Countries are hoarding food as prices rise and COVID-19 worsens

Countries across the globe have begun to step up their purchases of commodities like sugar to ensure supply should COVID-19 wreak havoc on the global food system. This mirrors the recent consumer shift from what experts on Bloomberg refer to as "just-in-time inventory management" to "just-in-case inventory management," as shoppers anticipate the empty shelves that were commonplace early on in the pandemic.

Can the climate-friendly grain kernza finally hit the big time?

Perennial grain kernza is finally poised to get the love it deserves after a coalition of 50 farmers, scientists, educators, policy experts and food industry leaders recently received $10 million to scale up production and introduce the eco-friendly grain to the masses. The 5-year initiative will focus on production and supply chains, marketing and commercialization and education. For example, eco-conscious consumers will be excited to learn about how the crop enriches soil, and this will hopefully make up for any price discrepancies between conventional grains and kernza products. Learn more at Civil Eats ...

Whole Foods employees say they're frustrated by a strict new dress code that feels like the company is 'cracking down on overall enjoyment'

While Whole Foods has been in the news over the past few months for banning employees from wearing Black Lives Matter apparel, workers are now upset to hear that come Nov. 2 they will not be able to wear "loud" patterns on clothing or buttons and pins on employee aprons. Current employees told Business Insider that the new rule goes directly against what was, pre-Amazon, a workplace culture that encouraged free expression. 

McDonald's milestone: Hong Kong franchise launches first vegetarian menu

McMilestone alert! A fully plant-based menu of six new dishes that incorporate OmniFoods vegan meat will roll out at all 280 McDonald's and 122 McCafe locations in Hong Kong. Experts say the move puts OmniFoods ahead of some of the largest food tech startups in the world that have yet to snag a lucrative permanent partnership with the fast-food giant. Head to Green Queen for the scoop.

Instacart provided some contract workers with stickers and fliers promoting controversial ballot measure that decides their fate

Instacart is pushing out messaging about its stance on California's controversial Proposition 22 via asking its shoppers to put stickers and other campaign materials into customers' orders, according to a new report from CNN. Ironically, Prop 22 aims to keep Instacart's workers classified as independent contractors and sidestepping having to pay its employees minimum wage, paid sick leave, unemployment insurance and more.