Member News & Headlines Blog

According to ADM's latest Flavor and Color Trends Report, the upcoming year will be shaped by global influences in the food and beverage industry. ADM's color and flavor experts, supported by a team of TrendXplorers, have predicted 2024 to be characterized by a bold embrace of customized flavor and color experiences, drawing inspiration from both online and offline trends.

CHICAGO — Eli’s Cheesecake, a third-generation family-owned business that delivers Chicago-style cheesecake and other desserts nationwide, recently completed a $10 million, 42,000-square-foot expansion at its Chicago facility. A total of 50 new jobs have been added as part of the expansion

Venture capital investors focused on food tech are calling 2023 the year when alternative seafood startups will make notable strides. Meanwhile, investors expect 40 investments to be made in this sector this year, up from 36 in 2022, according to the Good Food Institute’s annual investor report.

The board of the CPG giant said chief operating officer Jeff Zadoks will temporarily take the helm.

Leftovers is Kraft Heinz's look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. They can’t write about everything that they get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from their inboxes.

With 2024 fast approaching, I wanted to take a look at a few of the potential flavor trends we see on the horizon and how Edlong can help you get ahead of them for success next year and beyond.

Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance: 

While Chicago employers may already be familiar, and in compliance with, Chicago’s previous paid sick leave requirements, the city of Chicago recently passed the new Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance. The ordinance, which takes effect on December 31, 2023, significantly expands paid leave requirements for Chicago employers and includes some of the harshest penalties in the country for violations of paid leave provisions. Below, our guest contributors, Sara Davey and Randy Bridgeman from law firm Perkins Coie highlight the key considerations of the ordinance and next steps you should be considering in light of the upcoming changes in the law regarding paid leave.

Chicago City Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and rare finds – at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza, the historic Maxwell Street Market and community markets in neighborhoods across Chicago.

Learn how to become a vendor, see the 2023 summer schedule, and more information about where you can find the market closest to you! If you're interested in starting your own market, fill out an application for an annual permit.

Differing food safety laws between the European Union and the United States have given US companies a reason to seek alternatives to titanium dioxide, which provides a bright white color to food. One reason to consider natural alternatives domestically is a bill under consideration in California targeting titanium dioxide and red No. 3, which is used in candy and other applications.

Chicago-based ADM offers a PearlEdge portfolio of colors as titanium dioxide alternatives, said Emina Goodman, senior director, colors. ADM creates the colors by using raw materials derived from natural sources like native corn starch.

The food industry in Chicago is experiencing a dynamic phase of growth and innovation, positioning the city as a national leader in food production and access. With a diverse ecosystem of established food giants, thriving startups, investors, culinary experts, and programs addressing food security, Chicago's food sector offers tremendous potential for economic recovery and community development. 

Recent acquisitions of local companies by major players have yielded substantial returns for founders and investors, fueling the expansion of the city's fast-rising food businesses. The Chicago Venture Summit: Future-of-Food brought together key stakeholders committed to solidifying Chicago's status as the capital of food in the United States. Furthermore, Chicago excels in promoting food access, health education, and sustainable practices through organizations like Feeding America and urban farming projects.