The Food Institute Report articles from August 2003

The Food Institute Report archives from August 2003

Marsh to enter Chicago, new store design planned.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Marsh Supermarkets is looking to enter new geographic areas because it already ranks first or second in share of the markets where it now operates, according to chairman and chief executive Don Marsh. The supermarket chain plans to expand its...

Chicken chains offer healthier fare.
August 11, 2003... Chick-fil-A will introduce a Southwest Chargrilled Salad and spruce up others it already serves. Chick-fil-A officials said their new salad offerings are a response to customer requests. Diners said they were getting bored with the salads...

Horizon increases milk distribution to 65% of U.S. grocery stores.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Horizon Organic Holding Corp.'s sales grew 21% to $54.0 million--21% in the U.S. and 20% in the UK--during the second quarter of 2003, compared with the second quarter of 2002. Notably, a 23% increase in U.S. milk sales was driven by ultra...

Krispy Kreme to enter Europe.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Marking its entrance into Europe, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. launched a five-year program to build 25 stores in the major towns and cities of Britain and Ireland. In October, the company will open its second store outside North America, at...

Energy drinks popular with minorities.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... The rapidly-expanding energy drinks category appeals more to Hispanic and black consumers than whites, revealed new research by Mintel. Hispanic respondents are much more likely than whites -22% vs. 9%--to participate in the energy drinks...

Consumers rate supermarkets: Raley's comes out on top.
August 11, 2003... West Sacramento, CA-based Raley's was ranked as the nation's top supermarket chain, according to the September issue of Consumer Reports magazine, reported New Mexico Business Weekly (Aug. 5). The magazine surveyed more than 25,000 readers...

Wegmans is first among the best supermarkets for families.
August 11, 2003... Child magazine conducted a five-month investigation, sending a comprehensive 46-question survey to 44 retailers, to determine the best supermarkets for families. The survey examined offerings from supervised play areas and child-friendly carts...

Atlanta bread strives to reach expansion goals.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Atlanta Bread Co. reached an agreement to open up to 30 Bakery Cafes throughout the state of New York, which are expected to open over the next five years. The Bakery Cafe already committed to opening in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York City,...

Side dishes--a neglected market?
August 11, 2003... The side dish market is falling--could it be suffering from neglect? At $2.3 billion in 2003, slight increases in side dish sales could not keep up with inflation, making for a five-year 6.2% decline at constant prices. Could the market be...

Company aims to help consumers understand the frozen herb concept.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Gard'n Fresh Frozen Herbs sells various herbs that are stored fresh and ready to use in the freezer for up to two years. The herbs are already available in more than 1,500 grocery stores in 30 states. Most of the spices have a suggested retail...

Small organic growers turn to "home delivery" to make ends meet.
August 11, 2003... Small organic food producers are finding a niche delivering directly to consumers. There are nearly 1,000 so-called community-supported farms throughout the U.S. and as many as 100 are now doing business in California. In most cases, the...

Big food makers like McDonald's and Kraft Foods Inc. are finding every imaginable way to put their names in front of children.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Big food makers like McDonald's and Kraft Foods Inc. are finding every imaginable way to put their names in front of children, reported The New York Times on the Web. Also, they are spending more than ever--$15 billion last year, compared...

Perfection Bakeries, Inc.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Perfection Bakeries, Inc. shut down its Schafer bun plant in Saginaw, MI-Milling & Baking News (July 29)

Weis Markets, Inc. selected neXpansion's Endless Aisle technology to expand its product offerings via the web.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Weis Markets, Inc. selected neXpansion's Endless Aisle technology to expand its product offerings via the web. Branded as "Weis Extra Choices" and available to shoppers at weismarkets.com, the service will provide Weis Markets' customers...

C&S Wholesale Grocers is planning to resell six of the warehouses it is acquiring from Fleming Cos.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * C&S Wholesale Grocers is planning to resell six of the warehouses it is acquiring from Fleming Cos., Dallas, to Associated Wholesale Grocers, Kansas City, KS. At a bankruptcy court hearing, C&S said it had tentative plans to sell to AWG its...

Target will open a store in Lakeland FL, which will be smaller than a typical Target.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Target will open a store in Lakeland FL, which will be smaller than a typical Target, but will showcase the chain's latest interior innovations. Scheduled to open in March 2004, the 123,680-sq. ft. store will have a grocery area and a food...

Frito-Lay.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Frito-Lay is helping consumers make informed snacking choices with the introduction of a new on-pack ribbon label on some of its snack products. Baked! Lay's potato crisps will be the first product to feature the new Smart Snack ribbon label...

Panera Bread Company, St. Louis, MO, is in the process of equipping its bakery-cafes from coast to coast with free Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) access.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Panera Bread Company, St. Louis, MO, is in the process of equipping its bakery-cafes from coast to coast with free Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) access. Approximately 70 Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. locations already offer free Wi-Fi...

Burger King Corp. agreed to continue selling Frozen Coke drinks in the U.S. as part of a deal to end a dispute triggered by the Coca-Cola Co.'s admission that it deceived the fast food chain in a marketing program.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Burger King Corp. agreed to continue selling Frozen Coke drinks in the U.S. as part of a deal to end a dispute triggered by the Coca-Cola Co.'s admission that it deceived the fast food chain in a marketing program. Coca-Cola admitted in June...

Friendly's Restaurants Franchise, Inc. entered into a franchise agreement with Jax Family Rest., Inc. to build and operate Friendly's branded restaurants in the Jacksonville, FL area.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Friendly's Restaurants Franchise, Inc. entered into a franchise agreement with Jax Family Rest., Inc. to build and operate Friendly's branded restaurants in the Jacksonville, FL area. The company plans to build 10 restaurants over seven years...

Wendy's International Inc.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Wendy's International Inc., Dublin, OH, expects that 3,000 of its company- and franchise-owned restaurants will accept credit and debit cards by November... Business First of Columbus (Aug. 1)

Hebrew University.(News In A Minute)(low-calorie watermelon)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * A low-calorie watermelon, with all the sweetness, but significantly less sugar than common varieties has been developed by Israeli scientists. The average watermelon contains 54 calories per 4-oz. serving, while the new variety has 20% to 40%...

Pulmone U.S.A., Inc., South Gate, CA, a leading organic Tofu and soy food company, launched Furee, a soy-based smoothie, touted as a nutritious meal alternative for consumers-on-the-go.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Pulmone U.S.A., Inc., South Gate, CA, a leading organic Tofu and soy food company, launched Furee, a soy-based smoothie, touted as a nutritious meal alternative for consumers-on-the-go. The company, owned by South Korean-based Pulmuone Co.,...

Tesco.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * UK retailer Tesco is testing an onion developed to prevent the common phenomenon of making consumers cry. Supasweet onions were bred to be low in pyruvic acid, the constituent in onions that combines with waters in the eye to produce a...

Dairy Marketing Services and farm cooperative Land O'Lakes Inc.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Dairy Marketing Services and farm cooperative Land O'Lakes Inc. agreed to jointly market milk from both organizations in the Northeast U.S.

San Francisco VA Medical Center.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Increasing intake of vitamin C may be able to help prevent stomach cancer, suggest researchers from the San Francisco VA Medical Center. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, found that the lower the level...

Tyson Foods, Inc.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * In an effort to improve efficiencies and customer service, Tyson Foods, Inc. is consolidating operations in its Pine Bluff, AR facilities by moving the production of its Second Avenue plant to its Jefferson Parkway facility. The consolidation...

Choctaw Maid Farms, Inc.(News In A Minute)(Tyson Foods Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... * Meanwhile, Tyson Foods is acquiring the assets of Choctaw Maid Farms, Inc., Carthage, MI, including processing plants in Carthage and Forest, MI, two hatcheries and a feedmill. Choctaw Maid has been operating with a long-term supply agreement...

Mergers & acquisitions.(Brinker International Inc.)
August 11, 2003... Brinker International Inc. is in negotiations to sell its 16-unit Cozymel's Coastal Grill chain. The Dallas, TX-based outfit did not identify the potential buyer of the Mexican food concept chain, but said it expects the sale to close during...

Yucaipa and Safeway spar in court.
August 11, 2003... Yucaipa Cos., a Los Angeles, CA-based private equity investor, sued Safeway Inc., Pleasanton, CA, alleging that the grocery chain had unfairly excluded it from bidding on its Dominick's stores, reported Contra Costa Times (Aug. 6). Safeway is...

Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(financial reports of food and beverage companies, restaurants)(Illustration)
August 11, 2003... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted) Current % Chge. Year Year Ago APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. (Overland Park, KS) 13 Wks. To June 29: Sales ...

Warning labels on products containing olestra to be removed.(Washington)
August 11, 2003... FDA announced a change in the labeling requirement for olestra--the zero calorie fat substitute developed by Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) for use in certain snack foods--because FDA has concluded the label statement is no longer warranted. As a...

New regulations announced for companies shipping meat, poultry & eggs.(Washington)
August 11, 2003... Companies that ship meat, poultry and eggs should tighten security in places where terrorists would be likely to tamper with food, according to new guidelines by USDA, noted The Washington Times (Aug. 6). The guidelines, issued Aug. 4, are...

Biotech firms will need permits for GE crops, USDA says.(Washington)
August 11, 2003... USDA will require biotech firms to get permits for genetically engineered crops that help make chemical compounds for products like detergent, now that there has been a sharp increase in such crops, the agency said in the Aug. 6 Federal...

Food recalls reported.(Washington)(Ellison Farms)(Quality Boneless Beef Company Inc.)(Atalanta Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Atalanta Corp., Elizabeth, NJ, is voluntarily recalling approximately 500 pounds of sliced pepperoni products. The products being recalled are 10-lb. boxes of "SILA, SLICED PEPPERONI, SMOKE FLAVOR ADDED, PCN: 33401l. and were distributed to...

You should know ...(nation's dietary guidelines)
August 11, 2003... ... After months of behind-the-scenes jockeying by commodity groups and nutrition advocates, the federal government was expected to announce Aug. 8 which scientists and other experts will revise the nation's dietary guidelines. The guidelines...

In the courts.(summary of various cases)
August 11, 2003... ... A federal judge who shut down Maine salmon farms accused of violating federal pollution laws acted within his authority, a U.S. appeals court panel ruled, rejecting the farms' argument that less severe state regulations took precedence. The...

Tuberculosis in cattle & bison.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE & BISON: When the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service amended the bovine tuberculosis regulations to classify the States of Texas, California and New Mexico as modified accredited advanced, the agency delayed the...

Milk marketing orders.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... MILK MARKETING ORDERS: A public hearing will be held on Sept. 23, 2003 in Tempe, AZ to consider proposals to amend the producer-handler provisions of the Arizona-Las Vegas and Pacific Northwest milk orders. The proposals seek to, among other...

Fruit & vegetable inspection/certification.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... FRUIT & VEGETABLE INSPECTION/CERTIFICATION: USDA proposed a rule that would revise the regulations governing inspection and certification for processed fruits, vegetables, and processed products. A projected fee increase ranging from 8% to...

Fruit & vegetable advisory committee.(Noted In The Federal Register; is going to be reestablished by Department of Agriculture)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... FRUIT & VEGETABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: USDA intends to reestablish the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and provide...

Pasta antidumping duties.(Noted In The Federal Register)
August 11, 2003... PASTA ANTIDUMPING DUTIES: In response to requests by interested parties, the Department of Commerce (DOC) is conducting an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain pasta from Italy for the period of review (POR) July 1,...

Romano cheese permit.(to Kerry Inc.)(Noted In The Federal Register)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... ROMANO CHEESE PERMIT: FDA issued a temporary permit to Kerry, Inc., Eau Galle Cheese Factory and First District Association to jointly to market test romano cheese for manufacturing that deviates from the U.S. standard of identity for romano...

Removal of areas from exotic Newcastle disease quarantine.(US)(Noted In The Federal Register)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... REMOVAL OF AREAS FROM EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE QUARANTINE: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending the exotic Newcastle disease regulations by removing portions of Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas from the list of...

Produce.(Markets)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... USDA HAS PURCHASED FRESH APPLES * Deliveries between Sept. 15, 2003 and Mar. 31, 2004 * Cases Estimated Cost Fresh Apples 75,768 $864,347 Fresh Apples...

Canned vegetables.(Markets)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... MUSHROOMS--In response to requests from Xiamen Zhongjia Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd. and Zhangzhou Longhai Minhui Industry and Trade Co., Ltd., the Department of Commerce initiated a new shipper review of the antidumping duty order on certain...

Tomato products.(Markets)(prices, deliveries)(Illustration)
August 11, 2003... USDA OFFERS TO BUY--USDA is planning to purchase up to 35.9 million pounds of tomato products for donation to child nutrition and other domestic food assistance programs. Products, quantities and size of pack will be announced in the...

Frozen vegetables.(Markets)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... SUPERMARKET OVERVIEW--During the first quarter of 2003, the average supermarket price per pound increased for all plain frozen vegetables, with the exception of other plain vegetables. The largest increase was in frozen carrots, up 10 cents...

Canned fruits.(Markets)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... USDA OFFERS TO BUY--USDA has offered to purchase 497,952 cases of sliced (6/10) canned peaches and 376,656 cases of diced (6/10) canned peaches. Deliveries will be made between Nov. 16, 2003 and Apr. 30, 2004. USDA HAS PURCHASED CANNED...

Processed fish.(Markets)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... SALMON--The preliminary projection for the Alaska statewide salmon catch is 150.9 million fish, of which 62% has been caught as of Aug. 1. ALASKA SALMON CATCH, AUG. 1 % Of ...

Dried vegetables.(Markets)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... *** KANSAS CITY COMMODITY BUY *** * Shipments between Sept. 1-15 and Sept. 16-30, 2003 * Metric Tons Price Per Ton Pinto Beans 13,250 $418.66-$464.00 St. Hilaire...

Dried fruits.(Markets)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... PRUNES--USDA issued an interim final rule that decreases the assessment rate established for the Prune Marketing Committee under Marketing Order No. 993 for the 2003-04 and subsequent crop years from $2.60 to $2.00 per ton of salable dried...

Nuts & nutmeats.(Markets)(information on exports, prices and more)
August 11, 2003... U.S. EXPORTS OF NUTS AND NUTMEATS, JAN. 1-JUNE 1, 2003 Pounds: 2003 2002 % Chge. Hazelnuts, Inshell 4,965,307 20,019,280 -75.2% Hong Kong 2,845,401 15,467,097 -81.6%...

Frozen fruits.(Markets)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... BLACK CURRANTS--The government of New York has overturned a century-long ban on black currants, allowing state growers to tap into what could become a $20 million industry in New York and $1 billion nationwide, according to a study funded by...

Juices & concentrates.(Markets)(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... FCOJ EXPORTS, JAN. 1-JUNE 1, 2003 In Concentrate Gallons * 2002 2001 % Chge. FCOJ, Containers over 3.785 liters-65 Brix Total 20,746,927 86,934,053 -76.1% Netherlands ...

Butter.(Markets)(cents per pound, Grade AA)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 11, 2003... BUTTER MARKET, AUG. 8 Cents Per Pound: 08/08/2003 08/01/2003 Chge. Grade AA 119.00 122.50 -3.50 (Source: USDA)

Cheese.(Markets)(cents per pound, cheddar cheese)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 11, 2003... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET AUG. 8 Cents Per Pound: 08/08/2003 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 158.00 NC Blocks 160.00 NC

Eggs.(Markets)(prices to retailers, frozen egg prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 11, 2003... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS Aug. 8 This Week Ending Chng. From Wk. Cents per dozen: Week Aug. 1 Ending Aug. 1 Extra Large-NY 93-97 84-88 +9 Large-NY ...

Chicken.(Markets)(broiler prices, broiler chicks placed, chicken part prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 11, 2003... CHICKEN PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF AUG. 11 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 54.00-57.00 53.00-56.00 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too...

Futures prices.(Markets)(agricultural products)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 11, 2003... FUTURES PRICES Cash Aug. Sept. As of Aug. 7, 2003: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $2.07 2.12(Sept.) 2.20(Dec.) Soybeans, bu. 5.345 5.4300...

Commodity prices.(Markets)(agricultural products)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 11, 2003... COMMODITY PRICES Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last Aug. 7 July 31 Year Steers, Tex.-Okl. avg....

Wholesale food prices up 1.9% through July; but in July were down 0.2% from June.
August 18, 2003... The unadjusted Producer Price Index for Finished Foods dropped a slight 0.2% from a month earlier during July, but was still 3.7% more than a year earlier. On a cumulative 2003, wholesale finished consumer food prices were 1.9% more than a year...

J.P. Morgan investment arm on the prowl for acquisitions in the food industry.
August 18, 2003... In what is expected to be a first in a pursuit of mid-tier, under-managed food companies, J.P. Morgan Partners acquired Pinnacle Foods, owner of the Vlasic pickles and Swanson frozen dinners brands from private equity firm Hicks, Muse, Tate &...

Food at home price inflation at 1.2% through July.
August 18, 2003... Food at home prices were unchanged from a month earlier during July as lower prices for seafood, fresh produce, sweets, and soda offset increases in other items. Compared to the same month of 2002, however, prices followed pace with the overall...

Organic cereal producers aim to bring their products to every table.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... The popularity of organic cereals is growing and two companies, Cascadian Farms and Nature's Path Foods Inc., are among the nation's top producers of completely organic cereals, although some other brands are larger in the "natural" category,...

Most blame parents for child obesity.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Two out of three U.S. households said parents or guardians were to blame for obesity in children 17 and under, with fast-food restaurants blamed by 10% and food manufacturers named by only 1%, according to a survey by ACNielsen. Nine percent of...

Augeo provides discount programs to large companies.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Augeo Affinity Marketing changed its focus from being a bulk-purchasing organization for small and medium-sized restaurant operations to solely helping large companies provide discount programs for their customers. Formerly named FoodStreet...

McDonald's goes gourmet.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... McDonald's Corp. will open a new venture, Chef Mac's Cafe, in New Orleans, LA in September. Modeled after a similar eatery in Orlando, FL, the new restaurant will have chandeliers, leather couches, stylish tiles and upgraded restrooms. The menu...

Trends in frozen meal solutions.(Industry Overview)
August 18, 2003... The latest trends in the frozen meal solutions category are individually boxed family-size and single-serve microwavable and/or oven-ready entrees featuring braised short ribs, chicken Marsala, grilled white meat chicken with penne in basil...

Supermarket sales surged in July.(Retail Sales)
August 18, 2003... Sales at the nation's grocery stores jumped 5.0% during July over the same month last year to $39.8 billion according to the Bureau of Census. That's the largest increase since April and brings cumulative 2003 sales to $263.6 billion or 3.1%...

Restaurant sales up 8.5% in July.(Retail Sales)
August 18, 2003... Full service restaurant sales continued to outpace total foodservice and drinking place sales increases in July. During the month, total foodservice sales rose 8.5% to $31.5 billion, while full service restaurant sales advanced an estimated...

The judge overseeing the Chapter 11 case of Fleming Cos. Inc. refused to let Albertson's Inc. out of supply contracts with the grocery wholesaler.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * The judge overseeing the Chapter 11 case of Fleming Cos. Inc. refused to let Albertson's Inc. out of supply contracts with the grocery wholesaler, contracts that Fleming says are key to completing a $400 million sale of the wholesale...

Sears, Roebuck and Co.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * Sears, Roebuck and Co. is planning a new concept call Sears Grand. Ranging from 150,000-sq. ft. to 200,000-sq. ft., the freestanding units will include such consumable categories as milk, soda, snacks and health and beauty aids as well as...

PepsiCo Inc.'s.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * Health and nutrition are a major part of PepsiCo Inc.'s growth strategy. PepsiCo CEO Steve Reinemund says his goal is that 50% of the company's new products be nutritious in some way. He is convinced that all PepsiCo products, even Cheetos...

Coca-Cola.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * Coca-Cola plans to introduce its new milk drink, Swerve, in schools later this month. The company has no plans to sell Swerve outside of schools-The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Aug. 8).

In Thailand, Coca-Cola began selling two bottled tea drinks under the brand of its Taiwanese partner Ten Ren Tea.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * In Thailand, Coca-Cola began selling two bottled tea drinks under the brand of its Taiwanese partner Ten Ren Tea. Coca-Cola's new green and oolong tea drinks will cater to 25 to 35 year olds-The Miami Herald (Aug. 12)

Jays Foods LLC.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * Jays Foods LLC, which launched Jays Potato Chips 76 years ago, is evaluating options that include a sale or merger-Crain's Chicago Business (Aug. 10)

McCormick & Schmick.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * McCormick & Schmick's is trying to expand from cities to the suburbs. With 80% of its restaurants in city centers, it is putting its newest restaurants in suburban malls. The privately held company does not disclose profits, but says annual...

Kellogg.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * Kellogg's introduced Krave snack bars nationwide. The bars can be found in the granola/cereal bar section and come in Chocolate Delight and Chocolate Peanut flavors.

Crunch Pak LLC.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * Crunch Pak LLC will be offering its new 2-oz. Snak Pak of apple slices to grocery stores in eight-pack bags. Crunch Pak is hoping for the same success in a retail program that it has seen in school lunch programs... The Packer Online (Aug....

Wild Oats Markets, Inc.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * Wild Oats Markets, Inc. is on track to open 15 to 20 new stores in 2004 and 20 to 25 new stores in 2005. Currently, Wild Oats has 30 leases or letters of intent signed to meet its new store development goals. The company expects total square...

Total wine consumption in the U.S. rose 6% in 2002 to 245 million cases.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * Total wine consumption in the U.S. rose 6% in 2002 to 245 million cases, according to prepublished research figures from the 2003 edition of The U.S. Wine Market: Impact Databank Review and Forecast. The growth represents the biggest annual...

Food 4 Less.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * A new 58,500-sq. ft. Food 4 Less warehouse supermarket that caters to Mexican customers more than any other Food 4 Less store in the U.S., was set to open in Calexico, CA last week. The location will be the first to accept Mexican pesos as a...

Unilever Bestfoods.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... * Unilever Bestfoods is expanding a plant in Asheboro, SC, driven by an undisclosed new product that will be made at the plant. The local plant now produces all of the Lipton brand soup products... The Business Journal of the Greater Triad...