Explore the most recent updates in food, nutrition, and health through our regular blog. Here, we have the latest news spanning various topics crucial to health and nutrition. In today’s update, we delve into innovative perspectives on particularly relevant subjects for nutrition educators.
Food Trends Evolve
The food environment is constantly evolving. In this post, we see some good news: new school meal standards starting July 1 will make it easier to acquire local foods, and a new trend report cites that consumers seek foods for their nutritional benefits. With regard to food prices, there is some cooling of inflated prices at this time, and food retailers are amping up their focus on lower prices/value and rolling out private labels.
Weight loss drugs continue to ripple through the food environment with regard to how many have used them, who on Medicaid are denied access, and their impact on food buying habits. Yet again, caffeinated drinks are in the news – one menu item at a fast-casual restaurant is to be dropped, likely due to lawsuits and a fast food restaurant chooses to add a caffeinated drink to the menu. In the rush to lure more customers and increase the frequency of buying, grocery subscriptions, loyalty programs, and targeting specific markets with food delivery options are all strategies that continue to be employed.
A CURATED LIST OF MUST-READ CONTENT
New USDA school meal standards help acquire local foods
Starting July 1, when school districts call for minimally processed or unprocessed food they can specify ‘locally grown,’ ‘locally raised,’ or ‘locally caught.’
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- New School Meal Standards Could Put More Local Food on Students’ Lunch Trays
Poll: 1 in 8 have used drugs like Wegovy
And for those who used them, more than half (54%) found it hard to pay for the drugs even with insurance.
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The complicated status of Medicaid coverage for weight loss drugs
A 1990’s law says that Medicaid doesn’t have to pay for medicines addressed at weight gain yet 16 states do. The challenge? Cost. Yet Minnesota’s state Medicaid law requires the program to cover the drug. A recent ruling by the FDA for the use of Wegovy for CVD disease may help some but not if they are not at risk for CVD.
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The Ozempic effect on food purchases
A recent study sees people on anti-obesity drugs purchasing foods with more protein and smaller package size. Food companies will likely see this as a marketing opportunity.
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Charged lemonade to be removed from menu
After more than one lawsuit about this menu item Panera has decided to drop this drink but gives no indication when this will happen.
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Dunkin’ selling caffeinated energy drinks
Dunkin’ has added a caffeinated drink using the word ‘SPARKD’ on the menu, it has a bit less caffeine than Panera’s drink.
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Whole Foods tags lower prices
Those yellow tags are touting sale prices and value purchases for shoppers.
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Aldi plans to cut prices on items this summer
Most price cuts are for over 250 items including snacks and better-for-you items and will last through Labor Day.
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And Target to cut prices too!
The cuts are in addition to Memorial Day sales. Look for the red tags.
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McDonald’s $5 meal to return in June
Fast food customers have experienced sticker shock. This is one chain’s attempt to bring back customers: this ‘deal’ disappeared from the menu but will be available only for a month
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Better nutrition is trending for food purchasing
A new trend report finds more than 3/4 of shoppers seek products to improve their personal nutrition. Fifty-five percent of current food manufacturer efforts to reformulate products are focused to meet these needs.
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Bettergoods at Walmart is a new private line of food w/70% of items under $5
The line focuses on the taste experience, ‘made without’ and plant-based; early data suggests it appeals to both low and higher-income shoppers.
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Dollar General accepting supplemental health benefits for some items
Customers can use prepaid health cards to buy produce and other selected items.
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Amazon grocery subscription for EBT users
This subscription ($4.99 a month) offers free delivery for orders over $35 from Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh and selected e-retailers.
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Grocery loyalty programs…they’re everywhere
The thinking here: many grocers can’t compete with Walmart and Aldi’s prices but loyalty programs offer rewards which lure customers.
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Loyalty programs now found in more full-service restaurants
Coffee shops and lunch fast casual restaurants aren’t the only places with loyalty programs as full-service restaurants see more customer frequency with use of loyalty programs.
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Uber Eats & Forage will be available for SNAP
Groceries are one of the fastest growing parts of Uber Eats; they will partner with Forage later this year.
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Uber adds Costco to delivery for members and non-members
You don’t have to be a Costco member to order but if you are you will get an undisclosed discount.
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Can you spot the junk fees quiz?
Of the 7 examples in this online quiz, 1 addresses food delivery fees.
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