Cool It!

Very soon, the noshing will commence as Americans tune-in to one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year – the Super Bowl. As fans, true and fair weather alike gather to watch the New England Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles, the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics reports that in 2018, consumer spending for the Super Bowl is predicted to be up 8.5 % year over year.

As 2017 comes to a close, the dynamic nature of the food and beverage industry continues to shape organizations. According to Statista, 2017 revenue in the food and beverages industry including fresh and packaged foods, fruits, vegetables, pasta, snacks, sweets, refrigerated and frozen food; soft drinks and alcoholic drinks in the U.S. is approximately $13,855 million, a number that's expected to reach $25,889 million by 2022.

It’s the time of year again when food brings festive cheer, when families travel near and far the holidays are here.

It’s that time of the year again where tables are heavy-laden with hearty food and home-made recipes. The air is crisp and the seasons have changed. The nostalgia of the holidays is looming and America’s second favorite holiday is recently behind us.

Family dinners have become synonymous with festive celebrations and such seasonal traditions often bind us to our menu must-haves, making these joyous occasions oh so special. 

Over the past 5 decades, the amount of time Americans spend preparing meals has steadily declined, yet U.S. frozen foods have remained a favorable staple, forecast to reach $72.98 billion by 2024, according to a recent study by Grand View Research.

E-commerce is about the customer, not retailers. Mind blowing right? Not really. Convenience is key, and online buying affords customers that luxury; a luxury where consumer expectation is undoubtedly associated with ordering convenience, delivery effectiveness, and minimal shipping cost on a 24/7 buying cycle.

Supply chain management is changing – Fast.

As demand patterns shift, the dynamic landscape is challenging traditional linear models, creating a paradigm shift that’s opened the door for developing services and technologies to support flexibility in cold chain solutions through data and visibility. This is a topic that’s constantly in the industry news but it’s also ever-changing.

On-the-go consumers are flocking to alternative dinner solutions. With the growing demand for fresh, local, unprocessed foods and an amplified demand for convenience, the meal kit delivery service industry is bustling. So, what’s on your dinner plate?

As the poultry industry continues to diversify – from the consumer shift towards ready meals and meal kits, and exports to emerging global markets - the demand for blast-freeze capabilities and to store poultry is on the rise.  The Farmers’ Organization Authority (FOA) projects the global demand for poultry to grow 24-percent in the next 10 years, so the proper poultry cold-chain infrastructure at home is a priority.

So you're an environmentally responsible organization - shouldn't your supply chain partners be the same?  Recently, Americold's very own Manager of Energy, Ted Royals, provided Refrigerated and Frozen Food Magazine with his thoughts on how you can reap rewards from working with organizations placing a priority on corporate sustainability.  Read more here.