Meat & Poultry (USA)

CHICAGO — John Brase may have less than two months at the helm leading Conagra Brands Inc., but his more than 35 years of experience in consumer packaged goods has given him insight into how to turn things around at the Chicago-based company after a $1.92 billion loss in fiscal 2026 that was driven by impairment charges. “I see several areas where I believe we can be better,” Brase said in prepared remarks issued July 15 in connection with the company’s release of fiscal 2026 financial results.

MILWAUKEE, WIS. — The 87th annual American Convention of Meat Processors & Suppliers’ Exhibition, held July 9-11 in Milwaukee, Wis., invited keynote speaker Anne-Marie Roerink, principal of 210 Analytics, to present on meat industry’s momentum even as consumers are feeling the weight of inflation and are cutting back on spending. “We already had massive inflation over the last five years,” Roerink said. “In 2022, the food cost went up by 12%.

CHICAGO — The market researcher Circana is forecasting 2027 food and beverage growth to be in a range between 2% and 3%, primarily driven by pricing and mix. Volume is expected to remain flat as consumers continue to be impacted by economic pressures. “Consumers are no longer simply trading down or cutting back,” said Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and chief adviser at Circana. “They are becoming more intentional and efficient.

CHICAGO — The snackification of America has evolved, and it’s now called “snealing,” snacks as meals, according to a panel discussion at IFT First, held July 13-15 in Chicago. “I think it’s essentially this evolution into consumers thinking about and wanting more functional and nutritional benefits from the food that they’re eating,” said Nina Guest, senior manager, marketing insights, Americas, Ingredion.

Zaxbys Zaxbys has introduced a collection of chicken bacon ranch menu items. The line spotlights the chicken bacon ranch wrap, which features three chicken strips, bacon, carrots, red cabbage, mixed greens, cucumber, tomatoes, cheddar jack cheese, ranch and a flour tortilla. The line also includes a chicken bacon ranch quesadilla and chicken bacon ranch loaded fries.

MOKENA, ILL., and SPRINGFIELD, MO. – Provisur Technologies and Nothum Food Processing Systems confirmed it formed a strategic partnership looking to help with customized food processing solutions and simplified equipment integration. Both companies are part of Fortifi Food Processing Solutions. Provisor’s Weiler and Formax product lines provide industry expertise in grinding and forming applications, with Northum specializing in automated coating and frying systems.

SHANNON, MISS. — Raybern’s is launching frozen sliders. The ready-to-heat sliders are available in three varieties: cheeseburger smashed sliders, birria sliders and ham and Swiss sliders. Each slider contains 9 grams of protein. “Consumers already see Raybern’s as a premium brand, and these sliders deliver on that expectation in every bite,” said Doug Hall, senior director of business development at Raybern’s.

VINELAND, NJ. — The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) recently confirmed that nearly 100 workers at the Tyson Foods plant in Vineland, NJ, ratified a new contract. The union said the members were employed in the plant’s production, sanitation and warehouse divisions. The three-year contract includes guaranteed wage increases annually during the agreement along with a ratification bonus.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Firehouse Subs announced its new multi-year deal with Major League Baseball (MLB), the restaurant brand’s first professional sports league partnership. The deal makes Firehouse Subs the “Official Sub” of MLB across the United States and Canada. Firehouse Subs will celebrate the second half of the MLB season by launching “Extra Innings, Extra Subs,” a promotion that rewards fans for the rest of the season.

WASHINGTON — The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed in a new notice on July 14 that animal exports from the state of Texas were suspended due to the presence of New World screwworm (NWS). According to the latest update, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is immediately suspending the export of horses, pigs, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, deer and other animals.