---
title: "Reflecting on 2018 in 280 characters or fewer: Part II"
description: In the second post in our series, we look at the trends and headlines from the second half of 2018 by sharing three of our Tweets from each month.
image: https://blog.spoileralert.com/hubfs/Reflecting%20on%202018%20in%20280%20characters%20or%20fewer%20Pt.%20II.png
---

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# Spoiler Alert Blog | Food Waste

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# Reflecting on 2018 in 280 characters or fewer: Part II

[Nate Clark](https://blog.spoileralert.com/author/nate-clark)

Dec 11, 2018

![Nate Clark](https://blog.spoileralert.com/hubfs/08-2015%20Clark%20Professional%20Photo.jpg)

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![Reflecting on 2018 in 280 characters or fewer Pt. I and II](https://blog.spoileralert.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reflecting%20on%202018%20in%20280%20characters%20or%20fewer%20Pt.%20I%20and%20II.png?width=346&name=Reflecting%20on%202018%20in%20280%20characters%20or%20fewer%20Pt.%20I%20and%20II.png)

Last week, we used our Tweets to recap some of the most important food trends and industry news from the first half of 2018. Here, we continue our reflection with top headlines from July through November.

## July

> “...the national average cost per ton of landfilled waste in 2017 was $50.30/ton, which is forecast to rise to $51.19/ton by end of 2018 and projected to climb even higher through 2021.” [https://t.co/ykilMQqQFH](https://t.co/ykilMQqQFH) [pic.twitter.com/MQOA5LoEmC](https://t.co/MQOA5LoEmC)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [July 2, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1013845766559948800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Moreover, industry bottlenecks threaten to significantly raise the cost of shipping waste from transfer stations to the landfill. Due to increased online shopping and other factors, there is a [national shortage of qualified commercial truck drivers,](http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/14/news/companies/truck-drivers-freight-costs/index.html) which will increase hauling costs in the near term.

> Under new “Unpronounceables List” initiative, [@USFoods](https://twitter.com/USFoods?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) will avoid, remove, or replace more than 80 [#ingredients](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ingredients?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) in more than 1,000 of its exclusive brand products to better align with consumer preferences for [#clean](https://twitter.com/hashtag/clean?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) label foods. [https://t.co/mWQkZSup17](https://t.co/mWQkZSup17)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [July 12, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1017427685906059271?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

As diners increasingly make less-is-more food choices, we will continue to streamline and simplify our products by removing or replacing certain ingredients with preferred alternatives so what’s left is simply good food.

> ICYMI: [@Danone](https://twitter.com/Danone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), [@MarsGlobal](https://twitter.com/MarsGlobal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), [@Nestle](https://twitter.com/Nestle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), + [@Unilever](https://twitter.com/Unilever?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) to form "The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance" which will lobby in five policy areas: product [#transparency](https://twitter.com/hashtag/transparency?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), [#nutrition](https://twitter.com/hashtag/nutrition?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), the [#environment](https://twitter.com/hashtag/environment?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), food [#safety](https://twitter.com/hashtag/safety?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), and a positive [#workplace](https://twitter.com/hashtag/workplace?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) for food and ag workers. [https://t.co/u7EdhDhOQH](https://t.co/u7EdhDhOQH)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [July 16, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1018874991289556993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) 

Food companies can and should be doing more to lead and drive positive policy action for the people who buy and enjoy the foods and beverages we make, the people who supply them, and the planet on which we all rely.

## **August**

> We are incredibly excited to announce that our partner [@Sysco](https://twitter.com/Sysco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) has announced its 2025 [#CSR](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) goals, which include "Donate 200 million meals to local communities" + "Divert 90 percent of operations and [#foodwaste](https://twitter.com/hashtag/foodwaste?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) from landfills". [https://t.co/oEgpnxbzVP](https://t.co/oEgpnxbzVP)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [August 14, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1029385660732452865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Our 2025 goals are a solid foundation that further demonstrate our global sustainability commitment. We are leading our industry with our CSR initiatives and by including specific long-term goals that align with our strategic business priorities, we are living our vision of becoming our customers’ most valued and trusted business partner.

> "A trucking shortage in the United States has caused [#freight](https://twitter.com/hashtag/freight?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) prices to soar upwards of 20% and extending the year-over-year gains to an unprecedented 17 straight months." [@WSJ](https://twitter.com/WSJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@FoodDive](https://twitter.com/FoodDive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/nZZ79wbHZc](https://t.co/nZZ79wbHZc)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [August 15, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1029746792164982784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The trucking squeeze has hit the food industry particularly hard, adding complications and costs to businesses already adjusting to changing competition and shifting consumer tastes. Food distributor US Foods Holding Corp. , cereal-maker Kellogg Co. , and Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. all said higher transportation and logistics costs weighed on earnings in the most recent quarter.

> "...the overall [#customer](https://twitter.com/hashtag/customer?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) experience is richer and more seamless than it's ever been." [@WholeFoods](https://twitter.com/WholeFoods?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) CEO John Mackey on 1-year anniversary of [@Amazon](https://twitter.com/amazon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) acquisition. [https://t.co/5oKvWJkaGu](https://t.co/5oKvWJkaGu)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [August 30, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1035183273817894912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Prime members shopping at Whole Foods can receive 10% discounts on certain sale items, and two-hour delivery and grocery pickup are available at some locations. In addition, shoppers can use Amazon's Alexa device to order their groceries by voice.

## September

> "Improving and expanding the cold chain...along with implementing [#digital](https://twitter.com/hashtag/digital?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) tools to better match [#supply](https://twitter.com/hashtag/supply?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) and [#demand](https://twitter.com/hashtag/demand?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), track loss and [#waste](https://twitter.com/hashtag/waste?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), and allow for dynamic [#pricing](https://twitter.com/hashtag/pricing?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) could save millions in lost food, but adoption of such tools has been slow." [https://t.co/bCw7cNQF1t](https://t.co/bCw7cNQF1t)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [September 5, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1037358271215153152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Inadequate infrastructure, a dearth of efficiency effort targeted a reducing loss and waste, little collaboration across the value chain and lacking regulations are all to blame for supply chains' slow progress in reducing food waste, according to [a new report from Boston Consulting Group](https://www.bcg.com/publications/2018/tackling-1.6-billion-ton-food-loss-and-waste-crisis.aspx) (BCG).  
 

> New report from [@labelinsight](https://twitter.com/labelinsight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) + [@FMI\_ORG](https://twitter.com/FMI_ORG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw): 75% of shoppers say they'll switch to a [#brand](https://twitter.com/hashtag/brand?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) that provides more in-depth [#product](https://twitter.com/hashtag/product?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) information, beyond what's provided on the physical label, indicating increased demand for [#transparency](https://twitter.com/hashtag/transparency?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw). [https://t.co/aySJC8G8yc](https://t.co/aySJC8G8yc)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [September 24, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1044289159286919173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Shopper demand for transparency...is fed by the plethora of information available at a consumers' fingertips. Recent research has predicted that the food traceability market will be worth $14 billion by 2019 and the trend has radically changed the way food products are marketed, turning the focus onto the manufacturer's ingredients, processes and backstory instead of advertising alone.

> ICYMI: Direct leafy greens [#suppliers](https://twitter.com/hashtag/suppliers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) will need to have one-step-back [#traceability](https://twitter.com/hashtag/traceability?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) on the network by Jan. 31, and end-to-end traceability is expected by Sept. 30, 2019, according to the letter the company sent to suppliers. [https://t.co/8jw0TCC0BH](https://t.co/8jw0TCC0BH)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [September 25, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1044581574149312512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Walmart customers deserve a more transparent supply chain. We felt the one-step-up and one-step-back model of food traceability was outdated for the 21st century. This is a smart, technology-supported move that will greatly benefit our customers and transform the food system, benefiting all stakeholders.

## October

> "Knowing where a recalled product was sold during the most dangerous food [#recalls](https://twitter.com/hashtag/recalls?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) can be the difference between a [#consumer](https://twitter.com/hashtag/consumer?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) going to the hospital or not." [@US\_FDA](https://twitter.com/US_FDA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb [https://t.co/KMy05xWW9I](https://t.co/KMy05xWW9I)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [October 1, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1046826526799466498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

They will mostly apply to "serious recalls," those in which eating the food could cause "serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals" or in situations in which it's hard to figure out from the food's packaging – or lack thereof – if it's subject to the recall, such as deli cheese, nuts, fresh produce sold individually, rawhide chews or pet treats sold in bulk.

> Loss estimates range from 30% to 60% of fall [#vegetable](https://twitter.com/hashtag/vegetable?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) crops on [#farms](https://twitter.com/hashtag/farms?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) in the regions, with some growers experiencing 100% [#losses](https://twitter.com/hashtag/losses?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) of certain crops, according to the [@universityofga](https://twitter.com/universityofga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) report. via [@thepacker](https://twitter.com/thepacker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/qM6wjQKSkg](https://t.co/qM6wjQKSkg)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [October 17, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1052620616698916870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Due to the widespread nature of the power outages growers may not have functioning coolers or irrigation pumps, which means that secondary losses due to inability to cool and pack harvested product or to irrigate crops in the fields may climb.

> ICYMI: "Winning on Reducing Food Waste" agreement's purpose to affirm a "shared commitment to reducing [#foodloss](https://twitter.com/hashtag/foodloss?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#foodwaste](https://twitter.com/hashtag/foodwaste?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)" + foster greater coordination and communication among [@EPA](https://twitter.com/EPA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), [@US\_FDA](https://twitter.com/US_FDA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), + [@USDA](https://twitter.com/USDA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/umrAiaQ9Cp](https://t.co/umrAiaQ9Cp)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [October 22, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1054391319215398913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

For those concerned by the fact that such large quantities of edible food is still being wasted, leading to potent methane emissions that exacerbate the growing climate crisis, it may be good news to see that this can be a nonpartisan issue.

## November

> Working with third-party [#delivery](https://twitter.com/hashtag/delivery?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) platforms; offering [#pickup](https://twitter.com/hashtag/pickup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) solutions; asking associates to make deliveries; and experimenting with autonomous vehicles are all ways [#grocers](https://twitter.com/hashtag/grocers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) are catering to [#online](https://twitter.com/hashtag/online?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) retail. [https://t.co/Lk8NkBpMLW](https://t.co/Lk8NkBpMLW)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [November 19, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1064595019280146433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Analysts say this “see what sticks” approach is the result of an unclear understanding of what consumers want and are willing to pay as retailers try to make pickup and delivery a profitable slice of their business.

> "But smaller families, growing guilt over wasteful leftovers, and a preference for free-range fowl have all played roles in the emergence of petite poultry as a holiday dinner centerpiece." [https://t.co/86iqqsju69](https://t.co/86iqqsju69)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [November 20, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1064913155082604554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Leftovers are part of the fun and tradition of the holidays, and this may be a small step for individuals to feel less wasteful and socially responsible.

> High freight, fuel, and labor costs are driving [#fooddistributors](https://twitter.com/hashtag/fooddistributors?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) to find ways to [#streamline](https://twitter.com/hashtag/streamline?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) their businesses. [https://t.co/lCGN9tfJhN](https://t.co/lCGN9tfJhN)
> 
>  — Spoiler Alert (@SpoilerAlert) [November 26, 2018](https://twitter.com/SpoilerAlert/status/1067174605033537536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

US Foods Holding Corp., Performance Foods Group Co., SpartanNash Co. and Sysco Co. all reported rising costs in their latest quarterly earnings. Operating expenses rose 6% at Sysco, the world’s largest food distributor, and 2% at US Foods.

## Want more updates? 

Did this recap pique your interest? If you want to dig deeper, we have free downloadable [Resources](https://www.spoileralert.com/resources-2018/) on our website, as well as [case studies](https://www.spoileralert.com/all-case-studies/) and an ongoing [blog](https://info.spoileralert.com/blog-sign-up-spoiler-alert) where we share learnings in bite-sized pieces. And in case you missed it, [don’t forget to check out Pt. I of our recap](https://blog.spoileralert.com/reflecting-2018-280-characters-1) in 280 words or fewer.

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