Michelin Tacos and Oysters

Welcome back Food Junglers! The spotlight is definitely on North America this time around and, while it was a slow news week, the intrigue is still in full force. Let’s dig in.

This week:

🍔 McDonald’s looks to increase its value proposition in the US.

🌮 An unlikely restaurant gets a Michelin star in Mexico.

🐄 The US government is still dealing with the Avian Flu.

🥩 Grass-fed beef is struggling at the moment.

🦪 Oysters are repurposed in New York City…

HEADLINER
MCDONALD’S GETS CHEAPER

In order to keep attracting price-sensitive consumers and to compete with its rivals, McDonald’s will be introducing a $5 meal bundle this summer.

The burger giant is likely doing this as a response to declining in-person sales, as American customers seem to be getting tired of the high cost of eating out.

According to recent reports, US fast-food traffic has declined 3.5% in the first three months of this year compared with the same period in 2023. And, the way inflation is going, that number will surely get bigger.

ZOOMING OUT: For some, this is more than just another meal deal. It’s a sign that fast food culture is slowly dying. And with consumers becoming increasingly health conscious, fast-food joints will have to think of more than just cheaper meals.

BUSINESS
MICHELIN-STARRED TACOS

A Mexican taco stand - El Califa de León - has become the first ever taco stand to receive the prestigious Michelin star rating from the Michelin guide, last week.

Located in Mexico City, the restaurant only has four items on the menu and its chef - Arturo Rivera Martínez - sources all of his ingredients locally in true Michelin style.

Of course, Martínez would never reveal his meat supplier as that - and his recipes - is kept secret. Despite this, for a Michelin-starred establishment, the tacos go for a reasonable $5 each.

ZOOMING OUT: As a taco-lover myself, I can’t help but cheer for Martínez’s achievement. But this also begs the question: is the era of awarding Michelin stars to stuffy restaurants coming to an end?

POLICY
USDA SENDS MORE CASH

As part of a new update on the Avian Flu in the US, the Biden administration has announced that it will provide around $200 million to fight the spread of the virus among dairy cows.

New reports have now led experts to believe that the outbreak, which has been detected in nine states since March, is more widespread than originally perceived.

As a result, up to $28,000 will be allocated to each dairy farm both for testing and to contain the spread of the virus. Still, USDA representatives maintain that pasteurised milk is safe to drink.

ZOOMING OUT: Certainly, more is being done to contain the Avian Flu. However, now the migration patterns of infected wild birds are making some scientists worried that the situation will become even more unpredictable.

SUPPLY CHAIN
GRASS-FED FEELS THE HEAT

New reports from The Food Institute have shown that grass-fed beef is becoming tremendously popular in the United States, but farmers are struggling to meet the demand.

The stats show that about 83% of US consumers are now taking into account the environment, animal welfare, and social welfare when buying meat and poultry.

The only problem is that grass-fed cows require a lot more land for grazing and actually produce more methane emissions than conventional cattle, on average.

ZOOMING OUT: Objectively speaking, grass-fed beef is a very sustainable food option. But, given the rising costs of resources to produce livestock, many farmers won’t have the capacity to provide for climate-conscious consumers.

THE BRIGHT SIDE
OYSTERS TO THE RESCUE

I had no idea that the New York Harbour was once home to 220,000 acres of oyster reefs, or that one adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.

Turns out, a New York-based non-profit organisation - Billion Oyster Project - is not only re-educating people about the environmental benefits of oysters, but is working with restaurants to repurpose old oyster shells to create brand new reefs in New York Harbour. 

The organisation, founded in 2014, collects old shells from 75 restaurants, four days a week, and uses them as a foundation for oyster reefs.

Even the UK’s Prince William got on board to inspect New York’s East River for signs of oyster-shell-made marine biodiversity! Food Jungle approved ✅ 

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BEFORE YOU GO…

• Kraft Heinz is looking to sell Oscar Mayer, the big maker of hot dogs, cold cuts and bacon.

• Red Lobster files for bankruptcy.

• Big agriculture has spent more than $400 million lobbying US Congress on a new farm bill.

• Brazilian meat producer’s - JBS - shares have soared due to help from increased chicken demand.

TAKE A BREAK

Hi there everyone! It’s our pleasure to introduce another newsletter in the food space - BETTER BIOECONOMY - from a food technology enthusiast, Eshan Samaranayake.  

Like the team at Food Jungle, Eshan is doing his absolute best to advertise those who are making food healthier, cleaner, more sustainable, more animal-friendly AND accessible to all.

So, if you are interested in reading more on food tech, go check it out! Food Jungle approved ✅