Cast your eye down the pet food aisle at your local grocery store, or wander through the relevent section of a nearby pet store, and two label claims will stand out: “natural” and “super premium.” Pet foods from all brands—and at all price points—will lay claim to those designations, and since neither of those claims… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
I confess: I’m obsessed with tomatoes, particularly in the late summer and fall. Much of my summer has been dedicated to conducting a sustained defensive action against the local squirrels to preserve my plants—a war which, I am happy to report, I am currently winning. I come by this obsession honestly, as the third generation… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
It’s widely recognized that consumers are seeking more “green” options, from organic produce to low-footprint proteins. Retailers are stocking more of these products, making the sector one of the fastest-growing areas of the food business for farmers, distributors, and retailers alike. It’s a good time to be selling anything perceived to be green, and companies… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
As a category, functional foods is among the biggest trends in the food industry, as consumers seek products with added nutrition and food companies attempt to differentiate their offerings. For marketers, these products pose a challenge: talking about benefits which are often couched in confusing (or outright offputting) scientific jargon. Although many nutritional terms have… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
We’re excited to announce our partnership with RiceBran Technologies, a leader in food ingredients produced from rice bran. With its innovative technology, RiceBran converts what would otherwise remain unused during the production of white rice into highly nutritious ingredients. RiceBran’s ingredient line includes everything from rice bran oil, which is flavor-neutral and useful for frying,… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
Online dating is difficult due to (among other reasons) its dependence on the written word. It’s difficult, through writing alone, to communicate important things like tone, temperament, and personality—characteristics crucial for compatibility. Photos, too, have significant limitations. Early matching services knew this and used video profiles (a lot of mainstream dating sites, for many—and we… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
I have become spam. My family and friends think I was hacked because I sent them an email saying “I lost 10 pounds in just one week!” But I actually did lose ten pounds in a week . . . and here’s how you can, too! I’ve been gluten-free for almost four years. I’m sensitive… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
Smithsonian.com’s K. Annie Smith recently published a fascinating post on the improving market share of traditional instant or ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee. In the United States, those brands haven’t fared well recently; the rise of Starbucks and the specialty coffee trend have shifted consumer tastes in a more high-end direction, and capsule coffee brewers have captured… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
Trends inform and inspire all of our work. In the food industry, this means knowing when cupcakes are “out” and doughnuts are “in”; what’s happening with the FDA’s decision on the GRAS designation of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs); and what the next hot protein ingredient will be (could it be microalgae powder? or, perhaps, cricket… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
As a Girl Scout Cookie order form was shared around the office this year, there was a noticeable absence of a “no hydrogenated oils” banner from fan favorite Samoas, Tagalongs, and the ever-popular Thin Mints, which, together, make up 57% of Girl Scout Cookie sales. We couldn’t help but ponder how, in light of recent… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
Food Safety Modernization Act Since the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law in 2011, the food industry has been faced with the prospect of greatly increased safety and transparency regulations. Today, those changes are still being rolled out—from much more frequent FDA inspections to stricter requirements for produce—and some regulations are still… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
During my teenage years, I worked at a local frozen custard stand. Our uniforms consisted of button downs and bow ties. We punched in with paper time cards. Orders were taken and called out in paperless fashion. It wasn’t quite Mayberry, although it did have a distinctive charm marked by nostalgia. Coupled with delicious frozen… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
At MarketPlace, we’re all about food, and for several of us that includes growing some ourselves. That means we have a more than passing familiarity with the old-fashioned seed catalog. These catalogs go back to the seventeenth century in Europe, with the first American version established in 1784. Since that time, seed companies have expanded,… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
Specialty coffee is one of the biggest recent trends in beverages. Over the last couple of years, the sector has seen the founding of a new consumer-facing publication, a hot startup mail-order service, and numerous local and, increasingly, national roasters and coffee shops. Specialty coffee has gained something like the culture surrounding wine and craft… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>
Going gluten-free isn’t new to us. As a food branding agency, staying apprised of food industry opportunities and challenges is part of the gig. So, when the chance to attend Gluten and Allergen Free Expo arose, our team was delighted to plan a trip dedicated to partaking in the gluten-free exchange of knowledge (and samples).… Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span>