Cauliflower Is a Home Run
Cauliflower has nabbed MVP status in
the plant-based movement. According to
Nielsen, sales of packaged cauliflower "rice,"
zucchini noodles, and other vegetable-based
replacements for pasta hit $47 million in
2020. Good timing for fast-casual restaurant
chain Noodles & Company, which spent two
years developing its newest menu item—
cauliflower gnocchi, which has half the carbs
of traditional pasta, is gluten-sensitive, and
contains a full serving of veggies. Produced
at a gluten-free pasta plant, the gnocchi is
shipped fresh-frozen to each of the chain's
456 locations.—D.S.
Retailers Raise Starting Wage
Though a federal minimum wage increase to $15 an hour was not
included in the Covid Relief Bill recently signed by President Biden,
grocers are recognizing the efforts of their employees by raising
starting wages. Lidl increased its starting wage for all of its hourly
employees in the Philadelphia area to $15 an hour and Costco has
lifted its starting wage across all locations to $16 an hour.
During a Senate Budget Committee hearing on pay at large retail
and fast-food employers, Costco CEO W. Craig Jelinek said that more
than half of its hourly workers in the U.S. are paid above $25 an hour.
"I want to note this isn't altruism," he said, during the Committee
meeting. "At Costco we know that paying employees good wages …
makes sense for our business and constitutes a significant competitive
advantage for us. It helps us in the long run by minimizing turnover
and maximizing employee productivity."—Arielle Feger
PHOTO NETFLIX
SPRING
Michelle Obama Sends Young
Foodies Around the World
Waffles + Mochi are poised to become household
names with the debut of Michelle Obama's
10-episode Netflix culinary adventure series for
children. A champion for kids' nutrition as former
First Lady, Obama continues her mission by playing
a cheery supermarket owner who sends her puppet
friends—who hail from "The Land of Frozen Food"
and dream of becoming chefs—on trips around
the globe to visit kitchens, restaurants, farms, and
homes, as well as cook alongside renowned chefs,
home cooks, celebrities, and kids. Cameos from
stars like Jack Black, Rashida Jones, Sia, Mandy
Moore, Samin Nosrat, and José Andrés, to name a
few, makes this live-action and animation show fun
for foodies of all ages.—Denise Shoukas
