lipas spicy Diet Coke recipe is very viral right now.
RESTAURANTS AND FOODSERVICE
- Click bait headline but basically McDonald’s is realigning its strategy in the face of lost market share.
- Bateman’s is a new New York bar inspired by American Psycho.
- A Michelin starred ice cream shop.
- Even being voted ‘best QSR’ doesn’t protect Del Taco from having financial problems with its franchisees.
- Survey names New Orleans at the best food city in the world. I love New Orleans but I don’t know…
- The further growth of Native American cuisine.
FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- USDA in canceling funding for schools, local food banks. It also hurts local farm programs.
- Coffee bean theft has become a thing as prices soar.
- An economist explains the price of eggs.
- Where citrus production in the US is going (hint: it’s not good.)
DRINKS
- For the orthodox who celebrate St. Patrick’s only on the actual day, 3 great Irish whiskys.
- After the fantastic success with developing it’s own whiskys, Japan takes aim at wine.
- Why is bourbon sweeter than other whiskeys? Of course you could double down and mix it with sweet tea.
- The Parkeroo, a tequila based martini. The Figurati: a red wine cocktail that sounds good. And JFK cocktails. The president, not the airport. Finally, the Horsefeather.
FOOD WEEK March 14 LAGNIAPPE
- The spread and blow back of the expression ‘Yes Chef’
- Grapefruits are weird as is manifest in their impact on prescription drugs.
- Jaggery: great natural sweetener or kidney damaging menace? TL;DR: it has to be pure.
- Team Breakfast fights back against intermittent fasting.
- Cool cocktail glasses are in fashion and how to make really clear ice cubes at home.
- Tuna is great. But how much can you safely eat?
- A showdown comparison between a really expensive espresso maker and an affordable one.