Member News & Headlines Blog

Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance: 

While Chicago employers may already be familiar, and in compliance with, Chicago’s previous paid sick leave requirements, the city of Chicago recently passed the new Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance. The ordinance, which takes effect on December 31, 2023, significantly expands paid leave requirements for Chicago employers and includes some of the harshest penalties in the country for violations of paid leave provisions. Below, our guest contributors, Sara Davey and Randy Bridgeman from law firm Perkins Coie highlight the key considerations of the ordinance and next steps you should be considering in light of the upcoming changes in the law regarding paid leave.

Chicago City Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and rare finds – at Chicago’s longest running farmers market on Daley Plaza, the historic Maxwell Street Market and community markets in neighborhoods across Chicago.

Learn how to become a vendor, see the 2023 summer schedule, and more information about where you can find the market closest to you! If you're interested in starting your own market, fill out an application for an annual permit.

Differing food safety laws between the European Union and the United States have given US companies a reason to seek alternatives to titanium dioxide, which provides a bright white color to food. One reason to consider natural alternatives domestically is a bill under consideration in California targeting titanium dioxide and red No. 3, which is used in candy and other applications.

Chicago-based ADM offers a PearlEdge portfolio of colors as titanium dioxide alternatives, said Emina Goodman, senior director, colors. ADM creates the colors by using raw materials derived from natural sources like native corn starch.

The food industry in Chicago is experiencing a dynamic phase of growth and innovation, positioning the city as a national leader in food production and access. With a diverse ecosystem of established food giants, thriving startups, investors, culinary experts, and programs addressing food security, Chicago's food sector offers tremendous potential for economic recovery and community development. 

Recent acquisitions of local companies by major players have yielded substantial returns for founders and investors, fueling the expansion of the city's fast-rising food businesses. The Chicago Venture Summit: Future-of-Food brought together key stakeholders committed to solidifying Chicago's status as the capital of food in the United States. Furthermore, Chicago excels in promoting food access, health education, and sustainable practices through organizations like Feeding America and urban farming projects.

Over the past two years, a wave of new, exciting pizzerias has spread across the region, and Pizza City Fest thinks it’s about time we celebrate Chicago's pizza diversity. The first Pizza City Fest brought together 40 of the region’s best pizza makers for two days of pizza making and appreciation in the West Loop, along with speakers, demos and seminars. 

For the 2nd annual event, it'll continue with another 40 pizza makers, but there's a bit of a change to improve the experience. Steve Dolinsky – a 13-time James Beard Award-winning food reporter, currently “The Food Guy” at NBC 5 Chicago – has made it his mission to dispel myths and show the world there is more to the Windy City than just deep-dish, stuffed or tavern-style pies. He’s written two books on the subject, launched a weekly tour business, produces and hosts a bi-monthly podcast and is now taking the next step – creating a series of pizza festivals. 

CFBN members go to MEMBER PERKS for your discount code.

Interest in both functional beverages and digestive health has been bubbling up for the last several years, creating the perfect opportunity for prebiotic sodas. The drinks provide consumers with the fizz they crave and the digestive health benefits of prebiotic dietary fiber.

According to SPINS data, functional soda, including prebiotic varieties, now represents 14% of the digestive health category.

However, there are looming threats that could hinder future category growth. Many prebiotic fibers have limited heat and pH stability which drives up manufacturing costs and requires them to be stored in the refrigerated section.

COMET, a North American food ingredient manufacturer, has risen to the challenge and brings a science-backed solution to the beverage world. Its proprietary line of Arrabina prebiotic dietary fibers can survive shelf-life limitations and the demanding beverage manufacturing processes that often involve high heat, high pressure, and acidic environments.  

Other prebiotic fibers, including inulin, break down into sugar in these conditions, which raises production and storage costs at a time inflationary prices are already eating into consumers’ grocery budgets.

According to Datassential research, 84% of operators say taking care of their employees’ mental health is important to them — so we take a look at how the industry is changing and how the importance of mental health policies stretch past just the employee and employer, but to consumers as well. 

Download this compelling report on the state of mental health in the food industry and see what foodservice operators say is working in the effort to better serve employees, how the industry is changing, and where there’s still more work to do.

CohnReznick is excited to share their newest piece of M&D thought leadership. This article highlights the opportunities available to manufacturers in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA contains over $700 billion allocated towards new climate-related tax credits that can largely benefit manufacturers making advancements in the green-tech space.

The Inflation Reduction Act introduces tax credits specifically tailored to incentivize the manufacturing of clean tech products. Manufacturers engaged in producing eligible clean tech energy and storage components, such as batteries, or mining critical minerals used in these components, may be eligible for federal manufacturing income tax credits on a per unit basis.

The global food color market is set to experience steady growth in the coming years due to several factors. The expansion of the food and beverage industries, rising disposable incomes, and changing consumer preferences are driving the demand for food colors worldwide. As the population grows, there is an increasing need to cater to the rising demand for visually appealing food and beverage products. Food colors enhance the attractiveness of these products, making them more enticing to consumers. Additionally, the rise in disposable incomes has led consumers to allocate a larger portion of their budget towards aesthetically pleasing food items. Furthermore, changing consumer preferences towards natural and clean-label products are driving the adoption of natural food colors sourced from fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based ingredients.

According to market research, the global food color market is projected to reach USD 4.7 billion by 2026, with the Asia-Pacific region expected to witness significant growth. Natural food colors are gaining traction, outpacing synthetic colors, as consumers increasingly prefer clean-label products. The future of the food color market looks promising, with manufacturers and suppliers focusing on innovation and sustainability to meet the demand for visually appealing and natural food and beverage products. Overall, the food color industry is poised for a vibrant and prosperous future.

Read The Bright and Versatile FD&D Yellow 5: A Guide to its Benefits and Applications

Clayco has just released it’s quarterly Cost Index Report which shows how supply chain disruption continues to impact projects across the USA. Highlights: 

• Generally speaking, construction material availability continues to improve with the significant exception of electrical items. However, lead times for both materials and equipment are 3-5X historical averages
• Steel costs continue to increase while drywall and insulation prices are beginning to decline.
• The construction industry continues to be hampered by skilled labor shortages, resulting in project schedule extension and increased costs.
• RS Means City Cost Index shows the Midwest to be tracking at the national average of 1.0 while the Northeast and Western regions are considerably higher at 1.06-1.07.
• • SE/Gulf Coast are tracking well below average at 0.89

On the positive side, current commodity futures look flat which should result in price stability in the short to medium term.

To see the full Clayco Cost Index Report contact Ron Jones.