The Food Institute Report back issues from March 2005:
Food industry merger activity relatively stable in 2004.
Mar 07, 2005 ... The largest 2004 food-related deal announced in 2004 was valued at $1.48 billion for Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.'s plans to acquire the Altria Group Inc.--Kraft Foods' Life Saver and Altoids business. That deal still hasn't closed, but Wrigley did complete another that also made many overall ...
Publix opening Hispanic prototype.(Facilities)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... As part of its strategy to appeal to the growing Hispanic market, Publix Super Markets Inc. is gearing up to launch two Hispanic-themed stores this spring. Called Publix Sabot, the new prototype will debut in Hialeah, near Miami, and in Kissimmee, after conversion is completed. ...
Hershey makes its strategic direction clear.(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... Not only is Hershey Foods Corporation proposing to change its name to "The Hershey Company," but it also divided itself into two new business groups--a U.S. Confectionery business group and a U.S. Snacks business group. The moves, which aim to strengthen the company's position in the ...
New health claim on the horizon for Kellogg products?(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... Kellogg Co. signed a 15-year supply agreement with Martek Biosciences Corp. for an omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Although there is no guarantee that the agreement will result in a Kellogg line of DHA-fortified products, the Battle Creek, MI-based company intends ...
DSRs should keep an eye on consumer behavior.(distributors)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... Foodservice distributors should be more aware of consumer behavior, as opposed to publicized consumer attitudes, in order to increase sales in the fast food market segment, according to The NPD Group's vice president, Harry Balzer. Although Americans are concerned with healthy eating and ...
Organic products should target specific organic consumer segments.
Mar 07, 2005 ... In 2004, organic food and beverage sales reached $10.9 billion, up 18% from 2003. Approximately 30% of U.S. consumers, or 62 million households, use organic products, down from a high of 40% in 2003, according to The Natural Marketing Institute's 2005 Organic Consumer Trends' Report. ...
Pepsi limits ads targeting children.
Mar 07, 2005 ... PepsiCo revealed its voluntary restrictions on its advertising to children, in response to rising levels of obesity in the U.S. and western Europe. It will no longer advertise its flagship cola to children under 12 or its Cheetos chips brand to children under eight. The Purchase, NY-based ...
New World Restaurant Group announced that its Einstein Bros. bagel chain will be converted to the fast-casual Einstein Bros. Cafe concept.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * New World Restaurant Group announced that its Einstein Bros. bagel chain will be converted to the fast-casual Einstein Bros. Cafe concept. The new concept features a lunch and dinner menu and a new look that is designed to encourage customers to ...
Wendy's International Inc.(News In A Minute)(Products)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Wendy's International Inc. is now selling ...
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants Inc.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants Inc., Portland, plans to open ...
Miller Brewing Co.(News In A Minute)(Products)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Miller Brewing Co. will test-market a fruit-flavored malt beverage, Brutal Fruit, despite dropping other flavored malt drinks following a disappointing foray in that segment. Brutal Fruit ...
Cornell.(News In A Minute)(Product information)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * An apple a day can help keep breast cancer away, according to a study ...
Gold'n Plump.(News In A Minute)(Products)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Broiler processor Gold'n Plump, St. Cloud, MN, will soon begin marketing antibiotic-free, minimally processed ...
U.S. veal grower and processor Marcho Farms, Harleysville, PA, and foodservice distributor Sysco Corp., Houston, are offering a new process-verified veal program.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * U.S. veal grower and processor Marcho Farms, Harleysville, PA, and foodservice distributor Sysco Corp., Houston, are offering a new ...
MasterCard and the Seattle Seahawks will offer PayPass at Qwest Field.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * MasterCard and the Seattle Seahawks will offer PayPass at Qwest Field--a payment system that allows users of the MBNA Seahawks credit ...
Kraft Foods Inc. will stop selling candies shaped like animals that have been run over by cars, bowing to demands by the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Kraft Foods Inc. will stop selling candies shaped like animals that have been run over by cars, bowing to demands by the New Jersey Society for the ...
Bain & Co.(News In A Minute)(Food Reports)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Between 1997 and 2000, the top 10 new food products generated a total of $150 million on average in their first year of sales, ...
Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods will distribute its products with the Whole Grains Council's new "Whole Grains Stamp," a packaging symbol designed to help consumers ...
Rite Aid.(News In A Minute)(Marketing)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Rite Aid is launching a new free senior loyalty program called Living More that provides benefits and savings to Rite Aid's patients who are at least 60 years old. Included in the benefits for ...
Jones Soda Co.(News In A Minute)(Products)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Jones Soda Co., Seattle, will launch a new line of organic teas in the second quarter of 2005. The new line, Jones Organics, gives Jones entrance into the expanding natural foods arena ....
Eden Foods, Inc.(News In A Minute)(Products)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Eden Foods, Inc., Clinton, MI, has introduced EDEN Organic ...
Danish dairy Arla Foods put its packaging division, Danapak, up for sale.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Danish dairy Aria Foods put its packaging division, Danapak, up for sale. Arla Foods' proposed sale of its packaging company reflects a ...
Bankrupt sandwich-cafe chain Briazz's board of directors must decide whether to sell the majority of its assets to Organic To Go.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Bankrupt sandwich-cafe chain Briazz's board of directors must decide whether to sell the majority of its assets to Organic ...
The recent surge in local barbecue restaurants in the Dayton area continues, with a Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que set to open in April.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * The recent surge in local barbecue restaurants in the Dayton area continues, with a Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que set to open in April. The 6,000-sq. ft. restaurant will serve everything from Texas brisket to St. Louis-style ribs, ...
Glory Foods Inc.(News In A Minute)(Marketing)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Glory Foods Inc., a Columbus, OH-based maker of southern foods, has begun selling its wares directly to consumers over the internet. While ...
Ocean Spray Ingredient Technology Group.(News In A Minute)(Facilities)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Ocean Spray Ingredient Technology Group opened a new state-of-the-art processing plant in Middleboro, MA. The company said the new ...
Keller's Creamery of Harleysville, PA is consolidating with parent company Dairy Farmers of America, Kansas City, MO.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Keller's Creamery of Harleysville, PA is consolidating with parent company Dairy Farmers of America, Kansas City, MO. The company is continuing to operate its headquarters and distribution center ...
B&G Foods, Inc.(News In A Minute)(Facilities)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * B&G Foods, Inc. plans to close its manufacturing and warehouse facility in New Iberia, LA and move the facility's operations to B&G Foods' ...
Nestle.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Nestle has added 29 new products to its ice cream line in China. Walls', Nestle and Meadow Gold hold 30% of ...
Flowers Foods'.(News In A Minute)(Corporate Planning)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Flowers Foods' growth strategies will include introducing new whole grain products and further expansion of the territory served by the company's ...
Association of Food Industries.(FI Member Profiles)(Advertisement)
Mar 07, 2005 ... The Association of Food Industries has represented the interests of the food import industry since 1906. With 1,000+ members worldwide, a significant percentage of importers, agents, brokers and suppliers belong to the association. Whether through AFI's web site, bi-monthly newsletter, or ...
Schreiber Foods International, Inc.(FI Member Profiles)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
Mar 07, 2005 ... Schreiber Foods International is celebrating its 25th year of importing canned and preserved fruits, vegetables, tuna and specialty foods for the Foodservice, Industrial, and Salad Bar-Deli/App. trades. Schreiber Foods services its accounts through multiple warehouses and most ports of ...
Publix scores highest in customer satisfaction among supermarkets.
Mar 07, 2005 ... In the fourth quarter of 2004, Costco maintained its lead over other specialty retailers in terms of customer satisfaction, despite a decline of 1% to a score of 79 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Publix Supermarkets, also down 1%, leads supermarkets for a tenth ...
Wal-Mart's expanding presence in Washington State has prompted Brown & Cole Stores to offer eight of its 31 supermarket locations for sale.(Retailer Round-Up)(Divestments)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Wal-Mart's expanding presence in Washington State has prompted Brown & Cole Stores to offer eight of its 31 supermarket locations for sale. Wal-Mart has outlets near a number of the stores being sold and is planning others even closer to some. The ...
Bruno's, Birmingham, AL, will close 20 of its 168 stores as part of the company's plan to reduce costs, improve profitability, and focus resources on its strongest markets.(Retailer Round-Up)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Bruno's, Birmingham, AL, will close 20 of its 168 stores as part of the company's plan to reduce costs, improve profitability, and focus resources on its strongest markets. The closings include one Bruno's store in Mobile, AL, 14 Food World stores in Florida and Alabama, and five FoodMax ...
Family Dollar.(Retailer Round-Up)(Investments)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Family Dollar will invest $60 million in a new regional distribution center in upstate New York. "We are opening large numbers of stores in the Northeast, right ...
Wild Oats Markets.(Retailer Round-Up)(Marketing News)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Wild Oats Markets is having a major buy-one, get-one-free sale, the latest example of the natural/organic retailer's efforts ...
In a pre-emptive strike to defend its turf in Manhattan's Union Square, where Whole Foods Market is scheduled to open its third New York store later this month.(Retailer Round-Up)(FreshDirect)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * In a pre-emptive strike to defend its turf in Manhattan's Union Square, where Whole Foods Market is scheduled to open its third New York store later this ...
Whole Foods Market.(Retailer Round-Up)(Facilities)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Whole Foods Market opened its Austin, ...
Whole Foods Market.(Retailer Round-Up)(Leases)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Whole Foods Market expects to sign the lease for its first London flagship store before the end of the year. Jim Sud, e.v.p, of growth and ...
Pathmark Stores Inc., Carteret, NJ, is reportedly in talks to be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc., a Keene, NH-based wholesaler and a major player in the supermarket industry in the Northeast.(Retailer Round-Up)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * Pathmark Stores Inc., Carteret, NJ, is reportedly in talks to be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc., a Keene, NH-based wholesaler and a major player in the supermarket industry in the Northeast ....
BJ's Wholesale Club.(Retailer Round-Up)(New Store Opening)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... * BJ's Wholesale Club is preparing to open a prototype store in Cape Coral, FL, that will focus on testing new food merchandising initiatives. Last year, the company opened a prototype store in ...
Mergers & acquisitions.
Mar 07, 2005 ... Aloha Petroleum Inc., Honolulu, is purchasing 20 convenience stores and gas stations in Hawaii that operate under the Mahalo brand from U.S. Restaurant Properties Inc., a real estate investment trust based in Dallas. The transaction is expected to close by the end of June. Aloha Petroleum ...
Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(Illustration)
Mar 07, 2005 ... <Pre> LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted) Current % Chge. Year Year Ago BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC. (Natick, MA) 13 Wks. To Jan. 29: Sales $2,051,721 7.0% Net Income$47,045 ...
Senate overturns USDA rule on normalizing Canadian/U.S. beef trade.(Washington)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... Shortly after a federal judge in Billings, MT issued a 30-day injunction temporarily blocking the Bush administration's plan to reopen the border to young Canadian cattle, which USDA Secretary Mike Johanns described as a "procedural delay," the U.S. Senate passed a resolution disapproving ...
What's the status of qualified health claims for Green Tea & tomato products?(Washington)
Mar 07, 2005 ... Over the past year or so, petitions for qualified health claims for a variety of food products have been submitted to FDA--a fact that was duly noted at THE FOOD INSTITUTE'S Seminar On Food Labeling in Newark, NJ last week. Earlier this year, FDA requested extensions for making ...
USDA seeks authority to reveal retail outlets that receive contaminated meats.(Washington)(United States Department of Agriculture)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... A proposed rule that would allow USDA officials to disclose the names of retail outlets that receive potentially contaminated meat and poultry products has been sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), reported The Wall Street Journal. The proposed rule ...
USDA reports 43% drop in E-coli in ground beef.(Washington)(United States Department of Agriculture)
Mar 07, 2005 ... The percentage of E. coli O157:H7 found in ground beef regulatory samples collected in 2004 dropped 43% from the prior year and declined more than 80% since 1980. Of 8010 samples collected by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and analyzed in 2004, only 0.17% tested positive ...
FDA revises policy guide on prior notice.(Washington)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is revising its Compliance Policy Guide(CPG) regarding: Prior Notice of Imported Food Under The Bioterrorism Act and is seeking public comment on the revisions by Apr. 4, 2005. The revised CPG can be found online at ...
You should know....
Mar 07, 2005 ... .... The European Union's high court ruled against Van Parys, a Belgian banana importer, who sought to use a World Trade Organization ruling to challenge EU trade quotas. In a case that sets a precedent across the 25-nation EU, the European Court of Justice ruled that a WTO decision could ...
Food product recalls reported.(Afrah Pastries, Richardson, LeBlanc's Cajun Boudin and Food Company Inc. )(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... Afrah Pastries, Richardson, TX, is recalling approximately 2265 lbs. of pastries. Products include: Baklava Fingers, Kol Shkor, Baklava Pistachios, Baklava Walnuts, Basma Cashews, Basma Pistachios, Mamoul Mad Pistachios, Mamoul Mad Dates, Mamoul Pistachios, Mamoul Dates, Petit Fours, Eye ...
Beluga sturgeon (caviar).(Noted In The Federal Register)(Fish and Wildlife Service's regulations on international trade)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... BELUGA STURGEON (CAVIAR): After many interim notices, an accelerated final rule by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service exempts certain products of beluga sturgeon (caviar) from import/export restrictions resulting from threatened species restrictions. The beluga comes from 18 countries ...
Listeria monocytogenes measures.(Noted In The Federal Register)( Food and Drug Administration's health policy)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES MEASURES: FDA requests comments, scientific data and information on a risk assessment for Listeria monocytogenes in smoked finfish. It will also evaluate the 2001 Food Code that address preventive controls for L. monocytogenes in retail and ...
EPA food pesticide regulations.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... EPA FOOD PESTICIDE REGULATIONS: EPA will set an initial food pesticide tolerance for sulfuryl fluoride, requested by Dow AgroSciences LLC ....
Egg, poultry, and rabbit grading.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Department of Agriculture may increase prices)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... EGG, POULTRY, AND RABBIT GRADING: USDA may increase rates for Federal voluntary egg, poultry, and rabbit grading to cover ...
Trinity Lakes' viticultural area.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau's agricultural policy)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... TRINITY LAKES' VITICULTURAL AREA: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau established the Trinity Lakes' viticultural ...
Milk marketing order.(Noted In The Federal Register)( Department of Agriculture's amendment)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... MILK MARKETING ORDER: Effective Apr. 1, USDA amends the producer milk provisions of the Arizona-Las Vegas milk marketing order to eliminate the ability to simultaneously pool the same milk ...
Antidumping Italian pasta.(Noted In The Federal Register)(taxation of pasta products)(Brief Article)
Mar 07, 2005 ... ANTIDUMPING ITALIAN PASTA: ITA begins a new shipper review of Mar, S.r.L.for the period July 1, 2003-June 30, 2004 ....
Produce.(Markets)(fruits and vegetables import)
Mar 07, 2005 ... APPLES--A proposal to allow Chinese fresh apples to be imported to the U.S. worries California apple growers. The California Apple Commission says Chinese orchards harbor some 160 pests that do not live in the U.S. American apple growers have urged U.S. officials to make sure those pests ...
Canned vegetables.(Markets)(production data of sweet potatoes and mushrooms imports)
Mar 07, 2005 ... <Pre> USDA HAS PURCHASED CANNED SWEET POTATOES *Shipments between July 1 - Sept. 31, 2005* Cases Delivered Cost Sweet Potatoes 194,310 $2,911,777 Allen Canning Company 47,430 Bruce Foods Corporation133,110 ...
Tomato products.(Markets)(exports and prices)
Mar 07, 2005 ... California tomato growers have reached a $50 per ton base price agreement with processors for the upcoming crop, a slight decline from 2004's base price of $51 per ton, according to the California Tomato Growers Association. Lower California tomato for processing output and higher canned ...
Frozen vegetables.(Markets)(imports and market share)(Illustration)
Mar 07, 2005 ... The Food Institute is constantly striving to bring up to date information to our members. If you are interested in sharing your market expertise or market trends please call Cheryl Nita at 201-791-5570 ext 22 or email me at cnita@foodinstitute.com. CORN--U.S. imports of sweet ...
Canned fruits.(Markets)(export and prices)
Mar 07, 2005 ... APPLES--Private label, foodservice 6/10 sliced 6.5-lb. in heavy syrup are between $17.50-$18.00, compared to $17.50 at this point last year, f.o.b. CA. FRUIT COCKTAIL--Private label foodservice 6/10s in heavy syrup are $20.25, compared to $23.50 per case at this time last year, ...
Processed fish.(Markets)(seafood exports and demand)
Mar 07, 2005 ... RUSSIA UPDATE--U.S. fish and seafood product exports will continue to grow and may reach $30 million in 2005, up from $23.1 million in 2004, according to FAS' Russian Federation FAIRS Product Specific Fish and Seafood Products' 2005 report. High-quality fish, in particular for sale at ...
Dried vegetables.(Markets)
Mar 07, 2005 ... GARLIC--Exports of garlic powder in 2004 totaled 4.5 million pounds, 3% lower than 2003. Shipments to the United Kingdom were down 43% to 733,608 pounds, while exports to Guatemala, another large market for U.S. garlic powder, were up 41% to 524,612 pounds. Other garlic product ...