The Food Institute Report back issues from May 2009:
Food expenditures rebound in first quarter.(Brief article)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009 ... Although consumer expenditures for food reported by the COMMERCE DEPARTMENT were under prior quarter levels for the third consecutive quarter, the decline was significantly smaller, falling less than 1% from the last quarter of 2008. That is also significantly better than the 6.1% drop in ...
Changing economy creates "Downturn Generation".(Survey)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009 ... The recession has created a new niche of consumers identified as the "Downturn Generation," according to a report from INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC. (IRI). This new generation is adopting practices similar to Depression-era shoppers, implemented both to weather the recession and to keep a ...
Mothers' priorities dominate children's product launches.(Survey)
May 04, 2009 ... Successfully creating better-for-you products that address the youth wellness market requires paying attention to major issues that drive mothers' decisions relative to their children's nutrition, according to JUST KID INC., a research/consulting firm specializing in marketing to children ....
Campbell takes a stand against struggling economy.(Campbell Soup Co.)(Survey)
May 04, 2009 ... With consumer food spending declining for three consecutive quarters (see page 1), Campbell Soup Co. is concerned about the economic downturn and is keeping a close eye on consumer shopping behavior. Last summer, consumers were apprehensive about rising food prices. Today, ...
Today in Food's most read stories, Apr. 20 to Apr. 24.(briefs)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... 1) Dutch food group ROYAL WESSANEN NV will start an investigation into exiting all of its North American businesses, consisting of the distribution business TREE OF LIFE NORTH AMERICA, and the branded businesses PANOS BRANDS and LIBERTY RICHTER. 2) Grocery channel private label ...
Foodzie breaks into online food sales market.(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... Online specialty grocer Foodzie, founded by Rob LaFave, Emily Olson and Nik Bauman, sells products from small producers in 25 states and relies on attractive photos and an uncluttered design to compete with other online specialty grocers including AMAZON and IGOURMET, reported BusinessWeek ...
Consumables categories growing in chain drug channel.
May 04, 2009 ... To attract budget-conscious consumers who are avoiding restaurants, chain drug retailers are offering convenient, competitively reported Chain Drug Review (Apr. 6). For the growing number of consumers interested in eating healthy, the chain's health care positioning makes them a logical ...
Higher produce price projections outpace overall food-at-home category.(Statistical table)
May 04, 2009 ... In the wake of last year's 18-year high 6.4% jump in food-at-home prices, USDA'S ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE continues to project that prices will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% this year. Food away-from-home prices, however, are projected to rise 3.5% to 4.5%. Of the major food ...
Latest financial reports.(Statistical table)(Financial report)
May 04, 2009 ... <Pre> LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 OMITTED)Current % Change Year Year Ago 3M CO. (ST. PAUL, MN) Qtr. To Mar. 31: Sales $5,089,000-21.3% Net Income $518,000-47.6% ...
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., Lavel, Quebec, Canada, agreed to acquire Exxonmobil's approximately 450-unit On The Run convenience store franchise system in the U.S. and 43 of its company owned and operated sites in the Phoenix, AZ-market area.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Exxon Mobil Corp.)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD INC., Lavel, Quebec, Canada, agreed to acquire EXXONMOBIL's approximately 450-unit ON THE RUN convenience store franchise system in the U.S. and 43 of its company owned and operated sites in the Phoenix, AZ-market area. Most stores will continue to be operated by ...
Bunge Limited's Bunge North America, St. Louis, MO, purchased the assets of Mid-Atlantic Vegetable Shortening, Inc., a Kearny, NJ-based edible oil packaging business that services bakery, food processor and foodservice customers in the Northeastern U.S.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Bunge North America Inc.)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... BUNGE LIMITED'S BUNGE NORTH AMERICA, St. Louis, MO, purchased the assets of MID-ATLANTIC VEGETABLE SHORTENING, INC., a Kearny, NJ-based edible oil packaging business that services bakery, food processor and foodservice customers in the Northeastern U.S. Bunge North America is a vertically ...
Foster Farms' purchase agreement for Pilgrim's Pride Corporation's Farmerville, LA complex is nearing completion.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Pilgrim's Pride Corp.)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... FOSTER FARMS' purchase agreement for PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION's Farmerville, LA complex is nearing completion. On May 8, Pilgrim's Pride will idle the Farmerville ...
IAC acquired Seattle-based Urbanspoon, an online local restaurant guide that aggregates restaurant reviews from across the web.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... IAC acquired Seattle-based URBANSPOON, an online local restaurant guide that aggregates restaurant reviews from across the web. Urbanspoon will remain an ...
Vita Food Products, Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... VITA FOOD PRODUCTS, INC. completed its merger with an entity owned by Howard Bedford, a ...
Affiliated Foods Southwest Inc.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... AFFILIATED FOODS SOUTHWEST INC., Little Rock, AR, stated that it is entertaining offers from other ...
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. completed the acquisition of 19.9% of Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. from Anheuser-Busch Inbev for $667 million.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Tsingtao Brewery Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD. completed the acquisition of 19.9% of TSINGTAO BREWERY CO., LTD. from ...
Unilever and Nestle may be among the remaining bidders for soy product company Alpro Soya, owned by Belgian food group Vandenmoortele Group.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Unilever Group)(Nestle S.A.)(PepsiCo Inc.)(DANONE Group)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... UNILEVER and NESTLE may be among the remaining bidders for soy product company ALPRO SOYA, owned by Belgian food group ...
Anheuser-Busch Inbev selected private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) as the preferred buyer for Oriental Brewery.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Oriental Brewery Company Ltd.)
May 04, 2009 ... ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV selected private equity firm KOHLBERG KRAVIS ROBERTS & CO. (KKR) as the preferred buyer for ORIENTAL ...
Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd. agreed to sell its stake in an Indian milk products venture to partner Britannia Industries Ltd. to focus on other markets.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... FONTERRA COOPERATIVE GROUP LTD. agreed to sell its stake in an Indian milk products venture to partner BRITANNIA INDUSTRIES LTD. to focus on other ...
Kirin Holdings Company increased its stake in San Miguel Brewery to 48.3%.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(San Miguel Brewery Ltd.)(Kirin Brewery Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... KIRIN HOLDINGS COMPANY increased its stake in SAN MIGUEL BREWERY to 48.3% after ...
In a separate transaction, Kirin Holdings Company reached an agreement to acquire the remaining shares of Australian beer maker Loin Nathan Limited, its 46.13% owned and affiliated company.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Kirin Brewery Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... In a separate transaction, KIRIN HOLDINGS COMPANY reached an agreement to acquire the remaining shares of Australian beer maker LOIN NATHAN LIMITED, its 46.13% owned and affiliated company. Under terms of the proposal, Kirin will pay $3.3 billion Australian dollars. "The proposal to ...
The Middleby Corporation, Elgin, IL, agreed to acquire Cooktek LLC, a manufacturer of induction cooking and warming systems for the commercial foodservice industry, for $9 million.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION, Elgin, IL, agreed to acquire COOKTEK LLC, a manufacturer of induction cooking and warming systems for the commercial foodservice industry, for $9 million ....
Dutch food group Royal Wessanen NV will start an investigation into exiting all of its North American businesses.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Royal Wessanen)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... Dutch food group ROYAL WESSANEN NV will start an investigation into exiting all of its North American businesses, ...
Tesco expressed interest in buying 158 Netto stores in Poland, and 24 Billa supermarkets.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Tesco PLC)
May 04, 2009 ... TESCO expressed interest in buying 158 NETTO stores in Poland, and 24 BILLA supermarkets. Polish discount chain ...
Unilever entered into an agreement to acquire Baltimor Holding Zao's sauces business, a ketchup business in Russia.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Unilever Group)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... UNILEVER entered into an agreement to acquire BALTIMOR HOLDING ZAO's sauces business, a ketchup business in Russia. The acquisition includes ketchup, mayonnaise and tomato paste business ...
Yarraman Winery, Inc. ended merger discussions with Drinks America Holdings, Inc. and the letter of intent to combine the two companies was terminated.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... YARRAMAN WINERY, INC. ended merger discussions with DRINKS AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. and the letter of intent to combine the two companies was terminated. "After careful consideration, the Board of Directors has determined that it is in the company's best interest to focus on the completion ...
Cheese category registering varied consumer habits.
May 04, 2009 ... As consumers become more cost-conscious, cheese manufacturers are offering their products in smaller, prepackaged varieties, reported Gourmet News (April). From 2005-2008, volume sales rose by 4.5% for cheese sold in packages in less than 8-oz., according to INFORMATION RESOURCES INC ....
EB Performance.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... EB PERFORMANCE, Deerfield Beach, FL, launched DynaBites, bite-size chocolate chip protein cookies. Each bag of DynaBites are ...
H.J. Heinz Co.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... H.J. HEINZ CO., Pittsburgh, PA, is expanding the T.G.I. Friday's Complete Skillet Meals line with Firecracker Sesame Chicken, Cajun-Style Alfredo, Chicken & Shrimp, Creamy ...
Nissin Foods (USA) Co., Inc.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... NISSIN FOODS (USA) CO., INC., Gardena, CA, launched Chow Noodles, a line of microwavable noodles ...
Kraft Foods.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... KRAFT FOODS introduced DiGiorno Crispy Flatbread Pizza in four varieties: Tuscan Style Chicken, Pepperoni & Fire-Roasted Bell ...
Zymes Omega Solutions Inc., a Hasbrouck Heights, NJ-based affiliate of Zymes LLC, is unveiling OmegaChill, bottled water enhanced with omega-3, in select stores in the Northeast.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... ZYMES OMEGA SOLUTIONS INC., a Hasbrouck Heights, NJ-based affiliate of ZYMES LLC, is unveiling OmegaChill, bottled water enhanced with omega-3, ...
The Coca-Cola Company.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, Atlanta, introduced Dasani essence, a water beverage featuring a "light squeeze of all natural fruit flavor" in Lime essence, Strawberry Kiwi essence and ...
The Pepsi-Lipton Tea Partnership, a joint venture between Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages and Unilever, launched Lipton Sparkling Green Tea.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... THE PEPSI-LIPTON TEA PARTNERSHIP, a joint venture between PEPSI-COLA NORTH AMERICA BEVERAGES and UNILEVER, launched ...
NBI Juiceworks.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... NBI JUICEWORKS, Orlando, FL, is out with Drenchers new all natural Fit 'N Lean Super Blends Ice Coffee, containing "the Bodyguard fortification package of ...
Barbara's Bakery.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... BARBARA'S BAKERY, Petaluma, CA, is preparing to roll out Shredded Minis, a bite-sized addition to its line of whole-grain rich shredded cereals. Shredded Minis, featuring a "big burst of blueberry flavor," are low in fat, low in sodium, cholesterol-free ...
Pepperidge Farm, a Norwalk, CT-based subsidiary of Campbell Soup Company, introduced Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals Multi-grain Wheat Crisps.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... PEPPERIDGE FARM, a Norwalk, CT-based subsidiary of CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY, introduced Pepperidge Farm ...
Kettle Foods, Inc.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... KETTLE FOODS, INC., Salem, OR, will debut ...
Kozy Shack.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... KOZY SHACK, Hicksville, NY, is launching a Latin-themed product line, Kozy Shack la ...
Ocean Spray.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... OCEAN SPRAY, Lakeville-Middleboro, MA, launched regular, light and ...
Odwalla Inc.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... ODWALLA INC., a Half Moon Bay, CA-based subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, will introduce Mocha-walla, a ...
Snack Salad Marketing & Technologies, Inc.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)
May 04, 2009 ... SNACK SALAD MARKETING & TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Sebastopol, CA, is out with Sonoma Crisps, a line of fruit crisps with a crunch, which are fat-free, ...
Wallaby Yogurt Company.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... WALLABY YOGURT COMPANY, Napa Valley, CA, unveiled an organic yogurt line, Wallaby Down Under. The six-variety line ...
Kashi Company.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)
May 04, 2009 ... KASHI COMPANY, La Jolla, CA, added two new flavors to its all-natural ...
FDA sets October compliance date for cattle feed restrictions.(WASHINGTON)(Law overview)
May 04, 2009 ... FDA will establish Oct. 26, 2009 as the compliance date for its final rule banning certain high-risk cattle materials in all animal feed as published in the 74 Fed. Reg. 18626 (Apr. 24) (see http://www.fda.gov/cvm/BSEFinalRule042209.htm). The following is a summary of the final rule ...
FDA addresses nutrition symbols and implementation progress.(WASHINGTON)(Law overview)
May 04, 2009 ... FDA released a memorandum reviewing the comments it received and explaining its next steps with regard to nutrition symbols, and the following summary and analysis is provided by FOOD INSTITUTE counsel OLSSON FRANK WEEDA TERMAN MODE BATZ PC. FDA uses the term "nutrition symbols" ...
FDA reports alfalfa sprout Salmonella contamination.(WASHINGTON)(Report)
May 04, 2009 ... FDA and the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) recommended that consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts, including sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts, until further notice because the product wasn linked to Salmonella serotype Saintpaul contamination. Other types of ...
Kosher food: what does it mean for food to be certified as kosher, and what can it mean to you?: a webinar.(WASHINGTON)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
May 04, 2009 ... Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 12PM EST What is the significance of Kosher certified food, and what are the implications for food producers, distributors and marketers? Find out when representatives of the ORTHODOX UNION (OU), the world's largest kosher certification agency, and the ...
Swine flu outbreak results in international pork bans.(WASHINGTON)
May 04, 2009 ... Following a worldwide outbreak of a new strain of the H1N1 influenza virus, controversally termed the "swine flu," many countries responded by increasing border security and customs checkpoints or issuing warnings against all nonessential travel to Mexico or U.S. cities known to have swine ...
Kathleen Sebelius confirmed as HHS Secretary.(WASHINGTON)(Department of Health and Human Services)(Brief article)
May 04, 2009 ... Kathleen Sebelius was confirmed by the Senate on Apr. 28 as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the nation dealt with a public health emergency and a rapidly developing swine flu outbreak. The Senate voted 65-31 to confirm Ms. Sebelius, and Democrats urged prompt action on the ...
Food product recalls reported.(WASHINGTON)(Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc.)(McCormick and Company Inc. (Sparks, Maryland))(Brent & Sam's Cookies Inc.)(Report)
May 04, 2009 ... FDA is expanding its report on manufacturers who are voluntarily recalling pistachio items in association with SETTON PISTACHIO OF TERRA BELLA, INC.'s Salmonella outbreak. For more information, see FDA's recall alerts at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html Lawry's Fajitas ...
Produce.(MARKETS)
May 04, 2009; ... <AU>Myers, Megan</AU> [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WEATHER--Showers fell in the Midwest, but several warm, dry days between rain events allowed producers to make progress planting summer crops. Corn planting was especially active in the relatively drier upper Midwest ....
Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009; ... INDUSTRY INSIGHT--Despite the global recession easing the cost for food and consumer goods, company prices for tin cans are soaring. Although prices of pure steel and tin have fallen recently, the average price of tinplate is expected to rise 25% to 35% this year in Europe and 15% to 25% ...
Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009; ... The higher prices California canneries will pay for processing tomatoes is prompting some farmers to grow tomatoes outside regions normally used for tomato production in recent years. Some tomatoes are being grown in the Salinas Valley and the Hollister, CA area where water availability is ...
Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009; ... ASPARAGUS--Foodservice 6/2.5-lb. cuts are priced between $1.90-$2.00, and 6/2.5-lb. spears are around $2.75, f.o.b. Northwest. Retail spears in 12/12-oz. poly bags are between $18.65-$18.75, f.o.b. Northwest. BROCCOLI--Foodservice packs of broccoli spears are priced between 90 ...
Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Conference news)
May 04, 2009; ... PEACHES--At this point in the peach-growing season, the fruit is starting to differentiate in size. The crop set appears lighter than initial expectations following bloom as some of the smaller sized fruit stopped growing and will slough off. However, it appears that there is still enough ...
Processed fish.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009; ... The Netherlands is a country that continues to be a market with lots of opportunities for seafood exports, mainly due to its decreasing catch limits and increasing demand for seafood, noted the FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE. The U.S. lost one place and is now, after Norway, China and ...
Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009; ... BEANS--Dry Edible Bean market activity remained slow this week, with supplies not readily clearing the market channels. However, market activity on Pinto and Black beans was active with increased demand from Mexico. Grower levels did not change this week with limited purchases from growers ...
Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009; ... PEANUTS--Peanut prices received by farmers for all farmer stock peanuts averaged 25.0 cents per pound for the week ending Apr. 18. The price per pound decreased 1.6 cents from the previous week. Marketings of all farmer stock peanuts for the week ending Apr. 18 totaled 42.9 million-lbs., ...
Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009; ... STRAWBERRIES--For the week of Apr. 25, 22,030--lbs. of freezer berries from California were delivered to processors, bringing the year-to-date total to 52,748-lbs. That is up from 45,870-lbs. from the same week in 2008, according to the Processing Strawberry Advisory Board of California. ...
Juices & concentration.(MARKETS)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
May 04, 2009; ... APPLE--Apple concentrate from China can be found for around $4.20/gallon, with lower color and lower acid AJC at less than $4.00/gallon. Meanwhile, Argentina product is priced between $5.00-$5.25 a gallon, while product from Europe is the $8.00 range, according to industry sources. ...
Farm prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
May 04, 2009 ... <Pre> WHAT FARMERS WERE PAID FOR FARM PRODUCTS--APRIL % Chg. % Chg. Commodity & Unit April Last Mo. Last Yr. Beans, Dry Edible, Cwt. 29.500 -9.2% -14.0% Corn, Bu. 3.870 0.3% -24.7% ...
Butter.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
May 04, 2009 ... <Pre> BUTTER BUTTER MARKET, APRIL 23 Cents Per Pound: 4/23/2009 ...
Cheese.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
May 04, 2009 ... <Pre> CHEESE CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET APRIL 23 Cents Per Pound: 4/23/2009 Chge. Fr. Last ...
Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
May 04, 2009 ... <Pre> EGGS EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS APRIL 23 Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 23-Apr 16-Apr Chge. Extra Large-NY 82-86 108-112 -26.00 Large-NY80-84 106-110 -26.00 Medium-NY 68-72 ...