Inflation has compelled grocery retailers to keep price points at levels their hard-hit customers can afford. Stocking more single-serve packs is one way of doing just that.

In 2021, San Ramon, Calif.-based Raybern’s was dealing with labor shortages and the lingering effects of the COVID peak. In 2022, Raybern’s made many of the new hires it had its sites set on last year. And America continues to get back to doing the things we all did pre-pandemic.

With the current inflationary pressures, more families are opting to prepare meals at home, including sandwiches, said Sonia Bal, director of global marketing for Delta, BC-based Unifiller.

Oakwood, Ga.-based Wayne-Sanderson Farms reports similar strong demand for its grocery sous vide products, said Beau Batchelor, the shipper’s corporate research chef for product development.

Sterling, Va.-based sous vide category leader Cuisine Solutions Inc. has received a $250 million investment from Bain Capital to accelerate its growth and global expansion.

Today’s consumers increasingly demand convenient, easy-to-prepare fresh food options — but they’re not willing to sacrifice quality. That may explain the huge growth in sous vide products, which have no trouble meeting both of those needs.

Even in inflationary times, commissaries, supermarkets and other places where food is made or sold are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies to help them streamline operations, improve the customer experience, reduce waste and give their bottom lines a boost. 

Dividers and rounders must check a few boxes for bakeries. Accuracy comes first, as bakeries need to make sure dividers are hitting weight or volume targets without going over, which can be challenging with yeast-raised products in bakeries with fluctuating temperatures. 

A renewed focus on sanitary design and cleanability, especially for allergens, is among the dominant trends in the design and construction of commissaries, central kitchens and other food production facilities.

Diosna introduced its hygienic design line (WH series) of Wendel mixers for 240 to 600 kg dough capacity.