From high-protein, probiotic ice cream to imperfect produce to wine delivered to your door, this week’s news roundup is especially tasty. So settle in and get ready to catch up on some of our favorite food tech stories of the week. Pro tip: Pair it with hot apple cider for optimal weekend coziness.
Kroger introduces wine delivery in 14 states.
This week Kroger partnered with Drinks Holdings Inc. to launch a home-delivery service for wine (h/t Bloomberg). Through Kroger Wine, oenophiles in 13 states and the District of Columbia (more locations coming over the next few months) can order wine in 6- or 12-bottle assortments for delivery to their home or office. The wines cost between $10.83 and $16.67 per bottle.
Kroger to launch “ugly” produce brand.
Speaking of Kroger, at the Food Forward Summit in Washington, D.C., the company’s senior innovation officer announced the grocery retailer’s plans to launch its own brand of so-called “ugly” produce — that is, fruits and vegetables with cosmetic imperfections that are still perfectly safe to eat (h/t Food Navigator). Called Peculiar Picks, the “ugly” produce brand, which will sell for a reduced price, will start rolling out on Kroger shelves in Q1 of 2019. The new brand is part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger, Zero Waste initiative, an ambitious program which aims to eliminate hunger and waste in its stores by 2025.
Unilever releases new light, probiotic ice cream brand.
This week Unilever released a reduced-calorie, high-protein ice cream brand with added probiotics. Called Culture Republick, each pint of ice cream has 400-500 calories, 16-18 grams of protein, and costs between $3.99 and $4.99. This new brand, which comes in flavors like Pistachio & Caramel and Tumeric Chai & Cinnamon, is a clear play to compete with Halo Top and the flurry of light, high-protein ice cream brands it prompted.
Postmates launches in 134 more U.S. cities.
Food-delivery company Postmates added 134 new U.S. cities to its network this week. With this new expansion, they now have a presence in 550 cities, or 60 percent of the country, according to the startup’s press release. To celebrate their growth, Postmates is giving new customers $4 off any Chipotle order with code CHIPOTLE134. The offer lasts ’til 10/22, so if you’re in one of the aforementioned 550 cities, treat yourself to a burrito bowl this weekend.
Apple donates 1,000 watches to study binge eating.
This week Apple announced they would donate Apple watches to each of the 1,000 participants in a new study called BEGIN (Binge Eating Genetics Initiative) at the University of North Carolina (h/t CNBC). Researchers hope to use data from the wearable to better understand eating disorders and figure out ways to help manage them.
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