The Food Institute Report articles from December 2006

The Food Institute Report archives from December 2006

Consumer food prices up in 2007, according to Food Institute webinar...(Statistical data)
December 4, 2006... In a recent Food Institute webinar, What's Ahead for Food Costs for 2007?, participants gained important insights on what to expect for food-at-home, food-away-from-home and meat costs for 2007 and into 2008. USDA economist Ephraim Leibtag...

Beef & pork prices grow slightly in 2007, turkey drops.(Statistical data)
December 4, 2006... Meanwhile, Jim Robb, Director of the LIVESTOCK MARKETING INFORMATION CENTER, shed light on the U.S. meat complex situation in the Food Institute webinar, What's Ahead for Food Costs for 2007? In particular, while meat prices experienced a...

El Pollo Loco flies East.(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Irving, CA-based El Pollo Loco spread its wings eastward with the opening of a unit in Mashantucket, CT. The restaurant, located at the FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, represents the first El Pollo Loco East of Chicago. Plans by the franchise group...

What America Eats.(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Americans know they are overweight and are acting to change that, found PARADE magazine's 2006 What America Eats survey. Among the 1,015 adults surveyed, 66% of women and 55% of men are unhappy with their weight, and 53% of women and 39% of men...

Dollar General closes 400 stores.(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... The Scottsville, KY-based Dollar General retail chain revealed a new strategic initiative, which involves the closing of 400 stores, to revitalize and upgrade its existing store base and enhance the store experience for customers. This...

The Largest U.S. Private Companies.
December 4, 2006... Of the 394 companies in Forbes' 2006 listing of America's Largest Private Companies, eight food-related companies ranked in the top twenty-five. Each company in the listing has at least $1 billion in annual revenue and in the last 12 months, 85...

Fine-dining operators roll out candy carts.(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... An emerging trend in fine dining includes operators who are presenting complimentary apres-desert treats or candy carts at the end of the meal in an effort to leave a lasting impression with guests. For example, Chicago-based TRU restaurant...

Take a look inside the food institute's Food Industry Review, 2006 edition...(Statistical data)
December 4, 2006... This annual publication contains valuable information for the success of any food related business, whether it's retail, foodservice or manufacturing. The 2006 Edition is filled with indispensable data and analysis on supermarkets, membership...

Vegetarian food market still offers opportunity for growth.
December 4, 2006... The number of vegetarians in the marketplace has grown just marginally in recent years. However, manufacturers of vegetarian food have continued to develop wide ranging product lines hoping to capture strict vegetarians and experimental eaters...

Allen canning company, family-owned and operated Siloam Springs, AR-based vegetable business, will acquire substantially all of the operating assets of Birds Eye Foods, Inc.'s non-branded frozen vegetable business.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ALLEN CANNING COMPANY, family-owned and operated Siloam Springs, AR-based vegetable business, will acquire substantially all of the operating assets of BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.'S non-branded frozen vegetable business. The acquired business...

Save Mart Supermarkets, Modesto, CA, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Albertson's Llc Northern California Division.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... SAVE MART SUPERMARKETS, Modesto, CA, signed a definitive agreement to acquire ALBERTSON'S LLC NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVISION. The purchase includes 132 ALBERTSONS stores in Northern California and Northern Nevada, the Roseville and Vacaville...

Hawaiian Springs, LLC, a newly formed investor group, acquired substantially all of the assets of Hawaiian Natural Water Company, Inc. from Amcon Distributing Company, an Omaha, NE-based consumer products company.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 4, 2006... HAWAIIAN SPRINGS, LLC, a newly formed investor group, acquired substantially all of the assets of HAWAIIAN NATURAL WATER COMPANY, INC. from AMCON DISTRIBUTING COMPANY, an Omaha, NE-based consumer products company. The purchase price for the...

Linear Retail Properties LLC, Burligton, MA, purchased 15 White Hen Pantry convenience stores in eastern Massachusetts from New England Pantry Inc., which operates all 55 White Hen Pantry locations in New England.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... LINEAR RETAIL PROPERTIES LLC, Burligton, MA, purchased 15 WHITE HEN PANTRY convenience stores in eastern Massachusetts from NEW ENGLAND PANTRY INC., which operates all 55 White Hen Pantry locations in New England. Linear Retail paid $12.3...

Midocean Partners, a private equity firm with offices in New York and London, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sbarro, INC., a Melville, NY-based quick service Italian restaurant company with approximately 1,000 locations across 34 countries.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 4, 2006... MIDOCEAN PARTNERS, a private equity firm with offices in New York and London, signed a definitive agreement to acquire SBARRO, INC., a Melville, NY-based quick service Italian restaurant company with approximately 1,000 locations across 34...

Omega Protein Corporation, Houston, closed on the purchase of nine million of its shares from Zapata Corporation, Rochester, NY.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... OMEGA PROTEIN CORPORATION, Houston, closed on the purchase of nine million of its shares from ZAPATA CORPORATION, Rochester, NY. The aggregate purchase price for the shares, representing 36.5% of Omega's outstanding common stock, was $47.5...

The Pantry, Inc., Sanford, NC, signed a definitive agreement to acquire 16 Angler's Mini-Mart convenience stores in the Charleston, SC market.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... THE PANTRY, INC., Sanford, NC, signed a definitive agreement to acquire 16 ANGLER'S MINI-MART convenience stores in the Charleston, SC market. The stores generated revenues of approximately $73 million in 2005. Separately, the company recently...

Services Acquisition Corp. International acquired all of the outstanding securities of Jamba Juice Company, San Francisco, and Jamba Juice Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SACI.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... SERVICES ACQUISITION CORP. INTERNATIONAL acquired all of the outstanding securities of JAMBA JUICE COMPANY, San Francisco, and Jamba Juice Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SACI. The company has changed its name to JAMBA, INC. Jamba...

Star Buffet, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ-based multi-concept restaurant operator, completed the acquisition of five Whistle Junction buffet restaurants in Florida.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(arizona)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... STAR BUFFET, INC., Scottsdale, AZ-based multi-concept restaurant operator, completed the acquisition of five WHISTLE JUNCTION buffet restaurants in Florida. The transaction consists of the purchase of certain operating assets including Whistle...

Vision Capital, London-based venture capital firm, agreed to purchase the specialty bread, chilled pastry, cakes and flour milling businesses of Northern Foods PLC, UK food producer based in Leeds.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... VISION CAPITAL, London-based venture capital firm, agreed to purchase the specialty bread, chilled pastry, cakes and flour milling businesses of NORTHERN FOODS PLC, UK food producer based in Leeds. The proposed sale, for $304 million, includes...

Wendy's International, Inc., Dublin, OH, completed the sale of Baja Fresh Mexican Grill for approximately $31 million to a West Coast restaurant operating company owned by a consortium of investment groups led by David Kim.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL, INC., Dublin, OH, completed the sale of BAJA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL for approximately $31 million to a West Coast restaurant operating company owned by a consortium of investment groups led by David Kim. Mr. Kim and his...

Buehler Food Markets Inc., Wooster, OH, plans to purchase a Tops store in Brunswick, OH.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 4, 2006... BUEHLER FOOD MARKETS INC., Wooster, OH, plans to purchase a TOPS store in Brunswick, OH. It is hoping to finalize the agreement with Tops on the Brunswick Marketplace location by the end of the year and open for business by spring...NewsNet5

CKE Restaurants, Inc., Carpinteria, CA-based owner, operator and franchisor of the CARL'S JR., Hardee's and LA Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill restaurant brands, acquired an additional 14 Hardee's restaurants in the Georgia market in October.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 4, 2006... CKE RESTAURANTS, INC., Carpinteria, CA-based owner, operator and franchisor of the CARL'S JR., HARDEE'S and LA SALSA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL restaurant brands, acquired an additional 14 HARDEE'S restaurants in the Georgia market in October,...

David Bradley Chocolatier.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... DAVID BRADLEY CHOCOLATIER, family owned maker of premium gourmet chocolates, completed the sale of the first of 10 new franchises planned to open in New Jersey. The first David Bradley Chocolatier franchisee, Celeste Kopyscianki, plans to open...

Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc.'s merger agreement with affiliates of Lone Star Funds, a Dallas-based private equity firm, was amended to increase the aggregate consideration to be received by Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon's stockholders from $27.10 to $27.35 per share in cash.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE & SALOON, INC.'S merger agreement with affiliates of LONE STAR FUNDS, a Dallas-based private equity firm, was amended to increase the aggregate consideration to be received by Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon's stockholders...

Unidine Corporation, Newton, MA-based food services management company, purchased a 49% stake in City Fresh Foods, Inc., Dorchester.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 4, 2006... UNIDINE CORPORATION, Newton, MA-based food services management company, purchased a 49% stake in CITY FRESH FOODS, INC., Dorchester, MA-based food service company.

Vintage Interests LP, Dallas real estate company, agreed to purchase Pizza Inn Inc.'s corporate office building and distribution facility in The Colony, TX for $11.5 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 4, 2006... VINTAGE INTERESTS LP, Dallas real estate company, agreed to purchase PIZZA INN INC.'S corporate office building and distribution facility in The Colony, TX for $11.5 million. Pizza Inn Inc. franchises approximately 362 restaurants and owns...

Tesco is bringing two British food suppliers along with it when it establishes a new chain of small-sized supermarkets in the U.S. next year.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * TESCO is bringing two British food suppliers along with it when it establishes a new chain of small-sized supermarkets in the U.S. next year. NATURES WAY FOODS, which produces prepared salads and lettuce for Tesco, and poultry processor 2...

Coca-Cola North America and Caribou Coffee will launch a line of premium ready-to-drink iced coffees in the U.S. next summer.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * COCA-COLA NORTH AMERICA and CARIBOU COFFEE will launch a line of premium ready-to-drink iced coffees in the U.S. next summer. "Volume in the ready-to-drink coffee category has grown 17% in the last four years, and revenues are up 24%," the...

Chiquita Brands International Inc. is test-marketing Chiquita Fresh & Ready, a line of specially wrapped bananas that uses a permeable plastic wrap to regulate airflow and slow the ripening process.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. is test-marketing Chiquita Fresh & Ready, a line of specially wrapped bananas that uses a permeable plastic wrap to regulate airflow and slow the ripening process. In the three-packs, each banana is sealed...

Mr. Goodcents Franchise Systems Inc., DeSoto, KS, hopes to open as many as 20 Mr. Goodcents Subs & Pasta restaurants in Colorado in 2007.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * MR. GOODCENTS FRANCHISE SYSTEMS INC., DeSoto, KS, hopes to open as many as 20 MR. GOODCENTS SUBS & PASTA restaurants in Colorado in 2007. The 120-unit chain has fast-growth ability because of an area-development program launched a few years...

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is reentering the Houston, TX market with plans to open a series of locations in the area.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 4, 2006... * ON THE BORDER MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA is reentering the Houston, TX market with plans to open a series of locations in the area. On the Border, which is owned by BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, operates 144 locations in 32 states...Houston Business...

Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * ARBY'S RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. started serving french fries with zero grams of trans fat. The Atlanta-based company is switching to a zero grams trans fat cooking oil, and worked with its french fry suppliers to eliminate the use of...

Vibrant Flavors, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * VIBRANT FLAVORS, INC., Portland, OR, expanded Oregon Dukkah--a dry dip made from a mixture of roasted Oregon hazelnuts and exotic spices--with four new varieties: Zesty, Smokey Hot, Sweet and Coconut. Traditionally, "dukkah" is eaten as a dry...

Archer Daniels Midland Company.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 4, 2006... * ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY will increase its North American oilseed crushing capacity through expansions at oilseed crushing plants in the U.S. and Canada. Five soybean crushing plants and two canola crushing plants will be expanded. The...

Reynolds Food Packaging, a subsidiary of Alcoa, will stop making plastic containers at its Visalia, CA plant at the end of January because the functions are moving to other plants.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * REYNOLDS FOOD PACKAGING, a subsidiary of ALCOA, will stop making plastic containers at its Visalia, CA plant at the end of January because the functions are moving to other plants. The closure and eventual sale of the Visalia manufacturing...

Jones Soda Co., Seattle, will launch its 12-oz. canned soda sweetened with Pure Cane Sugar instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 4, 2006... * JONES SODA CO., Seattle, will launch its 12-oz. canned soda sweetened with PURE CANE SUGAR instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup. The brand, to debut in the first quarter of 2007, will be called Jones Pure Cane Soda.

More than 67 million Americans have used a credit or debit card for a purchase of less than $5 in the past 30 days, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos Insight and Peppercoin, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * More than 67 million Americans have used a credit or debit card for a purchase of less than $5 in the past 30 days, according to a survey conducted by IPSOS INSIGHT and PEPPERCOIN, INC. Consumers are most likely to use credit or debit cards...

7-Eleven Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... * 7-ELEVEN INC. will focus more on local tastes, preferences and new items as part of its Retailer Initiative strategy. This includes altering the chain's product mix to reflect the coffee flavor preferences of different geographic regions in...

Elegant Gourmet's.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 4, 2006... * By December, roughly 1 million hand-pulled candy canes will leave ELEGANT GOURMET'S factory in Woodinville, WA. Americans are expected to buy 1.8 billion candy canes this year...The Seattle Times (Nov. 29)

Latest financial reports.(of Brown-Forman Corp., Cheesecake Factory Inc., Del Monte Foods Co.)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (in $000) Current % Change Year Year Ago BROWN-FORMAN CORP. (LOUISVILLE, KY) Qtr. To Oct. 31: Sales $735,300 10.4% Net Income ...

Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Founded in 1983, Burlington, VT-based Bruegger's Enterprises is a leader in the quick, casual restaurant segment with 242 neighborhood bakery-cafes in 17 states. The company's menu hosts a wide variety of authentic boiled and baked bagels,...

J.M. Degen & Company.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... J. M. Degen & Company is a market research and consulting firm focused on all channels of the food industry. In addition to providing proprietary market research and consulting to food manufacturers, the Degen Company also publishes research...

Old Fashioned Kitchen, Inc.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Lakewood, NJ, Old Fashioned Kitchen is the world's leading producer of frozen blintzes, potato pancakes and crepes, and is home to the GOLDEN brand of Kosher products. Old Fashioned Kitchen products are...

Organic fish controversy continues.(WASHINGTON)(Department of Agriculture)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... It will take several years before USDA-certified organic fish appear in stores or restaurants, as the debate over what constitutes organic in the industry continues. While it appears as though farm-raised fish will end up controlling the...

CSPI calls for food rating system.(WASHINGTON)(Center for Science in the Public Interest)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) formally petitioned FDA to design a national set of symbols to help consumers quickly identify healthier foods. Consumers can easily be confused or misled since the various programs have...

Countervailing duty investigation could impact China trade.(WASHINGTON)(Department of Commerce )(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... According to SAUL EWING LLP, counsel to THE ASSOCIATION OF FOOD INDUSTRIES, Matawan, NJ, the U.S. Department of Commerce instituted a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of Coated Free Sheet Paper from China. This is the first...

Shrimp bond requirement decision forthcoming.(WASHINGTON)(Court of International Trade, Customs and Border Protection )(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Next, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a preliminary finding that the additional bonding requirements imposed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for importers of shrimp products subject to antidumping duties is...

New guideline for lead in candy.(WASHINGTON)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... FDA is rescinding its previous maximum lead level of 0.5 ppm guideline in candy likely to be frequently consumed by small children. New levels are not to exceed 0.1 ppm because such levels are achievable under good manufacturing practices and...

FDA Notice of Public Hearing on electronic submissions.(WASHINGTON)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... FDA published a Notice of Public Hearing and Request for Comments regarding the electronic submission of regulatory information as well as the creation of an electronic platform for enhanced information management, according to our Counsel...

FDA recalls and safety alerts.(WASHINGTON)(Golden Gren Creamery recalls Eggnog Milk Product)(Fresh Grill recalls turkey and jack cheese sandwiches)(Honeybaked Foods Inc. recalls cooked ham and turkey products)(Food and Drug Administration)
December 4, 2006... Eggnog Milk Product with a pull date of Nov. 28, 2006 is being recalled by GOLDEN GLEN CREAMERY, Bow, WA. The company is working with Washington State Department of Agriculture to recall the product. Approximately 160 glass quart bottles were...

Pride Of The South Catfish, Inc.(FDA ISSUED WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... PRIDE OF THE SOUTH CATFISH, INC., Brooksville, MS was issued a warning letter on Nov. 16 by FDA following an inspection on July 25 and 28, 2006. At the inspection FDA found the company to have serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis...

Sea Port Products Corporation.(FDA ISSUED WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... SEA PORT PRODUCTS CORPORATION, Kirkland, WA was issued a warning letter on Nov. 14 by FDA following an inspection on Sept. 6,7,9 and 11, 2006 of its seafood importer establishment located in San Mateo, CA. FDA found that the company violated...

Shin Hwa Wholesale Distributor, Inc.(FDA ISSUED WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... SHIN HWA WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR, INC., Hayward, CA was issued a warning letter on Nov. 14 by FDA following an inspection on Aug. 14 and 18, 2006. FDA found that the company violated the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)...

New England Lobster Company, Inc.(FDA ISSUED WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... NEW ENGLAND LOBSTER COMPANY, INC., San Francisco, CA was issued a warning letter on Nov. 14 by FDA following an inspection Aug. 2-4, 7, 10, 11, 2006. FDA found that the company had serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical...

Lakeview Farms, Inc.(FDA ISSUED WARNING LETTERS)
December 4, 2006... LAKEVIEW FARMS, INC., Delphos, OH was issued a warning letter by the FDA following the inspection of its seafood processing facility, from June 20-30, 2006. FDA found the company to have serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and...

Country Maid, Inc.(FDA ISSUED WARNING LETTERS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... COUNTRY MAID, INC., Milwaukee, WI was issued a warning letter by the FDA following an inspection on Sept. 12, 2006. During this inspection, FDA collected labels from several of the company's ready-to-eat food products. After reviewing the...

....The Securities And Exchange Commission ended its investigation of Molson Coors' disclosures with no enforcement action recommended by the commission's staff.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)
December 4, 2006... ... .The SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ended its investigation of MOLSON Coors' disclosures with no enforcement action recommended by the commission's staff. The decision ends a 16-month inquiry by the SEC and comes after an internal review...

....USDA is trying again to increase cattle and beef imports from Canada, reviving a plan that stalled due to evidence that Canada's safeguards against mad cow disease were not working.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)
December 4, 2006... ... .USDA is trying again to increase cattle and beef imports from Canada, reviving a plan that stalled due to evidence that Canada's safeguards against mad cow disease were not working. The department sent its plan back to the White House for...

....The U.S. International Trade Commission launched an investigation into the competitive conditions affecting U.S. chemical and biofuels industries that are developing and adopting new biotechnology processes and products.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ... .The U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION launched an investigation into the competitive conditions affecting U.S. chemical and biofuels industries that are developing and adopting new biotechnology processes and products. The commission will...

....The San Diego City Council voted to ban stores of more than 90,000-sq. ft. that use 10% of space to sell groceries and other merchandise that is not subject to sales tax.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ... .The San Diego City Council voted to ban stores of more than 90,000-sq. ft. that use 10% of space to sell groceries and other merchandise that is not subject to sales tax. The measure takes aim at WAL-MART Supercenter stores, which average...

....Florida's Lee County will apply for $2.3 million in federal grants to turn used restaurant grease and oil into biodiesel fuel for county vehicles, and rotting landfill gases into energy.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ... .Florida's Lee County will apply for $2.3 million in federal grants to turn used restaurant grease and oil into biodiesel fuel for county vehicles, and rotting landfill gases into energy. Approximately $100 million in federal money is...

....A Los Angeles woman sued KRAFT alleging that it committed fraud by calling its dip guacamole when it contains less than 2% avocado.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)(Kraft Foods Inc.)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ... .A Los Angeles woman sued KRAFT alleging that it committed fraud by calling its dip guacamole when it contains less than 2% avocado. Her lawyer says suits against other purveyors of "fake guacamole" will be filed soon. Kraft is in the...

.....Workers of seven local branches of the United Food and Commercial Workers union in California's Greater Bay area merged to gain more clout against their supermarket chain employers, creating one huge Local 5 of about 25,000 workers.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)
December 4, 2006... ... ..Workers of seven local branches of the United Food and Commercial Workers union in California's Greater Bay area merged to gain more clout against their supermarket chain employers, creating one huge Local 5 of about 25,000 workers. The...

Chehalem Mountains viticultural area.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... CHEHALEM MOUNTAINS VITICULTURAL AREA: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau established the 68,265-acre Chehalem Mountains viticultural area in Oregon's Clackamas, Yamhill and Washington counties. This new viticultural area is entirely...

Shawnee Hills viticultural area.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... SHAWNEE HILLS VITICULTURAL AREA: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau established the Shawnee Hills viticultural area in the Shawnee National Forest region of southern Illinois. The bureau designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to...

Farm Service Agency state and county.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... FARM SERVICE AGENCY STATE AND COUNTY: USDA is proposing a rule, which would amend the regulations governing the selection and functions of Farm Service Agency State and county committees in accordance with the Soil Conservation and Domestic...

Fishery Management Plans.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(National Marine Fisheries Service)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS: NMFS received approval by the Office of Management and Budget of collection-of-information requirements contained in regulations implementing the amendments to the Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fishery Management...

Produce.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 4, 2006... ICEBERG LETTUCE--Desert lettuce shippers say that post-Thanksgiving demand is very light. Supplies are currently ample, overall quality is strong and prices are very reasonable. Desert shippers were expecting freezing temperatures Nov. 30...

Agricultural Marketing Service is proposing to revise the regulations governing the inspection and certification for fresh fruits, vegetables and other products by increasing certain fees charged for the inspection of these products at destination markets for the next two fiscal years by approximately 15%.(IN THE NEWS...)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Agricultural Marketing Service is proposing to revise the regulations governing the inspection and certification for fresh fruits, vegetables and other products by increasing certain fees charged for the inspection of these products at...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 4, 2006... POTATOES--Packs in the Midwest were short this season due to lower yields, as a result, most processors are going to increase prices, but by how much has yet to be determined. ARTICHOKES--U.S. imports of canned artichokes as of Oct. 1 were...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... TOMATO PRODUCT PRICING * Current TOMATO PASTE (F.o.b. CA) 48/6-oz. 11.50-12.75 6/10 ...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 4, 2006... BRUSSELS SPROUTS--California brussels sprout farmers had a good year for production so far with excellent quality. Most brussels sprouts come from California's Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, where growers usually start harvest in late...

Allen Canning Company and Birds Eye Foods, Inc. announced an agreement under which Allen Canning will acquire substantially all of the operating assets of Birds Eye's non-branded frozen vegetable business.(IN THE NEWS...)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Allen Canning Company and Birds Eye Foods, Inc. announced an agreement under which Allen Canning will acquire substantially all of the operating assets of Birds Eye's non-branded frozen vegetable business. The business processes fresh...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 4, 2006... USDA OFFERS TO BUY CANNED FRUIT * Shipments between Jan. 16--June 30, 2007 * Case Size Cases Applesauce 6/10 119,472 Pears, Diced 6/10 65,664 Apple Slices ...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 4, 2006... SALMON--California's entire salmon industry, including wholesalers, retailers and restaurants, lost as much as $100 million in revenue, and next year is looking shaky as well. Total catch in 2006 totaled 55,000 fish statewide compared with...

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reopening the comment period for an additional 90 days for the interim final rule for mandatory country of origin labeling for fish and shellfish covered commodities that was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 5, 2004.(IN THE NEWS...)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reopening the comment period for an additional 90 days for the interim final rule for mandatory country of origin labeling for fish and shellfish covered commodities that was published in the Federal...

NMFS changed the management measures in the commercial and recreational Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries.(IN THE NEWS...)(National Marine Fisheries Service)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... NMFS changed the management measures in the commercial and recreational Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. These actions, which are authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, are intended to allow fisheries to access...

NMFS proposes 2007 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery.(IN THE NEWS...)(National Marine Fisheries Service)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... NMFS proposes 2007 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery, including state-by-state commercial quotas, a recreational harvest limit, and recreational possession limits for Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the U.S. The intent of...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 4, 2006... DRIED BEANS--Dry edible bean trading remains slow to very slow with very light grower selling. DRIED BEAN PRICES Per cwt. f.o.b. area indicated Current Week Year Ago Pinto Colorado ...

Dried fruit & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 4, 2006... CRANBERRIES--Prices on 25 lb. cases of dried cranberries are around $3.95 per pound, ex-warehouse New Jersey. APPLES--Chinese imported apple rings are priced around $1.45 per pound for 20 kg cases, domestic apples rings in 25 lb. cases are...

Authorities arrested two men after discovering more than 133,000-lbs. of stolen almonds and walnuts in a Sacramento warehouse.(IN THE NEWS...)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Authorities arrested two men after discovering more than 133,000-lbs. of stolen almonds and walnuts in a Sacramento warehouse. They were allegedly stolen from processors in California's Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties, and were...

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 4, 2006... TART CHERRIES--A major processor reported the price of 5+1 at 80 cents per pound, while IQF is 84 cents per pound for Dec., both are up one cent per pound from Nov. Tart cherry cold storage inventories are down 6% from last year, as of...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... APPLE--In Washington, movement was light last week. Some buyers predict there could be a shortage of processor grade apples this year. The quality of the fruit currently in storage is much better than previously anticipated and prices for fresh...

Florida's Natural Growers launched Earth's Own Organics refrigerated juices, a line of blended "Not From Concentrate Juices".(IN THE NEWS...)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Florida's Natural Growers launched Earth's Own Organics refrigerated juices, a line of blended "Not From Concentrate Juices". The juices carry the USDA seal for organic products and are packed using patented 1 Liter Quick Chill process that...