Secondary Feature — Latest Stories

How McDonald’s Latest Regenerative Beef Investment Falls Short

RFK Jr. praised McDonald’s $200M donation as the Trump administration cuts USDA staff that support rangeland conservation. Rather than fund short-term projects, advocates want McDonald’s to pay ranchers a fair price for better practices.

After a Rough Decade, Kraft Heinz Splits Up

After Warren Buffett and 3G Capital brought them together, Kraft Heinz will split into two companies. But this deal won’t reintroduce competition into the packaged food market.

Mergers & Acquisitions, RetailClaire KellowaySeptember 18, 2025CPG, Kraft, Heinz, private equity, Secondary Feature

The Next Phase of Robinson-Patman Litigation

The FTC withdrew its Robinson-Patman lawsuit against Pepsi, but private plaintiffs are bringing similar suits. New claims targeting promotional allowances could challenge unfair pricing norms in food retail.

Retail, EnforcementClaire KellowayAugust 21, 2025Robinson-Patman, grocery, walmart, Groceries, Pepsi, FTC, Secondary Feature

Wayne-Sanderson Acquires Harrison Poultry

The DOJ approved Wayne-Sanderson’s takeover of the 21st largest chicken processor, Harrison Poultry. The deal has minimal near-term risks to competition, but contributes to the broader trend of industry concentration.

Pesticide Industry Campaigns to Avoid Cancer Liability

After paying billions to settle Roundup cancer suits, Bayer launched a multi-pronged lobbying campaign to turn its legal defense into law. An appropriations rider passed Tuesday is the tip of the iceberg.

Seeds & Agrichemicals, PolicyClaire KellowayJuly 24, 2025Bayer, lawsuit, Secondary Feature

Budget Bill Expands Subsidies for Largest Farms, Cuts SNAP

As Republicans added work requirements for SNAP, they also made it easier for non-active farm owners to collect more federal subsidies.

PolicyClaire KellowayJuly 11, 2025farm bill, subsidies, commodity, SNAP, Secondary Feature

Lawsuit Alleges Deed Restriction Gave Albertsons a Local Monopoly

Grocery chains use little known property controls to prevent competition from moving in next door or into their store after they’re gone.

RetailClaire KellowayJune 25, 2025Groceries, Albertsons, Secondary Feature

Roark Acquires Another Fast Food Chain, Dave’s Hot Chicken

If it’s a food franchise, there’s a good chance one private equity firm, Roark Capital, owns it. Private equity ownership exacerbates the labor problems inherent in franchising.

States Try to Ban Surveillance Pricing in Grocery Stores and Beyond

Grocery stores have many ways to show different customers different prices based on their personal data. Several states seek to ban so-called “surveillance pricing.”

RetailClaire KellowayMay 15, 2025grocery, Instacart, personalized prices, data, Secondary Feature

USDA Repeals New Poultry Salmonella Standards

USDA has little power to punish poultry plants with excessive salmonella levels or prevent tainted product from getting to market. The Trump administration withdrew a proposal that would have changed this.

Flush with Cash, Cal-Maine Plans to Acquire Egg Patty Maker and Pay Out Family Owners

As Americans struggle with record egg prices, the largest U.S. egg company plans to transfer its record profits to a few family owners and buy up an egg patty maker in cash.

USDA Cuts Funds for Local Food Purchasing

Schools and food banks expected $1 billion from USDA to buy local foods this year. The Trump administration pulled those contracts, hurting farmers, kids, and rural development.