Winds of Change

The winds of change are blowing. In the literal sense, they have been devastating for the Southeast. In the figurative sense, they are prompting farmers and manufacturers to change their approaches.

• Hurricane relief and recovery efforts get on track.
• Dairy producers seek sustainability.
• Big manufacturers adapt strategy.

“Never taste a food to determine its safety.”

Food Safety News

Hurricane, Hurricane

The repercussions of hurricanes Helene and Milton will be extensive and continue to roll out over the coming weeks and months. We’ve collected stories addressing recovery and relief for the victims.

• “Never taste a food to determine its safety,” is the first rule of post-hurricane food safety practices. Food Safety News provided a comprehensive guide to follow in the aftermath of power-killing events that compromise refrigeration. 
• Feedstuffs covered a University of Georgia estimate of Helene’s ag damage, which almost reached $6.5 billion as of mid-month. In addition to direct crop damage, the hurricane also disrupted businesses that support agriculture and displaced workers in the region — not to mention all the extensive non-farm recovery and restoration costs.
• Adding further detail, The Daily Scoop captured the sentiments of Georgia farmers who said the agricultural destruction from Helene is worse than the catastrophic damage Katrina brought in 2005.
• KHSB reported that Kansas City companies Seaboard Foods, National Beef and Ferrell Gas pitched in under the Operation BBQ Relief moniker to provide 600,000 meals to victims of both hurricanes. 
• Agri-Pulse took stock of the citrus and phosphate (a key component in fertilizer production) situations in Florida, whose agriculture industry can’t seem to catch a break. “When you combine pest and disease pressures with these hurricanes, every time we start to kind of get our groove back, it feels like we’re knocked back on our heels,” said a representative of Florida’s citrus growers. 
• On October 15, aid from the U.S. government started to roll in. USDA made indemnity payments directly to farmers in six states, with Georgia topping the list at a total of $207.7 million.

Don’t Cry Over Sustainable Milk

Dairy sustainability efforts are gaining momentum. International brands are partnering up to expand initiatives across production and distribution of milk-based products.

• John Deere launched the Milk Sustainability Center in conjunction with dairy machinery company DeLaval (Dairy Herd Management). The partnership provides a digital tool for dairy farmers to track input efficiency — a boon for both bottom lines and sustainability goals.
• Trellis (formerly GreenBiz) detailed how Pizza Hut partnered with Dairy Farmers of America to reduce methane emissions from its mozzarella supply chain by 10%. The groups have primarily focused on feed management practices.
• AgFunder News featured Dr. Tom Williams, CEO of Number 8 Bio, who argued that synthetic feed additives will reduce cattle methane emissions more than seaweed. It’s not a coincidence that his company makes such additives.
• Aldi backed UK-based dairy co-op Arla to the tune of $39 million for the co-op’s “carbon net zero” ambitions (Dairy Reporter).
• The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research shared research for dairy farmers seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water use. The project stems from a partnership between Dairy Management, Inc. and the Soil Health Institute.

Our Takeaway: The hugely influential Conference of Parties (COP) will kick off this November in Baku, Azerbaijan. The focus of this international effort, called COP29 this year, is to advance the Paris Climate Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5°C. Beef and dairy are frequently targeted by environmentalists as a major source of methane release, and livestock groups will continue to defend and/or adapt production practices.

Manufactured Change

Non-alcoholic luxury seltzer? Mustard on tap? These are just a couple of the recent evolutions in food manufacturing.

• PepsiCo has purchased the beloved Siete brand. Some fans are concerned. | Texas Monthly
• Maple Leaf Foods introduces Canada Packers Inc. | Food Processing
• Kraft Heinz ‘betting big’ on reaching consumers away from home | Food Dive
• Moët Hennessy invests in non-alcoholic fizz | The Drinks Business
• America revolted against Tostitos and Ruffles. Now they’re making big changes | CNN
• Chicken recall ripples through supply chain | Food Business News
• Fast-food slowdown burns french fry giant Lamb Weston | Inc.
• Nestlé launches protein-focused products for weight management in key markets | Food Ingredients First

Our Takeaway: Staying relevant is key to survival in today’s competitive marketplace. Brands shouldn’t always wait for feedback from consumers — whether verbal or financial — to change tactics.