Robert Garrison

Robert Garrison

Bob Garrison came in from the cold. A founding editor of BNP Media's Refrigerated & Frozen Foods (R&FF) Bob has profiled industry-leading companies, explored corporate strategies and covered food product development trends at more than 150 leading private and CPG companies since 1989. He has chronicled the histories of leading brands and businesses, including Gorton's, ConAgra Frozen Foods (Banquet) and Swanson's frozen TV dinners. He also has interviewed or profiled such food industry leaders as Mike Harper (ConAgra), Don Tyson and frozen bagel icon Murray Lender.
Articles

ARTICLES

Niman Ranch No Sugar Bacon
Retail State of the Industry | Meat, Poultry & Seafood

2018 Meat Trends: Meat the Future

Meat, poultry and seafood items address snacking, health and flavor
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
March 13, 2018
Meat and poultry products are consumer favorites, food industry mainstays, and protein powerhouses—all factors that will keep the US industry for animal protein growing despite challenges from plant protein alternatives, according to market research firm Packaged Facts.
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Kroger Prep+Pared Meal Kits
Retail State of the Industry | Meals & Entrees

2018 Meal Trends: Familiar, Foreign, Fast, Fresh

Meals need clean label appeal, taste adventure and convenience to vie for consumer spending
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
March 13, 2018
What are consumers choosing to eat? When and where do consumers search for meal solutions? Who’s preparing that meal? How do meal solutions get to the consumer?
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Spirit of Innovation Awards

Go Team! “Spirit of Innovation” Awards Recognize New Product Success, Stories

Distinctive awards recognize new foods and beverages in retail, foodservice and alternative channels
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
February 27, 2018
Like so many competing food and beverage companies displayed on shelf, you have national athletic teams on display at the opening “parade of nations” and in team competitions such as ice hockey. Then think about how your company has individual experts skilled in marketing, consumer insights, culinary arts, food science and package design and engineering. So too, the US Olympic team has specialists in ice skating, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, luge, snowboarding and, everyone’s favorite: curling. 
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Retail State of the Industry | Sauces, Dressings & Spreads

More to Pour: Sauces, Dressings and Spreads

Sauces, dressings and spreads reach for more—as in more flavor and health appeal
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
February 19, 2018
Market growth in 2016 marked an annual rate of more than 2% during the preceding five years. Comparable—if not slightly lower—sales growth is anticipated year-over-year through 2021 despite challenges to the industry due to the widespread shift toward healthier living.
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New Product for a New Year

Exploring Prepared Foods’ first annual “Predictions” issue
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
December 7, 2017
It’s here I’m reminded that “it’s not what you know—but who you know.” Personally, I embrace this saying because I live it every day. You see, I’m not particularly skilled in anything from mathematics to masonry and I’ve learned to make friends who have those skills. Of course, I tell my new friends that I can write clever poems or songs for them. When a friend moves, I’m also helpful at carrying light to moderately heavy boxes.
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Real Ingredients: Show & Tell

Kashi and BFY/Our Little Rebellion break through marketing clutter with new, farm-driven messages that put ingredients first
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
November 14, 2017
In 2016, Kashi purchased the first-ever crop of Certified Transitional ingredients—hard red winter wheat—sourced from 860 acres of transitional farmland.
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Sandy Solmon, Sweet Street Founder, and Atour Evyazian, NRA Board Member

2017 Food and Beverage Awards

National Restaurant Association honors noteworthy new foods and beverages for restaurant operators and patrons
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
August 15, 2017

This year’s judges recognized 36 FABI Award products for their positive benefits to restaurant operators and consumers.


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Time to Unleash, Unlock, Transform.

This year, we want to help innovation executives navigate market trends and “Unleash Opportunity, Unlock Creativity and Transform Industry” with change from within
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
June 2, 2017
Hungry for new perspectives on innovation? I certainly am as Prepared Foods readies its 35th annual New Products Conference this September in Denver. Last year, we focused on “disruptive innovation.” This year, we want to help innovation executives navigate market trends and “Unleash Opportunity, Unlock Creativity and Transform Industry” with change from within.
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