Robert Garrison

Robert Garrison

Bob Garrison came in from the cold. A founding editor of BNP Media's Refrigerated & Frozen Foods (R&FF) Bob has profiled industry-leading companies, explored corporate strategies and covered food product development trends at more than 150 leading private and CPG companies since 1989. He has chronicled the histories of leading brands and businesses, including Gorton's, ConAgra Frozen Foods (Banquet) and Swanson's frozen TV dinners. He also has interviewed or profiled such food industry leaders as Mike Harper (ConAgra), Don Tyson and frozen bagel icon Murray Lender.
Articles

ARTICLES

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Ingredient Sourcing in a COVID-19 World

For food and beverage manufacturers, concerns now involve every aspect of day-to-day office management and operations
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Robert Garrison
March 13, 2020
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Effects of the global coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic were dramatically evident in early March when New Hope Network postponed the annual Natural Products Expo West exhibition in Anaheim. The move immediately impacted an estimated 90,000 attendees and 3,600 exhibitors.
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2020 RETAIL NEW PRODUCTS ANNUAL

Prepared Meal, Entrée Makers Stay Busy to Address at-Home Consumer Meals

Study finds that more consumers are returning to the grocery freezercase
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Robert Garrison
February 17, 2020
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More than half of US adults claim they really enjoy cooking (53%) and more than one-third consider the kitchen to be the most important room in the home (35%), according to Packaged Facts’ report, “Eating Trends: Cooking & Food Shopping” Officials note these percentages have risen compared to a decade ago.
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Courting ‘Conscious’ Consumers

Shoppers make conscious decisions to purchase based on a growing list of factors
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Robert Garrison
January 14, 2020
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This month, I’d encourage industry professionals to pause, reflect and resolve to enhance your brand’s relationship—it’s emotional appeal—to those same consumers. Why? More shoppers are making pointed, conscious decisions to buy—or not buy—based on a growing list of factors.
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US Foods’ Chef’s Line All Natural Hickory Smoked Diced Pork Belly
2019 FOODSERVICE NEW PRODUCTS ANNUAL | MEAT, POULTRY & SEAFOOD

2019 FABI Winners Show Trends in Foodservice Meat, Poultry, Seafood Options

Protein's Progress: Prepared meat, poultry, seafood— and meatless products too— address consumer, operator needs.
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Robert Garrison
August 23, 2019
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Looking more closely at new product trends, it's clear that meat, poultry and seafood processors are addressing consumer interests in flavor and new food experiences. Still more new products help operators address back-of-house labor issues and consumers' concerns about ethical sourcing and sustainability.
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2019 FOODSERVICE NEW PRODUCTS ANNUAL | ENTRÉES, SNACKS & SIDES

New Entrees, Snacks and Sides Appeal on Many Levels to Customers and Consumers

Manufacturers' new offerings must fit customers’ menu trends and operational demands
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Robert Garrison
August 21, 2019
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Manufacturers' new offerings need to fit their customers' menu trends and operational demands. Those two requirements are standard. And then there's a third dimension—the true reason that makes a new item stand out for customer and consumer.
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2019 FOODSERVICE NEW PRODUCTS ANNUAL | BAKERY FOODS

New Bakery Foods Address Issues of Convenience, Crave-Ability and Conscious Consumers

Serving up solutions for foodservice operators
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Robert Garrison
July 22, 2019
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Among many processors addressing this need is General Mills Foodservice. The past 12 months have seen this Minneapolis-based company launch a range of Pillsbury frozen baked goods that can be baked fresh on site to give restaurants, retail bakeries and foodservice operations added versatility and creativity.
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The State of Innovation in the Food & Beverage Industry

2019 New Products Conference showcases critical issues across categories
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Robert Garrison
July 12, 2019
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I’m equally excited to tell you even more about another Prepared Foods “state of the industry” (SOI) offering—this time one designed to be the ultimate interactive, in-person event. I’ll note, however that this SOI stands for much more than “state of the industry.” In fact, it’s better billed as the “state of innovation” in food and beverage.  
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