The Food Institute Report articles from February 2006

The Food Institute Report archives from February 2006

Non-traditional retailers expected to sell more food and consumables than supermarkets by 2013.
February 6, 2006... The balance of the food business will tip in favor of general merchandise-focused retailers by 2013, for some of those retailers whose sales of food and consumables represent less than two-thirds of their business. This game-changing prediction...

Kraft reveals 2006 growth plan.(Kraft Foods Inc.)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... The latest step in Kraft's restructuring program, which it began in 2004, is to close up to an additional 20 production units worldwide and eliminate approximately 8,000 positions at all levels of the organization (approximately 8% of the...

Quick-service goes upscale.(Chick-fil-A remodels its restaurant, )
February 6, 2006... Responding to increased demand for a more upscale and relaxed dining experience, many traditionally fast-food oriented chains are redesigning their locations to compete with fast-casual chains. By looking beyond just updating their menus,...

Online shopping boosting presence ...(Buy4Now launches online grocery )(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... More online food shopping options are surfacing and existing services expanding as retailers broaden efforts to capture consumers. food dollars in the increasingly competitive climate. Included among companies employing online services as a...

... Study supports aggressive online gains, prospect for growth.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... Retail companies with an online presence nearly doubled to 94% in 2005.up from barely 50% the prior year, revealed the study, Retail Horizons: Benchmarks for 2005, Forecasts for 2006, by the NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION and consulting firm...

Manufacturers' concerns for 2006.
February 6, 2006... Manufacturers ranked food safety as their No.1 concern for 2006, according to FOOD PROCESSING'S fifth annual Manufacturing Trends Survey. The online survey included 465 respondents from various food categories, with 47% manufacturing some type...

Innovative Tetra Recart packaging making inroads.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... Since its U.S. launch a few months ago, Tetra Recart packaging is readily gaining acceptance of food manufacturers, retailers and consumers. HAIN CELESTIAL is among those using the new packaging for its Westbrae Natural Organic Beans. The...

Top alternative formats selling food.(Table)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... (Source: Supermarket News) Rank Company Stores Owned (In Billions) 1 Wal-Mart Stores 3,080 $317.3 (est.) Wal-Mart's supercenters account for approximately $156.7 billion, or 49% of the...

Acosta Sales and Marketing Co., Jacksonville, fl, has signed a letter of intent to acquire team northwest, a sales and marketing agency serving the Pacific Northwest region.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... ACOSTA SALES AND MARKETING CO., Jacksonville, FL, has signed a letter of intent to acquire TEAM NORTHWEST, a sales and marketing agency serving the Pacific Northwest region. Acosta is a full service sales and marketing agency providing...

Brynwood Partners, a private equity fund, has completed the acquisition of the Stella D'Oro business from Kraft Foods Global, Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... BRYNWOOD PARTNERS, a private equity fund, has completed the acquisition of the STELLA D'ORO business from KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL, INC. Brynwood will begin to operate the company as the STELLA D'ORO COMPANY with its corporate office based at the...

Caffe Baci of Chicago, the five-outlet chain of casual Italian restaurants.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... CAFFE BACI of Chicago, the five-outlet chain of casual Italian restaurants, acquired the two Chicago locations of Boston-based REBECCA'S CAFE in a bid to boost its catering business... Crain's Chicago Business (Jan. 31)

Paul Fleming, restaurateur and founder of Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen, has agreed to purchase Tampa, FL-based Outback Steakhouse, Inc.'s 50% interest in the Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen joint venture.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... PAUL FLEMING, restaurateur and founder of PAUL LEE'S CHINESE KITCHEN, has agreed to purchase Tampa, FL-based OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, INC.'S 50% interest in the Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen joint venture. Founded in Sept. 2004, Paul Lee's Chinese...

J & J Snack Foods Corp.(acquires Icee of Hawaii )(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... J & J SNACK FOODS CORP., Pennsauken, NJ, has acquired the stock of ICEE OF HAWAII, Waipahu, HI, which distributes ICEE frozen beverages and related products throughout the Hawaiian islands. Annual sales are approximately $2.3 million.

Redprairie Corp., a Waukesha, WI-based software provider, has agreed to purchase Marc Global Holdings Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... REDPRAIRIE CORP., a Waukesha, WI-based software provider, has agreed to purchase MARC GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC., Atlanta, in a deal that will expand RedPrairie's regional coverage, customer base and service offerings. MARC Global Holdings is a...

Arla Foods, (formed by a merger of Danish MD Foods And Swedish Arla in 2000), is purchasing White Clover Dairy.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... ARLA FOODS, (formed by a merger of Danish MD FOODS and Swedish Arla in 2000), is purchasing WHITE CLOVER DAIRY, Hollandtown, WI, manufacturer of a variety of specialty cheeses for a number of marketers around the world, including Havarti and...

CBC Restaurant Corp., a subsidiary of IL Fornaio (America) Corporation which is a portfolio company of Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill, & Co., LLC.(acquires Corner Bakery Cafe )(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... CBC RESTAURANT CORP., a subsidiary of IL FORNAIO (AMERICA) CORPORATION, which is a portfolio company of BRUCKMANN, ROSSER, SHERRILL, & CO., LLC, has completed its acquisition of the CORNER BAKERY CAFE brand from Dallas-based BRINKER...

F&H Acquisition Corp. and certain of its affiliates entered into an agreement with Fox & Hound Restaurant Group to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Fox & Hound not already owned by it.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... F&H ACQUISITION CORP. and certain of its affiliates entered into an agreement with FOX & HOUND RESTAURANT GROUP to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Fox & Hound not already owned by it. Meanwhile, Fox & Hound terminated...

Flowers Foods, Inc., Thomasville, GA, has reached an agreement to acquire Derst Baking Company, Savannah, GA.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... FLOWERS FOODS, INC., Thomasville, GA, has reached an agreement to acquire DERST BAKING COMPANY, Savannah, GA. Derst Baking Company, a family-owned business with sales of approximately $50 million, operates 165 direct-store-delivery routes that...

Sagittarius Brands, the parent company of Captain D's Seafood.(acquires Del Taco Inc.)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... SAGITTARIUS BRANDS, the parent company of CAPTAIN D'S SEAFOOD, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DEL TACO, Lake Forest, CA, which operates or franchises more than 450 Mexican quick-service restaurants in 13 states.

Smithfield Foods inked a definitive agreement to acquire substantially of the assets of Conagra's ham business.(ConAgra Foods Inc.)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... SMITHFIELD FOODS inked a definitive agreement to acquire substantially of the assets of CONAGRA'S ham business--see FOOD INSTITUTE REPORT Jan. 30, pg. 5.

Valentine's Day dining facts.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... Source: National Restaurant Association * Valentine's Day is the second most popular day of the year to dine out with more than one-third of Americans (35%) visiting a restaurant. * Some 80% of Americans spend less than $100 on their...

Conagra Foods.(sells its refrigerated meats business and plans to increase operations at its Indianapolis plant)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... CONAGRA FOODS will sell its refrigerated meats business, including 15 plants in nine states. While the company plans to part with its Armour, Butterball and Eckrich brands, the sale will not affect ConAgra's Healthy Choice, Hebrew National,...

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.(changes how its calculates its same-store sales)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... WAL-MART STORES INC. disclosed it is changing how it calculates its "same-store" sales, starting with its next monthly sales release, in an effort to better conform with retail industry practices. The Wall Street Journal.

Also, Wal-Mart plans to purchase all of its wild-caught fresh and frozen fish for the North American market from Marine Stewardship Council-certified fisheries within the next three to five years.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... Also, WAL-MART plans to purchase all of its wild-caught fresh and frozen fish for the North American market from MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL-certified fisheries within the next three to five years. This is part of the company's initiative to...

Horizon Organic.(offers technical and financial support to organic farmers )
February 6, 2006... HORIZON ORGANIC, Boulder, is trying to persuade New York State's dairy farmers to join the organic movement. Faced with rising demand for its products in the New York region, the company needs to boost its supply of milk from certified organic...

Burger King Holdings Inc.(expects to file a registration with SEC)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... BURGER KING HOLDINGS, INC., Miami, expects to file a registration statement with the SEC in connection with an initial public offering of shares of its common stock in late February or early March.

Kettle Foods.(will build manufacturing space in Beloit)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... KETTLE FOODS, Oregon, will build a facility with 70,000-sq. ft. manufacturing space in Beloit, WI. When production begins towards the end of the year, the plant is expected to process 50 million pounds of Russet potatoes a year, boosting...

The Coca-Cola Company.(files five patents applications for brewing machines and espresso machines)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... THE COCA-COLA COMPANY has filed five U.S. patent applications in 2005 for coffee and tea "pod" designs, single-serving brewing machines, and a system to steam milk for hot espresso and cappuccino. The Atlanta-based soft drink giant has already...

8th Continent Soymilk has debuted 8th Continent Refreshers, refrigerated juice and soy protein blended beverages.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... 8TH CONTINENT SOYMILK has debuted 8th Continent Refreshers, refrigerated juice and soy protein blended beverages. Each 8-ounce serving contains real fruit juice, 20% of the daily value of calcium, 100% of daily value of Vitamin C and 6.25 grams...

Jim Brands Worldwide, Inc. the wine and spirits division of Fortune Brands Inc., has changed its name to Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... JIM BEAM BRANDS WORLDWIDE, INC., the wine and spirits division of FORTUNE BRANDS INC., has changed its name to BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE, INC. Beam Global noted the name change was driven by Fortune's $5 billion acquisition of more than 20...

Kellogg Company.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Strawberry Delight flavor)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... KELLOGG COMPANY, Battle Creek, MI, is extending its Frosted Mini-Wheats line with the introduction of a Strawberry Delight flavor, available in stores nationwide. Each whole grain biscuit features strawberry "crunchlets," with the fresh taste...

Quaker Oats.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Quaker Oatmeal to Go introduced)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... QUAKER OATS, Chicago, has introduced Quaker Oatmeal to Go, a hand-held breakfast that is touted as offering all the heart-health benefits of a bowl of instant oatmeal. The chewy bars, hitting stores nationwide, are available in five flavors:...

Sushi Avenue, a Bloomington, MN-based sushi and Asian cuisine supplier.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(new stores opened)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... SUSHI AVENUE, a Bloomington, MN-based sushi and Asian cuisine supplier, will open five new sushi bars within CENTRAL MARKET stores in Texas through an agreement with H-E-B GROCERY COMPANY, parent of the seven-store gourmet chain.

Land O'Lakes Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(closure of a facility)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... Confronted with declining milk production in the Upper Midwest, LAND O'LAKES INC. will close its Greenwood, WI cheese manufacturing plant near the end of February. "We need to be more efficient. We can use this milk in other areas of our...

Kraft Foods'.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(sales of diet products)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... In the 10 months since KRAFT FOODS' South Beach Diet products hit the market, the line has generated $170 million in sales, a rare accomplishment in the food category that counts $100 million as the benchmark for new-product success. More...

Atkins Nutritionals.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(business strategy)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... ATKINS NUTRITIONALS revealed a new business strategy and has streamlined its product offering from 340 to 60 nutrition bars and shakes, which it believes has allowed it to make significant improvements to the taste, appearance and overall...

Subway.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(opens locations worldwide)
February 6, 2006... The SUBWAY restaurant chain, Milford, CT, recently opened its 25,000th location worldwide. The milestone was reached with the opening of 17 locations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico... CSP Daily News (Feb. 1)

Freshway Foods.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(new plant opened)
February 6, 2006... FRESHWAY FOODS, Sidney, OH, has opened a 100,000-sq. ft. vegetable and fruit processing plant in Sanford, FL, enabling the company to reach any customer east of the Mississippi River within 24 hours... Dayton Business Journal (Feb. 2)

Safeway Inc. and Giant Food Inc are touting their organic product lines in advertising campaigns for the first time.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... SAFEWAY INC. and GIANT FOOD INC. are touting their organic product lines in advertising campaigns for the first time. Safeway Inc. supermarkets rolled out O Organics, its new organic-product line, with store signs and radio advertising. The...

Royal Ahold NV declined to comment on market talk that Tesco PLC and U.S. private equity.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Table)(Financial report)
February 6, 2006... ROYAL AHOLD NV declined to comment on market talk that Tesco PLC and U.S. private equity group KKR may be preparing a bid for AHOLD'S U.S. and European operations.Forbes.com (Feb. 1) LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (in $000) ...

Fresh and Naturals foods.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... NEW STORE NEWS: FRESH & NATURAL FOODS will open a location in Hudson, MN. The store will offer foods for specialty diets, specializing in gluten-free products, as well as fresh meats and poultry that are free of antibiotics, hormones and...

Provisions.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... PROVISIONS, a gourmet grocery store, is slated to open in a new development in Creve Coeur, MO... dbusiness (Jan. 30)...

Gagliano's Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... GAGLIANO'S MARKET, a high-end grocery store, will open an 11,000-sq. ft. unit in downtown Delafield, WI... Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Jan. 30)...

Kehr's Candies, a fine-chocolate maker, and The Spice House.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... KEHR'S CANDIES, a fine-chocolate maker, and THE SPICE HOUSE will open in the Milwaukee Public Market... Milwaukee Journal Sentinel...

Big Y.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Big Y Foods Inc.)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... BIG Y plans to open a 64,000-sq. ft. World Class Market and Pharmacy in Wilbraham, MA, in fall 2007. It will feature an International Food Court with an eat-in cafe, a produce department with over 500 products, including organics, and a broad...

Wal-Mart.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... WAL-MART will open its first locations inside Chicago's city limits this summer. It will be the first in the U.S. to sport a green roof with three inches of soil and cactus-like plants that thrive in cold weather--Chicago Sun-Times (Feb. 3)...

Uwink, Inc.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... UWINK, INC., Los Angeles, will open the first uWink Bistro in Woodland Hills, CA this summer. The Bistro is a combination restaurant and videogames...

Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market.(NEW STORE NEWS)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... The 100th WAL-MART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET in the U.S. opened in Albuquerque, NM. The 39,690sq. ft. store features a Grab-It-And-Go bar, where customers can grab a doughnut, pastry, coffee or fountain drink and drop their money in an honor-system...

Business Capital Corporation.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... Business Capital Corporation (BCC) is a financial advisory firm that provides M&A and business valuation consulting services to middle market food companies. As an active member in the International Network of M&A Partners (IMAP), BCC is...

Grocery Outlet, Inc.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... Grocery Outlet grew out of a business established by the late Jim Read in San Francisco during the mid-1940s. The company, initially called Cannery Sales, bought warehouse overstocks and sold them at huge discounts. Over the past four decades...

JustFoodERP.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... JustFoodERP, an Axentia company, provides a complete software and services package designed specifically for the food and beverage industry. JustFoodERP supports highly specialized requirements for the food processing and distribution industry...

RB International.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(services)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... Headquartered in Sacramento, CA, RB International specializes in helping companies succeed with international marketing. International sales opportunities are plentiful, but often difficult to capture. RB International offers a unique...

USTR says AG biotechnology is unfairly blocked by EU.(United States Trade Representative, European Union's agricultural biotechnology regulation)
February 6, 2006... The following was issued by the US Trade Representative. EU Moratorium on Biotechnology Not Based on Science Since the late 1990's, the EU has pursued policies that undermine the development and use of agricultural biotechnology....

Cochineal extract rule change proposed.(WASHINGTON)
February 6, 2006... The FDA proposed in the Jan. 30 Federal Register to revise its requirements for cochineal (beetle-derived) extract and carmine by requiring their declaration on the label of all food and cosmetic products that contain these color additives. The...

GAO reports on factors contributing to higher gasoline prices.(Government Accountability Office, gasoline prices' impact on economy)
February 6, 2006... A new report from the Government Accountability Office noted that soaring retail gasoline prices, increased oil company profits, and mergers of large oil companies have garnered extensive media attention and generated considerable public...

FDA issues warning letter.(Food and Drug Administration, Empresas Y-Nuina Inc )(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... FDA's San Juan District office sent a warning letter to EMPRESAS Y-NUINA INC. of Canovanas, PR following an inspection of the firm's food manufacturing facility on Nov. 9-21, 2005. FDA found repeated violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis...

Food product recall.(Hasty Tasty Food Service Inc. recalls salad sandwiches)
February 6, 2006... HASTY TASTY FOOD SERVICE INC./DBA VALLEY VENDING OF DAVENPORT, IA is recalling the following items: Chicken Salad, Egg Salad, Ham Salad, and Tuna Salad sandwiches because they contain undeclared Dairy allergens (sweet dairy whey and butter)....

.... U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is calling on America's tuna industry to take steps to protect consumers from high mercury levels in some cans of tuna.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... ... .U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is calling on America's tuna industry to take steps to protect consumers from high mercury levels in some cans of tuna. In a letter to leading tuna producers, he questions the industry's practice of using a...

.... The Canadian fishing industry will conduct widespread testing for mercury in fish in U.S. supermarkets.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... ... .The Canadian fishing industry will conduct widespread testing for mercury in fish sold in U.S. supermarkets, reported The Chicago Tribune.

.... Investigators could not determine whether beef slaughterhouses and packing plants obeyed safeguards designed to keep mad cow disease from reaching humans.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... ... . Investigators could not determine whether beef slaughterhouses and packing plants obeyed safeguards designed to keep mad cow disease from reaching humans, according to a 130-page USDA audit performed by the Office of the Inspector General...

.... The Arizona Department of Education released its nutrition guidelines for public elementary and middle schools.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... ... . The Arizona Department of Education released its nutrition guidelines for public elementary and middle schools. As of July 1, public schools are banned from selling unhealthy food. However, students can still buy muffins, sweet rolls and...

.... Giant Food Stores pulled soup cans from stores in four states after a sewing needle was reportedly found in a sealed can of minestrone, officials said.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... ... . Giant Food Stores pulled soup cans from stores in four states after a sewing needle was reportedly found in a sealed can of minestrone, officials said. The incident was the fifth report of needles or pins found in food purchased from area...

.... Texas agricultural producers called for federal assistance to help them handle the drought.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... ... . Texas agricultural producers called for federal assistance to help them handle the drought, rising energy prices and freight costs that are making it expensive for farmers to irrigate their land and to buy hay, reported Houston Chronicle.

A chicken vaccine produced by genetically engineered plants was approved by USDA, marking the first time it has signed off on such a plant-based manufacturing process.(Dow AgroSciences L.L.C. )(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... A chicken vaccine produced by genetically engineered plants was approved by USDA, marking the first time it has signed off on such a plant-based manufacturing process. Dow AgroSciences LLC scientists inserted pieces of the genetic material from...

Sparmint Oil.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... SPARMINT OIL: USDA established the quantity of spearmint oil produced in the Far West, by class, that handlers may purchase from, or handle for, producers during the 2006-2007 marketing year, which begins on June 1, 2006. This rule invites...

Chinese honey.(antidumping duty is being reviewed)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... CHINESE HONEY: a new shipper antidumping duty review for honey from China, based on requests from MONGOLIA ALTIN BEE-KEEPING CO., LTD., DONGTAI PEAK HONEY INDUSTRY CO. LTD., QINHUANGDAO MUNICIPAL DAFENG INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., and TIANJIN EULIA...

Japan will allow foreign potatoes into the country for the first time, accepting a U.S. proposal to brush or wash off all dirt before shipping.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... Japan will allow foreign potatoes into the country for the first time, accepting a U.S. proposal to brush or wash off all dirt before shipping, send them in sealed containers and limit their use to processed potato chip snacks. Imports will be...

Produce.(onions increase in size)(avocados consumption increases)(antidumping duties on garlic)
February 6, 2006... BAGGED PRODUCE OVERVIEW--Ready-to-eat bags of produce now gross $2.8 billion a year and Earthbound Farm's continues to lead in the organic department, producing 73% of the greens and baby spinach that go into the $202 million-a-year organic...

Canned vegetables.(markets)
February 6, 2006... CUCUMBERS FOR PICKLES--The total area harvest in 2005 was 113,700 acres, up less than one percent from the previous year. The yield per acre in the U.S. in 2005 was 5.02 tons, down from 5.23 tons in 2004 and 5.46 in 2003. As a result of the...

Tomato products.(production and sale)
February 6, 2006... USDA OFFERS TO BUY CANNED TOMATO PRODUCTS * Deliveries between Apr. 1--June 30, 2006 * Case Size Cases Spaghetti Sauce 24/300 150,660 Tomatoes 24/300 79,380 Tomato Juice ...

Frozen vegetables.(inventories)
February 6, 2006... PEAS--Cold storage, as of Jan. 1, this year is down 7% nationwide from the same time last year. Different regions showed big shifts in storage, with inventories in the West North Central region up 15.0 million pounds, while stocks in the...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)
February 6, 2006... USDA OFFERS TO BUY CANNED FRUIT * Shipments between Apr. 1--June 30, 2006 * Case Size Cases Applesauce 24/300 97,200 Plums 24/300 1,620 For more information contact USDA at 202-720-4517....

H.J. Heinz Company received an offer and is in advanced and exclusive negotiations with Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking for the sale of its European Seafood business.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... H.J. Heinz Company received an offer and is in advanced and exclusive negotiations with Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking for the sale of its European Seafood business. A sale would include brands such as John West canned tuna and seafood in the...

New England's fishermen are again facing cuts in their time at sea as regulators are seeking more restrictions due to declines in flounder and cod.(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... New England's fishermen are again facing cuts in their time at sea as regulators are seeking more restrictions due to declines in flounder and cod. The New England Fishery Management Council's proposals include cuts in fishing days, ranging...

The closure of trade in caviar from the Caspian and Black seas regions, coupled with the growth of luxury consumption around the globe, appears to be helping Northwest fish farmers and processors push their products into new markets.(IN THE NEWS ...)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... The closure of trade in caviar from the Caspian and Black seas regions, coupled with the growth of luxury consumption around the globe, appears to be helping Northwest fish farmers and processors push their products into new markets....

Processed fish.(MARKETS)
February 6, 2006... USDA OFFERS TO BUY--USDA has offered to purchase canned chunk light tuna (12 oz. cans) for use in Federal food and nutrition programs. Offers are due 1:30 p.m. (CT), Feb. 6 and deliveries are to be made in two periods between Apr. 1-Apr. 30....

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)
February 6, 2006... USDA OFFERS TO BUY DRY EDIBLE BEANS & POTATOES * Shipments between Apr. 1--June 30, 2006 * Case Size Cases Pinto Beans 12/2 lb. 114,240 Light Red Kidney Beans 12/2 lb. ...

Dried fruit & nuts.(MARKETS)
February 6, 2006... NUT EXPORT OVERVIEW--Tree nut exports have been strong this marketing year of 2005/06, according to ERS. Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook report. The largest increase is in walnut exports, up 28%. Although almond exports make up the bulk of U.S....

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(inventory data)
February 6, 2006... BLUEBERRIES--As of Jan. 1, nationwide cold storage inventories were 10% lower than the same time last year, an 8.2 million pound decrease. Regionally, the Middle Atlantic area has increased inventories, which are 10% higher from 2005....

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(United States. Department of Agriculture to purchase canned juice)(Table)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... USDA OFFERS TO BUY CANNED JUICES * Deliveries between Apr. 1--June 30, 2006 * Case Size Cases Apple Juice 12/46 oz. 177,072 Orange Juice 12/46 oz. 157,080 Cranberry Apple...

Butter.(MARKETS)(prices and rates)(Table)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... BUTTER BUTTER MARKET, FEB. 3 (Source: CME) Cents Per Pound: 2/3/06 1/27/06 Chge. Grade AA 1.2475 1.265 -0.175

Cheese.(MARKETS)(prices and rates)(Table)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... CHEESE CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET FEB. 3 Cents Per Pound: 2/3/06 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Blocks (40-lbs.) 1.24 +0.0025 Barrels 1.21 0

Eggs.(MARKETS)(prices and rates)(Table)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS FEB. 3 (Source: USDA) Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 3-Feb 27-Jan Chge Extra Large-NY 57-61 70-74 -13 Large-NY 55-59 ...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Table)(Brief article)
February 6, 2006... CHICKEN PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF FEB. 6 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 52-55 52-55 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few ...