The Food Institute Report articles from December 2008

The Food Institute Report archives from December 2008

Private label products increasingly viewed favorably: report.(Statistical table)(Report)
December 1, 2008... Private label goods represent just under 25% of grocery store unit share, and just over 15% in the mass and dollar channels, according to IRI's Times & Trends Report: Private Label 2008. With the current economic conditions expected to last at...

Online retailing poised to register gains.(Financial report)
December 1, 2008... In an economic climate marred by uncertainty, online retailing will provide one of the few bright spots of the season, according to numerous forecasts and reports. Sales are forecast to slow percentage wise (12% versus 21% a year ago) but will...

Functional foods market growing.(Survey)
December 1, 2008... More than 80% of Americans are currently consuming, or would consider consuming foods with added health benefits, according to the INTERNATIONAL FOOD INFORMATION COUNCIL FOUNDATION'S 2008 Food and Health Survey. Some 62% of Americans consider...

Coffee companies in search of better decaf bean.(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The ability to offer a gourmet coffee bean that is naturally low in caffeine is an industry goal, reported The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 15). Farmers, scientists and multinational companies are spending millions trying to identify, breed and...

Return policies, criminals to cost retailers billions over holidays.
December 1, 2008... Most retailers will loosen their return policies during the holiday season to provide better customer service, with 52% surveyed by the NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION (NRF) claiming they will employ a more lenient holiday policy than one used for...

Water availability a growing concern for food manufacturers.(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... As the cost and availability of water become significant problems, sustainability programs and public/private partnerships are logical developments for the water-intensive food industry and agribusinesses. Expanding demand for water from urban...

Hormel Foods Corp.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... HORMEL FOODS CORP., Austin, MN, launched two ethnic products: Dona Maria Platillos, a line of authentic Mexican meal starters including chicken with mole, pork with salsa verde, and meatballs with chipotle sauce; and Bufalo Salsa para Botanas,...

Newman's Own, Inc.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... NEWMAN'S OWN, INC., Westport, CT, is out with Newman's Own Thin and Crispy frozen pizza in four varieties: Roasted Garlic and Chicken; Supreme; Fore Cheese; and Uncured Pepperoni. The all-natural pizzas take only 10 to 12 minutes to bake...

Adina for Life, Inc.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... ADINA FOR LIFE, INC., San Francisco, introduced Natural High, a coffee energy drink in five flavors: Caramel Kick, Hazelnut Hookup, Vanilla Nut Case, Mocha Madness and Double Xxpresso...

Nestea.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... NESTEA is adding Red Tea Pomegranate Passion Fruit to its line of ready-to-drink iced teas...

Kettle Cuisine, Inc.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... KETTLE CUISINE, INC., Chelsea, MA, added four more gluten free soups to its all-natural line of frozen soups: Roasted Vegetable Soup, Tomato Soup with Garden Vegetables, Organic Carrot Soup with Coriander, and Organic Mushroom & Potato Soup...

PC Brands, Solana Beach, CA, launched Pop Culture Probiotics bars, which are all natural and shelf stable, in 90-calorie Yogurt Fruit and Nut with Cranberries, Almonds & Flaxseed, as well as a 110-calorie Chocolate Chip Granola variety.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... PC BRANDS, Solana Beach, CA, launched Pop Culture Probiotics bars, which are all natural and shelf stable, in 90-calorie Yogurt Fruit and Nut with Cranberries, Almonds & Flaxseed, as well as a 110-calorie Chocolate Chip Granola variety. The...

Doug Foreman, founder and former CEO of the Guiltless Gourmet snackfoods line, is launching a new company, Right Brothers Foods, Inc., Austin, TX, featuring Beanitos, 100% bean-based chips.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Doug Foreman, founder and former CEO of the GUILTLESS GOURMET snackfoods line, is launching a new company, RIGHT BROTHERS FOODS, INC., Austin, TX, featuring BEANITOS, 100% bean-based chips. The first line of Beanitos chip products, to debut in...

Frontier Soups.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... FRONTIER SOUPS, Waukegan, IL, is marketing an International Soup Collection made with all natural ingredients and contains no added salt, preservatives or MSG. The three varieties include: Italian Wedding Soup, Hungarian Goulash and Far East...

Patti's Good Life, Inc.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... PATTI'S GOOD LIFE, INC. introduced a line of five blended seasonings and spices: Garlic Pepper Seasoning, Seasoned Sea Salt, Miss Patti's No Salt Seasoning, Chili & Dill Sea Salt and Seasoned Pepper.

Yum! Brands, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... YUM! BRANDS, INC. wants to build Taco Bell into a global brand with locations across the world. Plans call for a Taco Bell in Spain by the beginning of next year and in India by April. Earlier this month, a Taco Bell opened at a Dubai shopping...

7-Eleven, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... 7-ELEVEN, INC. will launch 7-Select, a new line of private label products. The brand will include 32 items such as cookies, candy, nuts, potato chips, beef jerky, trail mix and chocolate-covered pretzels, coffee espresso beans and raisins. By...

Fitch Ratings.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 1, 2008... FITCH RATINGS expects the negative effects of a declining U.S. economy, growing pressure on consumer discretionary spending and higher than normal food costs to be further magnified in the restaurant industry during 2009. The strong likelihood...

Natural Products Industry.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 1, 2008... More U.S. consumers are buying natural products across a majority of categories, with natural foods exhibiting annual growth of 12.2%, according to a report from the NATURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. The "beyond organic" and health concerns segments...

Mintel.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 1, 2008... Some 48% of the UK's organic shoppers will consider reducing or giving up buying organic food in the year ahead as a result of the financial crisis, according to a survey from MINTEL. Locally-sourced food is now the most important ethical...

The Cheesecake Factory Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 1, 2008... THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INC. will launch a new menu that offers lower prices on some items in about 100 of its restaurants. The company is considering increasing its general menu prices.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. will use wind energy to power up to 15% of the retailer's total energy usage in approximately 360 Texas stores and other facilities.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... WAL-MART STORES, INC. will use wind energy to power up to 15% of the retailer's total energy usage in approximately 360 Texas stores and other facilities. The renewable energy will come from a DUKE ENERGY wind farm under construction in...

In-store displays are more effective than temporary price cuts, according to WPP Group shopper-marketing agency Ogilvyaction.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... In-store displays are more effective than temporary price cuts, according to WPP GROUP shopper-marketing agency OGILVYACTION. The agency's report indicates far more impulse purchases are driven by tactics like low-tech cardboard displays, as...

Beverage Marketing Corporation.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
December 1, 2008... Per capita beer consumption in the U.S. rose slightly in 2007, returning to the same level as 2002, according to the BEVERAGE MARKETING CORPORATION. The increase follows a reversal of decreases in the early years of the 21st century. Also,...

General Mills.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... GENERAL MILLS will invest about $100 million to expand its existing Albuquerque, NM plant. The new addition, which will add about 160,000-sq. ft., will focus on manufacturing snack products. General Mills plans to break ground by March... New...

Captain D's Seafood Kitchen is among the Top 50 franchises for minorities, according to the National Minority Franchising Initiative.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... CAPTAIN D'S SEAFOOD KITCHEN is among the Top 50 franchises for minorities, according to the NATIONAL MINORITY FRANCHISING INITIATIVE. Other companies named to the Top 50 include MCDONALD'S CORP. and PAPA JOHN'S.

McDonald's.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... A nearly 6,200-sq. ft. MCDONALD'S will open in late January near Tylersville, OH... The Cincinnati Enquirer (Nov. 17)...

Roasting Plant.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... ROASTING PLANT plans to open 15 stores in Manhattan within three years, focusing on the Upper West Side and Meatpacking District, as well as in Los Angeles and Miami... Crain's New York Business (Nov. 17)...

Redner's Warehouse Markets.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... REDNER'S WAREHOUSE MARKETS is opening a store in Dover, DE, its first in the state...

Rowland Coffee Roasters.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... ROWLAND COFFEE ROASTERS opened its first free-standing coffee house dispensing Cafe Bustelo, lattes, cappuccinos, pastelitos and Cuban sandwiches, along with muffins and croissants in South Beach, FL... Miami Herald (Nov. 18)...

Kroger Co.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... KROGER CO. opened the first of three Cincinnati-area Murray's Cheese departments... Supermarket News (Nov. 18). In addition, the company expects to open a "Fresh Fare" natural foods store in Dayton, OH early next year, and plans for further...

Price Chopper.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... PRICE CHOPPER converted two former P&C supermarkets under its banner. A new 66,000-sq. ft. location opened in Oswego, NY and a 48,000-sq. ft. store opened in Lebanon, NH... Supermarket News (Nov. 18). The company also opened a 37,000-sq. ft....

Pinkberry.(NEW STORE NEWS)
December 1, 2008... PINKBERRY will open in San Jose, CA in December...

Maggiano's Little Italy.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... MAGGIANO'S LITTLE ITALY opened its 44th location in San Antonio, TX...

Pricerite Grocery.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... PRICERITE GROCERY is scheduled to open in Buffalo, NY in March 2009... The Buffalo News (Nov. 19)...

Famous Dave's of America, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... FAMOUS DAVE'S OF AMERICA, INC. opened in Abilene, TX...

Sandella's Flatbread Cafe signed a contract with J & K Industries to open its first Southeast Michigan location by the end of summer 2009.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... SANDELLA'S FLATBREAD CAFE signed a contract with J & K INDUSTRIES to open its first Southeast Michigan location by the end of summer 2009... QSR Magazine (Nov. 19)...

Rutter's Farm Stores.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... RUTTER'S FARM STORES opened its first Chambersburg, PA convenience store... Convenience Store News (Nov. 24)...

Grill Concepts, Inc. opened its seventh The Grill On The Alley restaurant.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... GRILL CONCEPTS, INC. opened its seventh THE GRILL ON THE ALLEY restaurant in northeastern Miami-Dade County, FL...

Spartan Stores is opening a new Glen's Market location in Manistee, MI.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... SPARTAN STORES is opening a new GLEN'S MARKET location in Manistee, MI. The 38,000-sq. ft. store, set for a summer 2009 opening, would be the first newly constructed store in seven years for the Glen's chain... Supermarket News (Nov. 24)...

The Fresh Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... THE FRESH MARKET is opening a 37,000-sq. ft. location in Vero Beach, FL... TCPalm.com (Nov. 24)

Fox Sports Grill and its five sister restaurants were purchased out of bankruptcy by WILLIAM DALLAS, one of the concept's founding investors, and a group of new partners.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... FOX SPORTS GRILL and its five sister restaurants were purchased out of bankruptcy by WILLIAM DALLAS, one of the concept's founding investors, and a group of new partners. Mr. Dallas will take over as principal of the chain under its new parent...

The Lawrence Group is offering to acquire U.S. Sugar Corp., Clewiston, FL, for $300 per share cash.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... THE LAWRENCE GROUP is offering to acquire U.S. SUGAR CORP., Clewiston, FL, for $300 per share cash. In response to the acquisition proposal, U.S. Sugar Corp. said that its directors, advisors and management will review and evaluate all viable...

Mach One Corporation, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pacific Rim Foods Ltd., a multinational holding company with interests in energy, oil, and food production.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... MACH ONE CORPORATION, signed a definitive agreement to acquire PACIFIC RIM FOODS LTD., a multinational holding company with interests in energy, oil, and food production. Under the terms of the agreement, Mach One will acquire 100% of the stock...

Osi Restaurant Partners LLC, Tampa, FL, the parent of Outback Steakhouse, agreed to sell the majority of its stake in the six-unit Lee Roy Selmon's chain to an entity led by Outback founders Bob Basham and Chris Sullivan.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... OSI RESTAURANT PARTNERS LLC, Tampa, FL, the parent of OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, agreed to sell the majority of its stake in the six-unit LEE ROY SELMON'S chain to an entity led by Outback founders Bob Basham and Chris Sullivan. OSI Restaurant...

Japan's Itochu Corp. plans to purchase a 20% stake in Ting Hsin Group, a food processor in China, in a deal estimated to be worth [yen] 70 billion.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Japan's ITOCHU CORP. plans to purchase a 20% stake in TING HSIN GROUP, a food processor in China, in a deal estimated to be worth [yen] 70 billion. Itochu will gain the stake in Ting Hsin through a holding company, TING HSIN INTERNATIONAL...

Latest Financial Reports (000 OMITTED).(Statistical table)(Financial report)
December 1, 2008... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 OMITTED) Current % Change Year Year Ago AGFEED INDUSTRIES (NAN CHANG CITY, CHINA) Qtr. To Sept. 30: Sales...

Cosi, Inc.(FOODSERVICE FRONT)(forming a special committee of independent directors to review and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... COSI, INC.'S Board of Directors formed a special committee of independent directors to review and evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. Cosi Inc. has 101 company-owned and 51 franchise restaurants operating in 18 states,...

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza.(FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... BRIXX WOOD FIRED PIZZA plans to open more than 50 restaurants in the next five years. Brixx currently has 13 locations and expects to grow to 18 by the end of 2009. The average Brixx restaurant is 3,200 to 3,400-sq. ft. The restaurants boast...

Redbrick Pizza Worldwide, Inc. signed a new Development Agreement with Eat Inc. to develop up to 50 RedBrick Cafes in Delaware and Maryland.(FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... REDBRICK PIZZA WORLDWIDE, INC. signed a new Development Agreement with EAT INC. to develop up to 50 RedBrick Cafes in Delaware and Maryland. The company also signed a new development agreement for 42 RedBrick Cafes in the San Diego area with...

Halo Development Group, Ltd. signed an area developer agreement with Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt to develop an additional 35 Golden Spoon locations in the Phoenix.(FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... HALO DEVELOPMENT GROUP, LTD. signed an area developer agreement with GOLDEN SPOON FROZEN YOGURT to develop an additional 35 Golden Spoon locations in the Phoenix, AZ market. The group already opened three Golden Spoon locations in its first 12...

Organic To Go partnered with Jamba, Inc.(FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... ORGANIC TO GO partnered with JAMBA, INC. to provide its organic and natural food offerings at Jamba Juice locations in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA and Bellevue, WA.

Interim 10+2 final rule for importers unveiled.(WASHINGTON)
December 1, 2008... An interim final rule on the Importer Security Filing (10+2 rule) was published in the Nov. 25 Federal Register. It will require both importers and carriers to submit additional information pertaining to cargo to CBP before the cargo is brought...

FDA issues surimi compliance policy guide on proper labeling.(WASHINGTON)(Food and Drug Administration)
December 1, 2008... FDA published a document to provide guidance for FDA staff on the proper labeling for processed and/or blended seafood products that will also help educate industry. FDA's guidance documents, including this guidance, do not establish...

GAO: USDA needs to strengthen farm payment controls.(WASHINGTON)(Government Accountability Office)(United States. Department of Agriculture)(Report)
December 1, 2008... Farmers receive about $16 billion annually in federal farm program payments according to just-released report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). These payments go to about 2 million recipients, both individuals and entities. The...

FTC wins appeal in whole foods/wild oats merger case.(WASHINGTON)(Federal Trade Commission)(Whole Foods Market Inc.)(Wild Oats Markets Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 2-1 that a trial judge improperly dismissed FTC's preliminary attempt to block the $565 million merger between Whole Foods Market Inc. and Wild Oats...

OLMA-XXI Inc.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Brooklyn, NY-based OLMA-XXI INC. was issued a warning letter on Jan. 16, 2008 by FDA after an investigation of the company's seafood processing facility on Sept. 19 and 21, 2007 and Oct. 22 and 23, 2007. The investigation found serious...

Juices Enterprises Inc.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Brooklyn, NY-based JUICES ENTERPRISES INC. was issued a warning letter on Apr. 11, 2008 by FDA after an investigation of the company's juice processing facility on Nov. 13-15, 20 & 21, 2007. The investigation found serious violations of the...

Red Arrow Dairy, LLC.(FDA ISSUES WARNING LETTERS)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Coopersville, MI-based RED ARROW DAIRY, LLC was issued a warning letter on Oct. 22, 2008 after an investigation of the company's dairy operation on May 23, 2008, through June 4, 2008. The investigation confirmed that the company sold a calf...

Food product recalls reported.(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Orange Cranberry and Banana Nut Muffin Tops are being recalled by SEATTLE'S FAVORITE GOURMET COOKIES & DESSERT CO., Tukwila, WA. The products were distributed nationwide. The firm initiated recall began on Nov. 14, 2008, and is ongoing. Reason...

Orthodox Union Kosher alert.(Brief article)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2008... Lupita Queso Panela Mexican Style Farmer's Cheese, manufactured by LEBLON FOODS, INC., is mislabeled. The product bears an unauthorized OU symbol and is not certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union. Corrective action is being taken. ...

Weather--warmth in the West contrasted with cold weather in the East, but dry conditions were common to nearly all parts of the U.S.(MARKETS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... WEATHER -- Warmth in the West contrasted with cold weather in the East, but dry conditions were common to nearly all parts of the U.S. Weekly temperatures averaged as much as 10[degrees]F above normal in parts of the West, but ranged from...

Produce.(MARKETS)
December 1, 2008... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] RETAIL REPORT -- Cranberries and sweet potatoes were the most prominently featured produce items. Overall fresh produce ad activity showed an increase of nearly 21% this week and corresponded to increases in both fruits...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2008... All prices f.o.b. Midwest unless otherwise noted. 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...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2008... SAUCE--Foodservice 6/10 canned tomato sauce is selling between $13.00-$13.50, while retail 24/300 size is selling between $9.70-$9.85, both f.o.b. Mid-Atlantic. PASTE--Foodservice 6/10 canned tomato paste is selling between $27.00-$27.75,...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2008... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] ASPARAGUS--Foodservice 6/2.5-lb. cuts are priced between $1.90-$2.00, and 6/2.5-lb. spears are around $2.75, f.o.b. Northwest. Retail spears in 12/12-oz. poly bags are between $18.65-$18.75, f.o.b. Northwest. ...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2008... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] PEACHES--Domestic Foodservice pricing for 6/10 canned peaches is between $24.00 and $24.50, 24/300 is between $16.50-$17.00 and 12/2.5 is $13.00, all prices are f.o.b. California. PINEAPPLE--Prices from Thailand have...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2008... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] CATFISH--Farm-raised catfish processed during Oct. 2008 totaled 42.2 million pounds round weight, down 8% from Oct. 2007. The average price paid to producers was 82.5 cents per pound for Oct. 2008, down 0.2 cents from...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2008... USDA HAS PURCHASED DRY EDIBLE BEANS * Shipments between Nov. 16 - Dec. 31, 2008 * Cases Total Cost Blackeye Beans 60,480 $971,405 ...

Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2008... PEANUTS--Peanut prices received by farmers for all farmer stock peanuts averaged 22 cents per pound for the week ending November 15. The price per pound increased 1.9 cents from the previous week. Marketings of all farmer stock peanuts for the...

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2008... STRAWBERRIES--IQF Large California strawberries in 30-lb pails are 78 cents per pound and Sliced California 4+1 in 30-lb. cartons are priced at 82 cents per pound, f.o.b. California. IQF Northwest Whole strawberries in 30-lb cartons are around...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2008... APPLE--China's apple production is forecast at 28.5 million metric tons in 2008, up 15% from the previous year, the result of a high year in the production cycle. Concentrated apple juice production is forecast at 600,000 metric tons in 2008,...

Butter.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2008... BUTTER BUTTER MARKET, NOVEMBER 25 Cents Per Pound: 11/25/2008 11/20/2008 Chge. Grade AA 1.53 1.61 -0.08

Cheese.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2008... CHEESE CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET NOVEMBER 25 Cents Per Pound: 11/25/2008 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 1.7675 0.0375 Blocks (40-lbs.) 1.8025 0.0400

Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2008... EGGS EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS NOVEMBER 25 Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 25-Nov 20-Nov Chge. Extra Large-NY 124-128 124-128 0.00 Large-NY 122-126 ...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2008... CHICKEN PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 24 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 71-74 66-72 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit...

Future prices.(MARKETS)
December 1, 2008... FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash December January As of November 26, 2008: Price Futures Futures...

Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
December 1, 2008... COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended...

Food expenditures dipped in third quarter.
December 8, 2008... In the third quarter of this year, consumer expenditures for food declined for the first time since 2002, dropping 2.0% from the second quarter. This is also the largest month-to-month decline reported since Personal Consumption Expenditure...

Bread dollar sales grow as unit volume is under pressure.(Financial report)(Statistical data)
December 8, 2008... Bread sales were up 4.1% from the previous year, according to INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC. (IRI). This comes as a result of almost double-digit baking ingredient costs, which in turn made prices rise and sales volume drop, reported Milling &...

Negative "real sales" growth continues for fifth straight month.(grocery stores)(Statistical data)
December 8, 2008... "Real," or deflated, sales at the nation's grocery stores declined from a year earlier again during October, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline. The drop, -0.5%, was well under the sharp 3.0% seen in September. However, it brought...

Time becomes a luxury commodity for employee efficiency system.
December 8, 2008... Time is of the essence for food stores and groceries alike, as the economic situation is putting increasing pressure on established labor costs, according to The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 13). A growing number of stores are installing so-called...

2009 food-at-home price inflation may be 4.5%.(Statistical data)
December 8, 2008... Through the first 10 months of this year, food-at-home inflation stood at 6.3%, which is approaching the high end of USDA's projection of 5.5% to 6.5% for the entire year. In 2009, however, prices are forecast to increase between 3.5% and 4.5%...

Study: retailers should target the growing U.S. Dad Market.(Report)
December 8, 2008... There are an estimated 66 million fathers in the U.S. today, half of which are reported to be full-time fathers, according to The U.S. Dad's Market profile by PACKAGED FACTS and SILVER STORK RESEARCH. It is important for retailers to note that...