SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " Food " 3,297 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
The science and politics behind the panic over ultraprocessed foods
There’s no doubt that the modern food environment needs to be healthier. But are ultraprocessed foods as evil as their reputation suggests?
The science and politics behind the panic over ultraprocessed foods
There’s no doubt that the modern food environment needs to be healthier. But are ultraprocessed foods as evil as their reputation suggests?
Travel, Entertainment, and Freestanding Dining Contribute $1,089 Billion to Growth in the Food Away From Home
The Business Research Company’s Food Away From Home Global Market Report 2026 – Market Size, Trends, And Forecast 2026-2035
Silgan to Form New Business With Planned Trivium Packaging Acquisition
Silgan (SLGN) plans to acquire Trivium Packaging and combine it with its metal containers and food a
13 Organizations Building Health and Community in Philadelphia
These Philadelphia organizations are improving food and nutrition security and advancing health-forward solutions rooted in community.
Scientists discover why some people still can’t taste food after COVID-19
Scientists have uncovered a possible explanation for why some people struggle to taste food more than a year after recovering from COVID-19. By examining taste buds from patients with lingering symptoms, researchers discovered molecular abnormalities that weaken the signals responsible for detecting sweet, bitter, and savory flavors.
Add a Handful of This Fall Food to Boost Fiber and Antioxidants, Dietitian Says
In TODAY.com’s Expert Tip of the Day, a dietitian shares her favorite fall food to add a sprinkle of nutrients to meals.
Lamprey Health Care and Gather launch food bus partnership
Gather's fresh food bus, known as Gus the Bus, is now making regular visits to Lamprey Health Care in Newmarket.
Recent health inspections for Branch County eateries
Routine food service inspections are vital to protecting a community's overall health, and the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Agency inspects licensed food services every month.
2 Shelton eateries cited for serious violations in September 2026
The 25 Naugatuck Valley Health District inspections of Shelton food service establishments in September led to serious violations for two locations, according to reports.
Farmworkers’ health matters: South Africa looks to alternatives for chemical pesticides
Insects like fall armyworm or mealybugs can decimate food and commercial crops; like their counterparts elsewhere in the world, South Africa’s small and large farmers alike use synthetic chemical pesticides to control these and other pests. But about 385 million cases of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning are reported worldwide each year, according to the Pesticide […]
Rural health awards would bring $4.7 million to area organizations
Lakeshore Food Club, West Shore Community College, United Way of the West Shore and District Health Department No. 10 are listed for nearly $4.7 million in rural health funding aimed
Fermented foods: Health drives interest but taste keeps consumers coming back
Fermentation is helping food manufacturers pursue gut health, higher protein, and simpler recipes.
Memorial Health System receives $15,000 grant for Packaged Meal Program
The Food and Nutrition Services department at Memorial Health System has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Dickinson County to support the development of a new
Fifth annual CAFLS Graduate Research Symposium showcases student research with real-world impact
This year’s celebration of graduate student research brought nearly 200 attendees to Clemson’s Sandhill Research and Education Center, where presenters shared work spanning agriculture, natural resources, food and health. The fifth annual CAFLS Graduate Research Symposium was held October 13th, 2026 at the Sandhill Research and Education Center in Columbia.
Rob Raede: Santa Barbara Forge Turns Metalworking Expertise into Sizzling Cookware Business
Our usual focus here at Team Let’s Go Eat is talking to the people who put food in the pan. This time, we decided to talk to the people who make the
Here’s Brunch, a pop-up, weekend email about the 2026 Election Cycle
Your Sunday buffet of Florida politics, food, culture & more.
Campbell County health and food inspections (10/9/26–10/15/26)
GILLETTE, Wyo. — The Consumer Health Services Division of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture conducts inspections of retail food establishments throughout Wyoming (where there is not a local health department that does inspections) to help ensure safety of Wyoming residents. Campbell County establishments are inspected at least once a year by the WDA. All of […]
Laramie County health and food inspections (10/9/26–10/15/26)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department inspects restaurants, bars, convenience stores, delis, grocery stores, bed and breakfasts
Natrona County health and food inspections (10/9/26–10/15/26)
CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and
Woman allegedly hit business owner with a closed fist when he tried to stop robbery
WCYB NBC 5 Bristol and WEMT Fox 39 Greeneville offer local and national news reporting, sports, and weather forecasts to viewers in the Tennessee, Virginia Tri-Cities area including Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City.
Woman allegedly hit business owner with a closed fist when he tried to stop robbery
News4 NBC Reno covers news, sports, weather and traffic for the Reno, Nevada area including Sparks, Carson City, Virginia City, Silver City, Stagecoach, Silver Springs, Sun Valley, Cold Springs, Spanish Springs and Fenley, Nevada and Truckee and Tahoe City, California.
Woman allegedly hit business owner with a closed fist when he tried to stop robbery
KOKH Fox 25 provides, news, sports, weather and local event coverage in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, including McLoud, Shawnee, Tecumseh, Seminole, Wewoka, Maud, Asher, Wanetted, Goldsby, Norman, Blanchard, Chickasha, Pauls Valley, Purcell, Andarko, Bridgeport, Lawton, Duncan, Okarche, Kingfisher, Guthrie Stillwater and Cushing, Oklahoma.
Woman allegedly hit business owner with a closed fist when he tried to stop robbery
WGXA News Fox 24 and ABC 16 in Macon Georgia provides local and national news, weather, sports and notice of community events in surrounding towns, including Warner Robins, Gray, Forsyth, Musella, Roberta, Milledgeville, Phoenix, Monticello, Hawkinsville and Montezuma, Georgia.
Woman allegedly hit business owner with a closed fist when he tried to stop robbery
WOAI NBC News Channel 4 San Antonio provides local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, investigations, and items of interest in the community, sports and entertainment programming for San Antonio and nearby towns and communities in South Central Texas, including Windcrest, Uvalde, Universal City, Somerset, Seguin, Schertz, San Marcos, Sabinal, Poth, Poteet, Pleasanton, Pearsall, New Braunfels, Live Oak, Kerrville, Hondo, Helotes, Goliad, Fredericksburg, Floresville, Eagle Pass, Devine, Del Rio, Cuero, Crystal City, Converse, Cibolo, Castroville, Carrizo Springs, Boerne, Bandera.
Woman allegedly hit business owner with a closed fist when he tried to stop robbery
KEYE TV CBS Austin is the news, sports and weather leader for the Texas Capitol Region, covering events in the surrounding area including Round Rock Pflugerville, Georgetown, Belton, Killeen, Taylor, Lakeway, Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, Wyldwood, Bastrop, Elgin, Bartlett, Jarrell, Bertram, Burnet and Salado.
Georgia-Carolina State Fair returns to downtown
The Georgia-Carolina State Fair returns downtown this week with rides, entertainment, and food.
Anacortes Food Coop celebrates 10 years in business
ANACORTES — About 10 local food producers offered free samples Oct. 9 in the parking lot behind the Anacortes Food Coop in celebration of the nonprofit grocery store’s 10th anniversary.
5 Ways to Make Your Favorite Fall Comfort Foods Healthier | Hartford HealthCare
Learn more about News Detail at hartfordhealthcare.org
Who passed health checks in Wichita KS? Asian, burgers, food trucks & more
See Wichita-area restaurants, stores & hotels that passed health inspections. Sixty-nine locations made the Oct. 4-10 list.
The Political Economy of the Restaurant
Political organizer and chef Lewis Bassett’s The Full English offers a firsthand account of how English food has been shaped by industrialization, empire, and class from the vantage point of restaurants across the country.
Springfield barbecue spot re-opens for business after fire
This week in 417 foodie news, a barbecue spot returns, a food truck goes up for sale and a speakeasy gets in the Halloween spirit. Plus, 7 Brew expands to another Ozarks town.
The 2 additives a processed-foods researcher and mom of 2 avoids at all costs
Elizabeth Dunford, a nutrition epidemiologist, studies additives in ultra-processed foods and their impact on health.
Nestle, Unilever face regulatory action in India over misleading health claims
Investing.com -- India’s food safety regulator has issued notices to Nestle India and Hindustan Unilever over allegedly misleading nutritional and health claims on dietary supplements, as authorities intensify scrutiny of food manufacturers.
Hormel makes $1 billion bet on chicken
Hormel Foods is branching into a new — and wildly popular — meat category with a deal to acquire a chicken company for more than $1 billion.
Midland Mall Renaissance Festival draws thousands on opening day
Thousands of costumed festivalgoers filled Midland Mall on Saturday for the opening day of its first Renaissance Festival, featuring vendors, food, dancing and fantasy fun.
Bluebird Days brings live music, local food and entertainment to Greenbelt
KBOI-TV CBS 2 covers news, sports, traffic, and weather in the Treasure Valley and Boise, Idaho and nearby communities, including Meridian, Nampa, Garden City, Caldwell, Kuna, Middleton, Eagle, Mountain Home, Star, Melba, Payette, Weiser, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho City, Marsing, Homedale, Parma, New Plymouth, Murphy, Fruitland, Emmett, Wilder, Notus, McCall, Cascade, Donnelly, Council, and Vale, Oregon, and Nyssa, Oregon, Ontario, Oregon.
Health Department releases food inspection reports for week of Oct. 4
Scores for the recent Health Department food inspection ranged from 69 to 100.
Orange County restaurants shut down by health inspectors (Oct. 8-15)
There were 12 restaurants and food establishments ordered closed by Orange County inspectors from Oct. 8 to Oct. 15.
Cardiologists Share 10 Foods to Avoid With High Blood Pressure
From processed meats to sugary drinks, here are the foods and drinks to cut back on If you have hypertension.
Staunton Pride is today. What to know about music, food and parking
Staunton Pride returns to Gypsy Hill Park with live music, drag performances, vendors, food and wellness resources. Here's what to know.
Healthcare costs top survey of Americans’ biggest economic concerns, followed by gasoline, food, utilities
The cost of healthcare is the top economic issue for voters, according to a recent national survey, as politicians in Arkansas and across the U.S. prepare to make their final pitches ahead of the November midterm elections.
Beverly Latest To Get Hit By Business Break-Ins; Multiple Arrests Made
Thursday's burglaries in Beverly were part of a series of smash-and-grabs across the city this week, and multiple persons of interest are in custody, Ald. Matt O'Shea said.
What causes sleep paralysis; health indicators of Alzheimer's diagnosis; sober October; plus other stories with Vanderbilt Health sources
(iStock) Food and Wine interviewed Peter Martin, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, for a story about sober October. William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine, was quoted in CNN International’s Connect the World with Becky Anderson and NewsNation Morning in America for stories about the reported plague situation in Russia, after a laboratory worker at an institute in Siberia dedicated to studying the plague and other infectious diseases died of a mysterious illness. Prevention interviewed James McGuirk, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Sleep Medicine, for a story about what causes sleep paralysis. Modern Healthcare interviewed Daniel Fabbri, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Computer Science, for a story about how health systems are managing AI token costs. WNKY interviewed Ziv Beckerman, MD, Associate Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Surgical Director of Pediatric Heart Transplantation in the Golisano Pediatric Heart Institute at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt about rapid recovery with extended ultra oxygenated preservation (REUP) that is a new form of preservation for heart organs. Ray Romano, PhD, MPH, MSN, Nurse Practitioner, Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center, was quoted Prevention about research that found other health issues may be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s.
Great bake: Cheyenne entrepreneur finds sweet success after a cupcake business reboot
CHEYENNE, Wyo. –– Munching on product is usually frowned upon in most food service environments. For Brian Harris, sampling the food is actually
From Snack Bags to Sports Drink Sachets: How PepsiCo Shares Packaging Science Across Foods and Beverages
Mars Impact Fund Commits $3M to 4-H science pathways
Mars is investing $3 million in National 4-H Council to expand agricultural, food science and veterinary career opportunities for up to 200K young people.
Plant science graduate student committed to improving food security
Sarah Flanagan, a doctoral student in plant science and food security, has been involved with the World Food Prize Foundation and its mission of world food security since high school. Now, she is set to return for the Norman E. Borlaug Dialogue, Oct. 20-22.
Ultra-Processed Foods and the Aging Brain: What Does the Science Say?
Eating more ultra-processed foods has been linked to increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease, as well as other non-brain health effects, including diabetes and cancer. But why do these foods affect our brain health?
Regenerative Growers in Florida aim to improve soil for health of food, environment, consumers and workers
The broad set of practices is becoming more popular at a time when climate change is stressing the state’s land—and the people who work on it.
You’re Invited: What Can We Achieve When We Put Food First For Health?
Join Food Tank in Philadelphia to talk about the collaboration, legislation, and innovation that prioritizes our dietary well-being.
What doctors want patients to know about food poisoning
Food poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Learn how to spot warning signs, recover safely, prevent illness and when to call your doctor.
Nigeria: ICRC-supported health facilities see 18 per cent rise in malnutrition cases
In north-east Nigeria, admissions for malnutrition have risen by nearly a fifth in a single year at six health centres and four hospitals supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They went from around 17,000 cases between January and September 2025 to almost 20,000 cases over the same period this year.
Rx for Virginians’ health, one grocery bag at a time
The Trump administration’s cuts to SNAP are sending an estimated 130,000 vulnerable Virginians off the food subsidy program. A network of nearly 100 food pharmacies in Virginia is struggling to fill the gap – and provide families with healthy produce and food.
Wildfires, heat, food insecurity, lack of medical care affect Californians’ health: UCLA survey
Nearly 30% of LA County adults said they or members of their households experienced wildfires during the previous two years, up from 6.6% in the previous survey.
New plans could bring Burlington’s Nectar’s back to life
Plans are in the works to bring live music, food, and entertainment back to Burlington’s historic Nectar’s building, which has been closed since last year.
The Farm at Trinity Health
The Farm at Trinity Health provides community-centered food programs designed to improve health equity while investing in the local food system.
Best of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, Oct. 15-18
With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County, with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout's BOLO events calendar.
Food Bazaar expanding with Western Beef acquisition
Food Bazaar operator Bogopa Service Corp. is acquiring 14 Western Beef stores, including four on Long Island, expanding its supermarket footprint.
Let's Do Lunch!: Episode 12: Dr. Regan Bailey from ICON Health talks nutrition, makes healthy snack
Tune in to today's episode of Let's Do Lunch!, featuring Dr. Regan Bailey from ICON Health! She discussed food as medicine and whipped up a healthy snack!
Treating Hunger as Health Care: Franciscan Health and Food Bank of NWI Debut Illinois/Indiana State Line Food Locker
Treating Hunger as Health Care: Franciscan Health and Food Bank of NWI Debut Illinois/Indiana State Line Food Locker
SpaceX Dragon Docks with Science, Supplies, and Roll-Out Solar Arrays
At 11 a.m. EDT, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module, delivering more than 6,300 pounds of food, supplies, and equipment for the Expedition 75 crew.
How lost fibre in sugar impacts health and how we can get it back
The loss of fibre in sugar has led to numerous diseases; the solution may lie in redesigning food and restoring beneficial biological signals.
Free Lamanda Park Workshop Hands Would-Be Business Owners a 17-Item Checklist
Starting a business in Pasadena comes with a list: a name, a legal structure, insurance, financing and a city business license that has to be renewed every year. A two-hour workshop Saturday at a Pasadena branch library aims to put that list in order. SCORE Los Angeles, the nonprofit presenting the session, says attendees will leave with a 17-item checklist of steps for getting a business established. The Pasadena Public Library is sponsoring the workshop, according to SCORE. The listing says the session is meant for people thinking about starting a business and for those who have recently started one. SCORE wrote that the program “cuts through the confusion and chaos” of figuring out what it takes to start a business. According to the listing, it covers the legal requirements for a start-up business, along with other practical steps worth taking. Beyond those basics, the session covers taxes, the elements of a business plan and marketing, according to the listing. It also weighs the pros and cons of different legal structures, examines the major causes of business failure and offers ways to avoid legal problems. Attendees will hear how SCORE can help new businesses succeed. Some of the rules a new owner must follow are local. The city’s Department of Finance requires that annual license to be displayed prominently at the place of business. Businesses that sell tangible goods also need a state seller’s permit showing their Pasadena address, and any business that prepares or sells food needs approval from the Pasadena Health Department, according to the department. Even charities are covered: “Charitable non-profit businesses are required to obtain a business license,” the department’s guidance says. SCORE lists two instructors for the workshop. Dick Mader, a SCORE mentor who serves on the chapter’s board of directors, started a media distribution
Wellfleet OysterFest is this weekend. Here's what to know before you go
The 26th annual Wellfleet OysterFest features a massive shucking competition, live music, and local food this weekend.
University of Kentucky to host third annual One Health Symposium on Nov. 3
The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the One Health Initiative invite the UK campus community, along with local and state stakeholders, to the 2026 One Health Symposium on Nov.
Regenerative Growers in Florida Aim to Improve Soil for Health of Food, Environment, Consumers and Workers
The broad set of practices is becoming more popular at a time when climate change is stressing the state’s land—and the people who work on it.
Heart doctor: Healthy school meals are heart health policy
Right now, far too many Virginia children lack consistent access to the food they need to grow, learn and thrive. The 2026 Virginia Hunger Study found that one in two (51%) Virginia households with…
Food Science Pilot Plant internship helps student find passion and gain experience
The University of Illinois Food Science Pilot Plant offers space for food processing companies to test new ingredients and technologies. And it gives students real-world experience to prepare for food science careers.
North Phoenix sports bar, 2 Mesa restaurants cited for health violations
Several Valley restaurants were cited by health inspectors this week for handling food without washing hands and for keeping food at dangerous temperatures.
Best foods for reducing dangerous belly fat and protecting heart health
Belly fat and visceral fat are linked to serious health issues. A doctor shares how lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats can help reduce stomach fat.
ENTERTAINMENT: Hillcrest hosts HarvestFest; Tiny Desk concert showcases state talent; library offers renaissance faire
The 32nd Hillcrest HarvestFest kicks off Saturday with live music, food trucks, and a dog show. Proceeds support The Allen School.
Fighting off microbial invasions drains plants' iron stores, but one protein helps restore balance
Energy production in our cells, oxygen traveling in our blood and immune cells fighting infection all depend on iron, an essential mineral that enters the food chain when plants absorb it from soil. But ...
TENNESSEE VOLS BASKETBALL: Exhibition with Xavier opens season
The Tennessee men's basketball team is set to take the floor at Food City Center for the first time in the 2026-27 season Thursday as it hosts the Xavier Musketeers in a preseason exhibition contest. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
AHF • ‘Food for Health’ Steps Up Nationwide Expansion in Second Half of 2026
AIDS Healthcare Foundation's "Food for Health" program addresses serious hunger and food insecurity issues in the United States.
Prime Concepts Detroit adds burger-focused Stoli’s restaurant in West Bloomfield
The casual restaurant will serve burgers, comfort food and late-night bites in a departure from the group's typical offerings.
'They cannot compete with the prices that fish factories will pay': How demand for fish meal takes priority over feeding people
In this excerpt from "Every Last Fish," author Rose George examines the deep-rooted problems of the regulations surrounding fish meal — a product that's supposed to come from the discarded scraps of dead fish, but in reality removes huge quantities of food from people in West Africa who need it.
Herpes ‘Remedies’ Sold On Amazon And Walmart Pose Public Health Risk, FDA Warns
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 14, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Creams, sprays and washes that promise relief from genital herpes are easy to order online, but none of them has been approved to treat the infection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to Amazon and Walmart over herpes
Colorado’s largest food drive connects veterans and their families with food and health resources
Southern Colorado veterans receive fresh food, health resources and ongoing support through the annual Heroes Helping Heroes event.
Delta is overhauling its business-class cabin with new menus, Porsches, and bigger suites
The airline is expanding its Porsche tarmac fleet from 40 to 70 vehicles and debuting new food, drinks, and amenities on transoceanic routes
Creemee Tours Add Sweetness To Fall Foliage Tours
MONTPELIER- Both the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (AAFM), and the Vermont Maple Sugar Maker’s Association (VMSMA) offer creemee-based promotions. The promotions are most popular in the summer
SPECIAL REPORT: Tough Business
A string of vacant restaurant buildings shows that many restaurants in the region are struggling — and several are closing By Stefan Yablonski [caption id=attachment_11132 align=alignright width=401] Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill on Route 31 in Clay closed its doors in April. It had been in operation since at least 2008.[/caption] By their nature, most restaurants have a limited life. An astonishing 60% go out of business within three years of opening, largely due to fundamental flaws in the planning of the operation. But even restaurants that experience years of success almost always face eventual closure. The restaurant business is very hard and because of both personal factors and external factors beyond anyone’s control, restaurants don’t last forever. For many restaurants, age is a big factor, according to Kenneth Walsleben, professor of practice, entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises at Syracuse University. “The owners have been at it for 20 or 25 years, if not longer, they want some time to themselves,” he said. Such was the case for Jocko’s Famous Ritz Diner in Oswego. Jocko Reitz bought the building in the late 1970s from Robert Shapiro. However, when he stepped away from the business, it eventually closed. [caption id=attachment_11142 align=alignright width=402] For nearly 80 years, Vona’s Restaurant passed through three generations of family in Oswego. It closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2025.[/caption] For nearly 80 years, Vona’s passed through three generations of family in Oswego. Vona’s Restaurant officially closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2025, when no family member wanted to take over. It is on the market. The Ruby Tuesday in Oswego operated for about two decades before permanently closing in April 2026. The restaurant faced multiple temporary health department closures in 2024 and 2025 due to persistent fruit fly and foundation pest issues. Management posted a final closure notice on the doors in mid-April 2026 and the building was put up for sale. The same pattern has been happening in Onondaga County. The big building once used by Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill on Route 31 in Clay remains empty, more than six months after the restaurant closed its doors in April. It had been in operation since at least 2008. [caption id=attachment_11130 align=alignright width=401] Ruby Tuesday in Oswego operated for about two decades before permanently closing in April 2026.[/caption] Just down the road from Smokey Bones, the popular Outback Steakhouse closed in August 2024. Another restaurant took its place, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant, but it closed shortly after. The building sits empty. Other very popular restaurants in the northern suburbs of Syracuse have recently closed. Among them, Fireside by the River in Baldwinsville and Primo Nestico’s Bistro Bar in North Syracuse. “I haven’t really paid attention to the Syracuse area. There has always been some turnover, but there probably has never been a tougher time to be a restauranter than now. It’s just brutal,” Walsleben said. In the first year, roughly 20% to 25% of restaurants close or change hands, according to the National Restaurant Association. [caption id=attachment_11122 align=alignright width=401] Outback Steakhouse closed in August 2024. Another restaurant took its place, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant, but it closed shortly after. The building sits empty.[/caption] “Depending on what statistics you look at, you’ll find that any business has a high mortality rate in the first year. That is just the nature of entrepreneurship,” Walsleben said. “There are certain ones that are getting hit hard while others are more fruitful. “And when you look at the restaurant industry you have to factor in labor which is a large part — typically a third of your expenses — and those costs are going up. And there is always turnover which means investing money to train people. Then you’ve got food costs, which is also a third of the typical restaurant budget. Since the pandemic labor has gone up 41%, food costs have gone up 35%. That’s a big tight squeeze righty there. That’s two-thirds of your budget that has gone up 35% to 40% in the last few years. And then the only way you can make that work is to raise the prices.” The National Restaurant Association reports menu prices are up 36% since February of 2020. In a survey released by the association, more than eight in 10 restaurant owners reported that their food, beverage and labor costs are now higher than before the pandemic. You have to deal with the reality of are the customers willing to pay for that? Walsleben added. Restaurants historically have very thin margins; their profit margin is about 5%. “You have a third that goes into food, a third that goes into labor and about 28%, 29% that goes into everything else — overhead, insurance etc. So that brings you down to your 5% leftover,” he said. “Everything is going up. Customer expectations are going up and people aren’t going to spend that much more. So, you have a tight squeeze here,” Walsleben continued. “Restaurants who use delivery apps, they pay a fee to those guys. Those guys don’t work for free. So, you can kind of see where the squeeze comes from.” Stuck in the middle There are pockets of opportunity; the two extremes of the market can make a profit. But the middle gets squeezed out. “If you are a low-end fast-food kind of place, there is room for that. People have changed their budgets. They are still going out, but they are not spending more,” according to Walsleben. “The high end remains positive. If you have a restaurant that brings a specific experience … a great food product or you are catering to high end customers who aren’t so budget conscious, those patrons are going to expect a high-end experience. They expect excellent food every time. They are expecting excellent service. If you can meet those expectations there is room for you at the top. It’s just the guys in the middle are getting the squeeze from both ends. Tough competition, customer expectations, costs are up. Menu items, you can’t raise the prices as much as you need to. That is why you are seeing a lot of restaurants baling out.” The ones that can adapt quickly are the ones who are doing OK. “Success is heavily dependent on the strength of a restaurant’s concept development and the planning of its execution. Eventually things aren’t always new. Things change. So, if you are in the restaurant business you have got to change your menu — keep things new, fresh and update your meals. It is very fickle industry. One year carbs are out, the next year berries are out. Everybody’s diet changes — constantly chasing the latest phase. You have got to adjust your menu and move with those modifications. If you have a static menu that you have used the last couple years that hasn’t changed except for the pricing, you’ve got a problem,” he said. A lot of times these buildings are singular purpose, he added. “You have a commercially viable kitchen and you got a seating area. There is not a lot of other businesses that cater to that type of a layout. So, it’s pretty common to see another restaurant slide in,” he said. One of the things a banker learns early on is you don’t lend money to restaurants … because they fail so quickly. It is very hard to predict who the winners will be. So, if you are a restaurant in addition to all the other challenges, it is very difficult to get loans, according to Walsleben. “You might work really well in the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean you are a great businessperson,” he said. “Restaurants can fail because the owner didn’t know how to manage things properly. There are a lot of challenges. “There is opportunity at the high end and the low end. But in the middle, that’s the death valley. There are just so many things working against you. You really need to have something that will pull people in and continue to pull people in because you to constantly have to change. Think about a theme and a product that is unique to the area people don’t travel that far these days you have to be able to deliver it in an innovative fashion and keep updating to keep people coming in the door.” Out of Business? How Fast? Do nine out of 10 restaurants fail in their first year, as commonly claimed? No. Survival analysis of 1.9 million longitudinal microdata for 81,000 full-service restaurants in a 20-year U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics non public census of business establishments in the western US shows that only 17% of independently owned full-service restaurant startups failed in their first year, compared with 19% for all other service-providing startups, according to ResearchGate. The median lifespan of restaurants is about 4.5 years, slightly longer than that of other service businesses (4.25 years). However, the median lifespan of a restaurant startup with 5 or fewer employees is 3.75 years, slightly shorter than that of other service businesses of the same startup size (4.0 years). What Makes a Restaurant Successful? Opening and maintaining a successful restaurant is not as easy as creating a great menu and serving excellent food. It takes more than that, according to local restaurant owners who have been in business for decades in the region. They all agree that there are some guidelines to running a successful restaurant. • Quality food: Successful restaurants know exactly what they serve and who they serve it to. Delivering the same great taste every single time builds loyal customers. • Smooth operations: Friendly greetings and attentive staff make guests feel welcome from the moment they walk in. Hiring staff for personality and training for skill ensures reliable, caring service. • Smart marketing: Exceptional food and experiences naturally get people talking and sharing online. Word of mouth can help entice customers. Consistent social media and targeted advertising brings in new and repeat guests also. The menu is what keeps patrons coming back to Mimi’s Diner in Fulton, located at 201 N. Second St. “We locally source our produce and our meats. Our chicken and biscuits is a popular, popular special,” said Richard Tagliareni, the third-generation owner and general manager. “It’s all homemade. We have consistently served quality food.” His grandfather started the business more than 55 years ago. Mimi’s is engrained in the community. They cater to the community and are very involved in everything from the schools to local events. The first Mimi’s Drive-In opened in Mexico. Then a second in Oswego and then Fulton. Fulton’s Mimi’s is the only one left. “The last couple of weeks have been kind of slower than normal. October is usually a busier month for us People will start coming back around again. Also, the price of gas is affecting some things,” Tagliareni added. “We try to keep our prices in line. You go out to eat, you’re going to spend about a hundred bucks or so for two people for dinner. You come here to Mimi’s you are probably for two people for dinner it’s between $50 and $60. We are trying to keep our prices in line. We did have to increase our prices a little bit but things are looking OK.” For the Press Box, 29 E. First St., Oswego, it’s also about great food and a family atmosphere. “Our sports bar and restaurant was established in 1984,” said Alison Canale Scanlon, manager. “I think putting the time into everything makes a big difference and treating people like family when they walk into your restaurant. That’s how we have always operated since 1984.” “It’s the family oriented aspect,” she added. “Consistency, quality and presentation of our food — that’s the secret to a successful restaurant. We try to be very consistent with it. We treat people like family when they come in; because we know how we want to be treated when we go to a restaurant. We treat people the same or better.”
Are Bank Lobbies Still Relevant?
Local banking leaders say technology is changing the way customers use their banks — and their lobbies By Deborah Jeanne Post [caption id=attachment_11109 align=alignright width=300] Steve Gorczynski is M&T Bank Central New York regional president.[/caption] When was the last time you entered the lobby of your bank? If it’s been a while, you’re part of a trend of eschewing the lobby in favor of ATMs, drive-thrus, online banking and remote deposit. A 2025 study performed by the American Bankers Association revealed that only 9% of consumers use bank branches as their preferred way to do banking and 76% prefer mobile banking. The trend away from the lobby reflects consumer behavior in other areas of doing business, including online shopping instead of perusing the mall, ordering fast food at a kiosk, not at the counter and selecting curbside pick-up rather than walking into the restaurant. Consumers want convenience and going in the lobby adds another layer to the task. It also places consumers face to face with one or more representatives of the business, something less favorable to people feeling burned out from interpersonal interactions. Nixing or at least minimizing the size of the lobby isn’t necessarily negative for banks. Fewer people passing through their doors reduces overhead for building maintenance, staffing and furnishing. Greater reliance on virtual banking can mean closing brick and mortar locations and hiring fewer staffers to cover roles like teller and lending officer. “Our focus is on meeting customers where they are and giving them flexibility in how they bank,” said Steve Gorczynski, M&T Bank Central New York regional president. “While many everyday transactions can be supported digitally and through ATMs, branches remain important for more complex financial needs, offering face-to-face guidance and a more personal banking experience.” Talking with a commercial lender or working on a home mortgage are two examples where meeting face-to-face is more desirable for many people. They can receive immediate feedback to questions and can possibly reach their goals more quickly. But there’s little need to have a large seating area, long counters and numerous tellers for routine banking that’s quicker to handle virtually. Online banking can also help people on the go more readily complete banking tasks such as depositing checks, transferring funds among accounts and checking balances. [caption id=attachment_11135 align=alignright width=300] Tina M. Stephens is the vice president branch administration for Fulton Savings Bank.[/caption] “The traditional bank lobby is certainly being evaluated by most institutions today, as the typical large, open and cavernous spaces do not necessarily meet the needs of today’s customers,” said Tina M. Stephens, vice president branch administration for Fulton Savings Bank. “Traditional lobbies often bisect traditional teller stations and customer service areas, which adds confusion, especially for the demographic who routinely use online banking and only access the lobby for customer service needs.” Despite the rollback in physical locations across the industry, Fulton Savings Bank began modernizing its six branch offices in Oswego and Onondaga counties about three years ago and have finished four offices so far in Baldwinsville, Fulton, Constantia, and Phoenix. “We made the decision to build a new branch across the street from our current office in Brewerton which will be completed by the end of 2026, and we will begin the retrofit of our Central Square office in early 2027,” Stephens said. “Our efforts specifically address where we think customers will be in the next three to five years and have greater flexibility to make changes out into the future.” The bank may be onto something, as numerous reports state that screen-weary Gen Z young adults crave more in-person interactions than virtual ones. If the pendulum continues to swing in that direction, it’s hard to see all physical bank areas disappear, even if they change somewhat. Fulton Savings Bank has also consolidated its teller and customer service representative areas to larger “universal banker” areas, where the bank representative can address all customer retail needs. A one-stop-shop experience appeals to busy banking customers who want to perform a few different banking tasks in one visit. Stephens also said that Fulton Savings Bank made additional technology and security enhancements and created flex spaces to accommodate bank meetings throughout the two-county branch footprint. At Solvay Bank, Elizabeth Lavier, vice president marketing and communications manager, lauded digital and online services as convenient and flexible for managing finances; however, “technology is not meant to replace what matters most: the relationships behind every account that have always been at the heart of community banking,” she said. “Even in today’s digital-first world, people of all ages still value the opportunity to sit down with a trusted banker for personalized guidance. We understand that some of life’s biggest moments call for more than a screen.” Lavier views digital banking as another way for the organization to serve customers rather than a replacement for branches, tellers and lenders, which tend to serve customers better for transactions like buying a first car, purchasing a home, saving for a child’s education, or planning for retirement. “Those conversations, built on understanding, experience and personal guidance, are what community banking is all about,” Lavier said. “At the end of the day, banking is about more than transactions. It’s about helping our customers achieve their goals and being there for them every step of the way. By combining the convenience of digital banking with the care, commitment, and personal service of a local community bank, Solvay Bank offers customers the best of both worlds.” Are Paper Checks Destined to Disappear? With the ubiquity of debit cards, online payments, virtual checks and peer-to-peer payment platforms like Venmo, Zelle and PayPal, will paper checks become passe? “In my view, paper checks are unlikely to disappear in the near future,” said Tina M. Stephens, vice president branch administration for Fulton Savings Bank. “They continue to serve a practical purpose by providing a clear paper trail and tangible proof of payment.” According to the American Banker, a leading trade publication that covers the banking and financial industry, in 2024, checks accounted for 65% of all payment fraud losses. Paper checks should be phased out, according to the publication. “The phrase, ‘The check’s in the mail’ probably sounds strange to younger people because the era of paper checks is rapidly drawing to a close. Put bluntly, checks are an expensive, insecure legacy that is a drag on the U.S. economy. Rather than wait for them to vanish slowly, the pragmatic choice is to strategically accelerate the transition to paperless payments.”
Meijer Now Accepts evermore Cards, Expanding Access to Healthy Food and OTC Products for Medicare Customers
Midwest retailer adds another convenient payment option for eligible shoppers GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer announced today it now accepts evermore over-the-counter...
Food-Is-Medicine Has No Billing Code, So A Startup Merged
Attane Health had contracts inside major health plans and sold anyway. Founder Emily Brown on billing codes, 18-month payer cycles and a $5.5 million cap table.
Advancing One Health implementation and investment: from country action to sustainable solutions - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health
The Quadripartite organisations (FAO, UNEP, WHO and WOAH) highlight country action, science and investment as priorities for advancing One Health at the 9th World One Health Congress in Lisbon, Portugal. The Quadripartite partners – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) […]
OLE Health opens Community Clinic Garden
OLE Health has opened a new community garden at the Davis Community Clinic, expanding access to fresh food, nutrition education and wellness resources for patients and completing a network of
‘Gus the Bus’ to provide free food at Lamprey Health in Newmarket
Gather, a Portsmouth-based food pantry, is bringing its fresh food bus, nicknamed “Gus the Bus,” to Lamprey Health Care’s community health center in Newmarket.
UC Davis Secures $953 Million in Annual Research Funding to Advance Discoveries, Services and Solutions
The University of California, Davis, received $953 million in external research awards in the fiscal year 2025-26, supporting a broad range of research to enhance lives through advancements in healthcare, food supply, energy solutions, education and more.
Industry, health groups descend on OMB over ultra-processed definition
A rundown of the groups weighing in on the federal government’s pending definition of ultra-processed foods. Plus, El-Sayed doubles down on MAHA-ish.
These 2 Friends Quit Their Blue-Collar Jobs to Sell BBQ. They Weren’t Making Money Until They Broke Every Rule About How BBQ Should Taste.
They spent years selling food on weekends while working day jobs. When they finally quit everything, they made a bet most people told them was wrong.
TN Department of Health investigating possible foodborne illness outbreak at Lebanon Walmart warehouse
New rides, food and entertainment rolling in with the SC State Fair this week
The South Carolina State Fair returns to Columbia this Thursday, Oct. 15 with new rides, more than a dozen new food and drink options, live entertainment and a new performance
Commentary: Access to rural healthcare is bigger than hospitals – and North Carolina is leading the way
Health begins long before someone steps foot in a doctor's office. Public health experts call these factors the social determinants of health. If you don't have a balanced diet or access to nutritious foods, your health suffers.
Topeka families face growing health and food gaps
Topeka residents face barriers to health care and fresh food as nonprofits scramble to fill growing service gaps.
Staunton Pride returns to Gypsy Hill Park on Oct. 17
Staunton Pride features live entertainment, food vendors, health screenings, a wellness hub and two official after-parties. Here's what to know.
Here’s the Pumpkin Pavilion entertainment lineup and schedule of events
Get ready for live music, seasonal activities, food trucks, drinks, and more at Humboldt Park October 21-24.
TN Department of Health investigating possible foodborne illness outbreak at Walmart warehouse
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is investigating a potential foodborne illness outbreak at a Walmart fulfillment center in Lebanon after 19 people were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Trump rally brings business to local food trucks
A big event draws crowds, and food trucks usually follow. Two local businesses were ready for President Donald Trump’s rally Monday. They got prime spots outside the Covelli Centre and were r…