Each day at 5 p.m. we collect the five top food and supplement headlines of the day, making it easy for you to catch up on today's most important natural products industry news.

New Hope Network staff

February 1, 2021

2 Min Read
senior citizen cooking healthy food
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As senior citizen demographic grows, CPG companies take note

United Nations data shows that there are more people over 65 years of age than under five globally for the first time since 2018. And COVID-19 has prompted members of this demographic to purchase products that support healthy aging in droves. Companies like Nestle and Danone have already launched products targeted toward this demographic in various global markets, like a powdered milk drink that purportedly enhances mobility during aging. The Food Institute notes that older people tend to be less adventurous when it comes to the food on their plates (no Beyond Meat, thank you very much); they also would rather avoid taking pills or injections to get the benefits of certain food-derived nutrients. 

COVID-19 lockdowns spur shift to high-end liquor

Americans are spending more on liquor than they have in 40 years, which has helped distillers post strong sales despite bar closures from coast to coast. Sales of ready-to-drink cocktails in particular skyrocketed 39%, which executives say was a result of at-home entertaining, new product launches and a desire for convenience. And shoppers are actually reaching for premium goods across the board; research firm IRI found that pricier household cleaners, candles, spaghetti and paper towels are all doing very well at retail. Head to The Wall Street Journal for more details.

Biden moves to give low-income families more money to buy food

A new policy released by the Biden administration will help food-insecure families with young children obtain more federal aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The move signals a shift in ideology over at USDA. As Politico puts it, "the mandate is more to err on the side of getting more aid out quickly to as many low-income households as possible, even if it means inadvertently including some kids who are doing in-person learning." However, just nine states so far have been approved to restart paying out P-EBT benefits. 

Organic industry, from big to small, sees boom in sales during pandemic

For most organic producers, 2020 was a record sales year. Most attribute this to consumers' renewed interest in local food systems and boosting their health through nutrition. Big players like Organic Valley (which struggled financially from 2017-19) have even had to readjust their profit goals thanks to outsize demand. But whether the industry can sustain the momentum of this sales boom in 2021 is unclear; economic turbulence could drive shoppers to opt for less-costly produce and products. AgWeek reports.

New study suggests Indigenous practices can help revitalize Pacific salmon fisheries

A team of Indigenous leaders and conservation scientists are proving that fishing methods used for millennia before the arrival of Europeans can foster biodiversity and help protect salmon fisheries from the complex harms of climate change. If managers adopt these time-tested practices, in addition to decentralizing salmon management decisions with climate resiliency in mind, they stand a chance at replenishing the ecosystem. Phys has the full story.

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