About the author: Rebecca Pollack Scherr
Rebecca Pollack Scherr is an editor on the briefs for foodservice and culinary arts at SmartBrief. She also manages the @SB_Food Twitter account, tweeting the industry news of the day as well as mouthwatering recipes. Before SmartBrief, Rebecca was a copy editor at The Washington Times and a writer/editor at the Society of American Florists.
Kids LiveWell triples number of participating restaurants
SmartBrief readers say healthy menus and nutrition are top interests for restaurant owners and chefs, and many of their businesses already are participating in a program that helps children and parents find healthy kids’ menu choices. This week, I caught up with the president of Healthy Dining, Anita Jones-Mueller, to talk about the Kids LiveWell [...]
It’s a good time for restaurant job seekers
The Culinary Institute of America is hosting one of its biggest career fairs in the school’s history today. More than 250 recruiters and human resources professionals from the foodservice and hospitality industries are seeking their next top chefs on the Hyde Park, N.Y., campus, which holds four career fairs each year. Companies say they are [...]
5 sustainability success stories in the food industry
The Grocery Manufacturers Association released the report “Environmental Success Stories in the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry,” which highlights the green achievements by member companies in air, water and waste management. Here are a few of the inspiring case studies. Saving energy with a multipronged approach Campbell Soup saved $500,000 in utility costs with an efficiency [...]
Colman Andrews on the making of America’s 50 Most Powerful People in Food
The Daily Meal’s second annual ranking of America’s 50 Most Powerful People in Food was released this month. Colman Andrews, The Daily Meal editorial director, Saveur co-founder and James Beard Award winner, discussed his thoughts on the list and what the ranking means for the food industry. What leadership characteristics and trends did you spot [...]
How chains and independents are celebrating Chinese New Year
The Year of the Dragon begins today, and chains and independents nationwide are offering promotions and limited-time menus throughout the 15-day Chinese New Year celebration. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is presenting its restaurant guests and Facebook application users with red envelopes including secret offers into February. Red envelopes are traditional at Chinese New Year, and [...]
Winter Fancy Food trends: Healthy cocktail mixers and pickled veggies
One of our favorite annual food shows is under way in San Francisco. If you’re missing the 37th Winter Fancy Food Show, here are the trends that have been identified by the show’s owner, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. Innovative salad ingredients and seasonings. Healthy and all-natural cocktail mixers. Pickled fruits and [...]
What food legislation is on tap for 2012?
Legislatures across the U.S. passed almost 40,000 laws on a variety of issues in 2011, per data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Many of these laws went into effect Jan. 1, and here are a few that are food-related. In Oregon and California, two new laws make it a crime to possess, sell, [...]
U.S. food trends are expected to embrace Swedish culture
Scandinavian sweets are expected to take off as a trend in 2012. I reached out to Gevalia Brand Manager Samantha Greenwood to discuss the trend, as Swedes have been perfecting Gevalia coffee for more than 150 years. What’s behind this trend? Traditionally, Scandinavian culture, including food and drink, is very minimalist. In their food culture, [...]
Seamless CEO on mobile and online ordering in 2012
I reached out to Jonathan Zabusky, CEO of Seamless, a service for food delivery and takeout ordering, to find out his thoughts on what we can expect from mobile and online ordering in 2012. Seamless connects users to restaurants, and offers user-generated ratings and reviews and exclusive discounts from restaurants across the U.S. What does [...]
ConAgra executive: Best practices for corporate holiday giving
With the 2011 holiday season under way, I reached out to ConAgra Foods Corporate Affairs Vice President and ConAgra Foods Foundation President Christopher Kircher to find out some trends and best practices of corporate giving. How can companies complement their year-round corporate giving programs with a holiday event or program? Look for opportunities to engage [...]
