Midwestern Pet Foods issued a voluntary recall this week of several brands of dog and cat food over salmonella concerns. (The Hill)

The National Restaurant Association in its annual report said 2020 “was the most challenging year ever experienced by the restaurant industry.” In attempts to ride out the storm, some Bloomington-Normal-area restaurants temporarily shuttered business, some remained open and some took a hybrid approach. (The Pantagraph)

Illinois teens will gather to gain hands-on experience in the livestock field in this year’s Illinois 4-H Junior Livestock Conference on April 24 and 25. The theme of this year’s conference is “Making Your Mark,” highlighting the roles and skills that youth can take in shaping the future of the livestock industry. (McDonough County Farmer)  

In light of the challenges faces by farmers this year, SIU Medicine in Carbondale along with the Illinois Department of Agriculture has launched a new program called the Farm Family Resource Initiative. The goal of the pilot program is to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of Illinois farm owners and their families. (The Center Square)

The giant container ship that blocked the Suez Canal for six days was freed Monday, but another bottleneck in the supply chain remains, this one in Southern California. (Wall Street Journal)

With delivery and to-go orders soaring during the pandemic, marketing “crisp” is risky if the food arrives at consumers’ homes limp and listless. In a quest to keep the crunch as long as possible, many chains are tweaking their recipes, trying different additives, formulations, cooking techniques and temperatures. (Reuters)