Food Week August 1, 2025

Welcome to Food Week August 1, 2025. Oh, I have questions. Lots and lots of questions, On the economy, food texture, protein bars, Teflon, tipping, e-verify, Neanderthals, clarified cocktails & more. And the answers? Our Motto: always certain, somewhat accurate. Enjoy

MACRO

• Where is the economy headed? Sure the US experienced strong growth in Q2; but Q1 was so bad that it means growth for the year is pretty much flat. New tariffs and financial markets correcting. Job Market weaker than thought and weakening further. Inflation is also up. So nowhere good.

• Does Gen Z really care more about texture than other demographics?

• How did high fructose corn syrup become so omnipresent? Lies and political manipulation. Kind of like supplemements.

RETAIL AND CONSUMER

• Will reductions in SNAP will destroy small and independent grocers? It won’t help especially in rural communities.

• How long will the protein bar craze last?

• Will retailers change prices daily in the future? Hourly? Digital shelf tags make it possible.

• Is Dubai chocolate the next big flavor thing?

• Is there anything that can replace Teflon and its forever chemicals? Now, it seems, there is.

• WIll switching from Pepsi to Coke hurt the Costco food court? Almost certainly not as long as hte hot dogs are $1.50.

RESTAURANTS AND FOODSERVICE

• How amd how much should you tip your driver for delvering your coffee? (Hint: 15% on $3.50 is 39 cents).

• Would you go to a Caddyshack themed restaurant? Okay but there weren’t enough of you

• How do you get people to show up at your restaurant? If you are Coles French Dip in LA, announce you are closing,

• Will people go to Starbuck’s for a protein drink? We’re about to find out.

• Does Panera produce its own fresh dough? Not any more.

• Speaking of California, do you know who i smore popular than In ‘n Out? Habit Burger.

• Are there foods that even chefs think are better store bought?

FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN

• Can you stay and work in th is country if you are on a visa program? Seems no, JBS plant loses 200 workers program ended. Even plants with e-verify are being raided

• Can I even afford a Honey Crisp apple anymore?

• Are tomatoes the new eggs? Perhaps, if the 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes stays in place.

• What exactly makes a food ultra-processed? FDA to try and codify. But even scientists aren’t sure about what it really means and what the health ramifications are.

• Did Neanderthals process and store food? Why, yes and in a quite sophiticated way.

DRINKS

• Do you know what a clarified cocktail is?

• How do you economize on Bourbon? With these.

• Do some Celsius energy drinks cans contain alcohol? (Apparently, but not intentionally)

• Ever heard of a Sherry Cobbler? How about a Snake River Sour? What about a Gin and Tonic Sgroppino or the Rose Sgroppino? (Prosecco, vodka, sorbet are the key ingredients).

FOOD WEEK July 25 LAGNIAPPE

• Are you really drinking real Matcha? The real Japanese stuff is $50 an ounce so I am guessing no.

• How about some recipes from the Byzantine Empire?

• Can cilantro lower your blood sugar and reduce inflammation? Yep.

• What high protein food do Doctors want seniors to lay off? Deli Meats.

• Can you really tow an iceberg to supply a country with drinking water? No.