Ad watchdog intervenes in dispute between Campbell's and Progresso over local NJ ingredients

Campbell Soup Co. took issue with a series of ads from soup competitor Progresso, saying the ads suggest that all of Progresso's ingredients are grown locally near its headquarters in Vineland, New Jersey. Because, you know, local sells. The National Advertising Division, which investigates and helps mediate such disputes in an effort to avoid getting regulatory parties involved, agreed with Campbell's and determined that Progresso parent company General Mills should pull the ads or change them. Read more at Consumerist...

How a 100-year old grocery store is winning the modern retail game

Wegmans, which recently topped a survey of grocery stores with the highest customer satisfaction ratings, has found success through keeping a close eye on changing consumer preferences through data from its loyalty card program and embracing an omnichannel approach. It's also created a memorable shopping experience by making its stores emulate old city centers, with fresh items on display. Read more at The Future of Customer Engagement and Commerce...

Former White House chef Sam Kass joins food tech startup

The country's first senior White House food policy advisor has joined Innit as its chief consumer experience officer. The technology company uses a cloud-based platform to connect food to appliances and devices to enhance how people select, prepare and cook it. Read more at Eater...

How Colorado is turning food waste into electricity

The Heartland Biogas Project uses technology called anaerobic digestion to convert expired fresh food partially into methane gas that is captured, routed to an interstate pipeline and used to generate electricity. Read more at NPR...

Some people may be genetically programmed to be vegetarians, this study says

Researchers from Cornell University spotted a difference in genetic code in populations that eat a vegetarian diet which allows people to more efficiently convert omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids into compounds necessary for early brain development. Read more at The Daily Meal...