Coronavirus

In an email today the Specialty Food Association announced the cancellation of the organization’s 2021 Winter Fancy Food Show, which was to be held in San Francisco on January 17-19. The annual trade show and conference highlights food and beverage producers targeting the specialty food channel.

Citing the “continued impact of the COVID-19 crisis on events and travel,” New Hope this afternoon cancelled Natural Products Expo East 2020, which was to be held September 23-26 in Philadelphia. The decision marks the second pandemic-related cancellation for New Hope this year, having pulled the plug on Natural Products Expo West 2020 in March.

In its Q3 earnings presentation yesterday, the Campbell’s Soup Company reported that organic net sales increased 17% year-over-year to $2.2 billion over the quarter. Looking ahead, CEO Mark Clouse outlined four trends expected to stick: “quick scratch cooking,” accelerated use of click-and-collect and home delivery, center store’s increased relevance and value.

Though the current market has been thoroughly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving uncertainty about how consumer behavior will shift long term, a new report by market research firm IRI showed that last year was marked by numerous “blockbuster” food and beverage launches as both conglomerates and smaller companies introduced new products that quickly surpassed $100 million in sales.

In light of recent supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA has adjusted its New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative, including added priorities for worker safety and predicting potential food system disruptions, and a greater emphasis on safe food delivery to consumers.

In this week’s COVID-19 news, Costco told analysts it will bring back in-store sampling, Senate Democrats proposed a $7.5 billion bill to support the food supply chain and more.

The FDA on Friday released temporary guidance to allow food manufacturers to change ingredients without updating product labels, a move aimed at preventing supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, company and industry leaders are speaking up to promote consumer safety.

The plant-based meat category was already growing before the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, many plant-based brands have seen huge sales upticks since pantry loading began in March. Now, they need to figure out what comes next.

As many states begin to reopen businesses, IRI reflected on the 2008 recession to help brands prepare for the months ahead, while the FDA and USDA announced plans for supply chain management collaboration. Here’s the latest COVID-19 news from around the industry this week.

Rebellyous Foods has more than a nugget’s worth of plans. With a new plant-based chicken nugget launching into limited retail this week, the company hopes its proprietary technology will eventually be adapted by other manufacturers.