March 12, 2020
“Only 30% of U.S. consumers know sugar comes from plants, which indicates both the challenge and opportunity facing the U.S. sugar industry,” Courtney Gaine, President and CEO of the Sugar Association said at the International Sugarbeet Institute.
“Consumers overall are increasingly interested in so-called “clean-eating,” Gaine said. “Consumers want to know what the ingredients in their food are… Yes, consumers are looking to reduce their added sugars. But when it comes to sweeteners, I believe consumers are going to be seeking out real sugar,” rather than sugar substitutes, she said.”
Read the full article at: https://www.agweek.com/business/agriculture/4992770-Sugar-positioned-very-well-official-says
March 22, 2026
"The Feeding the Economy report affirms the vital role food and agriculture play in our nation’s economic resilience and food security. Commercial bakers have long been proud partners to American agriculture, sourcing 85 percent of their core ingredients from domestic farmers....Sponsoring organizations from the food and agriculture industries, who helped make the 2026 study possible, provided commentary on this year’s findings. The full list of sponsoring organizations includes: ...The Sugar Association"
March 10, 2026
"Courtney Gaine, president and CEO of the Sugar Association, a scientific body that supports the U.S. sugar industry, told the USDA Outlook Forum that the school meal standards taking effect next year might prohibit added sugars in kindergarten meals and could significantly restrict them in other grades. That change alone would cut sugar demand by over 130,000 short tons. The industry faces additional pressure from rising GLP-1 weight-loss drug usage, which jumped from 12% in May 2024 to 18% in November 2025, though Gaine cautioned it remains "premature to assess the impact."
March 3, 2026
"Gaine added, "There is no data to support all this." She said the focus on added sugar is often politically motivated, but food groups have not pushed back on the MAHA pressure. There is a lot of fear of retaliation, and for good reason they have not wanted to push back publicly," Gaine said. "I think it’s going to demand a coordinated, really coordinated, pushing back. Any effort up (until) now has been to go along to get along, and I don’t know if that’s going to work."
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