The Food Institute Report articles from December 2007

The Food Institute Report archives from December 2007

Grocers & restaurateurs dealing with higher food costs.(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... While USDA did not up its projection for food-at-home costs in 2008, it did lift its projections for several key items. Fats and oils are seen climbing another 5% to 6% in 2008 on top of 2007's anticipated 2.5% to 3.5% gain due to stronger...

Heinz reacts to higher commodity costs.(H.J. Heinz Co.)(Financial report)
December 3, 2007... While H.J. Heinz Company reported strong double-digit growth in second-quarter sales, operating profit and earnings per share; it is strategizing to deal with the impact of higher commodity costs. The rising price of high-fructose corn syrup...

Marketing to Hispanics requires specifically tailored strategies.
December 3, 2007... While shopping habits and preferences of acculturated Hispanics (second generation and beyond) are very similar to non-Hispanics, this is not the case for unacculturated Hispanics, outlined the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES' 2007...

The U.S. tea market to reach $15 billion by 2012.
December 3, 2007... The U.S. market for tea, instant, leaf, liquid concentrate and ready-to-drink, is expect to grow from an estimated $7.4 billion in sales in 2007 to nearly $15 billion in 2012, according to PACKAGED FACTS' Tea and Ready-To-Drink Tea in the U.S....

America's Second Harvest makes national plea to feed the hungry.(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... America's Second Harvest--The Nation's Food Network--is urgently calling for national support from corporations and Americans to help secure and distribute a minimum of 400 truckloads, or 11.7 million meals, before Dec. 31 to help feed the...

Chipotle is smoking with a unique business formula.(Chipotle Mexican Grill)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Chipotle Mexican Grill has increased sales at a double-digit rate each year for nearly a decade since opening in 1993, while traditional fast food chains are posting gains in the low singles. Its secret is not so secret--to produce "food with...

India: a growing opportunity.(retail market)
December 3, 2007... India's retail market is a complex challenge for most western retailers, but its estimated worth is $300 billion and growing. Currently, Germany-based METRO AG is trying to resolve a fundamental problem it is facing, along with WAL-MART STORES...

Ahold will accelerate the roll out of its Value Improvement Program at Stop & Shop and Giant-Landover, adding frozen foods to its list of categories that will undergo a review and price reduction by the end of the year.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 3, 2007... AHOLD will accelerate the roll out of its Value Improvement Program at STOP & SHOP and GIANT-LANDOVER, adding frozen foods to its list of categories that will undergo a review and price reduction by the end of the year. The initiative, launched...

While McDonald's Corp. executives boasted of endless opportunities in China for years, the company is not ramping up expansion there.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... While MCDONALD'S CORP. executives boasted of endless opportunities in China for years, the company is not ramping up expansion there. It plans to open 125 restaurants in China in 2008, only 20 more than this year, bringing its total to 1,000....

Rising Roll Gourmet is opening five restaurants in Nashville, TN, and possibly adding three to five more stores in outlying areas.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... RISING ROLL GOURMET is opening five restaurants in Nashville, TN, and possibly adding three to five more stores in outlying areas. The first Nashville location is slated to open in the first quarter of 2008. Rising Roll, a quick-service chain...

Starbucks is planning to open at least 100 outlets across the UK and Ireland in 2008, 25% more than this year, bringing the total to 725.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... STARBUCKS is planning to open at least 100 outlets across the UK and Ireland in 2008, 25% more than this year, bringing the total to 725. Also, prior to Christmas, British customers will see a variety of new baked goods. Starbucks recently...

Retail Brand Group wants to put 16 more of its restaurant franchises in the Indianapolis metro area within three to five years.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... RETAIL BRAND GROUP wants to put 16 more of its restaurant franchises in the Indianapolis metro area within three to five years. Six PANDINI'S, six JAZZMAN'S CAFES and four SALSA RICO sites are planned. Retail Brand already has four Jazzman's...

Tesco.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... TESCO is planning to generate more than half of its annual revenue from overseas markets within the next decade. The company's expansion into the U.S. was just part of a "pretty ambitious" worldwide growth program, which may also include India...

Meanwhile, Tesco is reportedly looking to expand the Fresh & Easy concept in Chicago, according to Retail Week.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Meanwhile, TESCO is reportedly looking to expand the FRESH & EASY concept in Chicago, according to Retail Week. A U.S. source claims Tesco was "definitely" considering launching a distribution center and Fresh & Easy stores in and around...

Dinner by Design.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... DINNER BY DESIGN plans to further expand in the Chicago area and other parts of the region. The company identified more than 15 new and exclusive franchise territories in Northern Illinois including Lake Forest, Winnetka, Palatine and...

Mintel.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Mintel International Group Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... While meal kits failed to follow the evolving trends in the marketplace over the past five years, resulting in "lackluster" products and declining sales, there is potential to "break new ground" in the industry, according to MINTEL. The...

Helen's Foods Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 3, 2007... HELEN'S FOODS INC., Irvine, CA, will be launching a new comfort food line in March including the following pre-baked frozen vegetarian and organic entrees under the Helen's Kitchen brand: Mac & Cheese with Tofu Steaks and Broccoli and Hearty...

Land O'Lakes Ingredient Solutions added dill pickle snack seasonings to its product line.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 3, 2007... LAND O'LAKES INGREDIENT SOLUTIONS added dill pickle snack seasonings to its product line. The volume of pickled-flavored chips in the U.S. tripled since 2001, according to INFORMATION RESOURCES INC... Milling & Baking News (Nov. 20)

The American Heart Association (AHA).(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION (AHA) updated criteria for its Food Certification Program, which will include new limits for trans fats. After Jan. 1, 2008, companies seeking to include the AHA's heart-check mark on packages will have to...

University of Minnesota.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... School lunch sales do not decline when healthier meals are served, and more nutritious lunches do not necessarily cost schools more to produce, according to a UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA study that appears in the December issue of the Review of...

More than 400 Chinese food enterprises pledged to strengthen monitoring throughout the production process, resist using substandard raw materials, improve management and share quality-assurance experience and technology.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... More than 400 Chinese food enterprises pledged to strengthen monitoring throughout the production process, resist using substandard raw materials, improve management and share quality-assurance experience and technology. China has about 448,000...

Guinness.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... GUINNESS is spending 2.5 million [pounds sterling] on rolling out Guinness Red across the UK in an attempt to lure back drinkers. In the last two years, Guinness sales by volume have declined by 13% in the UK and the situation deteriorated...

Barry Callebaut North America.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 3, 2007... BARRY CALLEBAUT NORTH AMERICA introduced aerated chocolate chunks, which may be used in place of standard chunks for bakery and dairy applications. Each chunk has two-thirds the weight of standard chocolate chunks and a third fewer calories......

Name change.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 3, 2007... Name Change: COFFEE PACIFICA, INC. changed its name to GROWERS DIRECT COFFEE COMPANY, INC.

Moonstruck Chocolate Co. opened a Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe in McLean, VA, marking its 14th location nationwide.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... MOONSTRUCK CHOCOLATE CO. opened a MOONSTRUCK CHOCOLATE CAFE in McLean, VA, marking its 14th location nationwide. Three more cafes, one in the Chicago area and two outside of New York City, are expected to open by 2009...

Margaritaville Cafe.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... Jimmy Buffett's MARGARITAVILLE CAFE opened in Glendale, AZ... AZCentral.com...

Wine.com.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... WINE.COM opened a retail store at its Berkeley, CA warehouse location...

El Pollo Loco.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... EL POLLO LOCO is opening its third Chicago-area restaurant. The California-based chain plans to double the number of local restaurants in the next year... Crain's Chicago Business (Nov. 19)...

Shopko.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... SHOPKO plans to open two Shopko stores in Sussex, WI and Northbranch, MN in fall 2008...

Sendik's Food Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... SENDIK'S FOOD MARKET will open a new location in Germantown, WI... The Business Journal of Milwaukee (Nov. 19)...

Trader Joe.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... TRADER JOE'S will open a 12,000-sq. ft. location in Raleigh, NC in 2009... Triangle Business Journal (Nov. 19)...

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams LLC.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... JENI'S SPLENDID ICE CREAMS LLC plans to open a 1,100-sq. ft. store in the Columbus, OH area early next spring... Business First of Columbus (Nov. 16)...

Hungry Howie's Pizza, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... HUNGRY HOWIE'S PIZZA, INC. will open a second location in Bartlett, TN before the end of 2007...Memphis Business Journal (Nov. 16)...

Publix Super Markets.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS will open its first store in Chattanooga, TN on Dec. 12... News Channel 9...

Pilot Travel Centers.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS opened a 10,000-sq. ft. location in New Braunfels, TX... San Antonio Business Journal (Nov. 23)...

Waterloo Ice House.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... WATERLOO ICE HOUSE opened a restaurant in Austin, TX... Austin Business Journal (Nov. 26)...

Sendik's Food Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... SENDIK'S FOOD MARKET will open a location in Greenfield, WI... The Business Journal of Milwaukee (Nov. 28)...

Genki Sushi.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... GENKI SUSHI opened its ninth Hawaii location...Pacific Business News (Nov. 28)...

California Pizza Kitchen.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 3, 2007... CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN opened a location in Mesa, AZ.

Hannaford Supermarkets intends to license its Guiding Stars nutrition navigation system early in 2008 to supermarket chains, vendors, health care groups, and others.("NUTRITION AT A GLANCE" OFFERINGS ON THE RISE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... HANNAFORD SUPERMARKETS intends to license its Guiding Stars nutrition navigation system early in 2008 to supermarket chains, vendors, health care groups, and others. The DELHAIZE GROUP-owned company is currently in the process of working out...

Meanwhile, Topco Associates LLC recently introduced its version of a food scoring system--the Overall Nutritional Quality Index.("NUTRITION AT A GLANCE" OFFERINGS ON THE RISE)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Meanwhile, TOPCO ASSOCIATES LLC recently introduced its version of a food scoring system--the Overall Nutritional Quality Index. The system allows for at-a-glance comparison of foods on the basis of overall nutritional quality. Topco Associates...

Avado Brands Inc. sold 83 of its Don Pablo's Mexican Restaurants and Hops Grillhouse and Brewery restaurants.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... AVADO BRANDS INC. sold 83 of its DON PABLO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANTS and HOPS GRILLHOUSE AND BREWERY restaurants. RITA ACQUISITION CORP., an arm of DDJ CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, purchased 67 of the restaurants as well as Avado's Madison, GA...

Del Monte Pacific Limited, Singapore, acquired the S&W brand from Del Monte Foods for all markets with the exception of: North and South America, Australia and New Zealand.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... DEL MONTE PACIFIC LIMITED, Singapore, acquired the S&W brand from DEL MONTE FOODS for all markets with the exception of: North and South America, Australia and New Zealand. As part of the transaction, Del Monte Pacific Limited will grant Del...

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., Montvale, NJ, sold all of its 11.7 million shares of METRO INC. for $347 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 3, 2007... THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC., Montvale, NJ, sold all of its 11.7 million shares of METRO INC. for $347 million, in connection with financing of the acquisition of PATHMARK STORES, INC.

In a separate A&P announcement, the FTC cleared the way for The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. to acquire Pathmark Stores Inc., requiring A&P to divest six stores in New York State within a short period following completion of the acquisition.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... In a separate A&P announcement, the FTC cleared the way for THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. to acquire PATHMARK STORES INC., requiring A&P to divest six stores in New York State within a short period following completion of the...

IHOP Corp. completed the acquisition of Applebee's International, Inc. for approximately $2.1 billion.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 3, 2007... IHOP CORP. completed the acquisition of APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. for approximately $2.1 billion, creating the largest full service restaurant company in the world, with more than 3,250 restaurants.

kraft Foods Inc. completed its acquisition of Groupe Danone's global biscuit business, making it the world's leading biscuit company, noted Kraft's chairman and CEO Irene Rosenfeld.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... KRAFT FOODS INC. completed its acquisition of GROUPE DANONE'S global biscuit business, making it the world's leading biscuit company, noted Kraft's chairman and CEO Irene Rosenfeld. The acquisition includes leading biscuit brands such as LU,...

Luke Mandola Jr., Dominic Mandola and Luke Mandola Sr. bought out the remaining portion of Houston restaurant chain Ragin Cajun.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 3, 2007... LUKE MANDOLA JR., DOMINIC MANDOLA and LUKE MANDOLA SR. bought out the remaining portion of Houston restaurant chain RAGIN CAJUN from Frank Messina... Houston Business Journal (Nov. 23)

Merchants Foodservice of Hattiesburg, MS, an independent broadline foodservice distributor, signed a letter of intent to purchase certain assets of the foodservice operations of Thomas & Howard Company, Inc. of Newberry, SC.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS )(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... MERCHANTS FOODSERVICE of Hattiesburg, MS, an independent broadline foodservice distributor, signed a letter of intent to purchase certain assets of the foodservice operations of THOMAS & HOWARD COMPANY, INC. of Newberry, SC. The purchase is...

Petrosun West LLC, Seattle, purchased 95 convenience stores in Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
December 3, 2007... PETROSUN WEST LLC, Seattle, purchased 95 convenience stores in Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada from TIME OIL CO., Seattle.... CSP Daily News (Nov. 28)

Sunopta Inc. reached an agreement to acquire the outstanding shares of The Organic Corporation B.V., operating as Tradin Organic Agriculture B.V., a provider of globally sourced organic food ingredients, headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... SUNOPTA INC. reached an agreement to acquire the outstanding shares of THE ORGANIC CORPORATION B.V., operating as TRADIN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE B.V., a provider of globally sourced organic food ingredients, headquartered in Amsterdam, the...

Verasun Energy Corp., a Brookings, SD-based producer of renewable fuel, and U.S. Bioenergy Corp., a St. Paul, MN- based producer and marketer of ethanol and distillers grains, entered into a definitive merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of each company.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... VERASUN ENERGY CORP., a Brookings, SD-based producer of renewable fuel, and U.S. BIOENERGY CORP., a St. Paul, MN-based producer and marketer of ethanol and distillers grains, entered into a definitive merger agreement, which has been...

Lassonde Specialties Inc., a subsidiary of Lassonde Industries Inc., completed its purchase of the business and related assets of Mondiv Food Products Inc.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... LASSONDE SPECIALTIES INC., a subsidiary of LASSONDE INDUSTRIES INC., completed its purchase of the business and related assets of MONDIV FOOD PRODUCTS INC. The purchased assets include a production plant in Boisbriand, Quebec, the ANTICO...

Nestle Rossiya acquired Russia-based Ruzskaya Confectionery Factory.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
December 3, 2007... NESTLE ROSSIYA acquired Russia-based RUZSKAYA CONFECTIONERY FACTORY, a leading premium chocolate producer with a wide range of products under the Comilfo and Ruzanna brands.

The Savola Group, Saudi Arabia, bought Turkish edible oils firm Yudum Food from National Bank of Kuwait's investment banking unit.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
December 3, 2007... The SAVOLA GROUP, Saudi Arabia, bought Turkish edible oils firm YUDUM FOOD from NATIONAL BANK of Kuwait's investment banking unit. Yudum will be owned by edible oil firm AFIA INTERNATIONAL, which is wholly owned by Savola... Reuters (Nov. 25)

Wesfarmers Ltd. completed its A$20 billion takeover of Coles Group Ltd.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
December 3, 2007... WESFARMERS LTD. completed its A$20 billion takeover of COLES GROUP LTD.--for prior mention see FOOD INSTITUTE REPORT Nov. 12, page 6... Reuters (Nov. 27)

Latest financial reports.(Financial report)
December 3, 2007... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (IN $000) Current % Change BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC. (NATICK, MA) 13 Wks. To Nov. 3: Sales $2,172,395 7.9% Net Income $22,697...

CSPI looks to shake up salt regulations.(WASHINGTON)(Center for the Science in the Public Interest)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... Responding to petitions from Center for the Science in the Public Interest, (CSPI) FDA held a hearing last week on how to limit or reduce salt content in processed foods. CSPI argued that excessive salt consumption may be responsible for more...

FDA publishes proposed rule on omega-3 fatty acids.(WASHINGTON)
December 3, 2007... FDA published a proposed rule on nutrient content claims for foods, including both conventional foods and dietary supplements, that contain the omega-3 fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and/or docosahexaenoic...

FDA looking at soft ripened cheese as market grows.(WASHINGTON)
December 3, 2007... FDA issued a Federal Register Notice ("Notice") requesting comments, scientific data, and information in order to assist the agency in its plans to conduct a risk assessment for Listeria monocytogenes in soft-ripened cheese. 72 Fed. Reg. 67,310...

Food product recalls reported.(WASHINGTON)(Report)
December 3, 2007... Harry & David Moose Munch Confection Tubs are being recalled by HARRY & DAVID OPERATIONS CORP., Medford, OR. The products listed below were distributed nationwide in Harry & David stores. The firm initiated recall began on Nov. 21, 2007 and is...

FDA issues warning letters.(WASHINGTON)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... VISSER RANCH, Strathmore, CA was issued a warning letter on Nov. 14, 2007 by FDA following an investigation of the company's cattle raising operation, Dairyman's Calf Ranch, on June 22, 2007. FDA confirmed that the company offered an animal for...

Orthodox union kosher alert.(WASHINGTON)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... Bellagio French Vanilla Hot Cocoa, maunfactured by CAFFE D'AMOR, Monrovia, CA, is mislabeled. This certified product contains dairy ingredients as listed on the ingredient panel, but the dairy designation was inadvertently omitted. Future...

Fresh produce.(MARKETS)(Economic Research Service)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... ORANGICS--The vast majority of organic commodities pass through the hands of at least one middleman notes USDA's Economic Research Service, also called a handler, on the way from the farmer to the consumer. Certified organic handlers are...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... CARROTS--Retail prices of 24/300 canned carrots are between $8.75-$9.25, f.o.b. Midwest. ASPARAGUS--Processor prices of private label 6/10 canned asparagus are between $36.95-$37.25, f.o.b. Midwest. Private label prices of asparagus in...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... High fructose corn syrup prices have been troubling for a leading branded tomato manufacturer and account for 10% of production costs, Risng demand for corn for use in ethanol and feed has pushed prices up 25% from a year ago. Tomato prices...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... REGIONAL HOLDINGS OF FROZEN FRENCH FRIES--NOV. 1 1,000 Pounds: 2007 % Chge. New England 33,382 1.7% Middle Atlantic 19,869 18.4% East North Central 72,662 10.8% West North...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... PEARS--Foodservice pricing for 6/10 canned Bartlett pears is $20.25-$20.50, 24/300 is $15.25, and 12/2.5 is $12.00, all prices are f.o.b. CA. PEACHES--Foodservice pricing for 6/10 canned peaches is $20.50, 24/300 is $15.25 and 12/2.5 is...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... CATFISH--Farm-raised catfish processed during October 2007 totaled 45.9 million pounds round weight, down 10% from October 2006. This total is the lowest reported October round weight processed since October 1996 when 42.1 million pounds...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... DRIED BEANS--Dry edible bean trading is seasonally slow after the Thanksgiving holiday. There was little to no change in most of the bean classes in the past week, with many in tight supply. Demand remains moderate, and warehouses are operating...

Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... APPLES--U.S. dried apple rings are trading around $3.25 per pound for a 25-lb. Pack size. Dried Chinese apple rings are around $1.59 per pound, for a 20-kg. pack size, ex-warehouse New Jersey. APRICOTS--Turkish whole apricots #7 are trading...

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... STRAWBERRIES--For the week through Nov. 21, 693,000 pounds of freezer berries from California were delivered to processors, bringing the year-to-date total to 438.1 million pounds, up from 389.2 million pounds from the same week in 2006,...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(survey of National Agricultural Statistics Service)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... ORANGE--The NASS survey forecast Florida's orange crop to reach 7.6 million tons in 2007/08. An estimate 7.2 million tons of this crop will be used to make juice. NASS forecasts Florida's frozen concentrated orange juice yield per box for the...

Butter.(MARKETS)
December 3, 2007... BUTTER BUTTER MARKET, NOVEMBER 30 Cents Per Pound: 11/30/2007 11/23/2007 Chge. Grade AA 1.355 N/A N/A (Source: USDA)

Cheese.(MARKETS)
December 3, 2007... CHEESE CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET NOVEMBER 30 Cents Per Pound: 11/30/2007 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 2.1115 N/A Blocks (40-lbs.) 2.1255 N/A

Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... EGGS EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS November 30 Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 30-Nov 21-Nov Chge. Extra Large-NY 159-163 159-163 0 Large-NY 157-161 ...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... CHICKEN PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 3 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 62-64 N/A Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few...

Futures prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... FUTURES PRICES Cash December March As of November 30, 2007: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. 3.71 $3.84 $4.01 Soybeans, bu. ...

Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
December 3, 2007... COMMODITY PRICES Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last 30-Nov 21-Nov Year Steers,...

USDA purchases.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 3, 2007... In the fiscal year ended Oct. 1, 2007, USDA purchased $320.4 million worth of product, down from $342.3 million on FY 2006. In FY 2005, these purchases totaked $375 million and in FY 2004 were $445 million. In FY 2007, USDA bought over $25...

McDonald's aids franchisees in pursuit of espresso crowd.(Brief article)
December 10, 2007... McDonald's Corp. will incur some of its franchisees' costs to remodel restaurants as it continues to expand into the specialty coffee market, in an effort to compete with operators such as STARBUCKS. Specifically, the company will pay up to 40%...

Jamba joins nestle in licensing agreement.(Jamba Juice Co.)(Nestle USA Inc.)(Brief article)
December 10, 2007... Jamba Juice recently signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Nestle USA to produce a new line of healthy, ready-to-drink beverages that will be available in grocery stores during the second quarter of 2008. "Smoothies" and "Juicies" will...

Report to members.(Brief article)
December 10, 2007... At the most recent meeting of the Food Institute's Board of Trustees in Newark, NJ, Joseph Crocker of CROCKER & ASSOCIATES was elected Chairman of the Board of this 79-year old trade association. Donna George, National Director of Sales for...

Blackhawk Network flies under the radar.(REPORT)(Brief article)
December 10, 2007... SAFEWAY CO.'S CEO Steve Burd and partner Don Kingsborough have developed a fledgling company that is quickly capitalizing on the powerful trend of gift-card shopping. Blackhawk Network Inc. was developed as a subsidiary of Safeway, Inc., and is...