Kagro in the Morning podcast (AUDIO): Monday, December 23, 2024
The progress made in the construction of the new expressway project in Jiangxi underscores the region's dedication to advancing its infrastructure and enhancing connectivity for the benefit of its residents and businesses. Through effective planning, collaboration, and execution, the project has advanced rapidly, signaling a bright future for transportation development in Jiangxi province.
Plant-based milk is looking for fresher soil. While oat milk lattes and almond milk creamers have become a mainstay at most coffeeshops, retail sales for plant-based dairy have declined in the last year. Non-dairy sales have declined faster than dairy milk in the past year. Plant-based milk sales were $2.5 billion in the 52-week period ending October 6, a 5.2% year-over-year decline, according to Circana MULO+C data tracking. Unit sales in the period also dropped 5%. The percentage of households buying plant-based dairy was down 2.1%, to 49%, while repeat buying households were also down 2.2%, to around 38% Almond milk, the long time leader in plant-based dairy, happens to also be leading the decline. In comparison to the other three major plant milk bases (oat, soy and coconut), almonds showed the most contraction. Dollar sales for almond milk were down 8.9% and unit sales also declined 8.6%. Is there a single overriding reason that plant milks are in decline? It’s hard to say. Inflation hit grocery shoppers in the past two years, but the price difference isn’t huge when it comes to the different milk types: according to Circana 52-week sales data, the average price-per-unit of plant-based milk was about $4 while dairy milk was around $3.50. And even if price is a concern, it doesn’t seem to be one with regard to at least one area originally thought to be an advantage for plant-based milks. Lactose-free consumers aren’t moving away from dairy, according to NielsenIQ, even though Lactose-free dairy is more expensive than its plant-based competition, which is naturally free of that dairy protein, according to the report. Danone’s decision to discontinue its Silk Nextmilk and So Delicious Wondermilk just over a year after launching reflects a miscalculation of alt-dairy consumer demands. The two products were formulated to replicate dairy milk and were marketed as the “future of plant-based beverages.” So what went wrong? At least one analyst seems to think that plant-based products are an imperfect substitute in a big consumer category. Products claiming to be direct stand-ins for dairy need to deliver on that promise, said Mintel Food & Drink analyst Julia Mills, because “if it’s not quite milk, when it comes to the taste and texture, it doesn’t really appeal to consumers.” Another issue is environmental impact. Shortly after almond milk took off, there was a backlash against its taxing production process, even if it offered a less damaging water usage and methane emission footprint than dairy milk. Finally, there was a tactical miscalculation: while alt-milks are being introduced through coffee shops, those high-froth “barista blends” aren’t necessarily what consumers want for other use cases. So knowing that things are moving, at best, sideways, due to taste and cost factors, what are brands to do? MALK is one of the fastest growing brands in the plant-based category. Though still significantly trailing category leaders in total dollar sales, MALK’s percentage growth outpaced bigger brands by wide margins, up 92.8% in refrigerated almond milk and 65% in oat, according to Circana tracking. The plant milk brand is one of the more expensive options in the cold case but the company sees that as more of a strength than a weakness. “Premium is who MALK is,” Bronstad said. “We don’t have the ability to drastically reduce our cost of goods by adding oil into oats or gums and fillers into almonds and we don’t want to. It’s not what we would serve our families.” Premiumization hasn’t stymied the brand’s growth in conventional stores either. The company is available at over 10,000 stores with partnerships outside of the natural channel in chains like Albertson’s, Stop N Shop, Publix, various Kroger banners and select Target locations. Malk’s emphasis on simplicity is echoed by analysts and competitors alike. “Over 25% of consumers who choose to buy plant-based milks, say they prefer simple ingredients or ingredients they can understand,” Mills said. Launched first in Austin, Texas, MALK has always stressed its simple, clean label – even as the overall category has slowed. “At one point, there were pundits that said it was going to be hockey stick growth and plant-based milk would be $10 billion by 2030,” MALK CEO Jason Bronstad told BevNET Magazine. “The reality is it hasn’t and that’s okay too.” Bronstad said that the target plant-based milk consumers are the same people who look at ingredient labels closely and make purchasing decisions on what they put in their bodies. “As consumers become more educated and ask more questions, they look at our label and see unsweetened almonds, water and organic, pink Himalayan salt,” he said. “They think: ‘Got it. I understand what I’m consuming.’” Other brands are seeing the advantages of taking a minimalist approach to formulation as well. In January, category giant Oatly released Super Basic, free from emulsifiers and stabilizers and containing just water, oats, sea salt and citrus fiber. Macadamia nut alt dairy maker Milkadamia also cut out additives in its Organic Artisan line released this year. The plant milk uses five ingredients: water, macadamia nuts, agave nectar, citrus fiber and sea salt. Mooala launched in 2016 with a nut- and soy-free, banana-based milk. Come 2023, however, it launched its Simple line in almond and oat that proclaimed it contained just water, salt, and oats or almonds. Simple speaks to a consumer “that values a homemade ingredient profile over added nutritional benefits,” said founder and CEO Jeff Richards. “If a product has just three or four ingredients that you would find in your kitchen, it doesn’t have to be explained. It just is what it is, and it’s real.” So how did plant-based milks get into a paradigm where something that can be made with three to five ingredients is all of a sudden a confusing “Frankenfood”? One issue comes from the very channel where oat, almond and soy have found their biggest opportunity: foodservice partnerships in coffee chains. In order to create alternative milk that can steam and froth like dairy, a fat, stabilizer, and/or emulsifier is needed to provide body to the liquid. “The market demands customization and performance,” noted Mooala’s Richards, who said that the need to capitalize on the opportunity in coffeeshops led to the release of a Barista Blend Oatmilk this summer in both conventional and organic varieties. Yet coffeeshop-positioned products don’t necessarily translate to retail easily, Mills said. “Consumers really appreciate versatility,” she said. “Consumers may not buy barista-style alt-milks because they think there is just one use. While it can meet specific needs and a niche, it doesn’t necessarily have mass appeal.” “Plant-based beverages appeal to millennials, who are today’s generation of parents,” said Danone SVP of plant-based beverages Kallie Goodwin. “Nearly three in four parents who purchase plant-based beverages are interested in purchasing plant-based options specifically for their kids, but finding a plant-based milk with a taste kids love, and nutrition parents want continues to be a challenge.” Boosting nutritionals has become a successful strategy for plant milks to establish lasting value for shoppers, especially those with children, Mills said. “It appears that these products are doing very well, based off sales data,” she said. “I think leaning into specific occasions, whether it be for children or snacking with smaller packaging sizes, offers a lot of room for opportunity.” Fortification, usually with vitamins A and D, has been an approach implemented for years by the dairy industry that has been adopted within the plant-based set. In February, Califia Farms launched its Complete product that claimed it had the same amount or more of the essential nine nutrients (Protein, Calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Riboflavin) found in dairy milk. The brand doubled down on that with the addition of Complete Kids Plantmilk in June. Seizing on an opportunity among a demographic who still drinks milk by the glass, Danone launched Silk Kids fortified with 8 grams of protein, DHA omega-3s, choline, prebiotics, and vitamins and minerals tailored to children’s health needs. It’s not just kid-positioned alt-milk either. Goodwin said Silk’s launch of Almond Protein (with 8g protein) is showing traction among consumers. Bucking the trend of simplification, there are brands taking fortification even further by using food technology to bring functionality to the mix. Strive Freemilk uses precision fermentation in its alt-milk production and is preparing to release a lactoferrin-fortified product positioned towards older adults needing a supplement boost. Marketing on functionality and nutritionals might be a value-add for plant-based but it does return the conversation to a core tenant of the plant-based category’s marketing strategy: environmental sustainability. Food tech companies often claim to reduce land and water use providing a more environmentally friendly option but consumers remain skeptical. As consumers still determine how they feel about food tech solutions, the unsustainability of almond trees for alt-dairy production is a common refrain. Insurgent plant milk brands offer a different option, a new nut. Pistachio-based Táche has grown its base out of the New York City area on the back of its flavor, its environmentally sustainable attributes and its cachet among coffee drinkers. The brand’s success in the foodservice channel led it to launch a RTD latte earlier in the year. PKN pecan milk is another plant-based alternative “benefitting” from consumer concerns over the longterm sustainability of almond production. PKN founder and CEO Laura Shenkar launched the brand after working in freshwater ecosystems and groundwater preservation. She saw an untapped potential for pecan-based alt milk because the nuts come from one of the few drought tolerant trees indigenous to the U.S. The opportunity in pecan milk lies in marrying the environmental concern that fuels some consumers’ choices with the nostalgic flavor of a culturally significant crop. “Texans are convinced that their pecans are the best, but the people of Mississippi, Alabama or Georgia also consider their pecans the best,” she said. “Pecans are an American mainstay. They’re very specific to America, and they’re very specific to family.” Tapping that nostalgic nerve and familiarity of flavor resonates with consumers who are looking for an emotional attachment when making purchasing decisions. The brand has invested in new products that play into plant-based trends: JOY Barista and ZERO which contains only pecans, water, vanilla extract and salt. “What I keep thinking about personally is my diet keeps getting smaller and smaller and smaller. You can’t eat this and you can’t eat that, and now you can’t do this and you can’t do that. What do we have left?” she said. “Let’s make the most out of what we have left.” Receive your free magazine! Join thousands of other food and beverage professionals who utilize BevNET Magazine to stay up-to-date on current trends and news within the food and beverage world. Receive your free copy of the magazine 6x per year in digital or print and utilize insights on consumer behavior, brand growth, category volume, and trend forecasting. SubscribeIn today's digital age, with the proliferation of e-commerce platforms and the increasing digitization of business operations, the protection of intellectual property rights has become more critical than ever. Counterfeiting, copyright infringement, and trademark violations are rampant in the online marketplace, posing significant challenges for businesses striving to safeguard their brands, products, and innovations.
Physical symptoms of sleep deprivation can also be deceptive, often masquerading as unrelated health issues. Headaches, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal distress can all be exacerbated by lack of sleep. Furthermore, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health conditions.The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.In the fast-paced world of football, surprises and controversies are never in short supply. The latest developments from the footballing world have left fans and pundits alike buzzing with anticipation and debate. From the announcement of the annual Best XI to the shocking departure of a referee due to insults hurled at Jurgen Klopp, and the dominance of Real Madrid in the selection, the recent happenings in the football world have certainly made headlines.
UP man arrested for posting fake news about Amit Shah's 'demise'
DENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'"A look at how some of Trump's picks to lead health agencies could help carry out Kennedy's overhaul
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