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NDTV
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Move Over Cold Coffee, Coffee Milk Is The Chill You Need To Try
You have probably had enough of the same cappuccinos, iced lattes, and cold brews. Cold coffee sometimes feels, well, a bit too regular, doesn't it? And if this makes you think that you have tried every kind of coffee-based beverage out there, then think again! There is one you might have missed: coffee milk - a beloved drink from Rhode Island in the United States, where it has been quietly winning hearts for nearly a century. It may sound like a simple mix of coffee and milk, but it is actually something quite unique: a milk-based drink made using coffee syrup. It is thick, sweet, and full of bold coffee flavour. Never heard of it? That's okay. But once you get to know what it is and how it tastes, chances are you will want to go back to it time and again. Also Read: Love Coffee? 3 Ways To Make Coffee Flavoured Cold Beverages For Summer What Is A Coffee Milk? At the very first glance, it might sound like a version of coffee milk. But trust us, it is quite different. This drink is made by mixing coffee syrup with milk, much like how you would mix chocolate syrup to make chocolate milk. That's it! Instead of brewing fresh coffee and adding milk and sugar, you use a pre-made syrup that is strong, sweet and full of bold coffee flavour. Just stir the syrup into chilled milk and that is it! The result is a sweet, creamy drink with a mild coffee flavour. It is not bitter or overly strong, but more like a dessert in a glass. Also Read: Move Over Dalgona Coffee, Try These Exotic Coffee Recipes From Around The World Photo Credit: Pexels A Brief Sip Into The History Of Coffee Milk: To understand where coffee milk comes from, you have to go back to the early 20th century, specifically to the kitchens of southern Italian immigrants in Rhode Island. Between 1898 and 1932, around 55,000 Italians arrived at the Port of Providence and brought their food culture along with them. One of those habits was drinking sweetened coffee, often made from leftover grounds and lots of sugar. Over time, this simple, strong, and sweet coffee became the base for something new. By the 1920s, the idea of mixing this coffee extract with milk gave rise to what we now call coffee milk. At first, it was a homemade drink, an everyday treat made in immigrant households. Eventually, coffee milk became a regular item on soda fountain and diner menus. Two Rhode Island-based companies, Autocrat and Eclipse, began producing coffee syrup: a thick, sweet extract made by simmering used coffee grounds with sugar and water, similar in texture to molasses. Stir it into cold milk, and you had coffee milk ready in no time. The popularity of this drink soared, and on March 30, 1993, it was officially declared the state drink of Rhode Island. (Source: Coffee Milk First, How To Make Coffee Syrup At Home? Before you can enjoy a chilled glass of coffee milk, you need the main ingredient - the coffee syrup. This sweet, concentrated coffee extract is what gives coffee milk its signature flavour. As mentioned on it is made by slowly simmering brewed coffee with sugar until it thickens slightly into a syrupy consistency. Once that is ready, all you have to do is mix it into cold milk, and your drink is done. You can always adjust the ratio of milk and coffee syrup to suit your palate. Also Read: Drink Up! This Masala Coffee Is Every Coffee-Lover's Dream-Come-True (Recipe Inside) Photo Credit: Pexels Homemade Coffee Syrup Recipe: Ingredients: 1 cup strong brewed coffee (instant coffee works too) 1 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) Method: In a small saucepan, combine the brewed coffee and sugar. Bring it to a simmer over low heat and let it cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally until it thickens slightly. Add the vanilla extract at the end. Allow it to cool, then store in a clean bottle or jar in the fridge. How To Make Coffee Milk At Home: Ingredients: 1 glass cold milk 2 to 3 tbsp coffee syrup (adjust to taste) Method: Pour the milk into a glass. Add the coffee syrup and stir well until fully combined. Taste and adjust - you can add more syrup if you like it stronger. Serve chilled. You can also add ice if you prefer it extra cold. Coffee milk is easy to make, fun to try, and a refreshing break from the usual coffee routine. Whether you sip it as an afternoon pick-me-up or enjoy it as a sweet end to a meal, it is definitely worth a try. Advertisement About Somdatta Saha Explorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Rhode Island Coffee Coffee Milk Show full article Comments
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Cyberattack Reveals Soft Underbelly Of Supermarket Food Supply
The recent cyberattack on food distributor UNFI has revealed the likelihood of other data ... More vulnerabilities throughout the F&B space. While the nation's food supply faces all sorts of threats, from diseases to tariffs to climate change, we are now faced with what can happen when the food supply is attacked by hackers, and not by directly targeting stores' systems. Instead, a hack of food distributor United Natural Foods (UNFI) hit Whole Foods and others hard, leading to shortages and empty shelves. It exposed the soft underbelly of supermarkets, where software, not just hard goods shortages, can be the target of attacks. Providence, Rhode Island-based UNFI, which operates 52 food distribution centers and offers 250,000 products from more than 11,000 suppliers to 30,000 customer locations, reported "unauthorized activity in our systems." It shut down temporarily after the cyberattack revealed that a computer virus, like any disease, can put the nation's food supply and supermarkets at risk. This disrupted ordering and deliveries, revealing how vulnerable the nation's food infrastructure can still be to cyberattacks. 'Our frozen cooler is empty, our bread hearth is bare, and customers are increasingly upset," a Whole Foods employee in Arkansas who was not authorized to speak on behalf of the company told CNN. UNFI, which noted it has invested in cybersecurity, said this attack revealed vulnerabilities and the need to do more, even as its stock tumbled after the attack. Signs that read, 'We are experiencing a temporary out-of-stock issue for some products' went up in some supermarkets. 'I think a company needs to be both high capability and humble when it relates to cybersecurity,' UNFI CEO Sandy Douglas said. 'And this event is just a demonstrated example of why.' Some supermarkets shifted temporarily to other wholesalers, while Amazon-owned Whole Foods, which operates more than 520 stores in the United States, found some of its shelves temporarily empty. Grocery Dive quoted Gilpin Matthews, co-owner of Darlings Grocery in La Pointe, Wisconsin, as saying that he shifted to Minnesota-based grocery wholesaler Mason Brothers for some products, as well as Sysco, which supplies restaurants. 'Empty shelves don't look good, and if people go in and they can't get the things that they need… they're going to go somewhere else,' Matthews told Grocery Dive. 'We were just scrambling, because we had no notice.' UNFI President and CFO Giorgio Matteo Tarditi said in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that the cyberattack 'temporarily impacted the company's ability to fulfill and distribute customer orders.' While some supermarkets found their shelves empty after the cyberattack, others temporarily shifted ... More to other wholesalers. While this attack attracted attention, it came after a string of ransomware and extortion hacks of retailers and supermarkets in the United Kingdom in April, which were widely attributed to the cybercrime organization Scattered Spider. That group with global reach reportedly began focusing on the United States in May, possibly including the UNFI cyberattack. The Rise & Risk of Advanced Technology The latest attack raises issues such as resilience, redundancy, and preparedness of grocery stores, which rely heavily on logistics, delivery, and the technology that allows this to go smoothly. In today's highly competitive market, food and beverage distributors increasingly rely on advanced technology to streamline operations, optimize supply chains, and deliver outstanding customer service. From real-time inventory tracking to predictive ordering and route optimization, nearly every aspect of the modern distribution business is powered by data. As the value and sensitivity of this data grows, so does the importance of securing and protecting it. Technology has become the backbone of food and beverage distribution for distributors who now utilize sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management solutions, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to gather and analyze data at every stage — from procurement to delivery. Advanced technology has helped wholesalers optimize their supply chain and monitor inventory in ... More real-time. These technologies generate a wealth of information on inventory levels, customer orders, supply chain logistics, and regulatory compliance. For instance, real-time temperature and humidity sensors can track perishable goods in transit, while analytics platforms help forecast demand and reduce waste. The resulting data not only drives efficiency but also provides actionable insights that can enhance profitability and customer satisfaction. Single Suppliers or Dozens of Distributors? Relying on single suppliers, which can provide the best rates, also aggregates risk. According to Grocery Dive, Orcas Food Co-op, a UNFI customer in Eastsound, Washington, also obtains products from dozens of local suppliers. 'We're not overly reliant on a single supplier,' an Orcas Food Co-op spokesman told Grocery Dive. 'This is just a good chance to highlight to our members a lot of the other producers we work with directly.' Still, smaller suppliers indicated they were unaware of what was occurring and caught in the middle. By June 10, UNFI reported in a third-quarter earnings call that net sales had increased 7.5% to $8.1 billion and a $7 million net loss. 'In the near term, we are focused on diligently managing through the cyber incident we announced yesterday to rapidly and safely restore our capabilities,' CEO Sandy Douglas said, 'while helping our customers with short-term solutions wherever possible.' Stronger cybersecurity measures and the implementation of penetration testing can help companies be ... More more proactive about the safety of their data. UNFI, whose slogan is 'Better Foods. Better Future.' may face lawsuits in case the company is in any way culpable. Law firm Levi & Korsinsky said it is investigating UNFI to see if federal securities laws were violated. UNFI disclosed in a June 9 SEC filing that after becoming aware of unauthorized activity in its systems, it "promptly activated its incident response plan and implemented containment measures, including proactively taking certain systems offline, which has temporarily impacted the Company's ability to fulfill and distribute customer orders." Craving More Cyber Controls This recent attack demonstrates the need for tighter cybersecurity controls, while many companies have not even had a penetration assessment. Having redundancy with suppliers is also another mitigating factor. Finally, proper insurance coverage may ease the pain. Every company should take proactive and meaningful measures to avoid cyberattacks, or it could face the problems illustrated in this situation. With increased reliance on digital tools comes an increased risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, and system disruptions. Food and beverage distributors often handle sensitive information, such as proprietary recipes, supplier contracts, payment details, and customer data. A security breach could disrupt business operations, damage trust, and lead to regulatory penalties. Therefore, data security has become a top priority. Distributors are adopting multi-layered cybersecurity strategies, including data encryption in transit and at rest, regular security audits, and robust access controls. Diseases, tariffs, climate change, and now hackers, all pose a threat to the nation's food supply. Cloud service providers used by distributors are often required to comply with industry-standard certifications (such as ISO 27001 or SOC 2) to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of stored data. The nature of the food and beverage industry often involves complex supply chains with multiple partners and vendors. As technology continues to evolve, so will the ways food and beverage distributors use —and protect — data. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are poised to bring even more advanced analytics and automation to the industry, underscoring the need for robust data security frameworks. In summary, technology and data are critical drivers for food and beverage distribution success. Still, their full potential can only be realized if distributors prioritize data security and protection at every level. By taking a proactive approach, these businesses can safeguard their operations, build trust, and deliver greater value to their partners and customers.
Boston Globe
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
David Hogg, AFL-CIO leaders lobby for competing versions of R.I. ban on assault-style weapons
Advertisement Hogg, who was Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up 'Safety in our communities will only come with both,' he said, 'and as Democrats, we should accept nothing less.' Hogg Advertisement Hogg's statement came from the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, which is lobbying for the House bill and emphasizing that it is the only Rhode Island-based gun safety advocacy group. The The Senate version is backed by the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, which includes the National Education Association Rhode Island, whose leader is Senate President Valarie J. Lawson. Rhode Island AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley and Secretary-Treasurer Karen Hazard, issued a statement on Thursday, saying they 'stand in full support of' the Senate bill and 'applaud the Rhode Island state Senate for moving forward with this important piece of legislation.' They noted that when the AFL-CIO conducted 'The bill under consideration accomplishes that goal,' Crowley and Hazard said. 'We urge full passage of the bill by the state Senate and respectfully ask the House of Representatives to take up the measure as soon as possible.' The Senate version of the bill is at Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cyberattack leads to Whole Foods shortages
A cyberattack on a primary organic food distributor has led to empty shelves at Whole Foods stores across the country. The company, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), is one of the country's largest organic food distributors and a major partner with Whole Foods. It became aware of a cyberattack on June 5, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and took some of its systems offline, hampering its ability to distribute orders to customers. A spokesperson for United Natural Foods declined to share specifics about the cyberattack, saying it was an ongoing operation. But it comes in the wake of a series of cyberattacks where a notorious cybercriminal gang has been targeting major retail customers with ransomware, rendering key systems inoperable as hackers demand payment. A corporate Whole Foods spokesperson apologized for the inconvenience and said the company is working to restock shelves quickly, but declined to answer specific questions. Two Whole Foods employees, who were not authorized by the company to speak with the press about the incident, told NBC News that the shortages were significant. 'It's affecting operations in a very, very significant way,' an employee at a Sacramento Whole Foods said. 'Shelves don't even have products in some places. The shipments we receive are not what we need, or we did need it but it's too much of one product because UNFI can't communicate with stores to get proper orders.' A Whole Foods employee in North Carolina said: 'We had to shut down our sandwich station on Tuesday because we didn't get any bread delivered. My store almost ran out of trash bags the other day.' The UNFI spokesperson said there was not a clear timeline for when distribution would return to normal, but that on Thursday it had begun gradually bringing some systems back online. John Braley, the director of the Food and Agriculture-Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a nonprofit cybersecurity advisory nonprofit for the food and agriculture industry, said the food supply chain's complexity means that if a company is suddenly hampered by a cyberattack, it can cause trickle-down effects that keep food from reaching customers. 'For a standard, moderately processed food product found in a major supermarket, 10 or more companies can be involved in the supply chain. Even fresh produce — such as an apple sold at a farmers' market — may involve multiple companies, such as the farm itself, local distributor/food hub, and the retailer,' he said in an emailed statement to NBC News. Beyond Whole Foods, smaller companies have also faced shortages from UNFI being unable to automatically process orders. The Community Food Co-Op in Bellingham, Washington, told customers on Facebook Monday that, as UNFI is its primary distributor, 'you'll see sparsely stocked shelves in some of our aisles' and asked customers to limit purchases to two of each item. Caitlin Smith, a logistics coordinator at C.R. England, a trucking and logistics company, told NBC News that the UNFI outage has left her company unable to deliver refrigerated foods to a dairy processing customer. 'I have three drivers sitting stuck because of this whole UNFI debacle,' she said. The costs from the cyberattack will end up being passed onto the consumer, she said. 'At the end of the day, you and I as customers will end up paying for this. So it does have a domino effect.' Ransomware attacks are common. But a particularly vicious campaign has hit major retailers in recent months. At least three major British retailers were hit earlier this year, including Marks & Spencer, which had to pause online orders for weeks; the Co-op, which saw hackers leak significant customer data to the BBC; and Harrods, which had to restrict some internet access at stores. Google said last month that those attacks overlap with a loosely affiliated group the cybersecurity industry has dubbed 'Scattered Spider,' largely English-speaking young men who have mastered the ability to trick people into giving them restricted online access. The same group was accused of breaking into Las Vegas casino companies in 2023. It has begun targeting major American retailers in earnest, Google said. Victoria's Secret was also the victim of a cyberattack in May, though it's not clear if the same group was responsible. This article was originally published on
NBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Cyberattack leads to Whole Foods shortages
A cyberattack on a primary organic food distributor has led to empty shelves at Whole Foods stores across the country. The company, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), is one of the country's largest organic food distributors and a major partner with Whole Foods. It became aware of a cyberattack on June 5, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and took some of its systems offline, hampering its ability to distribute orders to customers. A spokesperson for United Natural Foods declined to share specifics about the cyberattack, saying it was an ongoing operation. But it comes in the wake of a series of cyberattacks where a notorious cybercriminal gang has been targeting major retail customers with ransomware, rendering key systems inoperable as hackers demand payment. A corporate Whole Foods spokesperson apologized for the inconvenience and said the company is working to restock shelves quickly, but declined to answer specific questions. Two Whole Foods employees, who were not authorized by the company to speak with the press about the incident, told NBC News that the shortages were significant. 'It's affecting operations in a very, very significant way,' an employee at a Sacramento Whole Foods said. 'Shelves don't even have products in some places. The shipments we receive are not what we need, or we did need it but it's too much of one product because UNFI can't communicate with stores to get proper orders.' A Whole Foods employee in North Carolina said: 'We had to shut down our sandwich station on Tuesday because we didn't get any bread delivered. My store almost ran out of trash bags the other day.' The UNFI spokesperson said there was not a clear timeline for when distribution would return to normal, but that on Thursday it had begun gradually bringing some systems back online. John Braley, the director of the Food and Agriculture-Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a nonprofit cybersecurity advisory nonprofit for the food and agriculture industry, said the food supply chain's complexity means that if a company is suddenly hampered by a cyberattack, it can cause trickle-down effects that keep food from reaching customers. 'For a standard, moderately processed food product found in a major supermarket, 10 or more companies can be involved in the supply chain. Even fresh produce — such as an apple sold at a farmers' market — may involve multiple companies, such as the farm itself, local distributor/food hub, and the retailer,' he said in an emailed statement to NBC News. Beyond Whole Foods, smaller companies have also faced shortages from UNFI being unable to automatically process orders. The Community Food Co-Op in Bellingham, Washington, told customers on Facebook Monday that, as UNFI is its primary distributor, 'you'll see sparsely stocked shelves in some of our aisles' and asked customers to limit purchases to two of each item. Caitlin Smith, a logistics coordinator at C.R. England, a trucking and logistics company, told NBC News that the UNFI outage has left her company unable to deliver refrigerated foods to a dairy processing customer. 'I have three drivers sitting stuck because of this whole UNFI debacle,' she said. The costs from the cyberattack will end up being passed onto the consumer, she said. 'At the end of the day, you and I as customers will end up paying for this. So it does have a domino effect.' Ransomware attacks are common. But a particularly vicious campaign has hit major retailers in recent months. At least three major British retailers were hit earlier this year, including Marks & Spencer, which had to pause online orders for weeks; the Co-op, which saw hackers leak significant customer data to the BBC; and Harrods, which had to restrict some internet access at stores. Google said last month that those attacks overlap with a loosely affiliated group the cybersecurity industry has dubbed 'Scattered Spider,' largely English-speaking young men who have mastered the ability to trick people into giving them restricted online access. The same group was accused of breaking into Las Vegas casino companies in 2023. It has begun targeting major American retailers in earnest, Google said. Victoria's Secret was also the victim of a cyberattack in May, though it's not clear if the same group was responsible.
