New chains will challenge fast food restaurant model
Organic food manufacturer Amy’s is planning its next business venture: a “drive thru” restaurant chain that will offer “clean” fast food. That means organic, vegetarian, pesticide-free and GMO-free food. All …
Walmart adopts five “freedom principles” for farm animals
Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest food retailer, is making some big asks of its suppliers. The mega-retailer is urging “thousands of U.S. suppliers to curb the use of antibiotics in farm …
Op-Ed: “Corporate irresponsibility over GMOs”
What is “being lost” as GMOs become a “trendy identifier?” In a scathing op-ed penned for The Washington Post, Michael Gerson (@MJGerson), suggests that the move to nix GMOs by …
Monsanto-Syngenta deal hinges on sale of seed companies
United States seed giant Monsanto is scrambling to line up buyers for Syngenta’s seed business before another takeover attempt of the Swiss company. The assets are valued at about $8B, …
McDonald’s hopes to improve performance by simplifying
In a 23-minute video message, McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook announced sweeping changes to the company’s operations. The changes are an attempt to effectively respond to increased competition, declining market share …
U.S. backs private equity for rural investment
Job creation and rural investment are key concerns of the Obama administration. Now, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will announce that the USDA “will support two private investment funds that will …
Tyson to stop giving chickens antibiotics used by humans
A harbinger of things to come? Tyson Foods – the nation’s largest poultry producer – announced it will stop “feeding its chickens any antibiotics that are used in human medicine.” …
Avian flu continues to spread; USDA’s Vilsack tackles China poultry ban
A highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza continues to spread, with five more Iowa facilities reporting outbreaks on Monday. The number of infected birds has now risen to about 10 …
Three-quarters of Starbucks employees – and an equal share of American adults— don’t have a bachelor’s degree. The big problem for people isn’t starting college…it’s finishing. And some research indicates …
U.S. disappointed by EU proposal to allow biotech bans
Leaders from the United States are expressing concern about a European Union (EU) proposal that would allow its 28 member states to “opt out” of imports of GMO food and …