(Photo by Jim Beauprez) The newest trend in the food marketplace these days is “plant-based protein”. Among the thousands of exhibitors at the recent Natural Products Expo in Anaheim, CA were a crowded number of booths touting plant based proteins, and—in many cases—“plant-based meat.” Even traditional meat companies like Tyson are investing heavily in …
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If you want to learn about emerging trends in the world of food, Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim is the place to be each March. Expo West, as it is known, began 37 years ago, when a handful of natural food growers, manufacturers and stores decided to hold an annual trade show for their …
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I hate getting buffaloed. But many consumers today are getting buffaloed into thinking that something they assume is bison, really isn’t. It’s a problem becoming more prevalent, particularly in pet food. More and more pet food companies are discovering that bison in their products adds special appeal for discerning consumers. Several national brands are actively …
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News broke late last week that a federal judge had ordered U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to reconsider its 2015 decision not to grant endangered species status to the bison herds in Yellowstone National Park. It’s fitting that I heard this news on Groundhog Day. After all, this story seems to be on a continuous …
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I’ve been thinking about cogs lately. There’s a reason. Cogs are important in many machines. They help make things run smoothly. And, when cogs break, the machine grinds to a stop. Cogs are generally hidden. And, in many cases, they are easily interchangeable. In a sense, they have come to epitomize the faceless, nameless elements …
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Bison are herd animals, So too, I’m beginning to think, are their owners. Conventional wisdom holds that bison producers are a fiercely independent bunch. I don’t deny that. Getting into the bison business—particularly in the early days…only a few years back—was the equivalent of venturing into the agricultural wilderness. Being the topic of discussion at …
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