• 🚚 Immi Gears Up For Military Roll Out
• 🥕 Fabalish Recalls Carrot-based Falafel
• 🐮 Meet the Dairy Grazing Alliance
• 🆕 Chia Smash Rebrands and More
• 🥛 Dairy Drama: Lifeway Foods And Ben & Jerry’s

Global food and beverage dollar sales are rising (2.6%) while price/mix growth (1.6%) moderates below historical averages, according to market researcher Circana’s year-end outlook for the industry. Here are the top takeaways:

Volume sales were up 1.1%, as post-pandemic declines stabilized and higher prices at restaurants pushed consumers back to dining at home. (Out-of-home dining traffic fell 2% while in-home meals rose 1% in volume.) Price/mix growth trends broadly reflect a continuation of modest increases in base prices countered by increasing promotion rates. 

Retail channels offering everyday value have become more influential, said Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and chief advisor at Circana. But value doesn’t always mean cheap. Circana tracked a 1% decline in mainstream brands as shoppers selectively chose premium brands – up 3% – “that deliver the right value,” said Lyons Wyatt.

Private label continues to be a major draw, with volumes up 3% over last year. Additionally, Lyons Wyatt noted, “as consumers adopt more selective buying habits, they purchase and stock up on some products less often, delay certain purchases, and switch to alternatives as they reassess spending from necessity and make more room for discretionary items.”

Shopping patterns are shifting. Grocery trips are up 8.9%, with fewer items in the basket – as much as an 11% decline. Consumers are favoring the perimeter of the store, which saw volumes increase 2% while center-store volumes were up 0.6%.

Online transactions are now driving 35% of food and beverage dollar sales growth, “despite holding only a 10% market share,” Lyons Wyatt said.

What’s in store for 2025? Circana forecasts a 2%-to-4% increase in dollar sales, with price/mix up 1.5% to 3.5%. Volumes sales growth is forecast to range between 0% and 1%, as foodservice traffic improves. 

Circana’s outlook assumes a “modest slowdown” in economic conditions, with softer growth for gross domestic product and disposable income, a “slightly weakening” job market, and stable consumer confidence. A stronger-than-expected economy may indicate a small decline in volume growth as consumers dine out more, plus stronger price/mix as shoppers opt for premium items. Weaker conditions could lead to more at-home eating and fewer splurges.

Go Deeper: Check out our coverage and insights on additional F&B forecasts for 2025.

🪖 Better-for-you ramen producer immi is suiting up to enter a new space as it rolls out to approximately 150 Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) locations on U.S. military bases across the U.S., European Union and Far East.

🥭 Chutney startup Maazah is expanding its store footprint with an agreement to distribute its Cilantro Chutney, Lemon Ailoi and Mango Chutney to Whole Foods Market stores nationwide.

🌮 Del Real Foods, a purveyor of Hispanic fresh foods that was acquired earlier this month, is deepening its partnership with Kroger with the introduction of its Birria & Cheese Pupusas across seven Kroger divisions, including Ralphs and King Soopers.

💪 Mikuna’s Pure variety plant-based protein powder, perhaps best known for being the exclusive plant protein at Erewhon’s tonic bars, is now featured in the “New For You” section of 300 Sprouts Farmers Market locations nationwide.

Check out the full roundup on Nosh for additional distribution news from Kokada, Soom, Country Archer and more.

The latest episode of Elevator Talk features leaders from Bake Me Healthy, My Better Batch, Pistakio, House of Kajaana and Fava Joy.

Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Allison Ball, the founder & CEO of Food Biz Wiz, who shared her thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants. She is joined by Ray Latif, the editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Watch the full episode now.

Following a nationwide recall of Grimmway Farms’ organic whole carrots due to potential E. Coli contamination, Fabalish is recalling its Kickin’ Carrot Falafel Bites which were made with the contaminated ingredient.

• The product was distributed in Florida, New York, Washington, Tennessee, California, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, New Hampshire, Virginia, Georgia, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, Texas, Massachusetts and Montana.
• No illnesses have been reported thus far.  
• Fabalish is urging consumers to throw away the product and is offering full refunds 

As demand for pasture-raised dairy products grows, farmers and grazing operations are coming together to support growing “all parts of the value chain” under the auspices of a new organization, the Dairy Grazing Alliance, launched this week at the Sustainable Agriculture Summit in Minneapolis.

💚 The group’s origin springs from what it says is a rising appetite for dairy from cows raised on pasture, rather than in confined stalls. The idea is to fund innovation and exploration of ways dairy operators can collaborate to scale the industry, with a focus on strengthening the economic viability of managed grazing farms and boosting resources, education and technical assistance for producers. The Alliance also aims to create connections between farmers and “major CPG brands” that will inspire “innovation and action.” 

💰 It also seeks to “convene dairy grazing stakeholders to build an effective movement for the sector’s growth,” a task that will require tackling questions of financing, market development, farm profitability, production systems, research and policy making. Part of that effort? Pitching dairy grazing as a “significant tool” for helping address climate change.

🧒 The Alliance will also be charged with helping prepare the next generation of dairy farmers: the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, a paid Apprenticeship created in 2010 that is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, will be housed under the group.

🍓 In a move similar to a renowned Soup Company, superfood jam and snack brand Chia Smash has rebranded to remove its hero ingredient. Now known as Smash Foods, founder and CEO Anna Peck said the new name better allows the brand to flex across product categories (such as its new snack bites) and packaging formats.  

🧀 Cheez-It is giving the gift of education this holiday season via a renewed partnership with College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers which will see it donate $300,000 (a large increase from last year’s $50,000 gift) to support teachers in underfunded schools. 

🥚 Vital Farms has joined forces with Supernatural and King Arthur Baking Company to debut limited edition Gingerbread Farmhouse Kits, which include Supernatural’s plant-based and dye-free sprinkles, melting morsels, and food colorings, gingerbread and icing mixes from King Arthur Baking and coupons for Vital Farms’ butter and eggs. 

🍇 Welch’s is activating FruitSide Assistance for families on the road this holiday season. On November 26, families can access a free kit – which includes coloring books, phone chargers, plushy toys and Welch's Fruit Snacks – from the brand’s vans parked on I-95 between New York City and Boston, the 5 Freeway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Interstate 55 between Chicago and St. Louis. 

On the podcast this week, the team discusses Danone’s repeated (and so far, failed) attempts to acquire kefir brand Lifeway Foods and how those efforts may connect to the company’s recent earnings reports along with an ongoing feud among its founding family members, the Smolyanskys. Then, the CPG Week hosts talk about a pending lawsuit pitting Ben & Jerry’s against its owner, Unilever. Plus, hear why Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous loves a Pizza Hut buffet and what senior reporter Brad Avery’s favorite pizza toppings are (hint: you might disagree with his spicy-sweet combo).

Click here to listen to this week’s episode.

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