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

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STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives Spring Up to Satisfy Fast-Growth Market

Plant-based dairy flavor and formulation trends across multiple categories including milks, frozen desserts, cheese and cultured products
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
March 19, 2021
Although most of today’s new plant-based dairy alternatives are cold—displayed in the dairy case or the freezercase—they constitute one of the supermarket’s hottest and fastest growing segments.  And it’s no surprise market observers are scrutinizing every element behind who’s purchasing these products—along with what’s selling, when, where and why.
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Editorial View: Bob Garrison
2021 Predictions

A New Year: Ready? Set? Grow!

Do you know where you are—as a R&D department?
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
December 1, 2020
Amid a growing gap in performance between those that innovate successfully and those that do not, companies wishing to get ahead and stay ahead of competitors need a robust R&D strategy.
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2019-2020 SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

King & Prince Seafood Corp… Go Team!

A multi-functional team developed King & Prince Lobster Salad Sensations®—all to help its customers’ teams achieve greater success
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
October 22, 2020
One part of the story involves King & Prince Seafood Corp., Brunswick, Ga., and one of its most popular products, Lobster Sensations®. It’s a frozen, premixed blend of lobster and seafood for foodservice operations to easily and quick thaw, portion and serve. Yet back in 2018, King & Prince customers—including convenience stores, sandwich shops and in-store delis—said their employee teams still needed a little more help in the kitchen. 
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2019-2020 SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

Sea Food Differently

The Plant Based Seafood Co. makes a big splash with Mind Blown Coconut Crunchy Shrimp
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
October 20, 2020
Van Cleve-Talbert grew up around seafood as a family member-employee in The Van Cleve Seafood Co. in Spotsylvania, Va. The company dates back to 2001 when her mom, Shelly, opened a small seafood “shack” to source and sell better quality seafood in the area. From the start, Monica and her sister, Allie, were involved in every step of the business. 
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2019-2020 SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

Seize the Opportuni-tea

Stratus Group crafts KÖE Kombucha to address several white space market opportunities
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
October 13, 2020
Grand View data show North America as the largest regional kombucha market and the firm’s analysts divide the category into “original” and “flavored” segments. These analysts expect flavored kombucha to continue holding the leading market share and register the fastest CAGR of 21.8% during the 2020-2027 forecast period.
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2019-2020 SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

A Boneless Thigh Wing? Yes!

Tyson teamwork results in patented “boneless thigh wings,” happy consumers and customers
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
October 8, 2020
Last February saw foodservice distributing giant Sysco Corp. approve and start selling Tyson Crispy Thigh Wings. These are boneless, skinless, whole muscle chicken thigh portions uniquely cut to look and eat just bone-in wings. It’s all to give consumers the tender, juicy taste of wings they crave—but without the bones. 
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2019-2020 SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

Full Flavor, Less Labor

Ready Foods recasts its Marco’s Adovada Sauce for optimum flavor, versatility and value
Bob Garrison
Robert Garrison
October 8, 2020
The well-known proverb used to be “if at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.” As ascribed to Thomas Palmer, the phrase had everything to do with education and encouraging 19th century American school children.
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