Alyse Thompson-Richards

Food and beverage manufacturers encounter significant challenges beyond simply delivering products, including tightening regulations, rising costs, and labor shortages. Despite these obstacles, they continue to prioritize investments in food safety, traceability, automation, and sustainability to enhance operational efficiency.

FOOD ENGINEERING recently spoke to Scott Robinson, GreenSeed’s senior vice president of sales and business development, about the company’s mission, its partnership with R.A. Jones and its future plans.

New research from FlexXray explores how food manufacturers detect and prevent contamination from foreign materials, as well as their future investments in inspection technologies.

Christine Daugherty, vice president and chief sustainability officer at Conagra Brands, discusses the company’s approach to developing goals for packaging, carbon reduction and water stewardship, as well as Conagra’s Sustainable Development Awards, which recognize innovative, plant-level efforts to operate more sustainably.

See where the world’s leading food and beverage companies landed in FOOD ENGINEERING's 2026 Top 100 ranking, as economic pressures, major acquisitions and shifting strategies reshaped the industry in 2025.

One of my favorite times of the year is approaching, and it’s not just because autumn is on its way. While I do enjoy the cooler temperatures and the seasonal activities that fall brings, this time of year also marks the release of our annual Top 100 ranking.

FOOD ENGINEERING EIC Alyse Thompson-Richards recaps some recent plant openings and expansions in the food and beverage industry.

Rebecca Brady, CEO of Top Seedz, and her husband Will Brady, COO, are expanding and automating operations, recently commissioning a second manufacturing line. This has doubled production capacity, putting Top Seedz on track to reach $100 million in annual sales.

EIC Alyse Thompson-Richards reports on recent food and beverage industry developments, including new plants from Bauducco and Gelatys, expansions from Killer Brownie and DG Foods, and Good Culture’s partnership with a Michigan dairy co-op.

EIC Alyse Thompson-Richards recaps some recent plant openings and expansions in the food and beverage industry.