AGP Executive Report

Packaged Foods: PepsiCo beat third-quarter revenue expectations at $25.27 billion but cut its core earnings growth forecast to 2.5%–3% and plans further cost cuts as North American demand remains weak. Beverages: Tilray reported record quarterly revenue of $257 million, up 23% year over year; its beverage business generated $101 million and expanded gross margin to 41%. Foodservice: Uber agreed to buy ezCater for $2.3 billion, expanding into workplace catering through a platform serving 140,000 restaurants. Supply Chains: A ransomware attack disrupted seafood giant Nissui’s logistics system across 17 Japanese sites, affecting about 1,200 business partners. Restaurant Sector: True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 and is closing locations, including three in California and sites in New Jersey. Food Distribution: East Africa Foods raised $26 million in equity, bringing its broader funding round to about $40 million to expand its food supply-chain network.

Restaurant Shake-up: Oprah-backed True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 and plans to close 12 locations as it seeks a court-supervised sale; its remaining restaurants are expected to stay open during the process. Catering Expansion: Uber will acquire ezCater for $2.3 billion, taking Uber Eats into workplace catering and adding a network serving 140,000 U.S. restaurants. Chain Strategy: Chick-fil-A is sticking with human drive-thru ordering as chicken competition heats up, while KFC’s new Texas prototype tests ways to lift restaurant sales. Beverage Innovation: Swig plans to let app users save and reorder custom dirty sodas, reflecting the growing pull of personalized drinks. Food Systems: WWF warns food production must change to stem biodiversity loss and protect economies that depend on nature. Supply Chain: New Zealand’s Gladfield Malt bought a former Malteurop site, preserving a key link between local barley growers and brewers.

Food Safety Enforcement: A Labasa restaurant in Fiji was hit with an abatement notice after a surprise Ministry of Health Food Unit inspection found insanitary conditions tied to complaints about meal quality, including alleged stale dhal. Retail & Consumer Pressure: UK grocer Lidl is adding £75m to its Christmas savings push after £400m in price cuts, while Jersey’s “Natasha’s Law” allergen labeling plan remains stalled with no start date. Brand & Menu Innovation: Wetzel’s Pretzels is partnering with Warner Bros. Animation for a limited-time “The Things’ Blue Lemonade Freeze” tied to The Cat in the Hat. Food Industry Growth: Blank Street UK reported £58.9m turnover in 2025 (+70.7%) and profit growth, driven by signature drinks and store expansion. Food Security & Trade: FAO is urging urgent funding for emergency agricultural support across the Near East and North Africa as hunger worsens; UNDP warned Black Sea drone attacks on wheat ships could deepen global food insecurity. Catering Deal: Uber is set to expand into workplace catering via its $2.3bn acquisition of ezCater.

Food Waste & Climate: A new UN-backed push highlights how rotting food in landfills drives methane and urges cutting organic waste fast. Food Safety Oversight: Fiji’s health ministry issued an abatement notice to a Labasa restaurant after complaints of stale dhal and inspectors found insanitary conditions. Manufacturing & Safety Environment: A US Abbott Nutrition settlement spotlights how production-site issues like contamination risks and facility problems can become part of food safety exposure. Tech in Food Pricing Under Fire: A McDonald’s AI menu-pricing system is named in a federal price-fixing lawsuit alleging franchise coordination. Catering Consolidation: Uber agreed to buy ezCater for $2.3B, aiming to expand workplace and event catering for restaurants. Healthcare Dining: Morrison Healthcare launched an after-hours menu, while Elior North America rebranded its healthcare unit into Elior Healthcare and Elior Living. School Nutrition: Colorado launched Farm to School Meal Month Showcase Awards, and Iowa’s Choose Iowa program funds school purchases of local foods. Bankruptcy Watch: Oprah-backed True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 and closed 12 restaurants, with 34 locations still operating. Local Food Infrastructure: Canada’s Zest Food Hub won a national award for expanding commercial kitchen access for food entrepreneurs.

Food Safety & Inspections: Fareham’s Jinzun jumped from “improvement necessary” to a top five after inspectors flagged dirty sink racking, hard-to-reach grime, and raw-meat handling issues. Water & Operations: In Labuan, a three-day water disruption forced some eateries to close or suspend prep and sanitation. Food Retail for Hard Times: Medway opened the Chatham SEK Community Food Shop with ultra-low prices (including £1 fruit/veg bundles and £2 whole chicken) plus budgeting support. Corporate Food Business: Whitworths reported £173m turnover in 2025 as it pushes nutrition-led products and brand repositioning. M&A/Utilities (Food-adjacent): Emera and Canadian Utilities announced a merger of equals to build a larger energy infrastructure platform. Beverage Innovation: Coca-Cola launched Topo Chico Colección in premium 8-packs, aiming to move sparkling water beyond “just soda alternative.” Regulatory/Politics: Nigeria’s NAFDAC DG said food safety problems persist partly because consumers don’t read pesticide instructions. Local Food Access: Tulsa’s Food On The Move served 1,153 families in September and plans more October distributions.

Antitrust & Pricing Tech: McDonald’s is hit with a proposed nationwide class action in Chicago alleging its AI menu-pricing system illegally coordinates prices with franchisees, sparking fresh scrutiny of algorithm-driven pricing. Food Security & Supply Chain: Utah Food Bank received 1.512 million eggs tied to a multistate settlement after DOJ and states accused egg producers of price-fixing that inflated the Urner Barry benchmark. Public Health & Supplements: Utah issued an urgent warning after four deaths linked to illegal herbal products, including kratom and “cat’s claw,” with regulators identifying dangerous semi-synthetic compounds. Healthcare Foodservice: Sodexo says smart combi ovens help it keep patient meals consistent across hospitals while meeting complex dietary restrictions. Retail & Community Food Access: A plan to float government-owned supermarkets in Australia aims to cut grocery prices by taking profit out of the equation. Restaurant Industry Shakeup: Oprah-backed True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 and permanently closed 12 locations, shrinking to 34 restaurants. Livestock Digitalization: Kuwait unveiled a national digital livestock platform to improve traceability, animal health, subsidies, and food safety. Food Safety Regulation: Korea reports braille/sign-language labeling is up nearly 50% but still covers under 0.5% of processed foods.

Food Supply & Farming: Mongolia says it has harvested most of its wheat and vegetables, with 90% of potatoes and 70% of wheat collected, and plans transparent state wheat purchases via the commodity exchange. Food Security & Nutrition: Liberia’s €375K NOURISH Family Farms project will back 600 smallholders with organic biofertilizers/biopesticides and nutrition support, reaching hundreds of thousands. Waste & Recycling: Malaysia reports food waste is about 40% of daily solid waste and pushes a “whole-of-nation” recycling push. Retail & Delivery: Iceland launches rapid online grocery delivery in London (17 stores) aiming for 200+ stores by Christmas. Food Safety & Regulation: India’s FDA enforcement spotlight continues, while FSSAI actions include licence suspensions and recalls tied to unsafe cumin powder. Industry & Logistics: Dubai Chamber’s Sustainability 365 forum backs diversified sourcing and circular practices to cut food loss. Business Moves: Alfa Laval starts full integration of Desmet to strengthen oils, fats and biofuels processing offerings.

Food Policy & Safety: Saudi Arabia tightens fruit and vegetable import rules, requiring import approval before shipments arrive and adding pesticide, pest, and documentation checks. Food Security & Community Support: California Gov. Newsom signs an extension of the farmer-to-food bank tax credit through 2032, aiming to keep more local food flowing to pantries. Local Food Aid: Cochrane-area food banks gear up for Thanksgiving with reminders that “special holiday foods” can ease stress for families facing food insecurity. Hospitality & Dining Operations: Utah’s ASUU holds a dining town hall with Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services over pricing, food truck placement, and Flex/Flex+ plan changes. Industry & Business: Fort Worth’s O.B. Macaroni (1899) is sold to McLane Group, bringing along the Q&Q Pasta brand. Beverage/Health Tech: Eli Lilly’s Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib) wins FDA first-line approval for untreated CLL/SLL patients. Food & Trade Development: Alberta partnership backs Indigenous participation across Canada’s bison value chain, targeting production, mentorship, and market growth. Food Business & Marketing: Restaurants increasingly use AI-generated dish photos for menus, drawing mixed reactions online.

Food Safety & Regulation: Uttar Pradesh orders eateries to disclose cooking oil types and add a “Food Safety Connect” QR for complaints, alongside stricter hygiene rules. Hospitality & Jobs: Greggs plans to shut four factories, cutting about 740 roles, as it reshuffles food manufacturing to cut costs. Delivery Tech: Deliveroo will trial food-delivery robots in five UK locations, with the company insisting human riders won’t be replaced. Foodservice M&A: Kitwave Wholesale Group acquires Charles Saunders Foodservice, keeping depots and leadership in place. GLP-1 Food Shift: Marley Spoon says GLP-1 weight-loss users are driving demand for its new meal-kit range. Food Security & Community Support: A Vermont hospital group backs a career center “personal care closet” and community fridge to support students during breaks. Scam Watch: Police arrest a 23-year-old for repeatedly ordering food with fake payment slips. Industry Events: Namibia’s Windhoek show continues trade without livestock after foot-and-mouth, while UAE’s Silal highlights integrated agri-food capabilities at Global Food Week.

Food Insecurity Drive: Regina Food Bank and Mosaic are launching the 2026 Mosaic Million Meal Challenge, aiming to raise $400,000 for the equivalent of one million meals, with demand up sharply over recent years. Vendor Backlash: A former Kissimmee World Food Trucks vendor says she was forced out after a decade, sparking viral calls for a boycott as the park disputes her claims. Food Safety Enforcement: Tewksbury’s Board of Health kept Jimbo’s Roast Beef and Seafood closed, citing repeated food-code violations and concerns about the restaurant’s ability to meet standards. Community Meals & Catering: Plymouth business leaders are expanding “Blessing Baskets” with Thanksgiving dinners for families facing food insecurity, while Illinois officials shut down an unlicensed caterer after a football team dinner sickened dozens. Local Food Events: Clarksburg’s Taste of Harrison drew crowds with local restaurant food and fundraising for the history museum. Food Service Business Moves: Toll Brothers plans to redevelop Milpitas’ Tasman Drive business park into Murphy Village, including outdoor dining and potential retail/cafe space. Delivery Competition: Xoomi Go launched in Dubai with a 5% merchant commission cap and no surge pricing pitch.

Food Prices & Supply Chain: The UN says global food prices rose again in September as supplies tightened and shipping uncertainty hit staples like sugar, cereals and vegetable oils, raising grocery bills and food-insecurity risk. Retail & Consumer Trends: U.S. shoppers are shifting from national brands to store labels as prices stay high, pressuring major food companies while private-label market share keeps climbing. New Products: Mountain Dew is launching Pitch Black, a citrus-grape flavoured drink, starting with Booker before a wider rollout. Food Safety: The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority found violations at nearly two-thirds of summer hospitality sites, with issues including flies and incorrect allergen info. Hospitality & Operations: Chef Gary Caldwell is moving to One Flew South at Atlanta airport, signaling continued reshuffles in travel dining. Community Food Support: Illinois Valley Food Pantry marked anniversaries with an open house after expanding storage with walk-in cooler/freezer capacity. Policy & Investment: India’s Piyush Goyal pitched U.S. firms on food processing and value-chain modernization during a Chicago visit. Agri-Finance: Kafalat launched a $47.6m direct loan program for agri-food and rural agri-tourism enterprises.

Restaurant Operations & Growth: A Restaurantology panel argued same-store sales are “choppy” in a value-heavy market, and urged operators to win repeat visits through consistency, value, and a great experience—not gimmicks. Delivery Tech: Scooter’s Coffee fixed a DoorDash rollout problem by switching delivery integration to Olo, after about 25% of orders weren’t reaching POS at early launch locations. QSR Consumer Sentiment: A Technomic-style sentiment look says McDonald’s public vibe is sour on food quality, service, order accuracy, and especially value, even as the company pushes modernization. Food Safety & Compliance: An Illinois health department shut down an unlicensed home-based catering business after a football team dinner sickened dozens. Local Food & Community Support: Vermont hospital leaders backed a North Country Career Center “personal care closet” and community fridge, while a Montana fall festival leaned on local food trucks and vendors. Policy & Supply Chain: South Africa’s business share of R&D funding fell to 29%, and Hungary’s PM signaled possible end to food retail margin caps, saying they’re hurting farmers and small shops. Business Moves in Food: Sargento completed its La Terra Fina acquisition, creating a new Deli Business Unit.

Food Access & Benefits: Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket’s DA BOX now accepts SNAP online, letting families order ahead and reducing missed pickups for EBT users. Global Food Prices: The UN FAO says world food prices are near a four-year high as heat, El Niño fears, and logistics disruptions push up sugar, cereals, meat, oil and dairy. Food Waste Services: East Lindsey residents are being told to follow new weekly food-waste collection calendars starting Oct. 19, since some pickup days will change. Hospitality & Retail Innovation: Dubai Municipality’s DM Food Elite program returns for a third edition, adding a new food manufacturing category to reward higher standards in safety, nutrition, sustainability and digital upgrades. Beverage Launches: A fresh wave of premium, flavor-led drink releases shows producers leaning on craft credentials, limited editions and targeted hospitality rollouts. Business Operations: Roadchef and bp struck a deal to expand bp pulse ultra-fast EV charging across 30+ motorway service areas while keeping bp fuels and wildbean cafe offerings. Local Food Economy: Mexico City’s Palestinian vendors in Gaza-linked exile are selling hummus and falafel as work routines replace wartime fear—using food to rebuild daily life.

Food Security & Policy: Malaysia is urging Budget 2027 to treat marine food security and marine pollution prevention as national resilience priorities, including better port reception facilities to stop ship waste harming fisheries. Regional Trade & Supply Chains: Malaysia and Singapore pushed for deeper Asean business connectivity, using supply-chain and digital-economy cooperation to lift intra-Asean trade. Food Waste & Access: Connecticut highlighted food waste prevention and recovery funding, while local groups across the US kicked off major harvest and community drives to restock pantries. Retail & Delivery Economics: Australia’s card surcharge ban is already sparking fears of price hikes for small businesses, and a Cork pizza shop says it’s ditching Uber Eats to protect margins. Fast Food & Protein Trends: McDonald’s is exploring a protein-forward, smaller-portion “Next” overhaul, and Arla is investing €63m to expand skyr and cottage cheese capacity. Sustainability in Action: Singapore’s beverage container return scheme fully rolled out on Oct 1 with smoother-than-expected refunds. Local Food-Service Business Moves: Swift Current is set for four new fast-food openings in its northeast, and Wales’ Slice is rebranding into Slice Eatery with breakfast, baked goods and coffee.

Restaurant Performance & Consumer Trends: A Technomic podcast argues independent restaurants are finding growth even as some locations close, while chains may be losing favor with shoppers. Food Waste & Surplus Ingredients: Clean Memphis’ Reharvest Memphis event will stage a chef competition using imperfect produce and surplus ingredients, turning waste into menu-ready food. Food Insecurity Response (Arkansas): The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is launching a statewide effort to reduce hunger, appointing an executive fellow to coordinate partners and expand access. Hunger Relief (Pennsylvania): Sioux Honey and Weis Markets donated 4,860 pounds of clover honey to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank as National Honey Month ends. Food Rescue Meets Carbon Markets: Brightly issued its first Verra carbon credits tied to nonprofit food rescue, creating new earned revenue for organizations diverting edible food from waste. Campus Food Access: UW students face rising food insecurity, with the university expanding rapid funding and pantry support. Hospitality Tech: TrayAway’s tray-retrieval system aims to cut neglected room-service trays and improve hotel cleanliness. Business & Food Sector: General Mills names Dana McNabb as incoming CEO, signaling a push toward demand generation and supply-chain modernization. Local Grants (Durham County): Durham County opened applications for a Food Security Grant offering up to $250,000 for nonprofit projects. Food Safety & AI Trust: A Cornell study finds AI could improve food safety, but data-sharing and trust barriers remain. Retail/Real Estate: Primaris agreed to buy Upper Canada Mall for $411M, a move that could reshape tenant and lease-up plans in the GTA.

Food Safety & Regulation: India’s FSSAI suspended Seven Seas Hospitality’s licence after inspections found foul odour, fungal growth, filth, poor segregation, and pest issues, with authorities destroying contaminated items. Labeling Fight: India’s Delhi High Court quashed FSSAI’s order telling Red Bull to stop calling its product an “energy drink,” sending it back for a fresh hearing. Food Prices & Inflation: Uganda’s September inflation jumped to 0.9%, driven mainly by food—matooke, beans, mangoes and milk—plus higher fuel and transport costs. Food Security & Climate: UN officials warned there’s a “narrowing window” to restore forests vital to food security, as deforestation and degradation outpace restoration. Quick-Commerce Scrutiny: A viral claim of rotten eggs delivered via Swiggy Instamart reignited debate over perishable quality in fast grocery delivery. Industry & Investment: Greencore Prepared Meals seeks to double frozen storage at its Wisbech site, aiming for more business and 60–80 new jobs. Community Food Support: Blue Island’s Hope Center is nearing its goal of donating 2,000 pounds of food as Hunger Action Month winds down. Business & Hospitality: Chicago’s Banchet Awards finalists were announced, spotlighting local restaurants from casual counters to fine dining.