The Food Institute Report back issues from February 2009:
Look for food inflation to slow in 2009.
Feb 02, 2009 ... On the heels of last year's 6.4% jump in food-at-home prices, USDA'S ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE is projecting prices will rise only 2.5% to 3.5% this year. Food away-from-home prices remain in the 3.5% to 4.5% range, however, comparable to the 4.4% gain seen in 2008. What is ...
Changing times: a blueprint for success.
Feb 02, 2009 ... The NATIONAL GROCERS ASSOCIATION annual convention begins this week in Las Vegas and THE FOOD INSTITUTE welcomes all those attending. Copies of this weekly report will be available at the publication ...
Pantry stock-ups impacted by recession.
Feb 02, 2009 ... Unstable economic conditions have led to a change in consumer habits and an increase in stock-up missions. Stock-ups are shopping trips that are characterized by the presence of a wide variety of items (food or non-food) in the shopping basket, resulting in a high basket ring. Stock-ups ...
Cott losing exclusive supply pact with Wal-Mart.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc. contract with Cott Corp.)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is phasing out its its exclusive supply agreement in the U.S. with Cott Corp. "without cause," according to the Toronto-based soft-drink maker. The announcement will end a 10-year supply agreement between the two companies. However, Cott will continue as a supplier to ...
Website finds the best local grocery prices.(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN graduates Joe Nelson and Andrew Kramp created FLYERSIDE.COM, a website designed to find the best grocery prices in the Madison, WI area. The website compiles the content of various food store flyers, compares prices by product type and highlights the best deals at ...
The Food Institute is the foundation for your blueprint to success: become a member today.
Feb 02, 2009 ... Members of The Food Institute have access to an unparalleled range of information essential to the conduct of business in the food industry, delivered in a variety of formats and media. In fact, anyone who needs to stay abreast of the latest food industry developments, from grower issues ...
Snack manufacturers use flavorings to enhance category.(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... Snack food sales are driven by several factors: convenience, a way to incorporate beneficial nutrients and energy and as an indulgence. Due to the wide-ranging consumer base, manufacturers are driven in their search for the latest flavor trend, stated FoodBusinessNews (Jan. 6). FONA ...
U.S. and global advertising summary.(Company rankings)
Feb 02, 2009 ... Food and drink manufacturers are among the Top 25 U.S. Advertisers. In the No. 18 and 22 spots are KRAFT FOODS and ANHEUSER-BUSCH COS., according to Advertising Age (Dec. 29). Kraft Foods, which is also ranked on the Top 25 U.S. Global Marketers list (No. 14), spent $1.5 million on ...
To increase sales, supermarkets including Supervalu Inc. and Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. are engaging their suppliers in discussions to lower wholesale prices.(RETAILER ROUNDUP)(Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company Inc.)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... * To increase sales, supermarkets including SUPERVALU INC. and GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA CO. are engaging their suppliers in discussions to lower wholesale prices. Before getting companies to agree to lowering wholesale prices, however, retail executives expect suppliers first to ...
Supervalu.(RETAILER ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... * Meanwhile, SUPERVALU launched "nutrition iQ," a nutrition information program to assist consumers in ...
Bashas'.(RETAILER ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... * Supermarket chain BASHAS' introduced its Eat Smart program, which consists of nutrition shelf tags that identify whether a food ...
Price Chopper and Hy-Vee implemented the Nuval Nutritional Scoring System.(RETAILER ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... * PRICE CHOPPER and HY-VEE implemented the NUVAL Nutritional Scoring System. NuVal's scoring ...
Business intelligence, category management and profit analysis were among the technology applications that received the highest priority in 2008 and will continue to be a high priority in 2009.(RETAILER ROUNDUP)
Feb 02, 2009 ... * Business intelligence, category management and profit analysis were among the technology applications that received the highest priority in 2008 ...
Report names best U.S. retail brands of 2009.(Company rankings)
Feb 02, 2009 ... INTERBRANDDESIGNFORUM recently compiled The Best U.S. Retail Brands of 2009, basing its information and rankings using public marketing and financial data. WALMART (No. 1): With a brand value of $129.8 billion, Walmart is the largest mass retailer in North America and is making ...
Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(financial news)(Financial report)
Feb 02, 2009 ... <Pre> LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 OMITTED)Current % Change Year Year Ago ALBERTO-CULVER CO. (MELROSE PARK, IL) Qtr. To Dec. 31: Sales ...
, Santa Ana, CA, signed a letter of intent for the acquisition of a 50% stake of Diamond Wodka, a leading European vodka company.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Access Beverage, Inc.. acquired with Diamond Wodka)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... ACCESS BEVERAGE, INC., Santa Ana, CA, signed a Letter of Intent for the acquisition of a 50% stake of DIAMOND WODKA, a leading European vodka company. Access Beverage is expected to secure joint ownership of all brands, worldwide trademarks, intellectual properties and import/distribution ...
CF Industries Holdings, Inc., Deerfield, IL, proposed to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of rival Terra Industries INC. for $2.1 billion in a transaction that would create a leader in the global fertilizer industry.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC., Deerfield, IL, proposed to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of rival TERRA INDUSTRIES INC. for $2.1 billion in a transaction that would create a leader in the ...
Kerry, a Beloit, WI-based supplier of technology-based ingredients, flavors and integrated solutions for the food and beverage industry, acquired X Cafe, a Portland, ME-based producer of shelf-stable coffee extracts.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... KERRY, a Beloit, WI-based supplier of technology-based ingredients, flavors and integrated solutions for the food and ...
Pat & Oscar's, the 19-unit fast-casual chain based in San Diego, was acquired by a group of the chain's executives, including industry veterans John Kaufman and Tim Foley.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... PAT & OSCAR'S, the 19-unit fast-casual chain based in San Diego, was acquired by a group of the chain's executives, including industry veterans John Kaufman and Tim ...
Peters Imports, Grandville, MI, completed negotiations for the acquisition of Chelsea Market Baskets-Wholesale Specialty Food division, New York, NY, effective Feb. 1.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... PETERS IMPORTS, Grandville, MI, completed negotiations for the acquisition of CHELSEA MARKET BASKETS-WHOLESALE SPECIALTY FOOD division, New York, NY, effective Feb. 1. Peters Imports, a family owned wholesale distributor ...
Archer Daniels Midland Company, Decatur, IL, signed an agreement to purchase Schokinag-Schokolade-Industrie Herrmann GMBH & Co. KG, a Mannheim, Germany-based producer of chocolate and cocoa powder.(MERGER RELATED NEWS )(Archer Daniels Midland Co. acquired with Schokinag-Schokolade-Industrie Herrmann GMBH & Co. KG)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY, Decatur, IL, signed an agreement to purchase SCHOKINAG-SCHOKOLADE-INDUSTRIE HERRMANN GMBH & CO. KG, a Mannheim, Germany-based producer of chocolate and cocoa powder. ...
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. will acquire 19.9% of Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. from Anheuser-Busch Inbev for $667 million.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(acquisitions)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD. will acquire 19.9% of TSINGTAO BREWERY CO., LTD. from ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV ...
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.'S tender offer to acquire Chile's Distribucion Y Servicio D&S S.A. was successful.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(acquisitions)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... WAL-MART STORES, INC.'s tender offer to acquire CHILE'S DISTRIBUCION Y SERVICIO D&S S.A. was successful. The offer will result in the acquisition by Wal-Mart of approximately 58.2% of ...
Advanced Food Products LLC, New Holland, PA-based division of Bongrain Cheese USA, entered into a licensing agreement with Jelly Belly Candy Co., Fairfield, CA, to produce jelly belly pudding snacks in six varieties.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... ADVANCED FOOD PRODUCTS LLC, New Holland, PA-based division of BONGRAIN CHEESE USA, entered into a licensing agreement with JELLY BELLY CANDY CO., Fairfield, CA, to produce Jelly Belly Pudding Snacks in six varieties, ...
Nestle U.S.A. launched hot pockets ultimate, individually wrapped sandwiches that are 50% larger than a regular hot pockets sandwich.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... NESTLE U.S.A. launched Hot Pockets Ultimate, individually wrapped sandwiches that are 50% larger than a regular Hot Pockets sandwich. Hot Pockets ...
Nestle Healthcare Nutrition unveiled boost kid essentials nutritionally complete drink in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... NESTLE HEALTHCARE NUTRITION unveiled BOOST Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors. The product, providing ...
Turtle Island Foods.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... TURTLE ISLAND FOODS, Hood River, OR, expanded its marinated, organic tempeh ...
Odwalla Inc., a California-based subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, is out with two reduced-calorie beverages in two varieties, mojito mambo and pomegranate strawberry.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... ODWALLA INC., a California-based subsidiary of THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, is out with two reduced-calorie beverages in two varieties, ...
Happy & Healthy Products, Inc., Boca Raton, FL, is out with a new fruitfull bar in a horchata variety.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... HAPPY & HEALTHY PRODUCTS, INC., Boca Raton, FL, is out with a new Fruitfull bar in a Horchata variety. The ...
Vroom Foods, Inc.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... VROOM FOODS, INC., Costa Mesa, CA, introduced Buzz Bites Mint ...
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... THE GHIRARDELLI CHOCOLATE COMPANY, San Francisco, introduced Ghirardelli Luxe Milk, a milk chocolate ...
Reser's Fine Foods.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... RESER'S FINE FOODS, Beaverton, OR, rolled out a six-item premium dip line under the Stonemill Kitchens ...
General Mills, Minneapolis, introduced two new additions to the yoplait light thick & creamy line-cherry cobbler and cinnamon roll.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... GENERAL MILLS, Minneapolis, introduced two new additions to the Yoplait Light Thick & Creamy ...
The Kellogg Company.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... THE KELLOGG COMPANY, Battle Creek, MI, is marketing Kellogg's FiberPlus Antioxidant bars. The ...
FDA releases guidance for LAB Accreditation standards.(WASHINGTON)
Feb 02, 2009 ... FDA published a draft guidance document entitled Draft Guidance for Industry: Submission of Laboratory Packages by Accredited Laboratories (available at http://www.fda.gov/oc/guidance/labpackages.html); see also 74 Fed. Reg. 3056 (Jan. 16). The draft guidance deals with accreditation ...
FDA publishes final guidance on voluntary third-party certification. (WASHINGTON).
Feb 02, 2009 ... FDA published a final guidance document on voluntary third-party certification programs for human food and animal feed products, Guidance for Industry: Voluntary Third-Party Certification Programs for Foods and Feeds (available at http://www.fda.gov/oc/guidance/third); see also 74 Fed ....
Newly-appointed secretary vilsack outlines agricultural agenda.(WASHINGTON)
Feb 02, 2009 ... Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed his priorities as Secretary during a teleconference call with reporters, including: * Combating childhood obesity and enhancing health and nutrition, indicating that USDA should play a key role in the public health debate and that ...
Kraft, frito-lay buyers to plead Guilty to bribery charges.(WASHINGTON)(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... Robert Watson of White Plains, N.Y., a Kraft senior purchasing manager, entered his plea in a Sacramento federal court Jan. 27 to accepting $158,000 from a sales broker at SK ...
FDA issues warning letter.(WASHINGTON)(violations of the seafood Hazard )(Brief article)
Feb 02, 2009 ... Lyons, IL-based ARTISAN SPECIALTY FOODS was issued a warning letter on Nov. 13, 2008 by FDA after an investigation of the company's seafood processing facility on Sept. 18-22, 2008. The investigation found serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical ...
Produce.(MARKETS)
Feb 02, 2009; ... Fresh market vegetable and melon production for the 24 selected crops estimated in 2008 totaled 449 million hundredweight, down 2% from last year, according to USDA's Annual Vegetable Summary. Harvested area covered 1.73 million acres, down 3% from 2007. Value of the 2008 crop is estimated ...
Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
Feb 02, 2009; ... All prices f.o.b. Midwest unless otherwise noted. ASPARAGUS--Foodservice prices of 6/10 canned asparagus are between $39.70-$39.90. Private label prices of 24/300 cases are between $21.40-$21.60. BEETS--Foodservice 6/10 cases are between $17.00-$17.35. Prices of ...
Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
Feb 02, 2009; ... UPDATE -A former manager for Kraft Foods and an ex-Morning Star Packing Co. employee pleaded guilty in connection with an ongoing investigation into various illicit activities in the tomato processing industry. See article on page 12. SAUCE--Foodservice 6/10 canned tomato sauce ...
Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
Feb 02, 2009; ... Sales of all frozen vegetables are up almost more than $400 million from 2004 levels, yet the pounds sold are only up 60 million-lbs. Most of the dollar increase has occurred since 2006, as both 2004 and 2005 levels were relatively stable. ASPARAGUS--Foodservice 6/2.5-lb. cuts ...
Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Market share report)
Feb 02, 2009; ... Supermarket sales of canned/bottled fruit totaled 1.239 billion pounds in 2008, a drop of close to 4% from 2007. Also this was the fifth consecutive year that sales have decreased by volume. Meanwhile, dollars sales increased by about $67 million continuing the five-year trend upward. ...
Processed fish.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
Feb 02, 2009; ... USDA OFFERS TO PURCHASE--USDA announced an offer to buy frozen, breaded catfish products for use in the National School Lunch program and other Federal food and nutrition programs. Shipments must be made in two periods between Mar. 1 and Mar. 31, 2009. For more information contact USDA at ...
Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
Feb 02, 2009; ... PEAS & LENTILS--Trading activity was starting to pick up but remains slow. The majority of the classes were mostly Steady. Limited trading has occurred in the previous weeks partly due to previously contracted product or filling of government orders. Green Peas and Lentils were mostly ...
Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
Feb 02, 2009; ... U.S. tree nut production for crop year 2008 is 2.02 million tons (in-shell basis), 1% above a year earlier. The almond crop is 1.35 million tons, up 12% from 2007. Walnut production in 2008, at 375,000 tons, is up 14.3% from the previous year. The pistachio crop is 139,000 tons, 33% less ...
Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
Feb 02, 2009; ... STRAWBERRIES--There have been reports of weak demand for strawberries from Chile due to excess inventory and many buyers have been cautious of purchasing fruit at any price for the moment. IQF Large California strawberries in 30-lb pails are 69 cents per pound and Sliced ...
Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
Feb 02, 2009; ... ORANGE JUICE--For the four-week period ending Dec. 20, OJ retail revenues are down by 3%. Gallon sales and average prices are down 0.8% and down 2.3% respectively; contributing to the decline in retail revenue. Season-to-date revenues are off 2.6% with a 0.7% decline in volume. Wal-Mart ...
Butter.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
Feb 02, 2009 ... <Pre> BUTTER MARKET, JANUARY 28 Cents Per Pound: 1/28/2009 ...
Cheese.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
Feb 02, 2009 ... <Pre> CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET JANUARY 28 Cents Per Pound: 1/28/2009Chge. Fr. Last Wk ....
Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
Feb 02, 2009 ... <Pre> EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS JANUARY 28 (Source: USDA)Wk. EndingWk. Ending Cents per dozen 28-Jan21-Jan Chge. Extra Large-NY 126-130127-131 -1.00 Large-NY124-130125-129 -1.00 Medium-NY...
Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
Feb 02, 2009 ... <Pre> PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF JANUARY 23 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 65-74 72-75 Cleveland Too Few Too Few DetroitToo Few Too Few Los Angeles 95 96 New York...
Futures prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
Feb 02, 2009 ... <Pre> FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash March May As of January 29, 2009: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $3.57 3,845 4.30 (Dec) Soybeans, bu. ...
Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
Feb 02, 2009 ... <Pre> COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last 29-Jan 22-JanYear Steers, Tex.-Okl. avg ....
Consumers put brakes on food spending last year; FI webinar to focus on what is ahead for food prices.(Brief article)
Feb 09, 2009 ... Americans spent an estimated $1.38 trillion on food last year, according to the BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS' most recent quarterly report. That is 2.47% less than food spending was trending in the third quarter of 2008 and the largest quarterly adjustment since the government began ...
Reports evaluate shopper marketing gateways and insights.
Feb 09, 2009 ... KROGER's success generating supplier participation in its shopper marketing gateway led to an estimated nine figures worth of supplier subscriptions, a triumph that has led to many retailers wanting their own 'dunnhumby,' or shopper marketing gateway, according to WILLARD BISHOP's ...
New chocolate purchasing patterns sweet news for Hershey.
Feb 09, 2009 ... While supermarket sales in the premium chocolate category in the fourth quarter were flat versus last year, noted Hershey's chief executive David West, Hershey Co.'s fourth quarter profit (up 51%) and sales growth suggests the demand for chocolate remains strong, reported The Wall Street ...
Bruno's files Chapter 11.(Brief article)
Feb 09, 2009 ... Birmingham, AL-based Bruno's Supermarkets, LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure its operations. The 76-year-old company operates 23 Bruno's and 43 FOOD WORLD grocery stores in Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Bruno's will keep its stores open and believes its ...
Food expenditure index drops for second consecutive quarter, posting record-high decline.(Financial report)(Brief article)
Feb 09, 2009 ... For the first time since the first quarter of 1991, consumer expenditures for food fell in two consecutive quarters in the second half of 2008, according to FOOD INSTITUTE analysis of the BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS' (BEA) Consumer Expenditure Index. Last year's final quarter posted the ...
Steam technology increasing in microwave products.
Feb 09, 2009 ... Consumer demand is rising for quality food products that are quickly and easily prepared. When it comes to the microwave, steam cooking raised quality to a new level, according to Food Business News (Jan. 20). A product launch using microwave steam technology that proved to be extremely ...
The mobile phone revolution; iPhone apps and beyond.
Feb 09, 2009 ... KRAFT's iPhone application, iFood Assistant, offers recipes, browseable by ingredients, meal type or preparation time, making it an ideal tool for consumers who are searching for convenience. "When we look at consumers, we think that they are busy and they're looking for food planning ...
Rising Roll Gourmet.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
Feb 09, 2009 ... RISING ROLL GOURMET will open in Blue Ash, OH. Franchisee Frank Foster plans to open one or two ...
A Baja Fresh Mexican Grill.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
Feb 09, 2009 ... A BAJA FRESH MEXICAN ...
Bruegger's.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
Feb 09, 2009 ... BRUEGGER'S opened a bakery-cafe in Altamonte Springs, FL. The Orlando-area franchisee ...