Plus more good news this week.
Key Points
- American kestrels are helping Michigan cherry orchards reduce crop damage.
- Costco, Lidl, Aldi and more offer cheaper groceries than Walmart, per new study.
- Starbucks is launching bottled protein drinks with 22 grams of protein.
This is Good Food News, your weekly installment of positive food and health news from around the world. These feel-good stories are hand-picked by EatingWell editors to help make your week just a little bit brighter.
Featured Story: Tiny Falcons Are the Key to Better Fruit
Did you know that there’s a small species of falcon that’s helping sweet cherry orchards lower their food safety risk and improve crop survival?
A November 2025 study shows that the American kestrel is doing just that in orchards across Michigan. Plotting active kestrel nest boxes on the land lowers the amount of wild birds in the area. Not only does deterring wild birds from the orchards mitigate crop damage, but it also lowers the risk of foodborne illness being introduced by wildlife into our food supply, per the study.
“Kestrel nestboxes have a few benefits,” study author Olivia Smith further explains to EatingWell. “First, they can help conserve kestrels, which are a species that many people enjoy seeing and having around. Second, they can help reduce the amount of bird poop on crops, which means that people are less likely to get foodborne illness. Third, they can reduce crop damage, which means that farmers can make more money, better supporting the local economy.”
According to Smith, this practice of implementing kestrel boxes in farms and orchards will “likely be most effective if put up in areas where kestrels are already present.” This means that the method of having tiny falcons as a sustainable “pesticide” could potentially become more common in regions of North and Central America.
More Good News This Week
Consumer Reports Reveals the Cheapest Grocery Stores
A new research study by Consumer Reports shows that there are six grocery chains in the U.S. that prove to have average cheaper groceries than Walmart. Costco reigns supreme, averaging 21.4% less than Walmart, so it may be time to get a membership. Following the warehouse is BJ’s Wholesale Club, Lidl, Aldi, WinCo and H-E-B.
Starbucks to Bring Protein Drinks to Shelves
Soon, you will no longer have to DIY your protein coffee, or “proffee.” Starbucks has announced that starting March 23, they will be bringing bottled Coffee & Protein drinks in Classic and Mocha flavors to retail locations nationwide. Each 12-ounce beverage will have 22 grams of protein, seven grams of fiber and just two grams of added sugar, making it an all-around healthier option when compared to their standard bottled drinks.
New Study Reveals 3 Foods for Healthy Weight Loss
If you’re trying to lose weight, there are some foods that you should be including in your diet, according to a recent study published in the journal Nutrition Research. The study shows that adding foods containing live microbes into your eating pattern—so yogurt, fresh fruit and vegetables—can help with weight maintenance, as well as help lower insulin levels and improve HDL cholesterol. Good thing spring is coming, because we’ll be stocking up on our favorite leafy greens!
Video of the Week
@adoreyoudrada I mean yogurt is pretty good tbf #harrystyles #harries #kissallthemediscooccasionally #kattdo #togethertogethertour
♬ original sound – Dradadradadrada
Speaking of yogurt, there’s one celebrity that we suspect has a robust microbiome, and that’s none other than pop icon Harry Styles. In a recent episode of Royal CourtStyles shares that it “shocks his friends” how much he loves yogurt.
“I eat remarkable amounts of yogurt,” the “Aperture” singer says. It’s safe to say that Styles would love our go-to recipes featuring yogurt and some of his favorite fruits… if you know, you know.
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