The Food Institute Report articles from July 2006

The Food Institute Report archives from July 2006

Yogurt continues to post growth natural cheese/ice cream slips.(Statistical data)
July 3, 2006... Yogurt sales are still growing, although growth has slowed a bit, revealed the latest numbers from INFORMATION RESOURCES INC. The yogurt figures include both cup yogurt and yogurt drinks. While yogurt drinks are not shown separately here, IRI...

Food-at-home price forecast for 2006 reduced.
July 3, 2006... Despite higher fuel costs, the projection for food-at-home prices was reduced by half a percentage point from last month and is now forecast to climb just 1.5% to 2.5% more than a year ago. The all-food CPI increased 2.4% between 2004 and 2005,...

MITSUI FOODS, INC. (MFI), Norwood, NJ, signed an asset purchase agreement with HARTOG FOODS INC., a leading company in the global processed fruit and vegetable products trade.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... MITSUI FOODS, INC. (MFI), Norwood, NJ, signed an asset purchase agreement with HARTOG FOODS INC., a leading company in the global processed fruit and vegetable products trade. Hartog Foods will be integrated into MFI's newly created Ingredients...

Smithfield Foods, Inc., Smithfield, VA, signed a purchase agreement to acquire Sara Lee Corporation's European meats business for $575 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC., Smithfield, VA, signed a purchase agreement to acquire SARA LEE CORPORATION'S European meats business for $575 million. Smithfield intends to complete and finance the acquisition on a stand-alone, non-recourse basis...

Tata Coffee Ltd., India, agreed to buy the Eight O'Clock Coffee Company, Montvale, NJ, for $220 million from private equity firm Gryphon Investors, San Francisco.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... TATA COFFEE LTD., India, agreed to buy the EIGHT O'CLOCK COFFEE COMPANY, Montvale, NJ, for $220 million from private equity firm GRYPHON INVESTORS, San Francisco. Eight O'Clock Coffee holds a 54% market share in the branded whole bean coffee...

Faribault Foods Inc., Minneapolis, purchased S&W Fine Foods from Del Monte Foods Co., San Francisco.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... FARIBAULT FOODS INC., Minneapolis, purchased S&W FINE FOODS from DEL MONTE FOODS CO., San Francisco. The S&W acquisition is part of Faribault's long-term strategy to own regional brands that are market-share leaders. Faribault Foods produces...

MCGREGOR'S LLC, an Idaho-based independent grocery company, will purchase Pullman, WA-based DISSMORE'S IGA from TIDYMAN'S with plans to make the store more community-oriented.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... MCGREGOR'S LLC, an Idaho-based independent grocery company, will purchase Pullman, WA-based DISSMORE'S IGA from TIDYMAN'S with plans to make the store more community-oriented. The store will be operated as Dissmore's Food LLC. The purchase is...

Ottens Flavors, Philadelphia, merged with Mexico City-based MK Flavors & Co. Mexico, a move Ottens Flavors believes will enable the company to increase its market presence in Central and South America.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... OTTENS FLAVORS, Philadelphia, merged with Mexico City-based MK FLAVORS & CO. MEXICO, a move Ottens Flavors believes will enable the company to increase its market presence in Central and South America. Ottens Flavors develops and manufacturers...

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc., Somers, NY, completed the acquisition of Bebidas Purificadas, S.A. DE C.V., which is based in the northwestern region of Mexico, and served customers in three states, Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP, INC., Somers, NY, completed the acquisition of BEBIDAS PURIFICADAS, S.A. DE C.V., which is based in the northwestern region of Mexico, and served customers in three states, Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur....

Shamrock Foods Co., Phoenix, AZ, is buying parts of Distribution Plus Inc.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... SHAMROCK FOODS CO., Phoenix, AZ, is buying parts of DISTRIBUTION PLUS INC. Southwest's food service distribution operation, including its fleet, inventories and warehouse equipment. The sale is to be completed July 1. Shamrock Foods Co., the...

NuCO2 Inc., Stuart, FL, acquired approximately 3,100 bulk CO2 customers and related bulk CO2 assets in 18 states from Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., Atlanta, for approximately $5 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... NUCO2 INC., Stuart, FL, acquired approximately 3,100 bulk CO2 customers and related bulk CO2 assets in 18 states from COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES INC., Atlanta, for approximately $5 million. The transaction with Coca-Cola Enterprises represents...

True North Energy, LLC of Toledo, OH, affiliate of Houston-based Shell Oil Products US, will acquire 29 Shell-branded retail locations and three supply contracts in the Columbus, OH area.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... TRUE NORTH ENERGY, LLC of Toledo, OH, affiliate of Houston-based SHELL OIL PRODUCTS US, will acquire 29 Shell-branded retail locations and three supply contracts in the Columbus, OH area. True North has operated and supplied Shell-branded...

Walgreen Company, Deerfield, IL, will acquire Pittsburgh-based Medmark Specialty Pharmacy Solutions in an effort to move into the specialty pharmacy market.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... WALGREEN COMPANY, Deerfield, IL, will acquire Pittsburgh-based MEDMARK SPECIALTY PHARMACY SOLUTIONS in an effort to move into the specialty pharmacy market. After the acquisition, which is expected to close this summer, Medmark will operate as...

Deere & Co., Moline, IL, acquired Roberts Irrigation Products, which makes plastic micro and drip irrigation products for the agricultural, nursery and greenhouse markets.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... DEERE & CO., Moline, IL, acquired ROBERTS IRRIGATION PRODUCTS, which makes plastic micro and drip irrigation products for the agricultural, nursery and greenhouse markets. Roberts Irrigation will continue to be headquartered in San Marcos, CA....

Non-traditional grocery retailers to dominate grocery & consumables market by 2012.
July 3, 2006... Traditional grocery retailers' share of the market for grocery & consumables is expected to decline 6.3 percentage points by 2010, leaving these retailers with a combined 44.1% share and annual sales of $444.5 billion. At the same time,...

Tesco.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... TESCO, plans to open at least 100 stores in its first year in southern California, according to Financial Times. The British retailer first announced in February that it aimed to enter the U.S. market through a West Coast convenience store...

Wendy's International, Inc. will spin off its remaining 160.0 million shares of Tim Hortons Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. will spin off its remaining 160.0 million shares of TIM HORTONS INC. The company's second quarter results will also be impacted by lower-than-expected same-store sales at Wendy's and BAJA FRESH restaurants,...

Mastercard International along with Philadelphia Coca-Cola bottling company and USA Technologies rolled out 1,000 Coca-Cola vending machines enabled with the e-port cashless transaction solution that will accept MasterCard PayPass in the Philadelphia area, following successful tests in New York and Atlanta.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
July 3, 2006... MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL along with PHILADELPHIA COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY and USA TECHNOLOGIES rolled out 1,000 Coca-Cola vending machines enabled with the e-port cashless transaction solution that will accept MasterCard PayPass in the...

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. filed its plans to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of October, but some analysts question whether the Jacksonville-based supermarket chain will be able to lure customers back and fend off challenges from Wal-Mart, Publix and other competitors.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... WINN-DIXIE STORES INC. filed its plans to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of October, but some analysts question whether the Jacksonville-based supermarket chain will be able to lure customers back and fend off challenges from WAL-MART,...

American Italian Pasta Co.'s (AIPC) mutually exclusive contract with Sysco Corp. will terminate at the end of 2006.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA CO.'S (AIPC) mutually exclusive contract with SYSCO CORP. will terminate at the end of 2006. As a result, AIPC will be free to service major restaurant and hotel chains and other multi-unit entities, without seeking the...

Kraft Foods Inc., Northfield, IL, is preparing to bid more than 570 million [pounds sterling] for the southern European division of United Biscuits.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... KRAFT FOODS INC., Northfield, IL, is preparing to bid more than 570 million [pounds sterling] for the southern European division of UNITED BISCUITS. GOLDMAN SACHS, which was appointed by United Biscuits to conduct a "strategic review" in...

Meanwhile, Kraft Foods Inc. reached a deal with workers at its Oscar Mayer plant in Davenport, IA, ending five months of negotiations.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Meanwhile, KRAFT FOODS INC. reached a deal with workers at its OSCAR MAYER plant in Davenport, IA, ending five months of negotiations. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 431, which represents more than 1,600 Oscar Mayer workers,...

Campbell Soup Co.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... As part of its strategy for fiscal 2007, CAMPBELL SOUP CO. plans to focus more on wellness with low-sodium soups and aims to make its products more convenient for quick meals. The Camden, NJ-based soup maker is also introducing shelf stable...

BP chose NRC Realty Advisors to market 51 southeastern convenience stores, 34 in south Florida and 17 in the Atlanta, GA area.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(BP Products North America Inc.)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... BP chose NRC REALTY ADVISORS to market 51 southeastern convenience stores, 34 in south Florida and 17 in the Atlanta, GA area. This is in addition to the 56 stores it announced to sell in the Midwest a week prior... Convenience Store News

Conagra Foods.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(build an ethanol plant )(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... CONAGRA FOODS is helping to build an ethanol plant in New Mexico. The company will supply corn for the plant, as well as market and distribute its products, including ethanol and distillers grain... Omaha World Herald CONAGRA FOODS, INC....

Wolfsen's Meat & Sausage.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... WOLFSEN'S MEAT & SAUSAGE, Gustine, CA, is back in business, following a devastating fire in February 2005. It produces 62 varieties of sausage... Modesto Bee

Fabio's Fresh Pasta Factory will open a 10,000-sq. ft. factory in Houston, TX.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... FABIO'S FRESH PASTA FACTORY will open a 10,000-sq. ft. factory in Houston, TX. It will also feature a walk-in retail counter that will be open to the public. The company supplies pasta to restaurants and is currently in talks with CARRABBA'S...

The Japanese fast-food sushi chain, Gindaco, is opening its first U.S. store in Los Angeles in 2007 and hopes to open more 20 stores in California by 2010, according to Tokyo-based Hotland Corp., which runs Gindaco.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... The Japanese fast-food sushi chain, GINDACO, is opening its first U.S. store in Los Angeles in 2007 and hopes to open more 20 stores in California by 2010, according to Tokyo-based HOTLAND CORP., which runs Gindaco. Hand-grilled octopus...

General Mills Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... GENERAL MILLS INC. improved its promotional pricing and its merchandising activity to better manage price gaps between its cereal brands and its competitors. The company also has a number of new cereal products, including fruit-flavored...

Presently, General Mills, Inc. is launching Dora the Explorer cereal.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Presently, GENERAL MILLS, INC. is launching Dora the Explorer cereal. The star-shaped cereal with a corn crunch and the flavor of cinnamon, based on the cartoon character, is touted as combining nutritious ingredients and good taste. It has six...

StarRibs Orpac, L.P. purchased the right to franchise six Famous Dave's restaurants in the State of Oregon and StarRibs Washpac, L.P. purchased the right to franchise three Famous Dave's restaurants in the State of Washington.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... STARRIBS ORPAC, L.P. purchased the right to franchise six FAMOUS DAVE'S restaurants in the State of Oregon and STARRIBS WASHPAC, L.P. purchased the right to franchise three Famous Dave's restaurants in the State of Washington. The markets...

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Candy Bars were No. 3 among the top brands based on overall brand equity ranked by Harris Interactive's 2006 EquiTrend Brand Study.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(The Hershey Co. Hershey Chocolate U.S.A.)(Brief article)(Company rankings)
July 3, 2006... HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Candy Bars were No. 3 among the top brands based on overall brand equity ranked by HARRIS INTERACTIVE'S 2006 EquiTrend Brand Study. Heinz Ketchup and Campbell's soups also made the top10, according to the study, which...

Saphia Lifestyle Beverages.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... SAPHIA LIFESTYLE BEVERAGES, a flavored-water company catering to pregnant women, will open in July in Silver Spring, MD. The water, initially available in BlissBerry, PacifyinglyPeach and LovinglyLemon, is filled with nutrients that are good...

R.C. Bigelow, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(organic green)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... R.C. BIGELOW, INC. introduced its first organic green tea varieties--Organic Green Tea and Organic Decaffeinated Green Tea--to its signature green tea line. Fairfield, CT-based Bigelow features more than 50 varieties of specialty tea.

CKE Restaurants Inc., the parent of Hardeee's and Carl's Jr., will continue to produce fast foods with less healthful options.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... CKE RESTAURANTS INC., the parent of HARDEEE'S and CARL'S JR., will continue to produce fast foods with less healthful options. The company's business strategy is to give customers what they want, not what is healthy for them, according to...

Meanwhile, Hardee's is testing a separate menu for its Red Burrito line at nine St. Louis-area stores.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Meanwhile, HARDEE'S is testing a separate menu for its RED BURRITO line at nine St. Louis-area stores. In addition to burritos, the menu includes a taco salad and nachos. The company also made its fish sandwich, previously only available during...

McDonald.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(salad introduced)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... MCDONALD'S is testing a South of the Border salad as an extension to its line of premium salads. The new entree salad includes chicken, black beans, roasted corn, cheddar jack cheese and tortilla strips, a lime wedge and creamy Southwestern...

Latest financial reports.(Industry overview)(Statistical table)(Financial report)
July 3, 2006... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (in $000) Current % Change Year Year Ago CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC. (FAIRPORT, NY) Qtr. To May 31: Sales $1,155,900 ...

Grocery Outlet, Inc.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
July 3, 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)
July 3, 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...

Violet Packing, LLC.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Headquartered in Williamstown, NJ, Violet Packing consists of items packed under the Violet, Sclafani and Don Pepino labels in both retail and foodservice sizes. They include tomato products as well as processed peppers. Violet's products...

FDA issues an updated Q&A on recordkeeping/ records access rule.(WASHINGTON)
July 3, 2006... As reported on last month, FDA issued a third edition of its final guidance document explaining how the agency intends to implement its recordkeeping and records access rule issued under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness...

Canada mad cow SRM regs surface.(WASHINGTON)(specified risk materials )
July 3, 2006... Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released information regarding its enhanced feed ban regulation for specified risk materials (SRMs) last week. SRMs are the parts of cattle that can spread Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Canada...

FDA issues warning letters.(Food and Drug Administration)(Korean Farm Inc)(Southeast Asian Food Products)(Sam Rust Seafood Inc)
July 3, 2006... A warning letter was issued by FDA Los Angeles office in Irvine, CA to KOREAN FARM, INC., Santa Fe Springs, CA following an inspection of the seafood importer's establishment. FDA found serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and...

Food product recalls reported.(WASHINGTON)
July 3, 2006... The June 28 FDA Enforcement Report included the following food product recalls: Publix Key Lime Pie--whole, half, and single-serve slices are being recalled by PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS INC., Lakeland, FL and were manufactured by FOXTAIL FOODS,...

.... Shareholders of Marsh Supermarkets filed a lawsuit against the supermarket chain and its executives.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ....)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... ... . Shareholders of Marsh Supermarkets filed a lawsuit against the supermarket chain and its executives accusing them of fraud, mismanagement, failing their duties to shareholders and other charges. The complaint seeks class-action status and...

.... The head of the American Farm Bureau Federation criticized the WTO's latest attempt to resolve farm trade talks.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ....)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... ... . The head of the American Farm Bureau Federation criticized the WTO's latest attempt to resolve farm trade talks, saying it would leave U.S. producers at a loss. Despite comments by G20 and EU countries that the U.S. stance on tariffs is...

.... A new USDA report looks at the risk management potential for "whole-farm revenue" programs.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ....)
July 3, 2006... ... . A new USDA report looks at the risk management potential for "whole-farm revenue" programs and the obstacles to implementing such a whole-farm revenue approach to a farm safety net. A whole-farm program is based on revenues from all...

.... Closing U.S. borders would be the last option in combating the spread of bird flu.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ....)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... ... . Closing U.S. borders would be the last option in combating the spread of bird flu, according to a senior State Department official. It would not be likely to decrease the number of cases, would interrupt essential services and would...

.... An ordinance is being submitted in San Francisco.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ....)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... ... . An ordinance is being submitted in San Francisco that would require city restaurants and city departments to stop using Styrofoam and other brands of the plastic foam technically called polystyrene. The manufacturing of the material...

Fresh vegetable prices are expected to average above a year ago this summer.(IN THE NEWS ...)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Fresh vegetable prices are expected to average above a year ago this summer as low crop prices last summer and higher input costs this year restrain acreage and supply. During the first five months of 2006, f.o.b. shipping-point prices for...

Produce.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... TOMATOES--USDA proposed a rule change that would make UglyRipe tomatoes from Florida available across the country during winter. Interested parties have 60 days to comment on the proposal, reported The South Florida Business Journal. Meanwhile,...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... SELECTED CANNED/GLASS VEGETABLE IMPORTS - JAN. 1 - MAY 1, 2006 (Source: Bureau of Census) Pounds % Chge. Dollars % Chge. (1,000) Last Yr. ($1,000) Last Yr. Mixed...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... Tomato plants in Central California fields appear to have weathered the hot temperatures over the past few weeks, though farmers report scattered crop damage, reported California Farm Bureau Federation. This season California tomato...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... CORN--Cob corn, 96-ear is currently trading for $13.05 to $13.25, f.o.b. West Coast. Cut corn in 12/16-oz. packs are trading for $7.50 to $7.65, f.o.b. West Coast. USDA HAS PURCHASED FROZEN CORN Deliveries between Aug. 16-Nov. 15,...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... CHERRIES--Canned tart cherries in 6/10-oz. cases are priced between $18.50 and $19.00, f.o.b. Washington. PEARS--Pears packed in 24/2.5-lb packs are priced between $19.50 and $20.00, f.o.b. West Coast. USDA HAS PURCHASED CANNED FRUITS...

Pacific sardine harvest guideline along the U.S. Pacific coast.(IN THE NEWS ...)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... NMFS updated the framework for the annual apportionment of the Pacific sardine harvest guideline along the U.S. Pacific coast to achieve optimal utilization of the Pacific sardine resource and equitable allocation of the harvest opportunity for...

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.(describing the essential fish habitat)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... NMFS implemented rules to assist in identifying and describing the essential fish habitat and designating habitat areas of particular concern for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.

New standardized bycatch reporting methodology and bycatch minimization requirements.(groundfish fisheries )(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... NMFS proposed to implement new standardized bycatch reporting methodology and bycatch minimization requirements for groundfish fisheries off the U.S. West Coast.

Processed fish.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... RUSSIA UPDATE--The U.S. has boosted exports of fish products to Russia over 90%, from 22,769 metric tons in 2004 to 43,477 metric tons in 2005. Russian imports of fish and seafood products in 2005 reached nearly $1 billion, up 48% from 2004....

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... KANSAS CITY COMMODITY OFFER *Shipments Between Aug. 6-27 and Aug. 27-Sept. 20, 2006* Metric Tons Product Destination Pack Size Quantity Whole Yellow Peas Kenya 50 K 4,140 ...

Dried fruit & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... SUPERMARKET SALES OF DRIED FRUIT, 1ST QTR., 2002-2006 (FI Analysis of Information Resources, Inc. Infoscan Reviews Data) In Millions Dollars Pounds 2002 $122.7 40.7 2003 $117.4 37.4 2004...

Frozen fruits.(Markets)(Statistical table)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... BLUEBERRIES--Because of the historically high demand for blueberry products, growers are reportedly asking record high prices for products going into processing. Offers are ranging between $1.60 and $1.70 per pound, f.o.b. Southeast, though are...

Mitsui Foods, Inc. (MFI) signed an asset purchase agreement with Hartog Foods Inc.(IN THE NEWS ...)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Mitsui Foods, Inc. (MFI) signed an asset purchase agreement with Hartog Foods Inc. Hartog Foods will be integrated into MFI's newly created Ingredients Division which is focused on the ingredients and raw materials arena, particularly juice...

Postobon S.A. entered into an agreement under which it will purchase Productora de Jugos S.A., the Colombian-based juice business of Bavaria, S.A., a subsidiary of SABMiller, for $55.3 million in an all-cash transaction.(IN THE NEWS ...)
July 3, 2006... Postobon S.A. entered into an agreement under which it will purchase Productora de Jugos S.A., the Colombian-based juice business of Bavaria, S.A., a subsidiary of SABMiller, for $55.3 million in an all-cash transaction. Postobon will purchase...

Separately, SABMiller plc signed a co-operation agreement with Carbe.(IN THE NEWS ...)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Separately, SABMiller plc signed a co-operation agreement with Carbe, the majority shareholder of Postobon, which includes an intention to assist Postobon in the development of its international markets that will enable Organizacion Ardila...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(Market overview)(Statistical data)
July 3, 2006... POMEGRANATE--The pomegranate bloom is well underway in the southern San Joaquin Valley, CA. Demand for pomegranate juice is especially strong as there were 43 new juice mixes with pomegranate juice introduced this year alone, according to the...

Butter.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... BUTTER MARKET, JUNE 30 (Source: USDA) Cents Per Pound: 6/30/2006 6/23/2006 Chge. Grade AA 1.1505 1.1580 -0.0170

Cheese.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET JUNE 30 Cents Per Pound: 6/30/2006 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 1.1650 -0.0075 Blocks (40-lbs.) 1.1740 -0.0085

Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS JUNE 30 (Source: USDA) Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 30-Jun 23-Jun Chge. Extra Large-NY 51-55 55-59 -4 Large-NY 49-53 ...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)(Market overview)
July 3, 2006... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF JULY 3 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 58-61 57-60 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few Too Few Los...

Futures prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash July Sep. As of Jun. 30, 2006: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $2.10 $2.29 $2.40 Soybeans, bu. ...

Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last 30-Jun 23-Jun Year...

Farm prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
July 3, 2006... WHAT FARMERS WERE PAID FOR FARM PRODUCTS - JUNE (Source: USDA) % Chge. % Chge. Commodity & Unit June Last Mo. Last Yr. Beans, Dry Edible, Cwt. 18.500 -4.6% ...

Kosher moving into mainstream.
July 10, 2006... The nation's largest manufacturer of processed kosher food products is boosting its efforts to reach mainstream shoppers with its first campaign targeting the general market as well as consumers who traditionally purchase kosher products for...

Panera bread unveils dinner menu, kids' meals.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... The Panera Bread fast casual bakery cafe, with nearly 900 restaurants in 36 states, is launching a dinner menu for the first time. It will feature "Crispani" flat-bread pizzas made in each cafe's stone deck ovens. The six varieties of the...

Sbarro to launch prototype, explore opportunities for branded products.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Melville, NY-based Sbarro Inc., the nation's leading quick service Italian restaurant company, will debut a new fast-casual strip mall prototype this summer. Unlike traditional locations, the new prototype, slated to open in Blue Bell, PA, in...

At Albertsons, cross-merchandising ups chicken sales, increases efficiency.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... A cross-merchandising venture between Albertsons and TYSON FOODS, INC., whereby packages of Tyson chicken strips are marketed along side salad, spawned successfully from a five-store test to 1,800 Albertsons-owned grocery stores. What began as...

Exotic flavors spicing up menus.
July 10, 2006... Novel food experiences are popping up at fast food and fine dining establishments as chefs actively explore exotic flavors and culinary dishes from around the globe. Where are the new flavors coming from? China, Japan, India, Thailand, West...

Associated grocers goes back-to-basics.
July 10, 2006... Washington's largest food wholesaler, Associated Grocers (AG), is employing a back-to-basics strategy to get back on track under the leadership of CEO and Vice Chairman John Runyan. However, the fate of the 72-year-old retailer-owned...

Specialty beef demand growing.
July 10, 2006... Sales at steakhouses nationwide grew at a compound rate of 13% a year for the past five years, outpacing the overall restaurant rate of 6%. With in the full-service chain restaurant category, steak chains' sales increased 7.6% in 2005 and units...

Cold Stone using entertainment to reach customer base.(Cold Stone Creamery)
July 10, 2006... Cold Stone Creamery used entertainment as a differentiation tool when it entered retail ice-cream business, which was in the midst of industry-wide lackluster sales. The company's employees are encouraged to make a show of filling made-to-order...

Quick-service chains offering catering services to increase sales.
July 10, 2006... Double-digit same-store increases in several chains' large-order business catering operations were found in TECHNOMIC, INC.'S latest observation of lucrative foodservice business activities. Among the most profitable targets of these activities...

Alon USA Energy Inc. of Dallas, an oil refiner and convenience-store operator, closed on its purchase of 40 Good Time Stores in El Paso, TX, for approximately $26 million in cash, including approximately $2 million for inventory.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... ALON USA ENERGY INC. of Dallas, an oil refiner and convenience-store operator, closed on its purchase of 40 GOOD TIME STORES in El Paso, TX, for approximately $26 million in cash, including approximately $2 million for inventory. Alon, which...