Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa previews what’s ahead for the cold chain and R&FF in 2021.

Cooking and preparing meals from home has increased 67% since COVID-19 began. After months of home-cooked meals, families are turning to prepared foods and easy prep meals as a way to save time and spice up their nightly dinner menus. In addition, 60% of home cooks report they rely on Instant Pots or similar appliances for their cooking routine for the simplicity, versatility, and convenience of making, flavorful meals with less cleanup.

Plant-based food brand Heura has made an in-kind donation to leading UK food charity Refettorio Felix to help provide nutritious plant-based meals to Londoners in need during January. The donation was made to celebrate Veganuary, the global challenge started in the United Kingdom that encourages people around the world to go vegan for the month of January. 400,000 people from 192 countries joined this initiative last year, and over one million people have taken part in the challenge since its inception. 

Kevin’s Natural Foods, the only natural and health-focused refrigerated entrée brand in the nation, announced the company has experienced exponential growth during its first year of business. Empowering people to eat clean without sacrificing flavor, Kevin’s Natural Foods launched in the fall of 2019 and recorded $4.5 million in sales during its first quarter. Since its inception, the Northern California-based wellness brand has expanded rapidly, adding 6,000 retail locations nationwide in only 12 months. Experiencing a 460% revenue increase in 2020, the company projects to close out the year with $48 million in sales—thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic changing what, how and where consumers are eating.

Coconut Bliss, maker of plant-based frozen desserts, announces the launch of their first ever at-home ice cream machine, the Bliss Maker. The development of the Bliss Maker was a direct response to a growing consumer interest for at-home experiences amidst the pandemic. Along with the Bliss Maker, the brand unveiled two Coconut Bliss soft serve mixes, Dark Chocolate and Madagascan Vanilla, that provide consumers the same quality ingredients, creamy texture, and "OMG it's vegan?" taste, from the comfort of their own homes.

US Foods announced that since March the company has donated more than $35 million in food and supplies to fight hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic, the equivalent of approximately 17 million meals.

About a month ago, we received an inquiry from a government contractor asking if our company, Yukon Ventures, would be interested in a top-secret cold storage opportunity. We read between the lines and understood that the contractor was talking about the rollout of the new COVID-19 vaccine, a subject dominating headlines everywhere. 

Editor-in-Chief Michael Costa looks back at the good and bad of an historic year for the cold chain, and what may lie ahead in 2021.

An independent investigation into alleged COVID-19 wagering by management at Tyson Foods’ pork plant in Waterloo, Iowa--allegedly betting on the number of plant employees that would contract coronavirus--has led to the termination of seven plant managers. 

Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative is the latest innovation from Silk, America's number-one plant-based beverage and a leader in yogurt alternatives, and is designed with kids and parents in mind. The new yogurt alternative is fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D to help support strong bones and has 25% less sugar per ounce1 than average flavored yogurt alternatives. Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative is also peanut-free, gluten-free, lactose-free and Non-GMO Project Verified – making it a good allergen-friendly option for lunchtime and snack time. The dairy-free yogurt alternative comes in three delicious flavors including Mixed Berry, Apple Cinnamon and Strawberry, and will be available at select retailers starting December 2020.