Beth Kaiserman

In this week’s Checkout, the FDA plans to resume on-site inspections, Perfect Day raises $160 million, extending its Series C round to $300 million, and Uber launches grocery delivery.

The SFA and Mintel predict that due to increased financial constraints on consumers, conventional food sales may outpace specialty in 2020 for the first time in 15 years. Their annual State of the Specialty Food Industry report, reviewed sales data from the past three years, 35 category forecasts and a consumer trend survey to help explore the future of specialty food.

As many consumers aim to reduce or eliminate red meat from their diets, seafood is becoming a popular choice for mealtime. But faced with a limited supply of fish, plant-based and cultivated meat makers are recognizing a wave of opportunity for alternative seafood innovations, according to The Good Food Institute.

Food brands should expect to see “structurally higher” growth heading into 2021, according to two recent webinars hosted by banking firm RBC Capital Markets, in which analyst Nik Modi explained how societal, economic and educational factors have already impacted consumer behavior.

In this week’s Checkout, UNFI and NCG expanded their 21-year partnership, Giant Food relaunched its online platform and a report from consumer insights firm Kelton found high anxiety around in-store shopping.

General Mills reported “outstanding performance” in its Q4 earnings report today, with net sales increasing 21% to $5 billion as consumer spending focused on food staples. CEO Jeff Harmening noted that during “a year of significant challenge and change in the world,” the company exceeded its key financial goals.

As food producers report increased sales, Conagra reported today that it will expand its manufacturing capacity to meet the demand as many consumers likely continue cooking at home. The move comes as the global company continues to invest in updating its heritage brands for today’s consumer.

The small but mighty chia seed has increasingly moved beyond beverages, bars and the bulk bin toward savory snacks and breakfast food as consumers seek added function from everyday foods. But after a temporary boom in attention during the middle of the last decade, under brands like Health Warrior, the Chia Company, and Mamma Chia, the ingredient still hasn’t fully reached the masses.

In this week’s Checkout, Unilever announced it’s stopping Facebook and Twitter ads, The Forest Farmers acquired Parker’s Real Maple, and McCormick reviewed its Q2 sales as at-home cooking surges.

In a webinar last week, health and wellness market insights firm Social Nature outlined how better-for-you CPG companies are adapting to changing shopper behavior as consumers’ focus shifts toward health and wellness products and e-commerce.