The Food Institute Report articles from June 2003

The Food Institute Report archives from June 2003

Consumers intend to boost restaurant spending.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... A turnaround in the lagging restaurant industry has already surfaced and further gains are projected during the next three months, according to the newly-released findings of a weekly survey by The NPD Group. Fourteen percent of the respondents...

The fastest-growing dining category in 2002: doughnut shops.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... The fastest-growing dining category nationwide last year was doughnut shops. The $3.6 billion category experienced 9% sales growth last year--about twice the industry average, according to a yet-to-be-released study by Chicago, IL-based...

LaMar's Donuts expects over a thousand outlets within next 10 years.(LaMar's Donuts International Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Englewood, CO-based LaMar's Donuts International Inc. wants to grow while redefining its image with new products. The company is even giving strong consideration to staying open 24 hours, reported The Denver Business Journal (May 23). LaMar's...

Coca-Cola to launch new milk-based drink.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... The Coca-Cola Co. is planning to roll out a new milk-based drink called Swerve, reported The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (May 24). Swerve will be made with at least 50% milk, noted Beverage Digest in a report confirmed by Coca-Cola. With a low...

Healthy beverage drinkers know what they want.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Some 90% of consumers interested in "wellness" drink what they see as a healthy beverage at least once a day, and 38% have five or more such beverages daily, according to a survey by Bellevue, WA-based The Hartman Group reported in Research...

Heinz Frozen Food, a division of Heinz USA, is out with Poppers Bourbon Glazed Popcorn Chicken. (New Product Roundup).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Heinz Frozen Food, a division of Heinz USA, is out with Poppers Bourbon Glazed Popcorn Chicken, breaded white meat chicken smothered in a sesame bourbon flavored glaze...

Cranberry Gourmet. (New Product Roundup).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Cranberry Gourmet, Eugene, OR, has introduced Cranberry Gourmet Spiced Peach Cranberry Sauce, an all-natural product made from cranberries grown in Oregon. The company's line is touted as being made in small batches, by hand, preserving the...

SOUPerior Bean and Spice. (New Product Roundup).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... SOUPerior Bean and Spice, Prairie, WI, has expanded its Classics Gourmet Popping Corn line with Banana-Vanilla, Some More S'Mores, and Jalapeno Honey Lime varieties...

Hormel Foods. (New Product Roundup).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Hormel Foods, Austin MN, has introduced Chi-Chi's Fiesta Tortilla Soup Mix. The microwaveable mix simply requires the addition of water and salsa...

Jayone Foods. (New Product Roundup).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Jayone Foods, Paramount, CA, is marketing Jayone Foods Soy Pasta in specialty supermarkets. The three-variety line--Angel Hair, Fettuccini, and Spaghetti--is touted as having 30% soy and the taste and texture of regular fresh pasta. It is said...

Purely American. (New Product Roundup).(Slow Cooker Gourmet Meal Kits)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Purely American, Norfolk, VA, is out with Slow Cooker Gourmet Meal Kits. The varied line, which includes vegetarian options, is designed specifically for slow cookers, and requires only 15 minutes prep time. The meals can serve up to seven...

Request Foods. (New Product Roundup).(ary Ellen's Blessings At Home Fiesta Deep Dish Burrito)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Request Foods, Holland, MI, has introduced Mary Ellen's Blessings At Home Fiesta Deep Dish Burrito. The layered flour tortilla shells have beef, pork, bean, and two cheeses in a red sauce.

Bacon sales are sizzling.
June 2, 2003... Bacon, once considered breakfast-only meat, has evolved into a flavoring ingredient and entree, especially at restaurants. Bacon usage at eateries is growing at about 5% a year and reached about 1.4 billion pounds in 2001, according to the...

Pacific Rim's changing demographics make for a dynamic market.
June 2, 2003... The Pacific Rim is perceived to be one of the dynamic markets in terms of food exports, with an increasing demand for expensive and higher-quality foods among richer countries on the West and East coasts of the Pacific Ocean, according to...

Private label brands account for 17% of the $729 billion grocery industry.
June 2, 2003... Private label brands have increased market share in nine of the past 10 years and now represent approximately 17% of the $729 billion grocery industry, according to a report from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Building Shopper Loyalty With...

Electronic product code to replace SKUs?(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... The Uniform Code Council (UCC) and EAN International have set up a not-for-profit organization named AutoID, Inc., that aims to speed the adoption of radio frequency identification technology (RFID) via the adoption of electronic product code...

Foodservice sales among B&I top 150 increased slightly in 2002.(business and industry foodservice)
June 2, 2003... Foodservice sales at top corporations and industrial plants increased slightly in 2002, according to FoodService Director's 2002 Performance Report for business and industry foodservice, which surveyed 150 corporate and industrial, self-op and...

PepsiCo Inc. will spend at least $150 million over 18 months to build six more bottling plants in China.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * PepsiCo Inc. will spend at least $150 million over 18 months to build six more bottling plants in China, expanding production of its Pepsi, 7-Up and Mountain Dew drinks in a bid to close the gap with larger rival Coca-Cola Co. Pepsi's annual...

Spherix reports that PepsiCo is exploring the use of tagatose in several products, including beverages.
June 2, 2003... * Spherix reports that PepsiCo is exploring the use of tagatose in several products, including beverages. Tagatose first became commercially available this past April from Arla Foods of Denmark, Spherix's licensee for food and beverage uses of...

Peapod Inc. appears to have achieved in Chicago what no other online grocer has accomplished: Turning a profit without being tied to a local grocery chain.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Peapod Inc. appears to have achieved in Chicago what no other online grocer has accomplished: Turning a profit without being tied to a local grocery chain. Peapod, a subsidiary of Royal Ahold NV, is growing 25% annually, has 130,000...

Costco.(plans for new warehouses)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Costco plans to open three additional new warehouses prior to the end of its 2003 fiscal year on Aug. 31 and an additional 12 new warehouses, including the relocation of one warehouse to a larger and better-located facility, prior to the end...

The Food Bank for New York City.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * The Food Bank for New York City supplies 967 food pantries in the city's five boroughs compared to 35 in 1983. It distributes 61 million pounds of food from a 100,000-sq. ft. warehouse. More than half--33 million pounds--came from the federal...

Heineken.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * In a move to regain the leading position as an import beer in the U.S., Heineken is making a push to catch up to No. 1 Corona, spending $51 million annually on marketing and promotions...The Wall Street Journal (May27)

Kehe Food Distributors Inc.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Kehe Food Distributors Inc., Romeoville, IL, plans to build a 180,000-sq. ft. distribution center in Midlothian, TX and expects to have the $20 million facility open by 2004. The company distributes ethnic foods, gourmet items and natural...

Quorn, a leading brand of vegetarian meat-substitute products, was sold to Montagu Private Equity for 70 million [pounds sterling].(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Quorn, a leading brand of vegetarian meat-substitute products, was sold to Montagu Private Equity for 70 million [pounds sterling]. AstraZeneca, the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals group, put Marlow Foods, maker and distributor of Quorn, up for...

Beginning in June, Shaw's will introduce Shaw's By Request, powered by neXpansion's Endless Aisle technology.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Beginning in June, Shaw's will introduce Shaw's By Request, powered by neXpansion's Endless Aisle technology. The service will provide customers with easy access to a wide variety of items not available on store shelves, including regional...

Fresh Brands, Inc. entered into an agreement with Fleming Companies, Inc. for the purchase of a Rainbow Foods store in Racine, WI.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Fresh Brands, Inc. entered into an agreement with Fleming Companies, Inc. for the purchase of a Rainbow Foods store in Racine, WI.

The first Earl of Sandwich shop in the U.S. will be located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * The first Earl of Sandwich shop in the U.S. will be located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. It will feature hot sandwiches and freshly made potato chips. The company is also planning sites in New York and Chicago, but wants to have the...

Saratoga Spring Water.(online store)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Saratoga Spring Water is gearing up to launch an online store shortly. Customers will be able to reach the online store via the Saratoga website: www.saratogaspringwater.com.

U.S. Airways.(airline to sell food on flights)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * U.S. Airways will sell food on all domestic flights longer than two hours this summer, becoming the first major airline to adopt what could become the next trend in airline service...USAToday (May 29)

In mid-June, Delta Air Lines will begin a test program of selling food before flights at a few gates at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Ohio, its second-largest hub.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * In mid-June, Delta Air Lines will begin a test program of selling food before flights at a few gates at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Ohio, its second-largest hub. In July, Delta will test selling food on flights from...

A nationwide survey shows that when Americans--regardless of age, education, income level, and region--shop for beef and poultry, almost 74% are concerned about the presence of antibiotics in meat production.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * A nationwide survey shows that when Americans--regardless of age, education, income level, and region--shop for beef and poultry, almost 74% are concerned about the presence of antibiotics in meat production. Yet, 48% of Americans are aware...

A Washington-based gourmet food company, Winsoms LLC, is using Avure Technologies Incorporated's Fresher Under Pressure high-pressure processing (HPP) equipment to introduce a new line of chopped specialty onion products.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * A Washington-based gourmet food company, Winsoms LLC, is using Avure Technologies Incorporated's Fresher Under Pressure high-pressure processing (HPP) equipment to introduce a new line of chopped specialty onion products. With Avure's HPP...

Consumers prefer coupon by mail.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... CONSUMERS PREFER COUPON BY MAIL (Source: Madison Direct Marketing, Bellevue, WA) How Consumers Prefer to Receive Coupons In the mail 88% Sunday newspaper inserts 63% In the store 41% Magazine...

Mergers & acquisitions.(multiple briefs)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Boise, ID-based Agri Beef Co. acquired Washington Beef, a Toppenish, WA-based meat packing company...The Idaho Statesman (May 28). Miners Inc., Hermantown, MN, submitted an undisclosed bid for 31 of the 43 Rainbow stores on May 28, the...

Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted) Current % Chge. Year Year Ago BLUE SQUARE ISRAEL, LTD. (Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel) Qtr. To Mar. 31: Sales ...

Average organic farm acreage up from 1997.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Forty-four percent of organic farmers say the market for their organic farm products expanded in 2001, with 19% reporting expansion of 20% or more and 25% reporting expansion of between 5% and 19%. Meanwhile, only 6% say their markets shrunk...

Supermarket chains' plans to take on Wal-Mart.
June 2, 2003... If Wal-Mart's supercenters continue to expand at their current pace, within this decade, more than three-quarters of the nation's Krogers and Albertsons Inc. stores and more than half the Safeway Inc. outlets could be within 10 miles of a...

Supermarkets do a good job, consumers say.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Eighty-five percent of consumers believe supermarkets do a good job of serving their customers, while 75% feel this way about packaged food companies, according to a recent Harris Interactive poll ranking fifteen industries on how well they...

Dollar General Corp.(rise in first quarter profits)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Dollar General Corp. attributed its 31% rise in first-quarter profits to better inventory management, new store openings and increased grocery sales. Sales at stores open at least a year rose 4.2% in the recent quarter, helped by demand for...

Hale and Hearty Soups.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Hale and Hearty Soups, a Manhattan-based franchise, with 12 restaurants in New York City, will unveil a new website to permit ordering in the next few weeks-Crain's New York Business (May 26)

Famous Food Group, Inc. subsidiary, Famous Uncle Al's Hot Dogs, Inc., signed a regional franchise agreement.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... * Famous Food Group, Inc. subsidiary, Famous Uncle Al's Hot Dogs, Inc., signed a regional franchise agreement for the eastern section of North Carolina with FFS, Inc.

Irradiated ground beef for schools approved. (Washington).
June 2, 2003... USDA lifted its prohibition on irradiated ground beef in the national school lunch program, giving local school districts the option of ordering meat decontaminated with gamma rays, X-rays or electrons in January 2004, despite concern of...

Rulings issued in two salmon-related lawsuits. (Washington).
June 2, 2003... A federal judge in Portland, ME on May 28 banned the use of European salmon by Atlantic Salmon of Maine and Stolt Sea Farm Inc., two of Maine's largest fish farmers May 28, reported MaineToday.com (May 29). U.S. District Judge Gene Carter also...

OMB administrator recommends changes in dietary guidelines. (Washington).(John D. Graham, administrator of Office of Management and Budget)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... In a "prompt" letter sent May 28, John D. Graham, administrator of Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, asked USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to alter the U.S. Dietary...

More troubles for Ahold. (Washington).(accounting irregularities discovered at Tops Markets subsidiary)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... Dutch retailer Ahold, which this year uncovered an $880 million accounting hole at its U.S. Foodservice arm, has now unearthed "intentional accounting irregularities" at U.S. retail unit Tops Markets and other unspecified units. The world's...

Agencies to streamline implementation of prior notice requirements. (Washington).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... FDA and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will streamline the implementation of the prior notice requirements of the Bioterrorism Act by allowing food importers to provide required information on food imports to both agencies...

U.S. and Canada in talks to lift ban on Canadian beef imports. (Washington).
June 2, 2003... Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said he had spoken with U.S. agriculture officials about allowing some beef products across the border, including veal and muscle cuts from younger cattle. Vanclief spoke with Secretary of Agriculture Ann...

Food recalls reported. (Washington).
June 2, 2003... Dhaka Import and Export Co., Los Angeles, CA, is recalling 21,000 pounds of chicken products. The 1.2-lb. boxes of "favour-ita, THE FAMILY FAVOURITE, Chicken Biriyani." were distributed to retail stores and distributors in AZ, CA, GA, MI, NV,...

You should know ...(multiple briefs)
June 2, 2003... ... Grocers and mall owners are pushing a bill in Congress that would allow them to take tax deductions for buying metal detectors, surveillance cameras and other security equipment in their effort to fight terrorism although critics contend...

Regulatory agenda issued. (Noted In The Federal Register).(USDA)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... REGULATORY AGENDA ISSUED: USDA issued its semiannual regulatory agenda which provides summary descriptions of significant and not significant regulations being developed in agencies of the USDA in conformance with Executive Order 12866...

Spearmint oil assessment rate. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... SPEARMINT OIL ASSESSMENT RATE: USDA issued a final rule, effective June 2, 2003, that increases the assessment rate established for the Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee for the 2003-2004 and subsequent marketing years from $0.09 to $0.10...

Change in disease status of Canada because of BSE. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... CHANGE IN DISEASE STATUS OF CANADA BECAUSE OF BSE: USDA is amending the regulations by adding Canada to the list of regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy exists because the disease has been detected in an animal in that region. This...

Beef from Uruguay. (Noted In The Federal Register).(trade regulations)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... BEEF FROM URUGUAY: USDA is amending the regulations governing the importation of certain animals, meat and other animal products to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from Uruguay. Based on the...

Extension & revision of a currently approved information collection. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Food Safety and Inspection Service)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... EXTENSION & REVISION OF A CURRENTLY APPROVED INFORMATION COLLECTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, a notice announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's...

Guidance document for dairy processors exporting to Chile. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR DAIRY PROCESSORS EXPORTING TO CHILE: FDA announced the availability of a document entitled "Guidance for Industry and FDA; Establishing and Maintaining a List of U.S. Dairy Product Manufacturers/Processors With Interest in...

Fresh salmon from Chile. (Noted In The Federal Register).(antidumping review requested)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... FRESH SALMON FROM CHILE: In accordance with section 751(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and 19 CFR 351.216(b)(2003) of the Department of Commerce's regulations, L.R. Enterprises, Inc., Heritage Salmon Inc., Maine Nordic Salmon, Stolt...

National Poultry Improvement Plan. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... NATIONAL POULTRY IMPROVEMENT PLAN: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to amend the National Poultry Improvement Plan (the Plan) and its auxiliary provisions by providing new or modified sampling and testing...

Inspection of swine. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Brief Article)
June 2, 2003... INSPECTION OF SWINE: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing to amend the regulations pertaining to the interstate movement of swine by limiting the requirement for mandatory veterinary inspections, at intervals of 30...

Produce. (Markets).(fruit industry data)
June 2, 2003... APPLES--A lawsuit settlement will allow the Washington Apple Commission to remain in business, retain its logo and administer a foreign agricultural trade program. Under the settlement, the commission will continue its nonspeech functions based...

Canned vegetables. (Markets).(sales data)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... SUPERMARKET SALES--During the first quarter of 2003, supermarket shoppers purchased 796.6 million pounds of canned vegetables valued at $595.5 million. Total volume sales declined from the first quarter of last year and were at their lowest...

Tomato products. (Markets).(exports data)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... *USDA HAS PURCHASED TOMATO PRODUCTS* *Shipments between July 1, 2003 - Sept. 30, 2003* Cases Delivered Cost Spaghetti Sauce, Meatless (24/300) 136,080 $948,623 Del Monte Foods...

Frozen vegetables. (Markets).(exports, inventory data)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... ***USDA HAS PURCHASED*** FROZEN ASPARAGUS *Shipments between July 16, 2003- Dec. 31, 2003* Cases Delivered Cost Asparagus (12/2.5 lb.) 45,600 $1,375,344 Coloma Frozen Foods Inc. ...

Canned fruits. (Markets).(exports, price data)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... SELECTED U.S. EXPORTS OF CANNED FRUIT JAN. 1-APR. 1, 2003 (Source: Bureau of Census) Volume (1,000 Lbs.) 2002 % Chge. Citrus Fruits 27,801 26,853 ...

Processed fish. (Markets).(harvest, exports data)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... Canadian Processor To Suspend Some Operations Fishery Products International (FPI) will join other processors in Newfoundland, Canada and suspend operations at its crab and shrimp plants in an orderly fashion. The affected plants are in Port...

Dried vegetables. (Markets).(exports data)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... DRIED BEANS--Trading remains slow with light to very light demand. Planting continues throughout the U.S. and several states are between 35% and 50% done with planting. U.S. exports of dried beans as of Apr. 1 were down 18% to 105.9...

Dried fruits. (Markets).(exports, raisin rules)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... **USDA HAS OFFERED TO PURCHASE** RAISINS *Offers due by June 5, l p.m. CT.* No. of Cases Natural Thompson (sun-dried) (}1) 293,436 Seedless Raisins, 144/1.33-oz. Natural Thompson...

Nuts & nutmeats. (Markets).(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... The Nuts & Nutmeats Market Info Center Is Here! For members only, five years of detailed, up-to-date statistics are finally just a click away. Everything from acreage & production, to pricing and imports/exports are all right here. To see...

Frozen fruits. (Markets).(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... RASPBERRIES--For the week ending May 25, raspberries were in full foliage with no flowering at this time in Whatcom County, WA. REGIONAL HOLDINGS OF FROZEN RED RASPBERRIES - MAY 1 (Source: USDA/NASS) 1,000 Pounds: 2003 ...

Juices & concentrates. (Markets).(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... BANANA PULP--As of Apr. 1, the U.S. imported 14.7 million pounds of banana pulp, about 4% more than the prior year. Costa Rica and the Philippines were the only suppliers to increase their shipments to the U.S. South American Banana Puree...

Butter. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... BUTTER MARKET, MAY 30 (Source: USDA) Cents Per Pound: 05/30/2003 05/23/2003 Chge. Grade AA 110.50 109.50 +1.00

Cheese. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET MAY 30 Cents Per Pound: 05/30/2003 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Baxrels 110.25 +0.50 Blocks 113.25 NC

Eggs. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS May 30 (Source: USDA) This Week Ending Chng. From Wk. Cents per dozen: Week May 23 Ending May 16 Extra Large-NY 76-80 71-75 +5 Large-NY...

Chicken. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF JUNE 2 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 52.00-55.00 52.00-55.00 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few Too...

Futures prices. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... Futures Prices (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash July Sept. As of May 29, 2003: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $2.39 $2.4500 $2.4325 Soybeans, bu....

Commodity prices. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 2, 2003... Commodity Prices (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last May 29 May 22 ...

Wal-Mart to direct its suppliers to use RFID chips.(cases and pallets to have radio frequency identification chips)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Wal-Mart will direct its top 100 suppliers to have all their cases and pallets "chipped" with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology by Jan. 1, 2005. "The top 100 Wal-Mart suppliers will use something like eight billion tags a year,"...

Ahold said to be looking at selling foodservice unit.(US Foodservice distribution unit)
June 9, 2003... Embattled Dutch retailer Ahold would not comment on published reports last week that it is considering selling all or part of its US Foodservice distribution unit. The Financial Times (June 4) cited unnamed sources as saying the...

Smart & Final sheds Florida business.(sells business to Gordon Food Service)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Grand Rapids, MI-based foodservice distributor Gordon Food Service, plans to purchase the Florida food-service direct delivery and stores businesses of Los Angeles-based Smart & Final Inc. subject to the negotiation of a definitive agreement....

Foodservice industry forecast revised downward.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Despite some signs of a turnaround in the restaurant and foodservice sectors, Technomic Inc. revised its industry forecast and now projects a 1.3% nominal growth rate for the foodservice industry in 2003, down from its original forecast of 3%....

Starbucks facing challenges outside North America.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Starbucks' overseas expansion is running into trouble, reported BusinessWeek Online (June 9). Now operating in 30 countries outside the U.S. and Canada, Starbucks cafes have encountered various problems, from high startup costs to stiff...

Cargill looking for its place in the worldwide market for "functional foods".
June 9, 2003... Cargill is preparing a push into nutrition additives, starting with a prototype dubbed "Bone Appetite"--a raspberry tea to strengthen bones. Intended to appeal to women, the raspberry tea contains AdvantaSoy, Cargill's trademark line of a...

Consignment model proves successful for one grocery company.(Grocery Outlet Inc. )
June 9, 2003... Grocery Outlet Inc. (GOI), originally called Canned Foods Inc., is a 118-store discount grocery company now generating annual revenue of $500 million. GOI continues to rely on the consignment model, procuring inventory at low costs from...

Tortillas are the second most popular bread type in America.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2003... Having cornered 32% of the sales for the U.S. bread industry, tortillas trail white bread sales by only two percentage points--making them the second most popular bread type in America with sales that far surpass those of whole wheat bread,...