Quarantine snacking has seen wide variance in consumption between relishing in comfort food and enhanced diligence to healthier habits. Flavorchem revealed some of the most prominent bakery and snack trends taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mr Lee’s Pure Foods, the UK based award-winning gourmet instant-noodles in a cup, announced its US launch nationwide with Whole Foods Market. This is a milestone expansion for the young brand and speaks to its consumers’ growing interest and demand, according to the company.

The primary purpose of the platform is to bring vast efficiencies to the food supply chain, while also serving as a critical tool in times of need. Retailers requiring additional resources to fulfill needs at grocery stores, are connected with sellers that have capacity of products, transportation services, labor, and warehousing services.

Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food manufacturing industry, announced that it has entered into an exclusive commercial agreement with Northern Quinoa Production Corporation to globally distribute and market NorQuin's quinoa flours, which will be grown and milled in the Canadian plains.

International Flavors & Fragrances and DuPont, building on the previously announced merger between IFF and DuPont’s Nutrition & Biosciences (N&B) business, shared the new guiding purpose and vision, operating model and Executive Committee for the intended combined company. The companies continue to expect that the transaction will close in the first quarter of 2021.

Times change, and so do consumers’ tastes. After all, there’s a reason the phrase “flavor of the month” exists. Capturing interest, and the harder job of holding onto it, is a constant challenge for food and beverage producers. 

Widespread stay-at-home orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic have led to record rates of unemployment and increased pressure on food banks. In support of its local communities during this challenging time, Lesaffre Corp. and Red Star are making charitable food donations worth $100,000 to food banks, starting with the cities where the company operates: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Dothan, Ala.; and Milwaukee.

Uncle Matt's Organic®, an organic orange and grapefruit juice brand, has been welcomed back home to founder and CEO, Matt McLean, who built and subsequently sold the company to Dean Foods in 2017. This unexpected homecoming also includes a new parent company named Harmoni, Inc., and an advisory team of investors.

Epogee Foods has been selected as a Thrive TOP 50 AgTech Company of the Year. SVG Ventures-THRIVE in partnership with Forbes Live recently released their 2020 THRIVE TOP 50 AgTech Companies. The annual ranking showcases exceptional companies who are pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology.

Mintel, the experts in what consumers want and why, released new research analyzing the current economic environment compared to that of the Great Recession, including insight on the economic indicators that will play a role in predicting consumer spending in the months and years ahead.