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Plus: New Owners At The World’s Largest Mozzarella Maker

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Do you feel like September, the entire fall, and basically the whole year are crashing in on you at once? I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer, but I know that what happens in these next few weeks can set anyone up for the rest of the year. Personally, it’s still been a bit of a rude awakening to get pitches about Thanksgiving turkey prices just days after Labor Day. 

The emails I’ve gotten about turkey already are understandable especially when considering that soaring grocery prices are top of mind for many. Consumer Affairs estimates food costs are up 5% so far this year, and up 25% over the past two years. And the Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service predicts food prices will increase another 2.9%. CNN, CNBC and Axios have all covered the alarming trend. 

Sometimes it feels like there’s nothing to do in the face of all these rising costs. But I liked these two roundups with some classic—and some wackier—ideas from CNBC (consider the store’s own brand, which can be cheaper) and Investopedia (avoid prepared foods, shop without kids in tow, and look down—stores often put the most expensive items at eye-level).

Then there’s the news of the Kraft-Heinz mega merger from a decade ago getting completely unwound—and I have to wonder, how much did that $23 billion disappointment wind up costing the average American buying food in grocery stores? That’d be an interesting question for a business school professor to tackle in a study. 

And even though it’s back to work, I hope you get outside this week. Enjoy the warmth while it lasts!

Chloe Sorvino Staff Writer, Food & Agriculture

Follow me on Forbes.com

A rare photo of the late James Leprino (seated), taken in 1978.   DENVER POST VIA GETTY IMAGES
Featured Story
Meet The New Big Cheese At The World’s Largest Mozzarella Maker
Read Article
Sisters Terry Leprino and Gina Vecchiarelli are the newly minted billionaires behind the $3.6 billion dairy empire founded by their grandfather, as Dan Vecchiarelli takes over as CEO and chairman.
The Feed
Winter Is Coming: The next edition of the Farmer’s Almanac is out, and, personally, I’m terrified. The upcoming winter is predicted to be brutal for New York City, with snow expected before Halloween and multiple major storms on the lineup. Check out what’s expected for your region.
Beware Food Poisoning: America’s foodborne illness alarm system is being dismantled amid the chaos at the Centers for Disease Control, and Helena Bottemiller Evich’s newsletter Food Fix has the latest. The nation’s food safety surveillance system has been rolled back to look for just two pathogens, cutting out many major bacteria that can cause severe illnesses.
A Palace From Pistachio Profits: America’s richest farmers—Stewart and Lynda Resnick—listed their longtime Aspen compound at $300 million, making the 19,000 square-foot home (with 18 bedrooms and its own computerized inventory of linens, dishware, glasses and silver) America’s most expensive home on the market. 
The Smoothie Prices Are Too Damn High: And New York City is abuzz with news that the celebrity-favorite Southern California grocer Erewhon is slated for a members-only club to be opened by the founder of fashion brand Kith. It’s long been rumored that Erewhon is planning to open up a full-blown store in New York, which would be the first time the business lands on the East Coast permanently. 
Let’s Hang
Wednesday, September 17, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. 

I’ll be doing a talk with the food-focused bookstore Read It & Eat about my book Raw Deal: Hidden Corruption, Corporate Greed and the Fight for the Future of Meat. The event will be hosted by Caitlin and Tom Moriarty at Moriarty Meats, who will be providing regional specialty sandwiches—boeuf on weck—to fuel us through an evening of live butchery demonstration, an author Q&A, and book signing. See you there!

Read It & Eat Bookstore at 1652 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY

Get your ticket here.

Monday, September 21, 1:00 - 5:30 p.m.

I’m excited to be back at the Forbes Sustainability Leadership Summit to kick off New York City’s Climate Week. Not sure what I’ll be moderating yet!

Forbes on Fifth at 24 Fifth Ave. New York, NY

Register here.

Monday, September 21, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

After the Forbes conference, I’ll be heading to Soho to moderate a conversation called Rooted in Change: Women Leading the Regenerative Organic Movement featuring Jen Berliner, head of brand & innovation for Patagonia Provisions, Brita Lundberg from Lundberg Family Farms, and Sarela Herrada, cofounder of SIMPLi, hosted at Patagonia’s flagship. 

Patagonia store at 61-63 Crosby St. New York, NY

You can RSVP here.

Friday, September 25, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Climate week is packed! I’ll also be moderating at Food Tank’s afternoon season on Regenerative Food Systems: Scaling Impact - Soil to Shelf. I recommend you check out Food Tank’s entire lineup for the whole week!

WNYC NPR Studios at 44 Charlton St. New York, NY

Get your ticket here.

Field Notes
CHLOE SORVINO
I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer, so here’s a delicious skillet I made because I’m committed to keeping the hot weather produce in my kitchen as long as possible. Spot prawns from my freezer from Wild Alaskan met sungold tomatoes, slices of sweet pepper, red onion, garlic and basil. My husband and I ate it directly out of the pan while dipping in a fresh baguette that perfectly soaked it all up.
Thanks for reading the 157th edition of Forbes Fresh Take! Hit reply to let me know what you think.
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