Summertime is here, and undeniably, this time of year is one of the most anticipated seasons in the country as we prepare for vacations, feel the heat, and celebrate the onset of warmer weather with outdoor activities. From summer holidays to picnics and barbecue gatherings, summer drives people to eat, drink and be merry. Grocery stores should take advantage of this by showcasing the right items in their stores. With this time upon us, activity in certain sales categories is expected to rise due to summer essentials that will surely be in customers’ baskets. Here are some summertime favorites ..read more

For temperature-sensitive food items, like dairy, frozen or chilled foods, and ice cream, the cold supply chain plays an important role in preserving product integrity. One of the most critical links in the cold chain is the cold storage facility whose mission is to ensure foods are well preserved and safe to eat before reaching consumers’ tables. With the complex processes and the significant costs involved in operating cold storage facilities, plus increasing consumer demand due to the growth of the sector, it is clear that the industry is faced with various challenges. Here are three common ..read more

As food retailers, we all know that commercial refrigeration systems serve as the ”lifeline” in providing customers with the food products they need. They’re certainly a requirement for successfully running a food retail operation. Commercial refrigeration systems consist of the display cases used to store and merchandise food items as well as the equipment needed to generate and maintain the proper temperature environment required by those display cases to keep the food’s integrity intact. With all the different varieties of commercial refrigeration technology available today (e.g., HFC, CO2 ..read more

On May 1, 2023, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan signed a proposed rule titled, “Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration.” This proposed action lists new alternatives  for commercial and industrial refrigeration, specifically for retail food refrigeration (new), commercial ice machines (new), industrial process refrigeration (new), cold storage warehouses (new), and ice skating rinks (new). This action also would update use conditions for  ..read more

Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program. Under section 612 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA reviews substitutes in a comparative risk framework. EPA lists these substitutes as acceptable, acceptable subject to use conditions, acceptable subject to narrowed use limits, or unacceptable (prohibited) for specific uses. Section 612 requires EPA to list as acceptable those substitutes that do not present a significantly greater risk to human health and the environment as compared with other substitutes that are currently or potentially available. As part of the evaluation of overall risk t ..read more

Food production and processing have greatly evolved throughout the years to cater to the changing needs of customers. From simply producing food through manual and laborious processes to using robotics and technology to produce foods that are now served on our dinner table, the evolution of food production has been quite promising. Now that food trends have been in the spotlight, the food production and processing industry aren’t exempted from the shifts and movements. Here are some emerging food production trends that will be big in the year ahead: Sustainable Practices Sustainable practices ..read more

For grocery stores and supermarkets, refrigerated display cases are critical assets for everyday operations. When looking for a display case for food retail stores, choosing the right equipment that caters to retailers’ needs, like size, functionality, and installation requirements, is essential. Because retailers have different purposes for getting a food retail display case, their checklist of needs must be fulfilled when deciding which specific merchandiser to get. When it comes to refrigerated display cases, self-contained and remote are the two basic types of cases that are commonly used ..read more

In a time of ultra-modernization, shopping for material things and groceries has been commonly conducted online. With the acceleration of the use of online platforms, such as e-commerce, online shopping has been the most convenient way for customers to purchase. However, despite the proliferation of e-commerce platforms in the food retail industry, brick-and-mortar stores remain relevant. As the rush of online ordering of groceries and other essentials slowly wanes, customers can once again be found shopping more in-store. Here are some of the reasons why physical stores remain relevant in tod ..read more

Technological advancements have pushed food retailers to continuously innovate to improve their overall store operation and provide an enhanced customer experience. With the ever-changing climate and customer behavior in the food retail landscape, technology has been a primary driving force for food retailers to adapt to the developing industry’s needs. As we enter this exciting new year 2023, the use of technology in retail stores is poised to define which grocers will stay afloat versus those who remain on the sidelines. To keep up with the times, food retailers should adopt innovative tools ..read more

A new proposed rule from the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) would have the following impacts on equipment sold and used in the food retail industry if approved: Beginning January 1st, 2025 • Equipment containing >200 lbs. of refrigerant must use a refrigerant with <150 GWP •Example: Centralized or distributed refrigeration racks • Equipment containing <200 lbs. of refrigerant must use a refrigerant with <300 GWP •Example: Condensing units and split systems • Self-contained equipment must use a refrigerant with <150 GWP As of today, the only viable solutions for food r ..read more