Food continues to be a fast-changing landscape: how we pay for it, consumer and grocer viewpoints and food waste! Of note: a new food donation app goes nationwide, Careit, connects restaurants, businesses, caterers, food distributors, grocers with food to donate to non-profits (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/food-donation-marketplace-careit-expands-nationwide/645620/). More access to nutritious food with Instacart: tools for health care providers to get healthy foods to patients.

(https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/doordash-instacart-expand-nutritious-food-access/). Europe testing food ‘social security’ programs (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230321-cost-of-living-europes-trials-in-social-security). Did you know that Kind is estimated to be in about 20% of U.S. households? (https://www.fooddive.com/news/kind-ceo-Q-and-A-snacking/643596/). And this one really caught my eye…why skinny cans are everywhere – think sophistication and health (https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/30/business/soda-cans-slim-aluminum/index.html).

How we pay for food… 

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) for groceries sees increase (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/buy-now-pay-later-explodes-in-grocery/645841/). The future of grocery payment options means more loyalty and more data in the hands of grocers (https://progressivegrocer.com/future-payments). DoorDash to offer SNAP online nationally by 2025 (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/doordash-to-offer-snap-online-purchasing-for-grocery-orders/646007/). Some states allow Medicaid funds to pay for food (https://www.tastingtable.com/1198285/medicaid-funds-can-now-be-spent-on-groceries-in-the-us/). More access to off-campus dining w/GrubHub (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/grubhub-transact-campus-expand-mobile-ordering/). Palm scanning (and privacy concerns) coming to Panera (https://www.npr.org/2023/03/28/1166213758/amazon-one-panera-palm-scanner-privacy). Don’t forget senior discounts at national and local food stores and restaurants (https://www.theseniorlist.com/senior-discounts/).

The consumer view of food…

Graphic tracks food prices for 6 items in major metro areas (https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/graphic-track-grocery-price-trends-n1264037). High prices cause Dollar Tree to stop selling eggs (https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/03/18/egg-prices-dollar-tree-stops-sales/11499157002/); egg producer sees profits increase by 700% (https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/29/business/egg-profits-cal-maine/index.html). Shoppers still buy produce but choose lower-cost options (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/produce-demand-growing-amid-inflation/644295/). States with grocery taxes (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/states-are-looking-to-cut-their-grocery-taxes-heres-what-that-means-for-g/644296/). Study calculates the $ value of food bank food (https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2022/11/food-pantry-access-worth-billions-nationally-study-finds).

The grocer view of food…

Dollar Tree ups their investment in food (https://progressivegrocer.com/dollar-tree-intensify-investments-food). $9/Day Meal challenge (https://www.perishablenews.com/retailfoodservice/allegiance-campaign-promotes-healthy-meals-with-9-a-day-challenge/); link to videos and recipes (https://www.foodtown.com/9dollarchallenge). Target to expand products @ $3, $5, $10, $15 price points (https://www.retaildive.com/news/target-expands-15-dollar-products/644063/). SNAP households about 24% of CPG (consumer packaged goods) spending (https://www.supermarketnews.com/consumer-trends/snap-households-represent-24-us-consumer-goods-spend). Frozen snack purchases blur the line between meals and snacks (https://progressivegrocer.com/frozen-snack-innovations-ignite-fast-moving-category).

Food waste: ideas/resources…

Some ways to avoid food waste by using the cauliflower stalk include ricing cauliflower or making cauliflower steaks (https://www.tastingtable.com/1158900/what-to-do-with-leftover-cauliflower-cores/). Tips to reduce food waste – English & Spanish (https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/tips-reduce-food-waste). Central Ohio got people to reduce food waste/eat  leftovers: an awareness campaign, tracking actual food thrown out and children who learn and are always watching at home (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/01/headway/composting-food-leftovers.html).

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