McDonald's sales are slumping because people can't afford fast-food - CBS News

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McDonald's sales are slumping because people can't afford fast-food  CBS News
McDonald's sales are slumping because people can't afford fast-food - CBS News
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McDonald's and Burger King undercut by nationwide fast food chain offering a meal deal for just $4 - Daily Mail

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McDonald's and Burger King undercut by nationwide fast food chain offering a meal deal for just $4  Daily Mail
McDonald's and Burger King undercut by nationwide fast food chain offering a meal deal for just $4 - Daily Mail
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The housing market is shifting—here’s where it’s happening - Fast Company

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The housing market is shifting—here’s where it’s happening  Fast Company
The housing market is shifting—here’s where it’s happening - Fast Company
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The housing market is shifting—here’s where it’s happening - Fast Company

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The housing market is shifting—here’s where it’s happening  Fast Company
The housing market is shifting—here’s where it’s happening - Fast Company
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McDonald's sales are slumping because people can't afford fast-food - CBS News

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McDonald's sales are slumping because people can't afford fast-food  CBS News
McDonald's sales are slumping because people can't afford fast-food - CBS News
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The fast food minimum wage effect: higher prices, reduced hours - Fox Business

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The fast food minimum wage effect: higher prices, reduced hours  Fox Business
The fast food minimum wage effect: higher prices, reduced hours - Fox Business
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Fast-food chains battle for low-income diners with summer value meals - CNBC

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Fast-food chains battle for low-income diners with summer value meals  CNBC
Fast-food chains battle for low-income diners with summer value meals - CNBC
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Poll: Three-quarters don't tip at takeout or fast food restaurants - BayToday.ca

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Poll: Three-quarters don't tip at takeout or fast food restaurants  BayToday.ca
Poll: Three-quarters don't tip at takeout or fast food restaurants - BayToday.ca
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To win in Australia, England need their fast bowlers firing and their fielders catching - ESPNcricinfo

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To win in Australia, England need their fast bowlers firing and their fielders catching  ESPNcricinfo
To win in Australia, England need their fast bowlers firing and their fielders catching - ESPNcricinfo
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Fast-moving wildfire in Canadian Rockies ravage town of Jasper - NBC News

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Fast-moving wildfire in Canadian Rockies ravage town of Jasper  NBC News
Fast-moving wildfire in Canadian Rockies ravage town of Jasper - NBC News
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To win in Australia, England need their fast bowlers firing and their fielders catching - ESPNcricinfo

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To win in Australia, England need their fast bowlers firing and their fielders catching  ESPNcricinfo
To win in Australia, England need their fast bowlers firing and their fielders catching - ESPNcricinfo
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Fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies ravages the picturesque resort town of Jasper - The Associated Press

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Fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies ravages the picturesque resort town of Jasper  The Associated Press
Fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies ravages the picturesque resort town of Jasper - The Associated Press
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The Unintended Consequences Of California’s $20 Minimum Wage For Fast-Food Workers - Forbes

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The Unintended Consequences Of California’s $20 Minimum Wage For Fast-Food Workers  Forbes
The Unintended Consequences Of California’s $20 Minimum Wage For Fast-Food Workers - Forbes
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Canadian Rockies town Jasper badly damaged by fast-moving wildfire - The Guardian

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Canadian Rockies town Jasper badly damaged by fast-moving wildfire  The Guardian
Canadian Rockies town Jasper badly damaged by fast-moving wildfire - The Guardian
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Dining Out: Pelicana's Korean fried chicken gives fast food a good name - Ottawa Citizen

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Dining Out: Pelicana's Korean fried chicken gives fast food a good name  Ottawa Citizen
Dining Out: Pelicana's Korean fried chicken gives fast food a good name - Ottawa Citizen
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Fast-moving wildfire in Canadian Rockies ravage town of Jasper - NBC News

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Fast-moving wildfire in Canadian Rockies ravage town of Jasper  NBC News
Fast-moving wildfire in Canadian Rockies ravage town of Jasper - NBC News
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How Fast Is That Going? - The New York Times

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How Fast Is That Going?  The New York Times
How Fast Is That Going? - The New York Times
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Yeti’s new film is a rare look at Jimmy Buffett and the laidback lifestyle of 1970s Key West - Fast Company

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Yeti’s new film is a rare look at Jimmy Buffett and the laidback lifestyle of 1970s Key West  Fast Company
Yeti’s new film is a rare look at Jimmy Buffett and the laidback lifestyle of 1970s Key West - Fast Company
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CrowdStrike offers $10 Uber Eats gift cards as an apology for the outage - Fast Company

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CrowdStrike offers $10 Uber Eats gift cards as an apology for the outage  Fast Company
CrowdStrike offers $10 Uber Eats gift cards as an apology for the outage - Fast Company
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Another huge brand fast-food operator files Chapter 11 bankruptcy - TheStreet

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Another huge brand fast-food operator files Chapter 11 bankruptcy  TheStreet
Another huge brand fast-food operator files Chapter 11 bankruptcy - TheStreet
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Paris Olympics: Athletics track maker promises a fast surface - BBC.com

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Paris Olympics: Athletics track maker promises a fast surface  BBC.com
Paris Olympics: Athletics track maker promises a fast surface - BBC.com
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The remarkable science-backed ways to get fit as fast as possible - New Scientist

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The remarkable science-backed ways to get fit as fast as possible  New Scientist
The remarkable science-backed ways to get fit as fast as possible - New Scientist
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Paris Olympics: Athletics track makers promise a fast surface - BBC.com

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Paris Olympics: Athletics track makers promise a fast surface  BBC.com
Paris Olympics: Athletics track makers promise a fast surface - BBC.com
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Kamala Harris Needs to Move Fast for the Nomination, But Not Too Fast - New York Magazine

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Kamala Harris Needs to Move Fast for the Nomination, But Not Too Fast  New York Magazine
Kamala Harris Needs to Move Fast for the Nomination, But Not Too Fast - New York Magazine
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In the Andes, glaciers are shrinking fast, endangering millions - Al Jazeera English

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In the Andes, glaciers are shrinking fast, endangering millions  Al Jazeera English
In the Andes, glaciers are shrinking fast, endangering millions - Al Jazeera English
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Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi review – fast and filthy in New Lagos - The Guardian

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Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi review – fast and filthy in New Lagos  The Guardian
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi review – fast and filthy in New Lagos - The Guardian
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How music lost its value - Fast Company

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How music lost its value  Fast Company
How music lost its value - Fast Company
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Lululemon's Team Canada merch is selling fast — 14 styles you won't want to miss - Yahoo Canada Shine On

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Lululemon's Team Canada merch is selling fast — 14 styles you won't want to miss  Yahoo Canada Shine On
Lululemon's Team Canada merch is selling fast — 14 styles you won't want to miss - Yahoo Canada Shine On
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Chris Cornell’s Widow Teases ‘Fast Car’ Cover In 60th Birthday Post - Spin

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Chris Cornell’s Widow Teases ‘Fast Car’ Cover In 60th Birthday Post  Spin
Chris Cornell’s Widow Teases ‘Fast Car’ Cover In 60th Birthday Post - Spin
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Opinion: Buckle up, Canada, the Donald Trump economic shock will hit us fast - The Globe and Mail

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Opinion: Buckle up, Canada, the Donald Trump economic shock will hit us fast  The Globe and Mail
Opinion: Buckle up, Canada, the Donald Trump economic shock will hit us fast - The Globe and Mail
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The Data That Powers A.I. Is Disappearing Fast - The New York Times

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The Data That Powers A.I. Is Disappearing Fast  The New York Times
The Data That Powers A.I. Is Disappearing Fast - The New York Times
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SailGP: How fast is too fast? - Scuttlebutt Sailing News

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SailGP: How fast is too fast?  Scuttlebutt Sailing News
SailGP: How fast is too fast? - Scuttlebutt Sailing News
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Under Trudeau, the civil service has grown twice as fast as Canada’s population - National - Global News Toronto

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Under Trudeau, the civil service has grown twice as fast as Canada’s population - National  Global News Toronto
Under Trudeau, the civil service has grown twice as fast as Canada’s population - National - Global News Toronto
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7 fast-growing jobs that are desperate to hire - Business Insider

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7 fast-growing jobs that are desperate to hire  Business Insider
7 fast-growing jobs that are desperate to hire - Business Insider
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Why Dennis Lillee is the father of modern Indian fast bowling - ESPNcricinfo

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Why Dennis Lillee is the father of modern Indian fast bowling  ESPNcricinfo
Why Dennis Lillee is the father of modern Indian fast bowling - ESPNcricinfo
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England v West Indies: Ben Stokes says it is an 'exciting time' to be fast bowler - BBC.com

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England v West Indies: Ben Stokes says it is an 'exciting time' to be fast bowler  BBC.com
England v West Indies: Ben Stokes says it is an 'exciting time' to be fast bowler - BBC.com
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The Toyota Supra GRMN Looks Fast, Has a New Wing, Sounds Good - Motor1

It's been a minute since we saw the Toyota Supra GRMN. The company is taking its time bringing the upgraded performance version to life, but we noticed something recently on a prototype lapping the Nurburgring. Is that a different spoiler on the decklid?

We have eyes on the ground at the Green Hell where a GRMN is turning laps, and the driver isn't holding anything back. It enters the corner with the slightest of drifts, but as it passes, we see what looks like a swan neck spoiler at the back.

 

It's flatter and looks a touch larger compared to other GRMN prototypes we've seen, leading us to wonder if the ultimate high-performance Supra will have other options for even more performance.

Regardless of the wing, we're expecting serious BMW firepower under the hood. That comes in the form of the twin-turbocharged S58 inline-six, which develops up to 543 horsepower in the M4 CSL. Would BMW let Toyota have that much oomph for its sports car? That seems unlikely, but a Supra with 473 hp and a six-speed manual transmission—a combination BMW already has sitting on a shelf—sounds like a supremely entertaining Supra GRMN.

Toyota Supra GRMN Spy Photo

There will be some aerodynamic changes as well. We see camouflage wrap still covering the front of this prototype, concealing a more aggressive front fascia with winglets, larger intakes, and a more pronounced chin spoiler. Camo at the back is limited to just the spoiler and the top of the decklid, though honestly, we're not sure what Toyota is trying to hide here.

We think Toyota will debut the Supra GRMN before 2024 is out, though an exact timeframe is still a mystery. Expect a price likely north of $70,000 when it arrives.

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The Toyota Supra GRMN Looks Fast, Has a New Wing, Sounds Good - Motor1
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These '24 Draftees could be on the fast track to the bigs - MLB.com

The 2023 Draft class wasted no time getting players to the Majors.

Nolan Schanuel joined the Angels last August, just 37 days after turning pro. Wyatt Langford became the third-fastest drafted position player to make an Opening Day roster, claiming a starting role with the defending World Series champion Rangers. Paul Skenes didn't arrive in Pittsburgh until May 11 but that didn't stop him from becoming the first No. 1 overall pick to make the All-Star Game in his first full pro season.

Hurston Waldrep (Braves) and Jake Bloss (Astros) debuted in June, making it five players reaching the big leagues less than a year after getting selected last July. The 2024 Draft probably won't expedite that many picks that fast, but there are several who won't need much time in the Minors (listed in order of selection):

Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (first round, No. 1 overall)
The Guardians selected the best pure hitter available with the top choice after Bazzana batted .407/.568/.911, finished second in NCAA Division I in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS (1.479) and set an Oregon State record with 28 homers. Cleveland may have two-time Gold Glover Andrés Giménez at second base, but Bazzana may force his way into the lineup by next year's All-Star break.

Chase Burns, RHP, Reds (first round, No. 2 overall)
After transferring from Tennessee to Wake Forest, Burns posted the second-highest strikeout rate in D-I history (17.2 per nine innings) and led the nation with 191 whiffs. His upper-80s slider is the most dominant pitch in the Draft, his fastball sits at 97-99 mph and reaches 102 mph (though it gets hit harder than it should) and his curveball and changeup show signs of becoming plus offerings.

Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Rockies (first round, No. 3 overall)
The Golden Spikes Award winner, Condon went from a redshirted walk-on in 2022 to developing the best combination of hitting ability, power and plate discipline in this Draft. The Georgia star paced D-I in hitting (.433), slugging (1.009), OPS (1.565), homers (37, a record since the NCAA enacted bat restrictions in 2011), extra-base hits (87) and total bases (233).

Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics (first round, No. 4 overall)
Some clubs believed that Kurtz offered the best combination of swing decisions, contact and exit velocities in the entire Draft. The Wake Forest slugger recovered from an early-season slump and shoulder injury to bat .306/.531/.763 with 22 homers -- including a stretch with 14 in nine games and six in seven at-bats -- and a D-I best 78 walks.

Hagen Smith, LHP, White Sox (first round, No. 5 overall)
The White Sox sped college southpaws Chris Sale and Garrett Crochet to the Majors as relievers in the same year they were drafted. They won't need to do the same with Smith because they're far from contention, but he should advance rapidly with a deceptive 94-97 mph fastball that reaches 100 and a mid-80s slider with sweep and depth. He broke Ryan Wagner's 21-year-old D-I record by averaging 17.3 strikeouts per nine innings at Arkansas and also led D-I in opponent average (.144).

Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Royals (first round, No. 6 overall)
Though he can run his fastball up to 99 mph and also owns an impressive changeup, Caglianone has a brighter future as a slugger. He's the most imposing hitter in this Draft, an athletic 6-foot-5, 250-pounder who slashed .419/.544/.875 and finished second in D-I with a Florida-record 35 homers this spring after topping the nation with 33 as a sophomore.

JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, Cardinals (first round, No. 7 overall)
Wetherholt entered 2024 as MLB Pipeline's top-ranked Draft prospect and slipped to No. 4 only because he missed half the season with a hamstring injury. He's quite similar to Bazzana, with comparable hitting ability (he led D-I with a .449 batting average a year ago), a bit less power but more athleticism and a chance to play shortstop.

Christian Moore, 2B, Angels (first round, No. 8 overall)
The Angels had the quickest player to the big leagues in each of the last three Drafts (Chase Silseth, Zach Neto, Schanuel) and here comes Moore from College World Series champion Tennessee. Known for his potent bat and fiery play, he slashed .375/.451/.797 while topping D-I with 111 hits and 236 total bases and ranking third with a school-record 34 homers.

Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays (first round, No. 20 overall)
While Burns and Smith were the consensus two best hurlers in the Draft, East Carolina's Yesavage was the clear third and outpitched Burns in the NCAA regionals. Using three plus pitches (93-98 mph fastball with carry, mid-80s slider/cutter, low-80s splitter), he ranked among the D-I leaders in ERA (2.02, third), strikeouts (145, fifth) and opponent average (.154, second).

Chris Cortez, RHP, Angels (second round, No. 45 overall)
The first reliever selected, Cortez joins an organization that pushes players to the Majors. He starred in the NCAA tournament as Texas A&M finished runner-up at the College World Series, posting a 1.18 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings while averaging 99 mph with a power sinker and 87 mph with a slider that features horizontal and vertical action.

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These '24 Draftees could be on the fast track to the bigs - MLB.com
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Summerland fire crews work fast to douse fast-moving fire - Castanet.net

Photo: Contributed

Fire crews attack a grass fire in Summerland Monday evening.

Summerland fire crews hustled hard to contain a one-hectare grass fire in the Garnet Valley area overnight.

On Monday evening shortly after 9 p.m., the local fire department was called out to a reported grass fire that was moving quickly in the area of a local gun range.

Rob Robinson, fire chief, said there were swirling winds that was making the fire advance both north and south, so teams were deployed on both flanks.

They knew there was a house in the area where one of the flanks was advancing, so fast action was paramount.

"Crews got on it quickly which was amazing, they hustled up some hills, some pretty tough terrain,” Robinson said.

In total, 17 fire crew members attended, supported by a bush truck, water tender, engine and two command vehicles. More than 3,000 feet of hose was deployed to suppress the fire.

Robinson said it took about an hour to knock down the fire initially but then mop up continued for three or four hours through the night to be sure the fire was completely done.

Today, Robinson and his team are looking into possible causes, though he believes it was likely human-caused, probably accidental.

"Be careful in the back country. Use common sense," Robinson said.

"Obviously there's a camp fire ban on so we shouldn't we shouldn't be using anything that starts fire."

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Summerland fire crews work fast to douse fast-moving fire - Castanet.net
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How AI and automation will reshape grocery stores and fast-food chains - CNBC

In this article

• YUM

AI isn't just a hyped innovation in the tech sector; the food industry is also investing heavily in the red-hot trend.

Americans heading to the grocery store or their favorite fast-food restaurant will already have noticed the introduction of the new technology in such services as self-checkout kiosks and even AI ordering in drive-thru lanes.

While U.S. consumers facing continued food inflation hunt for deals and shift their spending habits accordingly, the food industry is working to stay competitive by investing in artificial intelligence to help curb high labor operating costs and reduce prices on some items.

For example, fast-food chains like McDonald's, Taco Bell and Wendy's have reintroduced value menus. And big-box retailers Walmart and Target have lowered the price of certain grocery goods.

"It's very difficult in this environment to engineer great profits, great sales and to keep customers satisfied," said Neil Saunders, GlobalData's managing director and retail analyst. "It's a very difficult equation to balance. And I think until the economy is on a different footing, it's not going to be balanced completely. That's the reality of it."

Amid this tough economic backdrop, McDonald's announced its plan this year to spend $2 billion into employing AI and robots into restaurant and drive-thrus. And in 2022, grocery stores spent $13 billion on tech automations, according to research by FMI, The Food Industry Association. FMI expects spending on innovations like smart carts and revamped self-checkout aisles to soar 400% through 2025.

"We see a lot of upside over the next several years, with AI and technology being able to enhance customer experience while making the team members' jobs a lot easier, " said Joe Park, Yum Brands' chief digital and technology officer.

Watch the video to find out more about how the food industry is using AI to reshape the customer experience.

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How AI and automation will reshape grocery stores and fast-food chains - CNBC
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Anthony Bourdain's All-Time Favorite Fast Food Burger - Chowhound

While Anthony Bourdain highlighted the beef as a reason for his love of In-N-Out Burger, he also argued that the other burger components are major strengths, too. He noted the need for a "decent bun" and felt that In-N-Out's classic, spongy-but-sturdy bun checked that box. After all, they're soft and squishy with a hint of sweetness while managing to hold together after absorbing grease. He also called out the lettuce for being "non-limp" and "fresh" — fairly self-explanatory, since nobody particularly loves soggy salad greens. The fact that In-N-Out makes its burgers to order likely helps keep this problem at bay.

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Finally there's the cheese: Bourdain noted that "you don't want fancy cheese" on a burger, instead praising the "cheese-like substance" from In-N-Out. For the record, that's a no-fuss American cheese that's been praised for its tangy, gooey qualities.

If you're wondering how Bourdain ordered his burger, he went for Animal Style, which adds in pickles, grilled onions, and extra sauce. He loved it so much he declared it his favorite restaurant in Los Angeles (though he also described French restaurants Petit Trois and the now-closed Trois Mec as "perfect," too). To that end, he said he'd go directly to In-N-Out when he landed in Los Angeles, and again on his way back to the airport.

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Anthony Bourdain's All-Time Favorite Fast Food Burger - Chowhound
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Shares of Uniqlo’s parent company drop almost 5% as the retailer warns of a 'turning point' in its China strategy - Fortune

Foreign brands like Apple, Nike, and L’Oreal have a China problem: The world’s second-largest economy, traditionally a revenue driver, is now looking more challenging amid a sluggish economy and a shift to domestic brands. 

Now Fast Retailing, owner of the fast fashion brand Uniqlo, is the latest foreign brand to warn of profit struggles in China.

Fast Retailing shares fell over 4% in Tokyo trading on Friday, following the release of results for the quarter ending May 31. The company revealed that both revenue and profit fell sharply in “Greater China,” and admitted that it’s tweaking its China operations by changing its store opening and management strategies.

The investor freakout happened even as Fast Retailing unveiled a 13.5% jump in revenue to 767 billion yen ($4.8 billion) and a 31% jump in operating profit to 145 billion yen ($911 million) compared to the same period last year, thanks to strong growth in North America, Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia—every market other than China.

Fast Retailing operates more Uniqlo stores in mainland China than anywhere else in the world. It has 924 stores in mainland China; the total rises to 1030 when taking Hong Kong and Taiwan into account. By comparison, Fast Retailing operates 788 Uniqlo stores in Japan, its home market. 

Together, mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan make up two-thirds of Uniqlo’s international footprint. 

In an earnings presentation, Fast Retailing blamed a slowdown in consumer appetite and unseasonal weather for the business drop in China. The company also noted that young consumers are paying more attention to cost, going for affordable products over brands.

Greater China CEO Pan Ning said Fast Retailing’s operations in China were at a “turning point.” The company will now pursue a “scrap and build” strategy, closing stores with low monthly sales and opening larger stores in higher-traffic locations. The retailer will also start to give store managers the autonomy to develop local sales strategies that more accurately capture customer demand.

Uniqlo also hopes to conduct livestreaming broadcasts from all its physical stores, tapping into the increasingly popular trend of live e-commerce. Digital sales account for approximately a quarter of Fast Retailing’s China sales.

The Japanese retailer still has high hopes for China. Fast Retailing wants to generate 1 trillion yen ($6.3 billion) in revenue from Greater China by 2028. It also wants to eventually reach 3 trillion yen ($18.9 billion) in China sales, though the company did not give a timeframe for this target.

In spite of its China troubles, Fast Retailing expects to have a good year overall. The Japanese retailer raised its revenue forecast for Uniqlo International to 3.1 trillion yen ($19.2 billion) and its operating profit forecast to 475 billion yen ($3 billion) for the current fiscal year, which ends in August.

Recommended Newsletter: CEO Daily provides key context for the news leaders need to know from across the world of business. Every weekday morning, more than 125,000 readers trust CEO Daily for insights about–and from inside–the C-suite. Subscribe Now.

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Shares of Uniqlo’s parent company drop almost 5% as the retailer warns of a 'turning point' in its China strategy - Fortune
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Why fast food value menus aren’t as good a deal as you might think - CNN

New York CNN  — 

Value is the new buzzword at fast-food chains nationwide.

After rising prices turned customers off, the restaurants recently responded by unveiling value menus.

For instance, McDonald’s has a $5 value meal, which includes a McDouble cheeseburger or a McChicken sandwich, plus small french fries, 4-piece chicken nuggets and a small soft drink.

At Taco Bell, you can now get two different kinds of tacos, a five-layer burrito, chips with nacho cheese sauces and a medium drink for $7. That’s 55% cheaper than ordering the items individually.

Like McDonald’s, Burger King is offering a $5 meal bundle where customers can select one of three kinds of burgers to pair with chicken nuggets and a beverage.

But just how much value is there in these kinds of “value” meals?

Well, actually, not as much as you may think, since prices for many key ingredients used in value meals are coming down. In other words: You’re paying the going rate (or more).

Cheese, potatoes and tomatoes are getting cheaper

Many of the recently announced value meals use cheese, potatoes and tomatoes. Compared to last June, cheese prices are down 2.1%, tomato prices are down 1.1% and potato prices are down 3.9%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest Consumer Price Index report released Thursday.

On a monthly basis, cheese prices didn’t change in June. Tomato and potato prices slid by 0.3% and 3.3%, respectively, when adjusting for seasonality.

Meat eaters benefit the most from the value meal war

If you eat meat, you’re more likely to benefit from some value menu items. That’s because meat prices are up 3.5% for the year. From May to June, though, meat prices fell by 0.3%.

Beef prices were among the steepest price increases across all meat categories tracked in the CPI. For instance, beef roast prices are up 10% and ground beef prices are up 4.5% compared to last June.

Pork prices are also up 3.8% compared to a year ago. But prices are a bit lower compared to last month. Chicken prices rose more modestly over the course of the year, up just 0.5%. On a monthly basis, they fell by 0.2% in June.

Given that meat prices are rising at a faster pace than most foods, it’s no wonder most fast-food chains are only offering value menus for a limited time. In effect, they’re maintaining their ability to raise prices in the future.

But for the time being, Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, said value meals aren’t a loss leader for the company and that “we are totally comfortable with the profitability of it.”

“It’s a way to really bring value and affordability to our customers at a time when the consumer is really stretched,” he said at a conference hosted by The Wall Street Journal last month.

Dining out remains a luxury for many

Another consideration: It’s a lot more expensive to dine out than cook at home.

That shouldn’t be surprising since there are a lot more costs associated with dining out — one of the biggest being labor — that aren’t incurred at home.

But you’re likely to experience more sticker shock dining out than shopping at grocery stores.

Last month, food prices overall rose by 0.2% from May. For the year, food prices are up 2.2%.

Food in stores cost 1.1% more compared to a year ago, and those prices are up 0.1% on a monthly basis. Menu prices at restaurants and cafes are up 4.1% annually and 0.4% from May to June.

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Why fast food value menus aren’t as good a deal as you might think - CNN
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Inside the high-tech farm in New Jersey where Instagram’s favorite strawberries grow - Fast Company

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Inside the high-tech farm in New Jersey where Instagram’s favorite strawberries grow  Fast Company
Inside the high-tech farm in New Jersey where Instagram’s favorite strawberries grow - Fast Company
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Nanaimo fire crews quickly knock down fast-moving brush fire along E&N Trail - Nanaimo News NOW

Combined with this ongoing hot/dry stretch, Battie said the existing wind can be highly problematic.

NFR crews attached a hose to a hydrant along the trail to attack the fire.

With a fire danger threat rating of extreme locally, Battie said conditions are prime for local wildfires if people don’t take proper precautions.

“Everybody’s got to be extremely careful with any cigarette butts, it’s just tinder dry out,” Capt. Battie said.

As of noon on Friday, July 12, the City of Nanaimo, Parksville and the RDN implemented a full ban on open fires, following a provincial order to ban campfires with the vast Coastal Fire Centre zone.

Alternative fire sources are still allowed for cooking and heating purposes.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

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10 Science-Backed Ways To Cool Down Fast on the Trail - Backpacker Magazine

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Over the past few summers, record-breaking heat has swept much of the country, resulting in numerous hiker rescues, and even a handful of deaths. Some of the incidents have ended better than others, but a common theme has been a lack of preparedness. The good news? There are ways to mitigate the risks and stay cool during the summer.

As you might have guessed, the best way to beat the heat is by planning smart. Scout out shaded trails, choose high-elevation routes, and target dawn or dusk to avoid peak temperatures. It’s also wise to plan for lower-mileage hikes with less elevation gain in hot conditions. If the National Weather Service announces an excessive heat warning—usually issued when temperatures are expected to remain above 105°F for several days—consider scheduling your hike for another time.

Of course, even the savviest planners get caught unaware. Maybe your well-researched trail surprised you with an unexpected burn zone, or perhaps the route wasn’t as shady as you remembered. Maybe an injury or wrong turn delayed your hike—forcing you to slog your last few miles through the heat of the day. What then?

Understanding and Avoiding Heat Illness

First, make sure you know how to identify the symptoms of heat cramps, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend looking out for these tell-tale signs of heat-related illness:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• A faster-than-normal pulse
• Excessively red, sweaty, or clammy skin
• Feeling confused or disoriented
• Feeling light-headed or passing out
• Muscle pain, spasms, or cramps
• Weakness or fatigue

If you experience those symptoms, start by doing everything you can to cool your body down.

How to Cool Down Fast on the Trail

Knowing how to lower your body temperature is a critical skill for summer hiking. It can help you stay comfortable and have fun in moderate heat—and it’s invaluable in emergencies. Bob Rodgers, a search and rescue officer for the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, and Meghan Smith, Preventive Search and Rescue Supervisor for Grand Canyon National Park, offer these science-backed tips.

1. Spend 30 minutes in the shade

One of the best ways to lower your body temperature is to find shade. Because shade structures block UV radiation, they can feel up to 20 degrees cooler than nearby sunny spots.

“Do what you can get out of direct sunlight, preferably somewhere that has a cross-breeze,” recommends Rodgers. Studies show that both artificial structures and natural shade are equally effective, but opting for natural shade can save you some work in the backcountry.

“Putting up a tarp means spending energy,” Rodgers explains. Better to save your strength and get to a source of “deep shade,” like a tree or rocky overhang. Permanent structures spend all day sheltering the ground beneath them, and are therefore more likely to host a cooler pocket of air. Smith adds that if you feel overheated, you may need to rest in the shade for 30 to 45 minutes to cool your body down sufficiently.

2. Wear light-colored, cotton clothing

Summer hiking is the one time where the “cotton kills” adage doesn’t apply. Because cotton remains damp for a long time, it’s a great tool for keeping your body temperature low. Smith also recommends packing a thin cotton scarf, which you can use to shade your head and neck from intense UV rays.

Color also matters. Tests have shown that light-colored clothing can be as much as 30 degrees cooler than dark-colored clothing in extreme heat. That’s because light colors reflect solar radiation, while dark colors absorb it. Likewise, tests show that light-colored hats tend to be significantly cooler than dark-colored hats.

3. Put on a wet T-shirt

Few things will cool you off faster than donning a dripping-wet T-shirt. An even better option: “Sit in a stream or creek if it’s safe to do so,” Smith recommends. If you can immerse your core in cool water, even for just a minute or two, you’ll be able to lower your body temperature back to normal levels.

4. Soak a hat or bandana

In hot weather, dip your ball cap or bandana in water during stream crossings to take advantage of evaporative cooling. No streams around? Bring extra water for soaking cotton scarves or bandanas. When worn on the back of your neck, “the wet bandana cools the blood around your major arteries,” Rodgers explains. That distributes cooler blood throughout your body, resulting in a global drop in body temprature.

5. Wet your wrists or ankles

Some experts recommend wetting your wrists or ankles to enhance evaporative cooling. These are areas where the skin is relatively thin, which means there are lots of blood vessels close to the surface—ideal for moving cooler blood throughout the body. Rodgers adds that cooling down your armpits or groin—other areas with major arteries—can also be effective.

6. Carry a paper fan

Fanning yourself is proven to cool you down. While motorized fans can be enticing, a paper fan is a better bet, Rodgers says. “They work with or without batteries, and the air movement helps you cool off,” he explains. Plus, they’re extremely lightweight. (A stiff paper map can also work in a pinch.)

7. Drink extra water

Staying hydrated keeps your blood moving efficiently throughout the body, which can help you disperse heat, move efficiently, and sweat as much as you need to to stay cool. Smith recommends packing extra water to make sure you always have enough on hand. (Pro tip: To keep your water cool, either freeze your bottle the night before your hike, or carry an insulated bottle.)

8. Keep eating

While drinking cool water can help you lower your body temperature, it’s critical to balance water intake with plenty of salts and electrolytes. Heat can dull your appetite, but it’s important to keep munching anyway.“Too much water can be just as dangerous as too little if you’re not eating enough,” Rodgers says. Pack a range of sweet and salty snacks so you’re more likely to have something that feels palatable in the moment.

9. Pack a trucker hat

Smith recommends wearing a wide-brimmed hat as a source of portable shade. That said, any hat you choose should be breathable. Otherwise, it’ll trap heat around your head.

Rodgers recommends a model with mesh cutouts, like a trucker hat. “The mesh will provide some protection from the sun but also allow for some air circulation, as well,” he says.

10. Consider ice packs—but with caution

Some endurance athletes (including trail runners and hikers) turn to cooling vests or ice packs in extreme heat. While these tools can be useful for lowering your core body temperature, it is possible to overdo it. “Using ice packs, you can still get hypothermia, even on a warm day,” Rodgers warns.

What to do in an emergency

While lowering your body temperature is key first aid to prevent heat illness, it’s not always enough to keep you safe in extreme temperatures. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion can quickly develop into medical emergencies. One of the key differences between heat stroke and exhaustion is pulse: With heat exhaustion, you’ll notice a fast but weak pulse. Victims of heat stroke, however, have a fast but strong pulse. (Think: stroke=strong.) Heat stroke can also be accompanied by a throbbing headache and seizures, as well as the other symptoms listed above.

If you suspect heat stroke, call for rescue and act fast to mitigate symptoms in the meantime. If you suspect heat exhaustion, monitor the patient for at least an hour and call for help if symptoms don’t resolve.

“We are extremely concerned if someone has fainted, exhibits behavioral changes, expresses confusion and altered ability to think and make decisions,” says Grand Canyon’s Smith. “Any of those is an emergency. Stop, call 911, find shade, and cool the person down.”

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The fast track to less parking - The Globe and Mail

In Regina, there is parking. Plenty of parking.

A study by the city three years ago showed that almost half the privately owned land in downtown Regina was devoted to parking. The finding was part of a debate about whether the city’s planning commission should allow even more parking lots to proceed.

The work to quantify how much parking there was produced the same result as many other cities have found when they undertook similar research: there’s way too much of it. A University of Calgary report in 2021 estimated there are about three parking spots in Canada for every vehicle.

The planning ethos that emerged after the Second World War focused on designing cities around the priority of moving, and parking, cars. Now, cities across North America are starting to reconsider parking – something that most people had taken for granted as part of urban life.

In the late 2010s, Edmonton discovered it had 50 per cent more parking across the city than it needed, a vast oversupply that existed in large part because of what are called parking minimums. City planners long dictated how much parking they believed was required in any new residential or commercial development. It sounded reasonable – parking is often necessary – but it led to the wasteful inclusion of too much parking.

And that carried a hidden cost, especially in housing. A parking spot can increase the price of a home by tens of thousands of dollars.

Edmonton in 2020 put itself in the vanguard of change. It eliminated parking minimums citywide, allowing builders to decide how much their project needs. There’s still obvious demand for parking but not nearly as much as planners had imagined.

Toronto city council in late 2021 made the same move as Edmonton, saying the change “strikes a balance between too much and too little parking.”

This year, the parking revolution has gained momentum. The federal Liberals, as part of their successful housing accelerator program to give cities money if they increase housing density, have worked with cities to eliminate parking minimums downtown, near transit, or as part of new zoning for multiplexes.

Regina city council in January chose to emulate Edmonton and scrapped parking minimums citywide, as it sought housing accelerator funding from Ottawa.

In late June, Vancouver also eliminated parking minimums citywide, the culmination of several years of loosening such rules. Vancouver in 2018 ended parking minimums downtown. Last November, it did so for two areas near downtown. Thereafter, the provincial government passed housing density legislation that applied to cities across British Columbia. That required the end of parking minimums near transit and for other new housing density. Vancouver decided to make the change citywide.

The reasons the city cited are the same everywhere. The end of parking minimums bolster the economics of development, especially for affordable housing, as extra and unneeded costs are stripped away. And the development process is sped up and simplified, from a slimmer book of rules to less city staff time spent on tallying whether a builder has included just the right amount of parking.

Early results of reform elsewhere are positive. In Minneapolis, the amount of new parking is down by roughly a third compared with a decade ago. A study of parking reform in Buffalo and Seattle found that about two-thirds of new housing benefitted from the changed rules. In San Diego, the end of parking minimums near transit led to an increase in the construction of affordable housing.

More Canadian cities are poised for change. The City of Ottawa’s draft zoning bylaw, released this spring, does not include minimum parking rules and neither does Montreal’s 2050 draft land use and mobility plan, released in June. Some cities, however, remain cautious. When Calgary loosened its citywide zoning in May, it maintained some parking minimums.

Smart urban design is one reason that underpins the widespread rethinking of how much valuable space in cities is taken up by too much parking. Amid stratospheric housing costs, the imperative to change old arcane rules is long overdue and abundantly clear. In Canada, Edmonton led the way. Other cities are smart to follow.

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The fast track to less parking - The Globe and Mail
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