Church's Texas Chicken® Brings Back Smokehouse Chicken with NEW Lemon Pepper Flavor

Church's Texas Chicken® is bringing back one of its most requested menu favorites – Smokehouse Chicken, available for a limited time. Starting at just $5.99, the craveable offering comes as a complete meal, including a signature Honey-Butter Biscuit™ and a Jalapeño Pepper for a bold, flavorful kick. This year's return is even bigger, with the addition of NEW Lemon Pepper Chicken, delivering a zesty, savory twist.

The lineup features three crave-worthy flavors: Original, Spicy, and the all-new...

Domino’s Names Joe Jordan CEO as Russell Weiner Plans Retirement

Domino’s Pizza Inc. has outlined a planned leadership transition that will see Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President of Domino’s US Joe Jordan step into the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on October 1, 2026, as longtime company veteran Russell Weiner prepares to retire from the position.

The company said Jordan will also join Domino’s Board of Directors at that time. Weiner will remain CEO through the end of September 2026 before transitioning to Executive Chairman Designate, and will...

Wendy’s Names Steve Cirulis CFO and Chief Strategy Officer

Wendy’s has named Steve Cirulis as its new Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, effective June 23, 2026, as the quick‑service chain continues to focus on its turnaround strategy.

Cirulis will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Wright and join Wendy’s Senior Leadership Team. He succeeds Ken Cook, who has served as CFO since 2024 and will remain in an advisory role through July to support a smooth transition.

Cirulis most recently held the dual CFO and Chief Strategy Officer roles at...

70% of Low-income Parents Worry About Affording Groceries

As inflation and grocery prices reach new highs, new national research commissioned by No Kid Hungry finds parents living on low incomes are being forced to make impossible tradeoffs between stocking the fridge, buying medicine, and paying household bills. The polling underscores the devastating impact of last summer's historic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that have already caused 3.5 million people to lose access to the nation's most effective anti-hunger program.

The results show that parents are having to make difficult decisions about which basic needs to...

Long John Silver’s Leverages Seasonal Flavors and Value in Summer Menu Launch

Long John Silver’s is combining limited‑time menu additions with value-driven offerings to drive summer traffic, rolling out a seasonal lineup that mixes returning seafood favorites, new sauces and expanded beverage options.

The quick‑service seafood chain has introduced a Summer Special Platter featuring coconut shrimp and a new Citrus Honey Mustard dipping sauce, while continuing its year‑round $6 Basket program, a core part of its value strategy amid intense industry competition.

"To us, summer is all about providing great flavors and...

ANALYSIS: Safeguard Headwinds Fragment Supplier Pacing in China's May 2026 Beef Imports Figures

China's beef imports remained relatively flat, ticking down just 0.8% month-on-month (MOM) to 206,957 metric tons (MT) in May 2026, according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). 

The minor 1,760 MT drop came despite the ongoing safeguard quota rush that has driven aggressive front-loading since the start of the year.  

The May data marked a clear continuation of the cooling import pace that began in April, with volumes sitting at a firm 6.4%...

OTB Hospitality Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Following On The Border Closures

Pappas Restaurants, Inc. expanded its portfolio in May 2025 with the acquisition of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, adding another well‑known Texas brand to its family of restaurant concepts, according to an Expana report.

The deal brought On The Border under the same umbrella as Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina and Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, among other concepts. Following the acquisition, Pappas began refreshing On The Border’s menu and operations, with an emphasis on improving food quality, strengthening execution and enhancing the overall guest experience...

ANALYSIS: New Zealand's May 2026 Beef Exports Surge to All-Time High on Peak Season Run

New Zealand's beef exports accelerated to an all-time monthly high in May 2026, driven by peak seasonal processing and sustained international demand.

Total outbound shipments reached 59,669 metric tons (MT), marking a strong 28.6% month-on-month (MOM) volume expansion and a 25.7% year-on-year (YOY) gain, according to recent Stats NZ data.

Despite regional cattle kills trailing behind last year, total volumes still grew during this peak processing run.

This performance successfully pushed the year-to-date...

Denny’s Launches Summer Menu, Adds New Value Items Under $10

Denny’s is rolling out a new summer menu designed to blur traditional daypart boundaries, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner items all available any time of day across its US restaurants beginning June 24.

Dubbed The Clock’s Off Menu, the lineup is built around an all-day dining strategy that leans into changing consumer habits and the idea that demand is no longer tied to conventional meal times.

The expanded menu includes core Denny’s staples such as Moons Over My Hammy, Country Fried Steak & Eggs, Sirloin Steak, and...

New World Screwworm in the US - What We Know So Far

The New World screwworm (NWS), a flesh-eating parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue, has re-emerged as a major animal-health threat in the Americas after spreading northward through Central America and Mexico.

Federal and state authorities have expanded surveillance, quarantines, and sterile-fly releases in an effort to prevent the pest from becoming re-established in the country.

Expana is closely tracking the situation—see below for related coverage and an updated factsheet with the latest developments...

Swine Health Advisory Committee Sets Five Focus Areas

The Swine Health advisory committee is focused on turning strategy into action. To help advance the National Swine Health Strategy, the committee identified five focus areas that will drive action and measurable progress for U.S. pork producers.

A Producer-Led Push for Swine Health
Pork producers need a swine health strategy that actually works on the farm. The Swine Health advisory committee was created to make sure that happens.

For the inaugural meeting in May, the advisory committee’s twenty-seven producers, veterinarians, USDA staff and packers/processors...

Fry Pie Factory Recalls Pepperoni Rolls Over Undeclared Milk, Temperature Control Issues

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted a recall notice from Fry Pie Factory involving its 5-ounce Pepperoni Rolls due to undeclared milk and a refrigeration process deviation that could pose a food safety risk.

According to the company, the voluntary recall was initiated after it discovered the products were mislabeled and failed to declare milk, a major food allergen. In addition, the Pepperoni Rolls were not stored, distributed, or sold at appropriate temperatures, which may have allowed the...

Secretary of Agriculture Names John Bellinger as Senior Advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness

John Bellinger, co-founder and CEO of Food Safety Net Services (FSNS) and former CEO of Certified Group, has been appointed Senior Advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness as USDA advances efforts to protect U.S. livestock, producers, and the protein supply chain.

The appointment was announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins as USDA advances preparedness efforts related to New World screwworm, a pest that can cause serious harm to cattle and other warm-blooded animals...

Higher Costs Weigh on Margins as Kroger Reports First-Quarter Growth

Kroger reported its financial results for the first quarter ended May 23, 2026, with total company sales increasing to $46.1 billion from $45.1 billion in the prior-year period.

Excluding fuel and Vitacost, sales increased 0.5% year-over-year (YOY), while identical sales excluding fuel rose 1.0%.

The company reported operating profit of $1.41 billion and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.46. Adjusted FIFO operating profit totaled $1.54 billion, while adjusted EPS was $1.58.

Kroger said...

Coalition for Metabolic Health Joins USDA's Dietary Guidelines National Strategic Partnership

The Coalition for Metabolic Health announced it has joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines National Strategic Partnership, an effort to strengthen national collaboration around nutrition and public health by helping Americans understand how the Dietary Guidelines for Americans can support healthy eating.

"The Dietary Guidelines influence federal food programs and shape dietary norms nationwide, affecting meals in American homes, schools, hospitals, and more," said Dr. Maya Maroto, executive director of the Coalition for Metabolic Health. "We were encouraged by the new guidelines' emphasis on whole foods...

Hardee’s Launches ‘Running on Full’ Free Breakfast Offer

Hardee's knows when gas prices are this high, filling up the tank is a dreaded chore. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gas prices are up over a dollar from a year ago, leaving consumers to make tough choices about where to cut costs. That's why the American quick-service restaurant brand is launching "Running on Full," a campaign built on a simple truth: when your gas tank reads "E," your stomach doesn't have to.

With the "Running on Full" campaign, Hardee's...

Archer Meat Snacks Launches First-Ever Chicken Protein Snack

Archer Meat Snacks (archerjerky.com), one of America’s fastest-growing clean-ingredient meat snack brands, announced its largest product expansion to date: a new 8-count Mini Stick multipack lineup that introduces the company’s first-ever chicken product, Oven-Roasted Chicken Mini Sticks, alongside a new Sweet BBQ Beef Mini Sticks flavor. The new products ship to Target beginning June 2026 while Walmart has added about 7,500 new Archer shelf placements, giving health-conscious families easier ways to stock up on real-ingredient protein snacks in delicious flavors.

Got Beef Introduces ‘Granny,’ an AI-Generated Brand Spokesperson

Grass-fed jerky brand unveils a fully AI-produced granny character to anchor its social content as part of a lean, technology-driven operating model.

Got Beef, a direct-to-consumer grass-fed beef jerky brand, announced the launch of “Granny,” an AI-generated brand spokesperson who has already started appearing across the company’s social media platforms and a new billboard campaign. The character marks the centerpiece of the brand’s content strategy and reflects a broader operating approach built around artificial intelligence tools.

Granny is a recurring...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

This week’s Top 10 highlights the key risks, policy developments and market shifts shaping the agri-food landscape, from biosecurity threats and farm labor reform to fertilizer costs, cocoa competition and resilient consumer demand. From the spread of New World screwworm in the US and proposed changes to the H-2A program, to private label growth, Father’s Day meat promotions and climate risks facing West Coast fisheries, these are the stories driving markets this week. This list is in no particular order. 

Find archived recaps here.

10. Private labels continue...

ANALYSIS: Year-End Production Outlook Highlights Poultry Expansion

As the protein complex moves into the back half of 2026, the latest USDA Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook presents an expanding production picture across poultry and pork, while beef output remains constrained. For participants in the broiler complex specifically, the year-end trajectory remains positive, with revised projections now pointing toward a record output year.

The year-end broiler production is forecast at 49.4 billion pounds, a 2.86% increase over 2025 levels and, if realized, a record high for the industry. The latest projection reflects continued upward...

ANALYSIS: Korea's May 2026 Beef Imports Dip 4.0% MOM; Australia Quota Clock Runs Down

Korea's beef imports contracted 4.0% month-on-month (MOM) to 37,631 metric tons (MT) in May, according to the latest Korean Trade Statistics, driven primarily by a shorter working month with a cluster of public holidays reducing commercial processing days.

On a year-on-year (YOY) basis, inbound volumes fell 4.9%, weighed down by tighter supply availability from the United States (US)...

ANALYSIS: Turkey Industry Navigates Uncertainty as Early Production Gains Diminish

Year-to-date (YTD) turkey egg sets and poult placements outpace those of 2025 by 0.6% and 0.7%, respectively, but continue to fall below those of the 5-year average...

Brands Compete on Value, Experience and Summer Promotions in Foodservice

Rising prices, shifting consumer expectations and seasonal marketing pushes are shaping the latest moves across foodservice. From affordability and customer satisfaction trends to global expansion, soccer-themed promotions and summer menu innovation, restaurant brands are refining how they attract traffic, build loyalty and compete for consumer spending.

With fast-food costs climbing and value under greater scrutiny, new studies highlight how affordability and customer satisfaction are shaping consumer choices.

A new WalletHub study finds fast food is becoming less affordable, with sharp state-by-state differences...

Americold Opens New Cold Chain Hub at Port Saint John, Expanding Global Trade Connections

Americold Realty Trust has opened a new import-export hub at Port Saint John, strengthening links between North American producers and international markets while advancing temperature-controlled logistics in Canada.

Unveiled during Port Days 2026, the facility was developed with DP World and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). The project combines cold storage, maritime logistics and rail transportation in a single location, creating what the companies describe as the first integrated operation of its kind globally...

Neogen® Committed to Helping Ranchers, Livestock Producers, and Horse Owners Fight Against NWS

Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ: NEOG), an innovative leader in food and animal safety solutions, today announced the expanded availability of FIFRA* Section 2(ee) recommendations for the use of Prozap® Insectrin X Concentrate and Prozap® Screw Worm and Ear Tick Aerosol as part of New World Screwworm (NWS) response efforts. These recommendations provide ranchers, livestock producers, and horse owners with an additional option to support fly management efforts.

In Texas, the Texas Department of Agriculture has approved Section 2(ee) recommendations for these products. Neogen...

FDA: Authorization of Emergency Use for Two Animal Drugs for the Treatment of New World Screwworm

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is announcing the issuance of two Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) (Authorization) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) for new animal products. FDA has issued one EUA for an animal product as requested by Health and Hygiene (Pty) Ltd. for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by New World screwworm ( Cochliomyia hominivorax) (NWS) larvae (myiasis) in cattle, horses, minor species of hoof stock, raptors and other wild birds, pet birds...

Pokeworks Expands Limited-Time Menu Strategy with New High-Protein Surf & Turf Bowl

Pokeworks is tapping into growing consumer demand for protein-forward menu options with the launch of its new High-Protein Surf & Turf Bowl, available for a limited time across participating locations nationwide.

The fast-casual poke brand's latest limited-time offering combines premium ahi tuna and chicken breast in a single entrée designed to appeal to guests seeking higher-protein meal options without sacrificing flavor or customization. The bowl delivers 44 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber, pairing...

Jersey Mike's Unseats Chick-fil-A as America's Top-Rated QSR, ACSI Finds

Jersey Mike's has claimed the top spot in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Restaurant and Food Delivery Study 2026, ending Chick-fil-A's 11-year run as the highest-rated quick-service restaurant brand.

The chain earned an industry-leading customer satisfaction score of 84 as overall restaurant satisfaction remained steady. Quick-service restaurants held an ACSI score of 79 for the third consecutive year, while full-service restaurants maintained a score of 82, continuing to rank among the...

New Guidance to Ease Farm Labor Shortage Applauded

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Trump administration’s clarification of a key aspect of farm labor access for the dairy sector.

“Farmers thank the Trump administration for addressing the farm labor crisis by expanding H-2A access for certain dairy jobs. The reality is clear - fewer Americans choose to work on farms while the need for qualified workers increases, creating a difficult labor market for U.S. farm families.

“This is an important step for our hardworking dairy farmers...

Expana's Publication Schedule for Juneteenth, June 19, 2026

Expana will be observing the Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 19, across its Americas offices. This holiday schedule will impact the publication dates of several Expana Benchmark Prices and some news.

The European and APAC offices’ publication schedules will be unaffected by this holiday. Regular publishing schedules will resume on Monday, June 22, 2026.

The Juneteenth holiday period will affect the following markets...

Iowa Lifts Remaining Restrictions; United States Is Again Free of Pseudorabies in Commercial Swine

Following the April 30, 2026, confirmation of pseudorabies in a small, commercial swine herd in Iowa, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in coordination with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), has released all movement restrictions within the 2-mile surveillance zone surrounding the affected premises. All swine premises within the 2-mile zone completed required surveillance testing with no further detections. Following depopulation, disposal, cleaning and disinfection, and a 30-day fallow period, the affected premises is no longer under...

USDA Announces Modernization of the Foreign Agricultural Service to Strengthen Market Access 

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a reorganization of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to streamline operations, consolidate support functions, and bring employees and programs closer to America’s agricultural heartland.

The effort is part of a broader Department‑wide initiative that directs agencies to align workforce and facilities with available resources and to use these savings to focus on the core USDA mission to advance American agriculture and revive rural communities...

ANALYSIS: EU Shell Egg Market Under Pressure as Supply Growth Outpaces Demand

The EU shell egg market has declined to a 52-week low, reflecting a sustained imbalance between improving supply fundamentals and increasingly subdued demand. While retail consumption continues to provide a degree of baseline support, overall market sentiment remains bearish as industrial buyers remain largely absent from the market.

A key factor driving the downturn is the cautious purchasing strategy adopted by breakers and processors. Many industrial buyers are delaying forward coverage in anticipation of further price declines, reducing immediate demand for both shell...

QDOBA Brings Back Bold Summer Flavors with New Steak Offering, Dessert and Loyalty Rewards Program

QDOBA is heating up summer with the introduction of its new Spicy Tequila Lime Steak, a limited-time protein featuring the brand's signature steak, Cholula® Original Hot Sauce and a zesty tequila lime flavor.

"Summer is an opportunity to bring guests fresh, unexpected flavors and even more reasons to choose QDOBA," said Jon Burke, Chief Marketing Officer at QDOBA. "With Spicy Tequila Lime Steak, Churro Chips and our new Summer Rewards on Q initiative, we're pairing bold seasonal...

Panera Bread Unveils Summer Menu as RISE Transformation Continues

Panera Bread is leaning into better-for-you, high protein and seasonal favorites as it continues to execute its RISE transformation strategy. The company has introduced a refreshed summer menu featuring more than a dozen improved ingredients, new premium salads, new protein options, an elevated beverage platform and new coffee offerings.

"Our Panera summer menu updates reflect the work we're doing across the menu to bring guests more of what they love -- delicious flavor, high-quality ingredients and elevated options from breakfast to dinner. We've upgraded...

Hillshire Reserve™ Brand Redefines Lunchmeat for More Versatile, Elevated Everyday Eating

Hillshire Reserve™ brand is redefining lunchmeat, introducing a new line designed to elevate how it’s enjoyed across the day. With bold flavors, premium ingredients and meats naturally smoked over real hardwood, Hillshire Reserve lunchmeat brings a more refined approach to a familiar category.

From quick lunches to shareable boards, the line expands how lunchmeat fits into everyday routines and more intentional moments at home. Offering a range of varieties for different tastes and occasions, the Hillshire Reserve lunchmeat lineup has options that feel both...

The Retail Rundown: Father’s Day Grilling Highlights Resilient Spending and Selective Buying

For Father’s Day weekend 2026, retailers are leaning heavily into the holiday’s long-standing grilling tradition. This year’s promotions are taking place against a backdrop of persistent inflation and a consumer who remains willing to spend on special occasions despite pressure on household budgets.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Father’s Day spending is projected to reach a record $27.9 billion. Consumers plan to spend an average of $226.58 per person, even as many households contend with higher costs for utilities and other everyday expenses...

USDA Invests in Projects to Strengthen New World Screwworm Preparedness and Response

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing funding for 40 breakthrough projects to bolster the nation’s defenses against New World screwworm (NWS). These innovative proposals, which will receive a combined total of about $105 million, promise to sharpen detection, accelerate control and eradication tools, and strengthen rapid-response capabilities.  

USDA launched the NWS Grand Challenge on January 21, 2026, marking the next milestone for Secretary Rollins’ five-pronged plan to support producers’ success, protect the nation’s food supply, and build long-term resilience against NWS. The...

PODCAST: Ep. 40 - Middle East Conflict, Football World Cup, El Nino

In episode 40 of Agri-Food for Thought, we return with a new format, featuring guests.

We kick off with a news round-up (Middle East conflict situation, Super El Nino).

Then follows a FIFA Football 2026 World Cup update (featuring guests Jaime Almeida, Market Reporter - Beef at Expana, talking about Mexican trends; Ryan Gallagher, Editor at Expana, discussing US beer trends; and an account of a recent interview Simon Duke had with the National Restaurant Association).

The episode concludes with a brief segment by Lisa Guiraud

Kroger-Owned Grocer Faces Pressure Over Cage-Free Egg Commitments

The Humane League, a global nonprofit focused on ending the abuse of animals raised for food, today announced an escalation in its national campaign against Kroger to include its regional brand Harris Teeter. The organization is calling on the premium grocer to publish a clear plan for how it will transition 100% of its egg supply to cage-free sourcing—exposing a stark contrast between its upscale consumer marketing and its supply chain realities.

Headquartered near Charlotte, Harris Teeter sources an estimated 429 million...

Taco Bell Expands Menu Platforms with Limited-Time Fajita-Inspired Offerings

Taco Bell is extending fajita-inspired flavors across two of its core menu platforms with the launch of limited-time Fajita Street Chalupas and Chicken Fajita Nacho Fries nationwide beginning June 18.

The introduction marks the first time the chain has incorporated fajita-style peppers and onions into its Street Chalupa and Nacho Fries platforms, reflecting Taco Bell's continued strategy of leveraging established menu formats with new flavor innovations.

According to the company, the launch builds on years of product testing and development...

Private Brands Gain Momentum as Quality, Health Drive Shopper Loyalty, FMI Reports

Private brands/labels continue to build market share and consumer loyalty, with new research from FMI showing shoppers are increasingly choosing store brands for quality, taste and health benefits and not just value.

According to FMI’s Power of Private Brands 2026: Consumer Trends – From Stores to Homes report, 92% of US grocery shoppers currently have store brand products in their homes, up from 89% last year. Private brand dollar sales also increased 2.8% year-over-year (YOY), outpacing national brand...

Canada Advances African Swine Fever Preparedness With New Zoning Arrangement With Japan

The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is pleased to announce the Government of Canada has successfully established an African swine fever (ASF) zoning arrangement with Japan. This agreement is a significant step in Canada's ongoing preparedness efforts, helping maintain access to this important market while supporting measures to contain and limit the spread of disease and protect animal health.

Under the new arrangement, pork exports to Japan will continue from ASF-freezones, even if the disease is present elsewhere in Canada. This provision is...

ANALYSIS: Three-Origin 95% CL: AU/NZ, CA & Brazil—Price, Spread & US Frozen Beef Import Volume

Imported beef plays an important role in the US supply chain. Because domestic production is dominated by grain-fed cattle, the US lacks sufficient lean beef to produce ground beef and processed meat products at consumer-friendly price points. Australia, New Zealand, and Central and South American origins help fill that gap. These countries also tend to operate on different cattle cycles, meaning that when...

State of Logistics Report Finds Volatility is the New Normal Shaping Global Supply Chains

A central theme of the 2026 State of Logistics Report is a new supply chain paradigm of persistent disruption that has emerged for shippers and logistics providers, and only the most successful are adapting to this challenging business environment.

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) released its findings today during a press briefing at the Empire State Building.

The publication is authored annually by global consulting firm Kearney and presented by Penske Logistics...

Yum! Brands to Sell Pizza Hut in $2.7B Two-Part Deal

Yum! Brands is selling Pizza Hut in a pair of transactions worth $2.7 billion, splitting the business between LongRange Capital and Yum China as it sharpens its portfolio focus.

Under the agreements, LongRange will acquire Pizza Hut outside Mainland China for about $1.5 billion, with Yum! eligible for a further $75 million earn-out by 2030. Yum China will acquire Pizza Hut’s Mainland China business for about $1.2 billion.

The move follows a strategic review launched in November 2025

SAWA Bill Would Reshape US Farmer's Labor Costs

As of June 15, a newly proposed bill called "Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act" (SAWA) would update the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program via changes related to worker eligibility, wage calculations, and administrative procedures, reported Fresh Plaza about a topic that would impact US vegetable growers, and other ag market participants as pressure builds to modernize the temporary visa program for farm labor.

Pork Producers, Ohio Farm Bureau File Brief in Feral Swine Law Case

The National Pork Producers Council joined the Ohio Pork Council and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation in filing a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Ohio’s effort to reinstate a law that prohibits the importation and hunting of feral swine and wild boar and eliminates the practice of feeding swine garbage in the state.

The groups are asking the Ohio Supreme Court to take up a case involving a hunting business and reverse a state appellate court ruling against the Ohio law. The statute was approved...

FMI Welcomes Trump Administration’s Stakeholder Engagement on Food Traceability Rule

Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) public meeting today on the Food Traceability Rule, FMI – The Food Industry Association reiterated the industry’s support for the Trump administration’s efforts to provide additional time and flexibility for compliance. FMI Chief Public Policy Officer Jennifer Hatcher offered the following statement.

“The food industry shares FDA’s commitment to enhancing public health and improving the ability to trace products during food safety events and doing so in the most efficient way possible. FMI and our member companies have consistently advocated for an approach...

Secretary Rollins Announces Historic $125 Million Annual Investment in Agricultural Research 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon hosted several land-grant university leaders at USDA for a roundtable discussion and announced the opening of the FY2026 funding opportunity for the Research Facilities Act program. President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts provided $125 million annually for the Research Facilities Act program and this historic investment will help address decades of deferred maintenance and accelerate modernization of agricultural research facilities across the country...

US Restaurants Expect World Cup Lift Despite Financial Pressures, NRA Tells Expana

Despite elevated gasoline prices stemming from tensions including the war in Iran and further geopolitical tensions, the US restaurant and foodservice industry expects consumer demand to remain resilient through the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup, according to Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist of the National Restaurant Association.

In an interview with Expana, Dr. Moutray explained that this outlook reflects a broader consumer behavior pattern where dining out has maintained its status as a priority spending category even as households navigate financial pressures.