As we started 2020, immune health was on many of the lists of food trends to watch for this year, nestled among snacking, sustainability and mood foods. You could call it a consumer flirtation—one of those trends flirted with by people but without a real commitment. Then COVID-19 hit and that relationship turned into a […]
Archives for October 2020
Northwest Pear Crop Update
Northwest pear grower-shippers expected a comparatively light crop this year vs. last pear season. A cool and damp spring during pollination has contributed to some of this short fall, and a pocket of hail damage effected some growers significantly. The Pear bureau released its first official 2020-21 crop estimate in August and the forecast called for […]
Washington State Apple Crop Revised
Due to recent wildfires in CA, OR, and WA, the original US Apple Association forecast was skewed. With harvest well underway in Washington state, new numbers estimate the crop being downgraded 10% to 15% putting the Western US crop (Washington state) at 168.9 million bushels at -10%. CA and OR numbers were unchanged due to unconfirmed […]
Building Immunity Through Ingredient Choices
Prior to the pandemic, younger consumers expressed a pronounced interest in foods and beverages that offer synergistic benefits, beyond taste and nutrition, to support vital functions such as immune support, gut health, and cognition, among others. This interest in functional foods has not waned but grown stronger given the health concerns shared by all Americans. […]
Food Fraud
What is it and why does it matter? The term Food Fraud is new to the food industry, but the adulteration of foods for economic gain is not a new concept. In fact, it is documented as far back as ancient Rome, where laws were enacted to prevent the watering down of wine for sale […]