Marlen Blog

Best Sustainability Practices for the Food Supply Chain

Sustainability in the food industry is about reducing food waste and lowering the impact of food production on the natural environment as produce moves along the supply chain from field to processor to table. Sustainability does not just benefit the environment. By reducing food waste, limiting energy and water consumption, and creating more sustainable business models, food companies can increase profitability in the long run. Sustainability is vital along the entire food supply chain. Waste in one area can increase prices for all the companies... Read More →

What the Growing Demand for Vegan Options Means for the Food Industry

A vegetarian diet is one that excludes all animal meats, such as chicken or fish. A vegan diet excludes all animal meats and animal by-products, such as eggs or dairy. As of June 2017, about 6% of the U.S. population claimed to be vegan. Vegan and vegetarian diets are increasing in popularity, and consumers are demanding more plant-based food options when they grocery shop and go out to eat. The rising popularity of vegan and vegetarian food has caused a shift in the food industry.... Read More →

Reducing Operational Costs in Food Manufacturing

As a food processing or manufacturing industry professional, you’re probably well aware of the importance of your operational costs and how much they affect your bottom line. Saving energy, resources, labor, and time with efficient food processing equipment is the best way to ensure you’re keeping these costs as low as possible. As the global population continues to increase, the demand for food is also expected to increase by about 60% by 2050. According to the Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency, the food industry... Read More →

What Are Processed Foods and Which Are Okay To Eat?

Processed food is any food that has been altered before you eat it. This may include deseeding, adding chemicals, cutting, or implementing any other type of process that changes the food before it is sold. With this loose and overarching definition, even carrot sticks could be considered processed foods since they were washed, sliced, and placed in a bag prior to consumption. Many assume the term “processed food” indicates a food has been altered in an unhealthy way before being placed on grocery store shelves.... Read More →

The Future of Global Food Systems

By 2030, the global population is expected to rise to 8.5 billion people. The global food system and the way food is grown, produced, distributed, and consumed is crucial when attempting to feed so many people. Efficiency, sustainability, and automation within the food industry are important components that must be addressed to ensure global food systems are productive enough to feed the rising population. As the population grows, the strategies and procedures used in global food production systems become even more crucial to the livelihood... Read More →

How to Restore Consumer Confidence After a Scandal

Scandals can happen in any industry and can be unexpected, making it hard to know how to take action and mitigate the situation quickly and effectively. As a food industry professional, you may never have to deal with a scandal in your business — but it’s important to understand how to recover effectively just in case you do face this type of situation. Fixing the issue that caused the scandal and rebuilding the consumer’s trust in your company are the two most important concerns to... Read More →

Supply Chain Management Trends in the Food Industry

In the food industry, the efficiency of the supply chain is vital to profitability and safety. When one link in the food supply chain, such as a farmer or packaging plant, isn’t operating at peak performance, every other link in the chain is negatively affected. Advanced technology in supply chain management has allowed food manufacturers that are willing to embrace new trends to explore more thoughtful and efficient processes. There are many opportunities within the food supply chain to increase efficiency, safety, and productivity. By... Read More →

How Automation Benefits the Food Industry

A business needs all of its components to operate together seamlessly because of stiff competition and tight margins in the food industry. You need skilled labor, the right types of equipment, strict quality control, an attractive brand, and effective management practices. You also need to abide by the many regulations and laws regarding safe production and food handling. The challenges associated with running a food business can grow if you achieve success. For example, demand can increase during specific seasons or because of particular events... Read More →

Sustainability in the Pet Food Industry

The idea of sustainability has become increasingly popular in the early 21st century. Not only are individuals looking for ways to apply eco-friendly practices and use sustainable products in their personal lives, but businesses and entire industries are finding ways to use sustainable practices in their operations. Some industries have embraced sustainability, while the idea still hasn’t caught on in other sectors. Pet food is one of the areas where eco-friendliness is not yet a common topic. Nonetheless, sustainability, environmental friendliness, and related topics are... Read More →

Reasons for Kitchen Equipment Failure

Professionals in the food industry rely on the functionality of their kitchen equipment to deliver consistent and safe products effectively to consumers. Kitchen equipment seldom lasts forever or performs perfectly at all times; under regular use without basic maintenance, you may even experience equipment failure. However, in most cases, this failure is preventable if you’re aware of the most common causes of breakdowns as well as how to avoid them. As a food industry professional, paying close attention to your kitchen equipment and ensuring you’re... Read More →