In this week's food industry news in 2 minutes, we examine the latest Gen Z drinking trend that's poised to impact the alcohol industry.

In this week's food industry news in 2 minutes, we examine the latest in the vertical farming category.

This Episode is Sponsored by: Performance Foodservice

How important is it as a food distributor to build a brand for foodservice – especially since consumers may never see or recognize it? Mike Seidel, vice president of procurement at Performance Foodservice Corporate, shares how the company views the development of its existing foodservice brands, including Roma and Contigo, and how they helped in the creation of its most recent Mediterranean concept Zebec. 

More about Mike Seidel:

Michael Seidel is the corporate Vice President of Procurement for Performance Foodservice, one of the largest broadline foodservice distributors in the country. “Mike” brings to his role 28 years of sales, procurement, and leadership experience within the foodservice industry. In 2025, Mike is celebrating his fourteenth year with Performance Foodservice.  

Over the course of 14 years from 1997, Mike held multiple sales and procurement roles at a Sysco operating company including Marketing Associate and Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing.  

Mike served as a member of the Executive Board of Directors for the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and was recently reappointed to the Board of Directors for NFI, to a term ending in late 2027. Mike currently serves as a board member of Circana Supply Track. Mike is an elected Manager of NFI’s Better Seafood Board and is on the planning committee for the Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC). Mike, annually, co-hosts or participates in GSMC panelist discussions. Mike is a delegated member of the Procurement Council for the Independent Procurement Alliance Program (IPAP).  

During his career, Mike has testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission, on three occasions, regarding certain ripe olives and shrimp. Mike is an active speaker/presenter for various foodservice industry events. 

He is married, lives in the Richmond, Virginia area, and has four children and one grandchild.  

More About Performance Foodservice:

Performance Foodservice is one of the nation’s largest foodservice distributors, delivering quality ingredients, reliable service, and on-time consistency. With 125,000+ products and 67 distribution centers, we serve over 100,000 customers coast to coast. From restaurants and hotels to schools and healthcare, operators trust us for both food and non-food essentials that keep kitchens running. Backed by a best-in-class fleet and passionate associates, Performance Foodservice is more than a distributor—we’re your partner in growth and success. 

Learn more: http://performancefoodservice.com/  

More About Zebec:

Zebec is Performance Foodservice’s exclusive brand of specialty Mediterranean foods and ingredients, inspired by the 16th-century sailing ships that once carried flavors and traditions across the sea. Just like those fast, agile vessels, Zebec delivers authentic spices, bold flavors, and versatile ingredients that make it easy for operators to bring the Mediterranean to their menus. From falafel to grilled chicken skewers, every item is crafted with quality and convenience in mind—helping passionate restaurateurs, whether inspired by global traditions or family roots, add an exciting Mediterranean twist to their offerings. With Zebec, a bold upgrade to the menu is always within reach. 

Learn more: https://www.performancefoodservice.com/Products-and-Services/Our-Family-of-Brands/Zebec

In this week's food industry news in 2 minutes, we examine the roots of the deadly Listeria outbreak that has impacted several U.S. states.

Food for Thought Leadership co-host Chris Campbell sits down with Robyn Carter, founder and CEO of Jump Rope Innovation, to explore the concept of the “return to real” in today’s food industry. With so much of life filtered through screens, algorithms, and ad-driven messaging, consumers are now seeking real food, real stories, and real connection. Robyn lays out how this trend is reshaping not only what we eat, but how we shop, dine, and engage with brands.

Looking ahead, Robyn highlights the next frontier of the trend: longevity and women’s health, and deeper provenance through farm-to-table narratives. Whether you’re a CPG brand, a retailer, or a food-service operator, this conversation offers timely insights and actionable ideas to align your strategy with a consumer mindset that values what’s real.

More About Robyn Carter:

Robyn Carter is the founder and CEO of Jump Rope Innovation, a best-in-class trends and innovation consultancy based just outside NYC. Founded in 2005, Jump Rope brings a human-centered approach to innovation through immersive research, trend insights, and co-creation techniques.

Beginning her career in advertising, Robyn held roles in Account Management and New Business, working on iconic brands including Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, and Red Stripe. She was a Partner and Account Supervisor at Ogilvy, where she helped develop and implement communications strategy for the global Maxwell House brand.

Robyn is a co-founder of IT! Factor, a groundbreaking Influencer research and innovation tool. She is also a host of the Ask an Influencer podcast, sharing insights and advice for brands based on learnings from category influencers. She is a renowned moderator and has been a featured guest on numerous panels and podcasts, including BevNet Community Call.

Connect with Robyn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-carter-72b4391/

Listen, Share and Subscribe to Ask An Influencer here or anywhere you listen to podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qfOAuHGyzIEznmwBnAX8D?si=2606fb21856e403d

More About Jump Rope Innovation:

At Jump Rope Innovation, we’re a team of curious, collaborative problem-solvers. We’re strategists, researchers, and creative thinkers, driven by the thrill of discovery and a commitment to true understanding. We specialize in uncovering insights that spark breakthrough innovation, activation and communication. We help our clients to develop their gut for the consumer and to use this understanding to develop bold, meaningful strategies that resonate today—and tomorrow.

Find us online at https://jumpropeinnovation.com/

And follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jumpropeinnovation/

on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@jumpropeinnovation

Learn More:

LinkedIn: 

Jump Rope Innovation: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jump-rope-innovation/

Robyn Carter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-carter-72b4391/

Podcast:

Ask An Influencer: https://www.instagram.com/jumpropeinnovation/

Instagram:

Jump Rope Innovation: https://www.instagram.com/jumpropeinnovation/

Ask an Influencer: https://www.instagram.com/askaninfluencerpodcast/

TikTok:

Jump Rope Innovation: https://www.tiktok.com/@jumpropeinnovation?lang=en

In this week's food industry news in 2 minutes, we examine the growing concern surrounding retail shrink in America.

In this week's food industry news in 2 minutes, we examine the government shutdown's impact on the U.S. restaurant industry.

As the leading consumer products accelerator, SKU has helped launch and scale some of the most innovative brands in CPG. At the center of that mission is Michelle Breyer, SKU’s Chief Marketing Officer and a serial entrepreneur who knows what it takes to build lasting consumer brands.

In this episode, Michelle shares how SKU empowers founders to navigate early-stage challenges, the marketing strategies that separate breakout brands from the rest, and why mentorship remains the foundation of SKU’s success. She also offers a look ahead at the trends and categories poised to define the next decade of CPG innovation.

More about Michelle Bryer:

Michelle Breyer is a visionary entrepreneur who took a personal frustration over her curly hair and built it into NaturallyCurly — the largest social-media platform for hair. She was named one of the 50 Most Influential People in the Multicultural Market by Women's Wear Daily.

Since it was founded in 1998, NaturallyCurly company grew to include an ecommerce site, a consumer insights division and an experiential marketing company. The company has worked with numerous companies, including L’Oreal, Unilever, Walmart and Sephora to help them develop, launch, position and merchandise the products to this valuable consumer. The company developed the popular curl type system that now is the standard for the industry. NaturallyCurly was acquired in 2018 by Essence Ventures. Michelle is an advisor and mentor for several haircare brands.

Before launching NaturallyCurly, Michelle was a business reporter with daily newspapers in Texas and California, focusing on retail, real estate and consumer products. A year-long special project on the explosive growth of Whole Foods Markets won several state and national awards.

Michelle currently is the Chief Marketing Officer at SKU, the nation’s first CPG accelerator. She joined SKU as a mentor, working with emerging brands to help them scale.

More about SKU:

We educate and equip market-validated consumer product companies for growth into world class brands. Learn more at: https://sku.is/

In this week's food industry news in 2 minutes, we examine how tariffs are influencing consumer cutbacks in America.

Is the future of flavor increasingly borderless? Valda Coryat, vice president of marketing for condiments and sauces at McCormick, reveals how curiosity powers McCormick’s flavor foresight, why segmentation by “flavor personality” matters, and how flavors are becoming more culturally driven.

More about Valda Coryat:

More about McCormick:

McCormick & Company, Inc. is a global leader in flavor. With our diverse and balanced flavor portfolio, we are ideally positioned to meet the increasing demand for flavor around the world. Learn more at https://www.mccormickcorporation.com/.