Behavioral Science Manager

Map the Meal Gap. July 28, 2026 New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study helps Feeding America understand the challenges families faced in 2024 as more than 8 out of 10 counties with the highest estimated rates of food insecurity are rural or located in the South. The study also revealed that approximately 25 million people, nearly half of all people experiencing food insecurity, had incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition assistance, leaving them without a vital bridge to maintain stability. As food prices have remained stubbornly high and federal supports have declined, the estimates from Map the Meal Gap call for Feeding America all to harness its collective power to ensure everyone can access the food they need to thrive. "Food insecurity is not a distant problem - it is present in every community in America," said Denis McDonough, Feeding America CEO. "The data help us understand the scale of need, knowing that behind every number is a child, a family, a senior, a veteran, a neighbor working hard to make ends meet. When we listen to their experiences and act together, we can ensure they have lasting food security." Although USDA has stopped collecting food security data, Feeding America will continue to estimate local food insecurity and meal costs. Moving forward, Feeding America is collaborating as a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, state-wide associations and regional co-ops - in partnership with diverse partners - to explore alternative data sources from which to estimate local food insecurity in 2027 and beyond. The study's findings show a powerful view of how food insecurity shaped America. Behind the numbers are the quiet, difficult choices neighbors told Feeding America they faced in the 2024 Elevating Voices: Insights Report, as the high costs of housing and basic necessities made it difficult to access the nutritious food their families needed. According to USDA, nearly 48 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2024. Additional key findings of Map the Meal Gap include: * The national food budget shortfall surpassed $33 billion. In 2024, people in food-insecure households reported needing an additional $23.16 per person, per week to have just enough money to cover their food needs. This translated to $33.7 billion across all 47.9 million individuals in food-insecure households. * Child food insecurity affected every county and district, with rates reaching as high as 45%. Estimated prevalence varied considerably at the local level, reaching as high as 45% in Lee County, Arkansas, and 43% in New York's 15th Congressional District (the Bronx), which was home to the largest estimated number of children in food-insecure households. * More than 12 million seniors and older adults experienced food insecurity. An estimated 7.7 million (9.5%) seniors 60 and older and 4.9 million (12.4%) older adults ages 50 to 59 experienced food insecurity in 2024. * Food insecurity is experienced by people from all backgrounds and demographics, but disparities exist. Most people experiencing food insecurity nationally are white, non-Hispanic. Individuals who are Black or Latino often face disproportionately higher rates. "Conagra Brands is proud to partner with Feeding America to support neighbors facing hunger across the country. Map the Meal Gap provides valuable insight into the scale and scope of food insecurity and its impact on communities in every county in America. Through cash contributions, product donations and employee volunteerism, Conagra takes a holistic approach to support food access efforts and help more people get the food they need for themselves and their families," said Robert J. Rizzo, senior director, community investment, Conagra Brands and Conagra Brands Foundation." "Through our longtime partnership with Feeding America, NIQ is proud to help provide the insights behind Map the Meal Gap study, giving communities a clearer picture of food insecurity and the factors that shape it," said Liz Buchanan, President of North America, NIQ. "As the landscape continues to evolve, we value the opportunity to contribute trusted data that can help communities make informed decisions and direct resources where they are needed most." This research was also funded by the Enterprise Mobility Foundation as part of Enterprise Mobility's Fill Your Tank program, a multi-year initiative launched in 2016 to address food insecurity in communities around the world. This commitment to Feeding America supports senior hunger and child hunger initiatives in communities across the United States. Additional key takeaways from the report can be found on the Map the Meal Gap website along with an interactive map that details food insecurity by geography, income, race and ethnicity. Methodology: Map the Meal Gap uses publicly available data from USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity at the county, congressional district and state levels. The study also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ, based on USDA's Thrifty Food Plan, and grocery sales tax data for every county and state in the country. Contact. About Feeding America. Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America unites the country ensuring everyone has access to food and a thriving future. Feeding America support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, Feeding America is one of the nation's most effective food distribution systems driving immediate impact today - and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors. Feeding America partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters united with the unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

Ardent Mills' earnings drop for fiscal 2026. 07.22.2026 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US - Ardent Mills ended fiscal 2026 with lower earnings and gross profit after tallying gains on both fronts in the previous year. According to the 2026 10-K report filed July 15 by Chicago, Illinois, US-based Conagra Brands Inc., which owns 44% of the milling joint venture, after-tax earnings for Ardent Mills fell 28% to $267.4 million from $369.2 million in 2025, which had marked a 2.1% year-over-year increase. Ardent Mills' gross profit for 2026 dropped nearly 20% to $525.7 million after rising 2.2% to $656.2 million for 2025. At the top line, Ardent Mills saw sales decline for the third straight year. The Denver-based miller generated fiscal 2026 net sales of $3.71 billion, down 7% from just under $4 billion in fiscal 2025, when sales slid 13% year over year, Conagra said. That followed a 12% net sales decrease to nearly $4.6 billion in fiscal 2024. For the 2026 fourth quarter ended May 31, Conagra said equity method investment earnings - primarily representing its stake in Ardent Mills - fell 26% to $42.6 million from $57.4 million a year earlier. Full-year 2026 equity method investment earnings came in at $140.7 million for the 14-week quarter, down 23% from $182.4 million a year ago. "Ardent Mills earnings for fiscal 2026 reflected lower commodity trading revenue," Conagra said in its 10-K report. "Results for fiscal 2026 and 2025 included net charges of $9.6 million and $7.2 million, respectively, primarily related to Ardent Mills restructuring activities." Excluding the impact of restructuring activities and asset impairment for the joint venture, as well as unusual tax items, fiscal 2026 adjusted equity method earnings were $150.3 million, down 21% from $189.6 million a year earlier. Fourth-quarter adjusted equity method earnings declined 26% year over year to $45.1 million from $61 million. Ardent Mills is North America's biggest milling company. Conagra and Cargill each own 44% of Ardent Mills under the joint venture, formed in 2014, while CHS owns a 12% interest. When reporting third-quarter results back in April, Conagra had cut $30 million from its 2026 adjusted equity method earnings forecast of $170 million, with chief financial officer David Marberger citing pressure on Ardent Mills' commodity trading revenue from lower prices and less volatility in wheat markets at the time. For fiscal 2027, Conagra projects adjusted equity method earnings of approximately $140 million. In a July 15 conference call with analysts on Conagra's fourth-quarter 2026 performance, Matthew Neisius, senior director of investor relations, noted that Ardent Mills remains a "swing factor" in fiscal 2027 guidance. "Ardent Mills is always one that we keep an eye on, right?" Neisius said in the call. "Wheat prices have been a bit more volatile of late, but it's always challenging to extrapolate that into a full year." Get better grain and ag industry search results. Adding And World Grain tells Google to prioritize World Grain stories.

'Radical simplicity' to guide Conagra, CEO says. 07.17.2026 CHICAGO - John Brase may have less than two months at the helm leading Conagra Brands, Inc., but his more than 35 years of experience in consumer packaged goods has given him insight into how to turn things around at the Chicago-based company after a $1.92 billion loss in fiscal 2026 that was driven by impairment charges. "I see several areas where I believe we can be better," Brase said in prepared remarks issued July 15 in connection with the company's release of fiscal 2026 financial results. "First, our focus on volume and margin has become imbalanced," Brase said. "We've reached an important inflection point where investments we've made over the past several years have improved volumes and strengthened our market position. The next phase is to translate that momentum into stronger profitability with a focus on restoring margin. "Second, we simply haven't invested enough behind our brands and our supply chain. That has consequences in consumer relevance, in service reliability, and in our ability to compete. We are going to fix that. "Third, and you'll hear me talk about this often, too much complexity has built up across our portfolio, our supply chain, and our organization. Complexity is the enemy of strong execution. It creates too many competing priorities and slows decision-making in an environment where speed, agility, and focus are critical. "Finally, our current capital allocation limits our financial flexibility, and we must have better balance here." Conagra sustained a loss of $1.92 billion in the year ended May 31, which compared with income of $1.15 billion, equal to $2.41 per share on the common stock, in fiscal 2025. The most recent year included more than $2.38 billion in goodwill impairment charges, with approximately $1.75 billion associated with its Refrigerated and Frozen division and $215 million related to its Grocery and Snacks division. Adjusted net income in the year totaled $823.3 million, which compared with $1.1 billion in fiscal 2025. Net sales in fiscal 2026 were $11.28 billion, down 2.9% from $11.61 billion a year ago. Moving forward, Brase identified four priorities that will guide Conagra's actions: stabilizing and restoring margins; increasing investment in brands and supply chain; simplifying and reducing complexity within its portfolio and the organization; and rebalancing capital allocation. "These interconnected priorities are what we are focused on now and in the longer term, and are how we will build a strong foundation for profitable growth," he said. Permissible snacking will remain a portfolio priority for Conagra, said John Brase, chief executive officer. | Photo: (C) KHAIRIL - STOCK.ADOBE.COM Brase said "radical simplicity" will be the organizing principle for how leadership will run Conagra going forward. "I firmly believe complexity is one of the biggest barriers to growth," he said. "For me, radical simplicity isn't necessarily about making things smaller, it's about making them clearer. It's about prioritizing our time and our capital on the things that matter the most and being discerning about where we're placing our bets. "I believe that we have operated with a portfolio that is too large and too complex for too long. We have significant opportunities to simplify, and I'm taking the time to do a detailed review with our teams to understand where we have the right to win. "Going forward, we'll actively manage our portfolio for better growth and stronger margins. Our objective is a simpler, more focused Conagra. One that concentrates our resources behind the brands and categories where we are best positioned. We'll also evaluate strategic options for non-core businesses." In a question-and-answer call with analysts after results were issued Brase provided more color on a potential portfolio reshaping, saying the company plans to be "very thoughtful and strategic" about its approach. He said the company's frozen portfolio has "a strong competitive advantage," scale, "is on trend" and has the right innovation. "I think this is a segment that we want to continue to win in," he said. He also was upbeat about Conagra's presence in permissible snacking categories, including meat snacks, seeds and popcorn. Get better food industry search results. Adding us tells Google to prioritize Food Business News stories.