Competition in the meal-kit industry is fierce. Rivals are looking for creative strategies to minimize time in the kitchen and still cater to varied dietary restrictions and preferences. But how can smaller players stand out from the pack? “Focus on needs,” Sun Basket’s Co-founder and CEO Adam Zbar, told Cheddar. The executive argues that the industry has become big business, with meal-kit companies bringing in $5 billion in revenue last year. Sun Basket currently has less than ten percent of the meal-kit market, according to research firm Second Measure, but it's managed to create big waves. Just in 2017’s first quarter, the company saw sales grow 80 percent. But the industry is constantly changing, and participants have to keep up. Blue Apron is currently the dominant player in the market, holding a 40 percent market share. But Second Measure says that the leader's recent challenges, including layoffs and a plunging share price since its IPO, open the door for other players. Sun Basket hopes to capitalize on the opportunity. The company rolled out a new strategy Tuesday and now features more premium meat selections, the CEO told Cheddar. “All of our consumers were really asking for that,” Zbar said. “We are always talking to our consumers, and they said that they wanted even better premium proteins.”

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Small grocers and convenience stores feel an impact as customers go without SNAP benefits
Some small grocery stores and neighborhood convenience stores are eager for the U.S. government shutdown to end and for their customers to start receiving federal food aid again. Late last month, the Trump administration froze funding for the SNAP benefits that about 42 million Americans use to buy groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about 74% of the assistance was spent last year at superstores like Walmart and supermarkets like Kroger. Around 14% went to smaller stores that are more accessible to SNAP beneficiaries. A former director of the United Nations World Food Program says SNAP is not only a social safety net for families but a local economic engine that supports neighborhood businesses.
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