Hemp insurance arrives, pushing hemp one step closer to a mainstream crop
Although industrial hemp has been legal since the 2018 Farm Bill, USDA did not offer insurance coverage for the crop until this week. This insurance gives American farmers the opportunity to survive in an unstable market with thin margins, which has prevented a good chunk of them from investing in hemp thus far. Read more at Modern Farmer…
Does Dry January dry up bar sales?
The rise in nonalcoholic beverage purchases during January is allegedly putting a strain on bars, with some bartenders citing that people tend to tip less for these drinks than they do for their alcoholic counterparts. Industry experts are now advising that bars get creative as a result; for instance, by incorporating inventive mocktails or hosting trivia nights. Read more at Eater…
Earth Fare and Lucky's Market: What happens when two big organic grocers collapse?
The consensus around the closure of Lucky's Market and Earth Fare appears to be that both were pushed to grow too much, too fast. The demand for organic, healthy fare has never been stronger, and smaller chains can stay in the game by focusing on stocking the newest and most innovative products on the market. Read more at The Tampa Bay Times…
What does plant-based mean anyway? Half of us aren't so sure
A new survey shows that just 45% of 1,800 participants understood that "plant-based beef" is completely free of animals and animal by-products. Given that the term "plant-based" is so much more vague to consumers than a term like "vegan" is, this is understandable. However it is notable that the survey was funded by the meat industry, which is currently seeking to limit the ways plant-based meat makers can market their products to consumers. Read more at National Post…
This pricey drink was sold by text message. Now, it's hitting Walmart shelves
Functional beverage brand Dirty Lemon will now be sold at Walmart, but the company's founder hopes that customers will still order the brand through its website after discovering it at the retailer. The move could be detrimental to Dirty Lemon's millennial consumers, who may have felt until now "like they're part of a special club." Read more at CNN…
