National Food Brands Seek Innovation from Small Food Companies

There is no doubt that the consumer trend to support local food producers and community-based retailers has been growing rapidly, especially since informed consumers are seeking healthy, fresh food that is sourced fairly and sustainably. It makes sense then at a recent food summit in Detroit, several large food companies like Campbell’s Soup and General Mills came together to share its next-generation mission to invest in smaller companies and partner with individual food-makers. Though there are many foreseeable benefits for giants like Kellogg to invest in smaller businesses and local products, forging partnerships with venture capitalists could be risky for the smaller, less powerful individuals making and selling their food product. Still, companies like Campbells welcome the opportunity to market their product as fresh and sustainable for consumers seeking ‘greener’ options.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten Opens ‘Vegetable Restaurant’

Jean-Georges Vongerichten is an internationally-acclaimed chef, responsible for the operation and success of a robust network of three and four-star restaurants worldwide. He has published several cookbooks reflecting his love for exotic and aromatic flavors of the East. Now, he’s opening one more restaurant in Manhattan dedicated exclusively to everything vegetable, and for some of us, the best part is he’s doing it without trying to mimic meat!

Gastrodiplomacy and Culinary Traditions

Whether or not you’re keeping current with our nation’s political campaigns, you might have noticed two of the most popular candidate’s attempts to appeal to the public through food, demonstratively equal to issues of education and public health. That is because food is one of the most important aspects of any culture. In particular, it has the power to establish trust in relationships and create emotional connections by winning over the hearts and minds of people who are different than you. Have you ever sat down to a meal with one, two, or more dishes that you had never tried or even heard of before? Gastrodiplomacy is a fairly new concept which aims to use food to communicate and engage with global publics, and ultimately, build stronger relationships among diverse communities. I look forward to seeing how Gastrodiplomacy develops!!