A soft drink vending machine at the checkout of a shoe store? My first thought when I saw this 8 years ago: Why? (One in the back for employees made more sense.) In the years since, food availability and convenience, good and bad, has skyrocketed. Add to that, food companies that shape our food behaviors in ways we are unaware of. Note: The data about the cost of using a food delivery app in the ‘Online’ section is of particular importance to consumers!

WIC foods update…

• More flexibility and foods proposed (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/usda-added-foods-flexibility-wic-updates/637074/); USDA press release – comment period ends February 21, 2023 (https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2022/11/17/usda-proposes-science-driven-updates-foods-provided-through-wic); FNS background (https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/background-revisions-wic-food-package); Q & As (https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/food-package-qas).

SNAP…

• 93% of US has food delivery access but barriers exist (such as geography, mobility)  (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/93-of-us-has-food-delivery-access-but-barriers-remain-report/623885/).
• More independent grocers add SNAP to e-commerce (https://www.supermarketnews.com/online-retail/more-independent-grocers-add-ebt-snap-payments-e-commerce-offerings); Sprouts accepts EBT SNAP through Instacart in addition to in-store (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/sprouts-accepts-ebt-snap-digital-payment/); Target goes online for EBT recipients w/no minimum amounts required (https://www.supermarketperimeter.com/articles/8922-target-makes-snap-payment-available-online); Mercato, e-commerce platform, to work with independent grocers to get SNAP online (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/mercato-independent-grocer-ecommerce-platform-healthy-food-access-SNAP-EBT/637137/).

Convenience for the food insecure/finding help/donating…

• Benefits of online shopping for low income families such as access for those w/mobility issues and decreased stigma (https://www.nokidhungry.org/blog/new-research-shows-benefits-online-shopping-low-income-families).
• Instacart makes it easier to donate to food banks (no fees)  (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/instacart-facilitates-food-bank-donations/).
• Find Food & Give Back (https://findfoodsupport.withgoogle.com/).
• Produce prescription nutrition incentive program $ increase (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/produce-prescription-nutrition-incentive-programs-receive-59m/637257/).
• Walmart online grocery delivery links to older caregiver app (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/walmart-grocery-access-older-adult-care/625083/).
• In D.C. Giant Food/About Fresh partner to allow food insecure to use prepaid debit cards to buy food prescribed by healthcare providers (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/giant-food-links-with-prepaid-debit-card-program-to-tackle-food-insecurity/636703/).
• California city first to partner w/DoorDash to deliver groceries to hungry families (https://localtoday.news/ca/a-california-city-joins-doordash-to-deliver-groceries-to-hungry-households-117262.html).

Rewards programs: buy more/eat more…

• The psychology and stats of restaurant loyalty programs: think return visits (https://thetakeout.com/fast-food-rewards-mcdonalds-starbucks-dunkin-benefits-1849638454).
• Companies learn about their customers w/rewards data (https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/25/business/white-castle-wendys-rewards/index.html).
• Panera rewards program reflects how much/what you buy (https://www.tastingtable.com/1017022/panera-will-soon-allow-fans-to-customize-their-loyalty-rewards/).
• Dunkin’ rewards ‘super customers’  (https://www.tastingtable.com/1042676/dunkin-just-totally-rehauled-its-rewards-program/).

Online…

• E-commerce grocery sales rose 9% compared to last year at this time (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/ecommerce-sales-spike/).
• Consumer coalition pushes back against grocery digital-only deals due to the digital divide (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/supermarkets-digital-only-deals-criticized-consumer-rights-groups/637031/).
• Google looks to the future and visual ads (https://www.marketingdive.com/news/google-marketing-search-shopping-YouTube-Shorts/624321/).
• McD’s will text you – and personalize messages to push purchases (https://www.nrn.com/marketing/mcdonald-s-steps-its-sms-marketing-efforts). 7-Eleven offers 1 year of free delivery on Black Friday (https://www.cstoredive.com/news/7-eleven-to-offer-a-year-of-free-delivery-during-black-friday/636928/). Circle K convenience debuts ultra-fast delivery in NC (https://www.cstoredive.com/news/circle-k-debuts-ultrafast-delivery-charlotte-food-rocket/637444/). Walgreen’s delivery 24/7 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/12/01/walgreens-delivery-service-launches-in-nearly-400-stores/10804361002/). How much does a food delivery app cost you? At a minimum $19 more that the same meal in a restaurant based on April 2022 data from the 100 largest cities/metro areas (https://www.self.inc/info/most-expensive-cities-for-food-delivery-apps/). NYC bodegas partner with Uber Eats  (https://www.winsightgrocerybusiness.com/retailers/nyc-bodegas-offer-delivery-under-new-uber-eats-partnership); Uber Eats makes holiday shopping easier (https://www.tastingtable.com/1100665/uber-eats-wants-to-make-holiday-food-shopping-easier-with-new-feature/); Uber ramps up grocery service (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/uber-ramping-up-grocery-service-with-new-features-on-eats-app/627837/). DoorDash: App features nearby restaurants  (https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/13/doordash-app-features-including-written-reviews-item-ratings/) and (https://www.tastingtable.com/895149/doordash-has-4-new-features-to-make-it-easier-to-find-good-food/). Sprouts and DoorDash (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/sprouts-partners-with-doordash-to-offer-same-day-delivery-e-commerce/635684/). McDonald’s, KFC 2021 YouTube ad views 

popular w/Gen Z and gamers (https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/373941/mcdonalds-kfc-top-qsrs-for-youtube-video-views-i.html?edition=126271). Chuck E. Cheese, YouTube and a children’s virtual menu (https://www.nrn.com/operations/chuck-e-cheese-taps-youtube-brand-lankybox-new-virtual-concept). TikTok’s effects on our food habits include limited ingredients at stores and Walmart

adding a ‘Trending on TikTok’ section with ingredients recently mentioned on the site (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/tiktok-trends-ripple-effects/); it’s effect on our relationship with food both good and not so (https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/how-tiktok-has-transformed-our-love-affair-with-food/). Chipotle influencers: the Chipotle Creator Class

(https://www.qsrmagazine.com/fast-casual/how-chipotles-candice-beck-builds-social-media-relevancy). Kroger let’s Snapchat target customers (https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/379856/kroger-expands-retail-media-reach-to-snapchat-off.html).

Quick, quick, quick: curbside/pickup/drive-thru/self-checkout…

• Target expands Starbucks curbside pickup (https://www.retaildive.com/news/target-starbucks-curbside-pickup-service/637353/).
• No-dining fast food: Taco Bell, Chipotle, Jimmy John’s, Schlotzsky’s (https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/fast-food-restaurants-do-away-dining-rooms).
• Walk-up only: Applebee’s (https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/applebee-s-continues-test-pickup-windows).
• Self-checkout: now it’s almost 40% of grocery checkout options (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/self-checkout-grocers-shoppers-catalina/636087/).
• Refrigerated breakfast that’s fast and easy (https://www.tastingtable.com/1115927/youll-likely-begin-seeing-more-refrigerated-breakfast-options-in-stores/).

Drones/delivery robots…

• Drones: Walmart in 6 states (https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/store-hacks/walmart-drone-delivery); NC and TX ice cream drone delivery  (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/flying-ice-cream-unilever-links-with-drone-delivery-service-flytrex/624241/);
• Meal delivery robots on campus (https://www.freightwaves.com/news/delivery-robots-are-coming-to-a-college-dorm-near-you).

In-car…

• In-car ordering w/5G (https://retailwire.com/discussion/will-in-car-ordering-reinvent-the-drive-thru/).
• In-car ordering apps? (https://restauranttechnologyguys.com/in-car-ordering-apps-the-inevitable-next-big-thing/).

Food everywhere you are…

• Shopping center delivers food from food court as drivers charge cars (https://www.livekindly.com/will-ev-charging-stations-revive-restaurants/).
• Vending: Robot salad vending at NY subway station (https://www.goodnet.org/articles/vending-machines-take-salads-to-new-level);
• Subway’s Grab & Go vending (https://www.tastingtable.com/1102025/subway-sandwich-vending-machines-to-start-popping-up-across-the-us/).
• Ghost kitchens: in office buildings (https://www.modernretail.co/startups/to-increase-margins-ghost-kitchens-are-going-b-to-b/); PepsiCo (https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/technology/pepsico-wants-help-restaurants-start-ghost-kitchens).
• Quick meals at c-stores: Midwest’s Casey’s expands pizza options and Wisconsin-based Kwik Trip opening a kitchen and offering meal kits  (https://www.tastingtable.com/910387/convenience-stores-could-become-a-major-fast-food-competitor/) and (https://www.csnews.com/kwik-trip-rolls-out-take-home-meals-chainwide).
• Go for home improvement, leave with groceries at Menards (https://www.menards.com/main/home.html).
• Go for gas, leave with very interesting food at Texas gas stations (https://www.tastingtable.com/1104372/texas-gas-station-foods-are-like-nothing-else-in-the-country/).

Voice assistants…

• One candy company sees voice assistants as a way to spur impulse buys as use of these devices lead to repeat online orders (https://corp.smartbrief.com/original/2022/06/how-to-create-successful-in-person-digital-candy-shopping).
• Uber Eats’ Google voice ordering (https://voicebot.ai/2022/05/18/uber-eats-showcases-google-assistant-voice-orders-and-robot-delivery-services/).

Shoppable is everywhere…

• Firework shoppable technology is helpful ahead of the holiday shopping season including food. Clients include Albertson’s, Heinz and Fresh Market  (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/firework-unveils-new-shoppable-video-feature/635528/).
• Roku to make Walmart TV ads shoppable  (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/roku-air-shoppable-walmart-ads/).
• Instacart rolling out more shoppable videos/ads (https://www.marketingdive.com/news/instacart-shoppable-ad-units-unilever-mondelez-pep/624527/).
• Instacart shoppable recipes from health experts (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/instacart-unveils-sweeping-health-focused-initiative/632706/).
• Take a look at Walmart’s experiments w/shoppable recipes w/sample screenshots (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/how-walmart-is-experimenting-with-shoppable-content/632983/).
• FLAVRS app (in beta): watch food videos and buy from the app (https://www.protocol.com/entertainment/flavrs-food-social-app), (https://foodinstitute.com/focus/new-social-media-app-could-reshape-food-shopping/) and (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-flavrs-the-first-app-marrying-premium-content-and-commerce-for-foodies-301623074.html) and https://www.supermarketguru.com/the-lempert-report/flavrs-vs-tiktok/.

Meal kits…

• Survey data: 49% of 18 – 34 year olds use meal kits weekly (https://progressivegrocer.com/meal-kits-moving-mainstream).
• Blue Apron on Walmart online: non-subscription meal kits/heat-and-eat meals – 1st meal kit provider on the site (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/blue-apron-launches-non-subscription-meals-walmartcom/).

Pre-filling online shopping cart…

• Hungryroot online grocer populates member grocery lists and meal plans (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/hungryroot-buck-ship-to-home-decline-grocers/625525/).
• Misfits Market adds pre-filling tool for online shopping  (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/misfits-market-autocart-tool-loyalty-program/626173/).

Fast and small bites…

• Thaw-and-go (https://www.fooddive.com/news/nestle-thaw-and-eat-deliwich/632559/). Small bites: Bouncers, cake truffles (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/entenmanns-introduces-new-lineup-of-cake-truffles-301655056.html).

Credit…

• First-ever Instacart credit card: (https://www.tastingtable.com/937146/instacarts-first-ever-credit-card-is-its-latest-strategy-to-attract-customers/).

And one last thing…

• Shopping lists on smart contact lenses? (https://progressivegrocer.com/are-we-ready-shopping-lists-smart-contact-lenses).