Recent content from Brooks Johnson
Slaughterhouses get green light to increase speeds. Workers say not so fast.
The USDA is permanently extending a program letting pork and poultry operations process more animals per hour.
Minnesota confirms first case of bird flu in dairy herd this year
It's the second reported H5N1 infection for the affected Stearns County farm.
Land O'Lakes' dairy profits surge, but ag downturn complicates gains
The Minnesota-based cooperative had a great year for butter and cheese but saw overall revenue and profits fall.
Former Hormel CEO rejoins board to help company find next CEO
Jeff Ettinger, who recently served as interim University of Minnesota president, ran Hormel from 2005 to 2016.
We tested household products for PFAS using Minnesota's new regulations. Here's what we found.
The Star Tribune used a screening test similar to what the MPCA would. Some results were above the level that could trigger a state inquiry.
Organic Valley's new CEO rose from intern to co-op's top job
Shawna Nelson will be the fourth chief executive of the La Farge, Wis.-based cooperative and the first woman to lead the business.
General Mills aims to cut $100M in costs to weather bleak economic outlook
The Golden Valley-based food manufacturer is the latest company to pull back, following fellow Minnesota businesses like Sun Country Airlines and Target.
Minnesota has a lot of Fortune 500 companies, but where's the next generation of big ideas?
And just as importantly, where is the money to grow those ideas into businesses?
Bloomington-based Dairy Queen lands former Domino's exec to run operations
Art D'Elia, a longtime marketer, will oversee the U.S. and Canada business.
The pandemic propelled 3M's N95 to international stardom. What's next?
Minnesota-based 3M still ships millions of respirators, though health care is not the major market it briefly was.
Best Buy boosting online offerings with third-party sellers this summer
The Richfield-based retailer is relaunching its third-party digital marketplace to recreate the success it has seen in Canada. Amazon and Minneapolis-based Target also profit from third-party sellers.
Best Buy CEO says Trump tariffs will drag down the retailer's sales
The electronics retailer is especially vulnerable to increasing taxes on Chinese imports.
General Mills cutting G-Works innovation team, pausing 301 Inc. investments
About 40 employees will lose their jobs as the Golden Valley-based company pivots to a new "strategic growth office."
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How Trump tariffs could affect Minnesota consumers and companies
After a one-month postponement, the tariffs against Canada and Mexico are scheduled to begin Tuesday.
Hormel CEO says his impending retirement 'makes sense' amid big turnaround
Jim Snee said handing his unnamed successor a started but unfinished transformation at the Austin, Minn., food company is "the right thing to do."
3M preaches AI, automation, cost-savings, innovation and more at investor meetup
The Maplewood-based company wants to launch 1,000 new products in the next three years and automate some factory work that could eventually reduce head count by 700 people.
3M, facing delivery issues, hires Honeywell supply chain boss
"Our on-time-in-full performance out of the factories has not been that great," CEO Bill Brown said last month.
Minnesota farmers, officials worry over signaled shift in federal bird flu protocols
The changes could mean a vaccine and a decrease in the number of birds culled.
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This Minnesota food company is part of rising profit-sharing trend with $27M payout over past five years
KLN Family Brands, which makes pet food and candy, has given out profit-sharing checks for 25 years.
Cocoa prices are up, chocolate consumption is down for America's favorite confection
Minnetonka-based agribusiness Cargill expects Americans to buy 75 million pounds of chocolate for Valentine's Day.
Slew of Minnesota companies beyond Target go mute on DEI
With President Donald Trump's executive orders, some, like 3M, are taking diversity, equity and inclusion off their websites.
General Mills' first Super Bowl ad in 10 years features Minnesota brand Totino's pizza rolls
Comedians and "Detroiters" stars Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson bid farewell to the alien Chazmo in a homage to E.T.
Minnesota has an abundance of food scientists. What exactly do they do?
The state is a food science hub thanks to all the food company headquarters, including General Mills and Cargill.
General Mills bringing swath of employees back to Golden Valley HQ three days a week
North America retail employees will be back in the office Tuesday through Thursday starting Feb. 17.
Minnesota will start testing milk for bird flu on dairy farms
Each of the state's 1,625 permitted dairy operations will test its raw milk for H5N1 once a month.
MyPillow, Mike Lindell sue another lender over 'unconscionable' loan terms
The latest lawsuit seeks relief from a $2 million loan that the lender said MyPillow stopped paying in October.
'Soup drops' are General Mills' latest strategy to revive waning Progresso
The limited-edition savory hard candies ("soup you can suck on") are dropping Thursday morning this week and next online only.
From sprinkles to licorice, FDA Red Dye No. 3 ban will change these Minnesota foods
While Red 40 is the artificial dye of choice for many products from companies like General Mills, some still use the controversial Red 3.
Amid layoffs, Cargill's owners given $2B in stock buybacks and special dividends
As 8,000 employees lost their jobs last month in a cost-cutting reorganization, the Cargill-MacMillan family for the first time since 2019 received profit-sharing payments.
Hormel CEO Jim Snee to retire after 8-year tenure that included tumultuous pandemic era
He oversaw the largest acquisition in the company's history, plus changes after COVID-19's disruption.
Stuart Murdoch's mostly true novel about his chronic illness dazzles with indie charm
Fiction: The Belle and Sebastian frontman has a hit with his debut.
MyPillow ordered to pay nearly $800K for unpaid shipping bill
DHL had sued the Minnesota company over an unfulfilled payment plan last year.
Cookware association sues Minnesota over PFAS ban, calling it unconstitutional
A federal suit says Minnesota's sweeping "forever chemical" prohibitions violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Minnesota tech on display at country's biggest consumer electronics show, with 3M leading the way
Target, Digi, Element Electronics and others also will try to wow the 100,000-plus attendees at the world's biggest personal tech trade show.
3M tech making it easier for drivers to see on dark, rainy roads
The company's pavement markings business, struggling to gain market share, boasts the only tapes and paint additives that maintain reflectivity when wet.
Iron Range union applauds Biden's blocking of U.S. Steel acquisition: 'We are going to be fine.'
President Joe Biden, citing national security concerns, on Friday blocked Nippon's acquisition of U.S. Steel, an important player in the Minnesota mining industry.
As bird flu payments pass $1B and egg prices keep climbing, feds make it harder to get compensated
USDA adds biosecurity measures to requirements for reimbursement.
Americans are drinking less milk, but devouring butter and cheese like never before
Never mind federal dietary guidelines, consumers are all in on flavor, price and simple ingredients, driving the change in habits.
How to adapt your buying habits as Minnesota's PFAS ban begins
Learn to live without the convenient yet toxic chemicals found in much cookware, kids clothing, cosmetics and other products.
UnitedHealth Group waives deadlines to complete $3.3B home health acquisition
The Department of Justice is suing to block the deal for Amedisys over antitrust concerns.
As General Mills' market lead narrows, CEO says company must 'behave like the leader'
As lower-priced store brands continue to gain market share, Minnesota's reigning category leader is not resting on its laurels.
Texas attorney general sues 3M, DuPont for 'falsely advertising' PFAS as safe
The state accuses the companies behind Scotchgard and Teflon of violating the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
General Mills trading profits for price cuts to win back customers
The cereal maker is going big on promotions in the year ahead.
Retailers like Best Buy, Target offer last-minute shoppers a Santa's little helper: AI
Target, Best Buy and others offer digital tools to make finding and receiving gifts easier.
Dietary guidelines committee punts on ultra-processed food, a win for General Mills
Federal nutrition guidelines unlikely to address what critics call "irresistible" food many studies have linked to obesity.
Minnesota Star Tribune editor Suki Dardarian announces retirement
Her 43-year career in journalism is defined by award-winning coverage and steadfast leadership during times of dramatic change.
MyPillow and Mike Lindell sue another lender, claiming $1.2M loan was a 'sham'
He alleges a New York cash advance company charged an "illegal, usurious" interest rate of 409%.
Bird flu claims 12% of egg supply at Hopkins-based Michael Foods, parent company Post
An outbreak in Iowa affected more than 4 million birds.
Minnesota-based CHS steering through uncertain times for global agriculture
Low prices are pushing ag into a down cycle just as tariffs threaten to further complicate trade.
Solventum, Minnesota's newest public company, laying off employees
The 3M health care spinoff has not disclosed how many of its 22,000 employees are affected.
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Hormel heralds progress on turnaround plan
The Minnesota company is in the middle of a plan to "transform and modernize" the company, cutting costs and investing in the business.
Minnetonka-based Cargill to lay off about 8,000 people, 5% of global workforce
The cuts, including 475 headquarters jobs, come amid a corporate restructuring in response to falling sales and profits.
Target tops retail competitors on Black Friday as in-store shopping surges
Malls also see improved foot traffic, while Best Buy sees sharp decline.
Western Minnesota ag co-op OKs $225M deal to merge with CHS
CHS, a Fortune 500 company, upped its bid after a competing offer from North Dakota-based Arthur Cos.
The yellow trucks are now retired, but Schwan's Home Delivery is part of many a Minnesotan's childhood memories
After 72 years in business, the frozen food delivery company now known as Yelloh closed. We asked readers to tell us their stories.
After a year in the job, Cub CEO says relevance is everything in the fast-changing grocery world
"You have to earn that loyalty," Andre Persaud said.
Best Buy says Trump tariffs will increase prices at a difficult time for the retailer
Proposed tariffs could add to recent troubles as the Richfield-based retailer missed profit expectations for the first time in two years.
Minnesotans are watching budgets for holiday feasts, but the parties will go on
Retailers like Target and Walmart are cutting prices to the bone and offering package deals as more gatherings are expected this year.
How to shop Black Friday like a pro (and score Target's Taylor Swift merch)
Even as sales expand across November and December, there are bona fide deals awaiting early risers who brave the chill the day after Thanksgiving.
Minnesota turkeys head back to D.C. for pre-Thanksgiving presidential pardon
Peach and Blossom are scheduled to be pardoned Monday by President Joe Biden. It is the second year in a row that the nation's leading turkey-producing state will send birds to the White House.
Conagra will pay $142K in restitution to seasonal workers at Waseca frozen vegetable plant
The Birds Eye plant recruited workers without providing all the job details Minnesota law requires.
Target's stock plunges as customers rein in their spending
The Minneapolis-based retailer lowered its profit outlook for the rest of the year as consumers remain frugal.
CHS raises offer for Minnesota ag firm to $225M ahead of member vote
West Central's board considered a competing $250 million offer from Arthur Cos. but said 'CHS is the right fit for us.'
More food companies are getting snatched up, and they all have something in common
Steve Young, managing partner at Manna Tree, explains what is driving the fierce M&A activity in the food industry right now and how Minnesota is part of it.
Retailers face a 'Wicked' quick turnaround between Thanksgiving, Christmas
With a tighter window between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the ramp-up to Black Friday is steeper than ever this year.
With pet food, Lakeville's Post Consumer Brands now a $4B company
The cereal maker's 2023 acquisition of Kibbles 'n Bits, Nutrish and other brands is paying off.
General Mills to spend $1.4B to buy more pet food brands
Blue Buffalo owner is adding Tiki Pets, other brands to boost cat food and pet treat business.
Minnesota firm sues Logan Paul's Prime brand for trademark infringement
X Hydration says the Prime X Hydration drinks are causing "consumer confusion."
Molson Coors closing historic Leinenkugel's brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Brewing operations at the Wisconsin landmark are moving to an upgraded plant in Milwaukee.
CHS facing competition for its $200M offer to buy West Central cooperative
Minnesota-based CHS also reported a $1.1 billion annual profit Wednesday.
General Mills' $1.2B bet on pet treats falls victim to poor timing
Several brands given lower valuation amid slow sales.
Farming is more high-tech than ever. Just ask Land O'Lakes' chief technology officer.
Chief Technology Officer Teddy Bekele is leading a digital transformation at the Minnesota-based cooperative.
Cub grocery now accepting SNAP for online orders
The supermarket joins a host of other retailers approved to accept the food assistance payments for online orders.
State subsidy keeps 3M spinoff Solventum in Minnesota
The state approved a request for up to $13 million in assistance for the $209 million headquarters project at a former Blue Cross building in Eagan.
Have a question about starting a food business in Minnesota? Ask AVA.
State agency has paired its food and ag resources with an AI tool to help entrepreneurs and producers.
