 As the calendar shows just a few days left in 2020, there are many reasons to rejoice. This was a difficult year that tested the world. It showed that the food industry is able to rise to any challenge, but meeting these challenges also meant dealing with tragedy, hardships and quick changes. The COVID-19 outbreak dominated 2020 for every industry in all corners of the world. Its impact was felt abruptly, with cancelled conferences and conventions canceled early in the year. In the U.S., food manufacturers kept product lines running as many in the nation transitioned to remote work. While food manufacturing was declared an essential business, outbreaks in factories caused plants to shut down to clean equipment, reconfigure work stations and allow sick workers to recover and quarantine. But the pandemic wasn't the only reason 2020 was difficult. Police killings of unarmed Black people touched off a widespread reckoning of systemic racism in the United States. Food companies took a hard look at themselves, making commitments to increase diversity and work with Black-owned businesses. They also made larger changes that had been requested for decades, committing to rebrand Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben's brands, remove the Black chef from the packaging of Cream of Wheat, review the packaging of Mrs. Butterworth and rename Eskimo Pie. But 2020 wasn't all challenges. Many companies saw sales skyrocket, and funding to companies in the red-hot alternative protein sector broke records. New technological breakthroughs changed the industry's future, and M&A deals continued. This newsletter highlights the biggest stories that moved the industry in 2020, a year that showed the true value and need for consistent, reliable, objective, and timely information. If you found that value in Food Dive, please consider taking a moment and encouraging your team members and colleagues to also subscribe: https://www.fooddive.com/signup/insiders/?signup_referred_by=5f93078d7aa51972095c9316. We hope you enjoy your holiday and look forward to continue bringing you the news in 2021.  Megan Poinski
Senior Reporter, Food Dive
Twitter | E-mail Deep Dive Many are criticizing the industry’s response for waiting too long to implement safety precautions and close processing plants as thousands have tested positive for coronavirus. |
The latest financial haul, which included investments from celebrities such as Jay-Z and Katy Perry, brings the total amount of money the plant-based firm has collected to $1.3 billion. |
The interim order, which said Bang must honor the terms of the agreement, prevents social media posts without approval and the release of "disparaging statements" on the soda giant. |
Court documents say the defendants tried "to suppress and eliminate competition by rigging bids and fixing prices" of broiler chicken products from at least 2012 to at least early 2019. |
Deep Dive Although the bankruptcy court approved the sale, it needs the U.S. Department of Justice to sign off. Some are hoping that roadblock will stop the deal. |
Less than 24 hours after PepsiCo announced it was discontinuing its Aunt Jemima branding, Mars, B&G Foods and Conagra Brands are taking another look at the Black faces on their products. |
Deep Dive Departing CEO Tony Sarsam spoke to Food Dive about the challenges and future prospects for the dairy processor. Its $340 million sale to Capitol Peak Partners and KKR was approved on Friday. |
UPDATED Trading of the snack company's stock begins Aug. 31 after the deal officially closed Friday. |
Deep Dive The annual trade show is critical in helping launch products, and the loss of face time with retailers and buyers has left many companies searching for creative solutions to recover. |
Singapore has greenlighted the company's chicken bites, which will be sold at a restaurant on the island nation in the near future. | | 
0 Comments