The Food Institute Report articles from April 2009

The Food Institute Report archives from April 2009

Merger & acquisition activity falls in 2008.
April 6, 2009... Looking back on 2008, it is difficult to consider the course many mergers and deals took without thinking of the turmoil global markets experienced in the fourth quarter. Still, many deals in place in early parts of the year, and some left over...

U.S. Food manufacturing changing.(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Between 2002 and 2007, the number of food manufacturing establishments in the U.S. dropped a sharp 21% to 22,055 facilities, according to data released from the BUREAU OF CENSUS. That is a decline of 5,844 establishments in five years. Part of...

Good housekeeping launching good food line.(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Good Housekeeping, a magazine that reaches 24 million readers each month, will soon be reaching consumers in the supermarket aisle as it rolls out its Good Food pantry products through a partnership with HEARST BRAND DEVELOPMENT and TULOCAY &...

Chains implement low-salt pre-emptive measures.
April 6, 2009... A number of U.S. health organizations, including the NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, are increasing pressure on restaurants and foodservice manufacturers to lower food's salt content, and several businesses are taking it...

Old Orchard Brands Sparta, MI, entered into a licensing agreement with Chiquita to produce frozen fruit smoothie concentrates.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... OLD ORCHARD BRANDS, Sparta, MI, entered into a licensing agreement with CHIQUITA to produce frozen fruit smoothie concentrates. The Chiquita Frozen Fruit Smoothies will be available in recyclable 12-oz. plastic cans, which provide three, 8-oz....

Sunny Delight Beverages Co.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... SUNNY DELIGHT BEVERAGES CO.Cincinnati, is rolling out SunnyD Smoothies in two flavors: Orange Whirl and Strawberry Swirl. SunnyD Smoothies, touted as providing kids with as much calcium and vitamin D per serving as milk, are available in 48-oz....

Simply Asia.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... SIMPLY ASIA, Berkeley, CA, launched four new Stir-Fry Sauces in single-use pouches: Ginger Teriyaki, General Tso, Spicy Kung Pao and Mandarin Orange flavors, reported Progressive Grocer (Mar. 5).

Unilever.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... UNILEVER, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, unveiled I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Cooking & Baking sticks. The novel sticks, available nationwide, are touted as tasting and baking just like butter but have 50% less saturated fat.

B&G Foods Inc.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... B&G FOODS, INC., Parsippany, NJ, introduced Cream of Wheat Healthy Grain Instant Hot Cereal, which is available in Original and Maple Brown Sugar varieties. The new Healthy Grain products, made from 100% whole grain, are cholesterol free,...

Peter Rabbit Organics LTD.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... PETER RABBIT ORGANICS LTD, London, is bringing Peter Rabbit Organics fruit pouches to the U.S. this spring. The organic fruit pouches, with no added sugar, salt or artificial ingredients, are designed for babies and young children. No straws or...

Hilton Soy Foods.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... HILTON SOY FOODS, Canada, is launching Soybutter, a peanut-free peanut butter replacement. It does not contain any added colors, flavors or preservatives.

NBI Juiceworks.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... NBI JUICEWORKS introduced Sun Shower organic Super Blend coffee and tea drinks in five flavors: Mocha Cappuccino, Chocolate Raspberry Frappe, Iced Coffee, Green Tea Latte and Chai Tea Latte. Each 9.5-oz. bottle of Sun Shower Organic Super...

Just Born Inc.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... JUST BORN, INC., Bethlehem, PA, added a chocolate mousse flavored bunny to its PEEPS brand marshmallow candies. Orange chicks and green bunnies are also new to the spring PEEPS line.

McNeil Nutritionals LLC.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... MCNEIL NUTRITIONALS, LLC, Fort Washington, PA, introduced Sun Crystals sweetener, which incorporates stevia and pure cane sugar.

Starbucks Coffee Company and Unilever launched a new super-premium ice cream line.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY and UNILEVER launched a new super-premium ice cream line, featuring five flavors including: Caramel Macchiato, Mocha Frappuccino, Java Chip Frappuccino and Coffee.

Haagen-Dazs.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... HAAGEN-DAZS introduced the Haagen-Dazs Five Series, ice creams that are made with five ingredients that have one-third the fat of its regular ice cream. The flavors are Brown Sugar, Coffee, Ginger, Milk Chocolate, Mint, Passion Fruit and...

Conagra Foods Inc.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... CONAGRA FOODS, INC., Omaha, NE, is rolling out Marie Callender's Pasta Al Dente and Alexia Natural Crunchy Snacks-ready-to-eat Waffle Fries and Onion Strips made from natural vegetables, herbs and spices.

Rudolph Foods Inc.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... RUDOLPH FOODS, INC., Lima, OH, teamed up with The Original Louisiana Hot sauce brand to introduce a crunchy snack, Louisiana Hot OnYums.

Nestle.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... NESTLE's Lean Cuisine brand is out with two new Cafe Classics--Beef Chow Fun and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken, and two new One Dish Favorites--Pasta Romano with Bacon and Linguine Carbonara.

Pepperidge Farm, Inc., the Norwalk, CT-based subsidiary of The Campbell Soup Company, extended its Goldfish line with Goldfish Grahams in three flavors.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... PEPPERIDGE FARM, INC., the Norwalk, CT-based subsidiary of THE CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY, extended its Goldfish line with Goldfish Grahams in three flavors: Honey, Chocolate and Cinnamon.

Land O'frost.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... LAND O'FROST introduced a Sub Sandwich Kit featuring smoked ham and oven roasted turkey in the same package.

Jack Link.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... JACK LINK'S, Minong, WI, is out with a meat snack stick especially for teens, called MATADOR.

Loblaw reinvents no name, president's choice brands.
April 6, 2009... Nine years ago, Loblaw successfully launched its private label President's Choice rising crust pizza, only to be overtaken when MCCAIN's released its own version of the product. In an effort to gain market share with its private label products,...

Successful new products reflect innovation, consumer trends.(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Only approximately 25% of products introduced earn more than $7.5 million in the first year of production, which qualifies them to be on INFORMATION RESOURCES INC.'s (IRI) 2008 New Product Pacesetters report. These successful products reflect...

Today in food's most read stories, Mar. 23 to Mar. 27.
April 6, 2009... 1) The introduction of high quality, store-brand organic products changed consumer perceptions of private label grocery brands, according to the J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES' Private Label Industry Report. Rather than being considered lowquality...

Wal-Mart.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Groceries accounted for 49% of WAL-MART's U.S. sales for the fiscal year that ended Jan. 31, up from 47% a year before, according to chief operating officer Bill Simon. The retailer improved its supply chain, allowing it to stock fresh produce...

National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Mintel International and Spins.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Specialty food generated $48 billion in retail sales last year, an 8.4% increase over 2007, according to the annual State of the Specialty Food Industry report by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE SPECIALTY FOOD TRADE, MINTEL INTERNATIONAL and...

The NPD Group.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Survey)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... The percentage of Americans who feel that foods in supermarkets are safe decreased over the last five years, according to THE NPD GROUP, with 63% agreeing with the statement that foods sold in supermarkets are safe in 2007-08 while 68% agreed...

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(NEW PRODUCT NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC. began a test of a new menu at its Denver-area restaurants that includes smaller-sized and lower-priced options, as well as a kids menu.

U.S. carbonated soft drink volume fell to about 9.6 billion cases in 2008, the lowest level since 1997, according to Beverage Digest.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... U.S. carbonated soft drink volume fell to about 9.6 billion cases in 2008, the lowest level since 1997, according to Beverage Digest. Last year's decline follows a 2.3% decrease in 2007. Volume fell 3.1% at COCA-COLA, 4% at PEPSICO and 1.3% at...

Mintel.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Meanwhile, some 68% of Americans drank regular soda in 2008, down from 76% in 2003, according to MINTEL. During the same period, the number of diet soda drinkers rose with 7.8 million more adults reported drinking diet soda. In addition, some...

Bashas' Supermarket.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... BASHAS' SUPERMARKETS will be reducing prices on more than 10,000 products in every department, including national and private label brands...FOX Business (Mar. 31)

My Organic Market changed its name.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(to MOM'S ORGANIC MARKET)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... MY ORGANIC MARKET changed its name to MOM'S ORGANIC MARKET.

The Beverages Information Group.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Overall consumption of distilled spirits, wine and beer rose in 2008, however, the rate of growth in each category was less than recent years, according to data published by THE BEVERAGE INFORMATION GROUP. The growth spots in 2008 came from the...

Coco-Cola. Starbucks, McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts were among the companies named to the BusinessWeek 50.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)(Company rankings)
April 6, 2009... COCA-COLA, STARBUCKS, MCDONALD'S and DUNKIN' DONUTS were among the companies named to the BusinessWeek 50, the magazine's 13th annual ranking of the best-performing companies in the STANDARD & POOR'S 500-stock index... BusinessWeek (Mar. 27)

Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(Brief article)(Statistical data)
April 6, 2009... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 OMITTED) Current % Change Year Year Ago CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC. (JACKSON, MS) 13 Wks. To Feb. 28: Sales $270,009 ...

C-Stores in Japan gain market share.
April 6, 2009... Japan's convenience store sales in February rose 2% from a year earlier to [yen]536.25 billion on a same-store basis, up for the 10th consecutive month, according to the JAPAN FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION, reported The Japan Times (Mar. 24). Taking a...

American Blue Ribbon Holdings, LLC, a new entity formed by Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and Newport Global Advisors, purchased Vicorp Restaurants, Inc. and Newport Global Advisors, purchased Vicorp RESTAURANTS, INC., Denver, CO. As a result of the sale, American Blue Ribbon Holdings will own and operate the Village Inn and Bakers Square restaurants brands as well as the Vicom pie operation.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... AMERICAN BLUE RIBBON HOLDINGS, LLC, a new entity formed by FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL, INC. and NEWPORT GLOBAL ADVISORS, purchased VICORP RESTAURANTS, INC., Denver, CO. As a result of the sale, American Blue Ribbon Holdings will own and...

Cirelli Foods Inc, a Middleborough, MAbased broad line foodservice distributor, acquired Savage & Company, a purveyor of baking ingredients in Framingham, MA.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... CIRELLI FOODS, INC., a Middleborough, MAbased broad line foodservice distributor, acquired SAVAGE & COMPANY, a purveyor of baking ingredients in Framingham, MA. Cirelli Foods says it will offer a complete line of Savage products at the same...

Diedrich Coffee Inc., Irvine, CA, signed a definitive agreement with PRAISE International North America, Inc., an affiliate of Gloria Jean's Coffees International, for the sale of its Gloria Jean's Coffees domestic franchise operations.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC., Irvine, CA, signed a definitive agreement with PRAISE INTERNATIONAL NORTH AMERICA, INC., an affiliate of GLORIA JEAN'S COFFEES INTERNATIONAL, for the sale of its Gloria Jean's Coffees domestic franchise operations. ...

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR) completed the acquisition of the Tully's Coffee brand and wholesale coffee business from Tully's Coffee Corp. for the purchase price of $40.3 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE ROASTERS, INC. (GMCR) completed the acquisition of the TULLY'S COFFEE brand and wholesale coffee business from Tully's Coffee Corp. for the purchase price of $40.3 million. Tully's retail locations will continue to operate...

Houchens Industries, Inc., Bowling Green, KY, acquired Sheldon's Express Pharmacies, a two-store drug retailer based in Bowling Green.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... HOUCHENS INDUSTRIES, INC., Bowling Green, KY, acquired SHELDON'S EXPRESS PHARMACIES, a two-store drug retailer based in Bowling Green. Sheldon's Express Pharmacy will retain its name, employees and management. The holdings of employeeowned...

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc., Somers, NY, signed a Letter of Intent to acquire Hallettsville, TX-based Better Beverages, Ltd., a Pepsi-Cola and Dr Pepper franchised bottler.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP, INC., Somers, NY, signed a Letter of Intent to acquire Hallettsville, TX-based BETTER BEVERAGES, LTD., a Pepsi-Cola and Dr Pepper franchised bottler. Better Beverages does business in 20 counties across Texas and...

Associated British Foods received permission from EU regulators to purchase the Spanish sugar division of foods group Ebro Puleva in a deal worth $510 million.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS received permission from EU regulators to purchase the Spanish sugar division of foods group EBRO PULEVA in a deal worth $510 million. A preliminary agreement was reached last fall--see FOOD INSTITUTE REPORT Nov. 24,...

Dairy Crest Group PLC sold its 49% stake in Yoplait Dairy Crestr Limited for $92.66 million to Yoplait S.A.S., its French joint venture partner.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... DAIRY CREST GROUP PLC sold its 49% stake in YOPLAIT DAIRY CREST LIMITED for $92.66 million to YOPLAIT S.A.S., its French joint venture partner. Under the terms of the sale agreement, Dairy Crest will continue to distribute Yoplait products in...

Delhaize and investment group CVC Capital Partners are competing to acquire some Carrefour stores in Belgium.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... DELHAIZE and investment group CVC CAPITAL PARTNERS are competing to acquire some CARREFOUR stores in Belgium. "At least one player has already made a bid," according to a source familiar with the dossier... Reuters (Mar. 27)

Dutch flavor firm Exter acquired the aroma and hydrolysed vegetable protein business of H.J. Heinz B.V.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Dutch flavor firm EXTER acquired the aroma and hydrolysed vegetable protein business of H.J. HEINZ B.V., Zeist, the Netherlands.

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... MAPLE LEAF FOODS, INC., Toronto, does not plan to continue a formal sale process of its Burlington, Ontario pork processing business until markets rebound, which will likely not be before early 2010.

Rohm and Haas, a wholly owned subsidiary of THE Dow Chemical Company, entered into a definitive agreement to sell the stock of Morton International, Inc. to K+S Aktiengesellschaft.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Rohm and Haas Co.)(K+S Aktiengesellschaft)(Morton International Inc.)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... ROHM AND HAAS, a wholly owned subsidiary of THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, entered into a definitive agreement to sell the stock of MORTON INTERNATIONAL, INC. to K+S AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT. The transaction values Morton International at $1.675 billion.

Sabmiller PLC completed the sale of Bebidas y Aguas Gaseosa Occidente SRL.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... SABMILLER PLC completed the sale of BEBIDAS Y AGUAS GASEOSA OCCIDENTE SRL, its Pepsi bottling operations in Bolivia, to subsidiaries of QUILMES INDUSTRIAL, SOCIETE ANONYME for a total of approximately $27 million.

Sysco Corporation, Houston, TX, acquired Ireland-based foodservice distributor Pallas Foods Limited, which serves 6,000 customers from a portfolio of 7,000 products.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... SYSCO CORPORATION, Houston, TX, acquired Ireland-based foodservice distributor PALLAS FOODS LIMITED, which serves 6,000 customers from a portfolio of 7,000 products. Newcastle West-based Pallas Foods has annual revenues of approximately $200...

House subcommmitte holds overview hearing with Sec. Visack.(WASHINGTON)(Report)
April 6, 2009... The HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA AND RELATED AGENCIES held an overview hearing on Mar. 31 with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Scott Steele, USDA's Budget Officer. Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro...

Proposed food safety legislation: a Webinar.(WASHINGTON)(Conference news)
April 6, 2009... THE FOOD INSTITUTE is partnering with OLSSON FRANK WEEDA TERMAN BODE MATZ PC to conduct a webinar at 12:00 PM EST on Apr. 21, 2009 to review the significant aspects of food safety legislation currently being proposed by both the House and the...

Safie Specialty Foods Co Inc.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Chesterfield, MI-based SAFIE SPECIALTY FOODS, CO. INC. was issued a warning letter on Mar. 20 by FDA after an investigation of the company's acidified food manufacturing facility on Nov. 20-26. The investigation found that the company failed to...

Atlantic Coast Seafood Inc.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Boston, MA-based ATLANTIC COAST SEAFOOD INC. was issued a warning letter on Feb. 18 after an investigation of the company's seafood processing facility. The investigation found serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical...

Ramona Farms.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... San Jacinto, CA-based RAMONA FARMS was issued a warning letter on Feb. 9 by FDA after an investigation of the company's dairy operation Evergreen Farms on Nov. 4, 5 and 7. The investigation confirmed that the company offered for sale a dairy...

Square One Foods.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Siren, WI-based SQUARE ONE FOODS was issued a warning letter on Mar. 20 after an investigation of the company's facil ity. The investigation found that several of the company's products are in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic...

Interior Alaska.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
April 6, 2009... Fairbanks, AK-based INTERIOR ALASKA was issued a warning letter on Feb. 18 after an investigation of the company's seafood processing facility. The investigation found serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point...

Food products recalls reported.(Peanut Corporation of America)(Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc.)(Kraft Foods Inc.)(Report)
April 6, 2009... FDA is expanding its report on manufacturers who are voluntarily recalling peanut butter items in association with Peanut Corporation of mericas's Salmonella outbreak. For more information, see FDA's recall alerts at...

Produced.(MARKETS)(sweet potato planting)(Statistical table)
April 6, 2009... SWEET POTATOES--Planted area of sweet potatoes is expected to total 101,900 acres for the 2009 season, down 1% from last year but 1% above 2007. The planted acreage decrease is due to fewer acres expected in North Carolina and the removal of...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
April 6, 2009... 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 beets in 24/300 cases,...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
April 6, 2009... SAUCE--Foodservice 6/10 canned tomato sauce is selling between $15.00-$15.30, while retail 24/300 size is selling between $9.70-$9.85, both f.o.b. Mid-Atlantic. CANNED TOMATOES--Foodservice 6/10 canned tomatoes choice whole peeled are...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
April 6, 2009... SELECTED FROZEN VEGETABLE IMPORTS JAN. 1--JAN. 31, 2009 (Source: Bureau of Census) Pounds % Chg. Dollars % Chg. Item (1,000) Last Yr. ($1,000) Last Yr. Peas ...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
April 6, 2009... PEACHES--The PEACH ASSOCIATION joined with a national coalition of agricultural groups to strongly oppose the proposed federal card check legislation (the Employee Free Choice Act). The bill would deny workers the right to cast secret ballots...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
April 6, 2009... SALMON--Prices for private label canned salmon are between $40.00--$41.00 for Red, 24/Halves (7.5-oz.), $65.00--$70.00 for Red, 24/Talls (14.75-oz.), $16.00--$18.00 for Pink, 24/Halves (7.5-oz.) and $32.00--$34.00 for Pink, 24/Talls...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
April 6, 2009... DRIED BEANS--U.S. dry bean growers intend to plant 1.55 million acres in 2009, up 3% from the previous year and 1% higher than 2007. The increase in planted acres can be attributed in part to favorably stable dry bean prices. Expected area...

Oilseeds.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
April 6, 2009... SOYBEANS--Growers intend to plant an estimated 76 million acres in 2009, up slightly from the acreage planted in 2008 and will be the largest on record, if realized. Tightening soybean supplies and lower input costs than corn have resulted in...

Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
April 6, 2009... PEANUTS--Peanut stocks reported in commercial storage on February 28, 2009 totaled 3.74 billion pounds of equivalent farmer stock, compared with 2.62 billion pounds a year ago. This total includes 2.94 billion pounds of actual farmer stock. ...

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
April 6, 2009... STRAWBERRIES--IQF Large California strawberries in 30-lb pails are 66 cents per pound and Sliced Northwest 4+1 in 30lb. cartons are priced at 79 cents per pound, f.o.b. California. IQF Northwest Whole strawberries in 30-lb cartons are around 89...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
April 6, 2009... ORANGE JUICE--ERS forecasts orange juice production to be down 10% in 2008/09 from the previous season. Due to very high beginning juice stocks, however, total juice is forecast up 1%. Because of very high beginning stocks, a large crop of...

Butter.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
April 6, 2009... BUTTER MARKET, APRIL 2 Cents Per Pound: 4/2/09 3/25/09 Chge. Grade AA 1.18 1.1875 -0.0075

Cheese.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
April 6, 2009... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET APRIL 2 Cents Per Pound: 4/2/09 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 1.2750 0.0175 Blocks (40-lbs.) 1.2800 0.0300

Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
April 6, 2009... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS APRIL 2 (Source: USDA) Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 2-Apr 25-Mar Chge. Extra Large-NY 130-134 108-112 22.00 Large-NY 128-132 ...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
April 6, 2009... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF MARCH 27 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 55-68 56-68 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few Too Few Los Angeles...

Futures prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
April 6, 2009... Cash Nay July As of April 2, 2009: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $3.76 3.96 4.063 Soybeans, bu. $9.40 9.52 9.52 Soybeans Meal,...

Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
April 6, 2009... Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last 2-Apr 26-Mar Year Steers, Tex.-Okl. avg. cwt. N/A ...

Consumer Reports survey evaluates top grocery chains.(Harris Teeter Inc.)(Wal-Mart Stores Inc)(Survey)(Brief article)(Company rankings)
April 13, 2009... WEGMANS and TRADER JOE'S were ranked among the most satisfying chains at which to shop, according Reports survey of national and regional grocery chains. The magazine queried 32,599 people about their experiences for groceries at supermarkets,...

Webinar to provide insight into proposed food safety legislation.(Conference news)(Brief article)
April 13, 2009... THE FOOD INSTITUTE and OLSSON FRANK WEEDA TERMAN BODE MATZ PC will host a 90-minute webinar 12PM (EST) that will review the significant aspects of food safety legislation currently being proposed by both the Senate. The Insight into the...

Saint Joseph's University Food Summit stresses innovation.(Conference news)
April 13, 2009... Executives from leading food manufacturing, supermarket and foodservice companies made a series of presentations on how to develop and benefit from innovation at Saint Joseph's University's 2009 Food Industry Summit, held at the academic...

Traceability efforts take to the internet.(REPORT)
April 13, 2009... Food manufacturers are beginning to expand traceability efforts via the internet. For instance, beginning this month, consumers who buy STONE-BUHR all-purpose whole wheat flour in some WAL-MART, SAFEWAY and other grocery chains can go to...

Nutella utilizes consumer buzz to spread brand awareness.(REPORT)(Brief article)
April 13, 2009... A company specializing in an Italian chocolate and hazelnut spread is ranked the third most popular page on FACEBOOK, after President Obama and COCA-COLA. So how exactly did FERRERO USA's Nutella brand achieve this? It may be because Nutella...

Correction.(REPORT)(Correction notice)(Correction Notice)
April 13, 2009... Last week THE FOOD INSTITUTE incorrectly reported that there were 337 completed mergers and acquisitions in 2008. The actual number is 377, a decrease of about 8.7% from 2007. We regret the mistake.

Old-fashioned sweets regain popularity.(Report)
April 13, 2009... As the U.S. recession deepens, American adults are consuming large volumes of candy, particularly nostalgic brands, according to candy makers, store owners and industry experts, reported The New York Times on the Web (Mar. 24). Reasons behind...

Indian-American purchasing potential examined.(REPORT)(Report)(Brief article)
April 13, 2009... First-generation Asian Indian Americans exhibit several demographic and behavioral traits that may appeal to marketers, according to NEW AMERICAN DIMENSIONS AND INTERTREND COMMUNICATIONS' Asian Indians in the U.S. report. The average Asian...