5@5: Cold-brew and more coffee trends for 2017 | GMO grass divides a community

5 coffee industry trends you can't miss in 2017

Eye-catching packaging, ready-to-drink beverages and nitro coffee are set to continue their ascent this year, according to the National Coffee Association. Read more at The First Pull...

GMO grass that 'escaped' defies eradication, divides grass seed industry

A Roundup-resistant variety of genetically modified grass developed by Scotts Miracle-Gro (initially intended for golf courses) is growing abundantly in Oregon, despite the company's efforts to eradicate it, and it's creating a divide among farmers, regulators and buyers. The USDA refused to deregulate the grass for more than a decade because of concerns about its impact on the environment, but may be about to change its mind. Read more at The Oregonian...

The USDA is conducting a check up on the financial health of America's dairy industry

Representatives from the National Agricultural Statistics Service will be visiting 3,000 randomly selected dairy farms, including 800 organic ones, to collect data for its Agricultural Resource Management survey, which informs federal policies and programs that affect U.S. farmers. The survey focuses on a rotating set of commodities—the last time dairy was studied was 2010—and the agency hopes to examine how small dairy operations have remained profitable among strong competition. Read more at Modern Farmer...

Will Whole Foods' new buying strategy make it harder for food startups to launch?

For many large natural brands, their path to success has gone something like this: start selling at a farmers market, get into local health food stores, pitch the product to a regional Whole Foods buyer, eventually get on the shelf at Whole Foods and grow from there. But as the retailer moves to a more centralized buying model, some are questioning how it will change the ability of small brands to get on the retailer's shelves. Read more at Fast Company...

The good, the bad and the ugly: A fermentation saga

What goes into fermenting foods, and what are the safety concerns? Read more at IFT...