Welcome to FoodStuff October 31, 2025. I used to follow a site called Terrible Maps, in Tumblr, I think. Those guys have nothing on AI, at least judging by the ridiculous one herein I found in a publication called The Kitchen, naming the most popular dinner in each state. Did you know Pozole is the most popular dinner in KY, KS and ID? Speatzle in IL? Or that they eat something called Lasagna Soup in FL? Anyway, lots and lot of other stuff in the world of food. Enjoy!
MACRO
- SNAP benefits run out this weeken. Trump Admin says they won’t tap contigency fund which would buy a few more weeks of support.
- There was always indications that ICE raids would drive food prices up.. Now the connection is becoming clear and direct
- The impact of your diet varies greatly on where you are eating it.
This is why I don’t fear AI:
RETAIL AND CONSUMER
- Trader Joes isnt’t the only one: more law suits from CPG over retailer knock offs.
- Fun-sizerer? Manufacturers reduce sizes for this years Halloween. Hershey’s thinks this holiday sales will be weak.
- Digital couponing is kind of a mess.
- Family Dollar continues to struggle and close stores.
- No LAYS, the best houses are not the ones that give out potato chips
- Weird canned foods that don’t exist any more.
RESTAURANTS AND FOODSERVICE
- Here is a particularly nasty review of a place called the world’s best restaurant. It feels kind of Yelp-y: He didn’t like the way they greeted him or where he was seated so he got into a snit.
- If you want Polish food go to Chicago and go to these places. Pro tip: Polish food is great for hangovers.
- Best hole in the wall restaurants in NOLA
- 3rd quarter numbers out: Chipotle, Denny’s, KFC struggling. Starbucks steadying. Chili’s on a roll
FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- Cattle ranchers offered more land by USDA, seemingly as a sop for allowing more Argentinian beef increases. In the meantime, prices continue to rise. The head of cattle processed may be down but the weights are way up. Finally, the beef industry has already started a PR campaign against plant based alternatives.
- Soybeans play an outsized role in many parts of the food supply chain. Symbolic probably but China buys 2 containers of US soybeans, but the glut is still real. Archer Daniels Midland is offering to store soybeans and allow growers to set prices later, for a fee of course, Finally, scientists are changing the flavor of soybeans to make them more palatable for Americans.
- A tariff a generation ago heloed the US takeover the global pistachio market.
- The USDA and DOJ are looking at ways that suppliers make it harder (mostly costlier) on farmers. I will believe the antitrust action when I see it.
DRINKS
- The pain from tariffs for distillers comes in a variety of ways. Jack Daniel’s is going to try rolling out fruit flavors.
- Beer isn’t doing any better than liquor as Molson Coors lays off 400.
- The difference between Mezcal and Tequila.
- Whistle Pig 10 year old voted best Rye whiskey in the world and this is correct.
- The number one thing that home bartenders get wrong is not – or being afraid to – shake their drinks. Here are additional tips.
- The Obituary. A Creamsicle. The Metropolitan. The Zombie. The Penicillin.
FOODSTUFF October 31 LAGNIAPPE
- Parmesan cheese is made from rennet from calf’s stomach. This upsets some.
- Is it Sorghums moment? Drought resestant, low glycemic, versatile.
- The battle over canabis infused drinks is just starting as alcohol lobby tries to push hemp bans.
- Testing the toxicity of nontoxic cookware.
- And testing shows lead in protein powders.
- Adding bitters to your coffee.
- Powdered sugar purchased for pyrotechnic properties.