The Food Institute Report articles from June 2007

The Food Institute Report archives from June 2007

Warehouse clubs, a $173.2 billion market by 2011, $98.2 billion in food, projects J.M. Degen.
June 4, 2007... The warehouse club industry has been opening about 50 net units annually for the past few years, largely due to expansion by COSTCO whose management recently indicated could have 1,000 Costco clubs in operation by 2011. If realized, that would...

Wal-Mart's growth/roadblock cited in two reports.
June 4, 2007... Although a confidential report from its former advertising agency concluded that the reputation for discounts at the nation's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has worked against its efforts to move upscale, a report from USDA'S ECONOMIC RESEARCH...

Whole foods adding more stores, distribution center.(Whole Foods Market Inc.)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... The nation's leading natural and organic foods retailer is pursuing aggressive growth, adding 18 to 20 stores this fiscal year, and opening a record six new stores during the quarter, bringing the total new stores opened to 15 in the past year....

Cargill's shifting focus includes breakfast and other food items.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... "The Holy Grail of breakfast nutrition" will be pursued by Cargill's new chief executive, Gregory Page, as he takes the helm on June 1. The goal reflects change at the world's largest agribusiness group, outlined the Financial Times (May 30)....

Brinker International, Inc. reached a new franchise and development agreement with franchisee ERJ Dining.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
June 4, 2007... BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC. reached a new franchise and development agreement with franchisee ERJ DINING, whereby ERJ Dining will acquire 76 existing CHILI'S GRILL & BAR restaurants and develop 49 new locations in the Midwest region of the U.S....

The Juan Valdez coffee-shop chain signed a distribution deal with Coca-Cola Food Service to sell Colombian coffee in vending machines at 11,000 locations in the U.S. Coca-Cola Co.'s foodservice division signed the deal with Procafecol, the Colombian company that owns the Juan Valdez brand.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... THE JUAN VALDEZ coffee-shop chain signed a distribution deal with COCA-COLA FOOD SERVICE to sell Colombian coffee in vending machines at 11,000 locations in the U.S. Coca-Cola Co.'s foodservice division signed the deal with PROCAFECOL, the...

Starbucks Coffee Company.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
June 4, 2007... STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY is switching from whole to reduced fat (2%) milk in all Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2007. Also, Starbucks is assessing options for conversion to lower fat dairy in the 39 markets it operates in...

Mexican restaurant chain Abuelo's plans to open two additional restaurants this year in Tennessee and Virginia.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
June 4, 2007... Mexican restaurant chain ABUELO'S plans to open two additional restaurants this year in Tennessee and Virginia. A second Florida location, in Kissimmee, is expected to open in early 2008. The company, owned by FOOD CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL of...

The Steak N Shake Company.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
June 4, 2007... THE STEAK N SHAKE COMPANY converted to zero trans fat frying oils in all 478 restaurants throughout 19 states.

Tim Hortons Inc., Oakville, Ontario, is having difficulty building a customer base at its southern New England stores, which were obtained in a 2004 acquisition of the Bess Eaton chain.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... TIM HORTONS INC., Oakville, Ontario, is having difficulty building a customer base at its southern New England stores, which were obtained in a 2004 acquisition of the BESS EATON chain. If things don't improve at the Connecticut, Massachusetts...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC., Greenwood Village, CO, plans to slow its store expansion as the company refocuses on building a national image, Red Robin executives said in a conference call. Red Robin opened 18 new locations during the first...

Zpizza.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
June 4, 2007... Pizza chain ZPIZZA signed deals with three franchisees to open 19 stores in Atlanta, GA. The move is part of the company's plan to add 200 units in 15 states, including 100 by 2008... Atlanta Business Chronicle (May 25)

Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q.(ON THE FOODSERVICE FRONT)
June 4, 2007... JIM 'N NICK'S BAR-B-Q will open locations in Arizona and North Carolina and build a new corporate headquarters in Liberty Park, AL. The company, which touts everything in its restaurant is made from scratch, had between $90 million and $100...

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., A&P, which is planning to acquire Pathmark, is looking to negotiate a new contract with C&S Wholesale Grocers, which currently supplies both chains.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC., A&P, which is planning to acquire PATHMARK, is looking to negotiate a new contract with C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS, which currently supplies both chains. (For initial merger bid and related news, see...

Through a partnership with Austin, TX-based PGA Beef, Inc., A&P was granted an exclusive license.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
June 4, 2007... Through a partnership with Austin, TX-based PGA BEEF, INC., A&P was granted an exclusive license to carry Premium Gold Angus Beef at more than 350 banner stores in the Northeast, including A&P, SUPERFRESH, WALDBAUM'S, and THE FOOD EMPORIUM.

Bristol Farms will start selling Safe Harbor certified seafood exclusively in all of its 15 Southern California stores and its San Francisco store.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
June 4, 2007... BRISTOL FARMS will start selling Safe Harbor certified seafood exclusively in all of its 15 Southern California stores and its San Francisco store. Safe Harbor seafood is certified to be lower in mercury than government standards through...

Coca-Cola and Pepsico agreed to stop directly financing research that uses animals to test or develop their products, except where such testing is required by law.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... COCA-COLA and PEPSICO agreed to stop directly financing research that uses animals to test or develop their products, except where such testing is required by law. Also, Coca-Cola said it would discontinue a grant given to a researcher at...

The Coca-Cola Co.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... E. Neville Isdell, the chairman and CEO of THE COCA-COLA CO., is retooling some of Coke's bottlers across the globe. He is buying up troubled players, pushing them to reform their operations and packing boards of the largest operations with...

Heinz.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Heinz Frozen Food Co.)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... HEINZ has a global pipeline of more than 200 new products designed to meet consumer demands for convenient healthy foods. The Pittsburgh, PA-based firm plans to support these initiatives with further increased marketing of $30 to $40 million...

Supervalus Bigg.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... SUPERVALU'S BIGG'S store in Cincinnati, OH's Pleasant Ridge will be remodeled to offer more variety and extended departments, with a particular focus on kosher foods. It is the third store to undergo a remodeling, following the Bigg's in Skytop...

7-Eleven Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... 7-ELEVEN INC. plans to convert its company-operated stores in the Washington, DC area to franchises as part of a national strategy to become a fully franchised business. So far this year, 12 company-operated stores were turned into franchises,...

General Mills Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
June 4, 2007... GENERAL MILLS INC. will introduce four Chinese dinner kits in the U.S. under its Wanchai Ferry brand. Flavors include sweet and sour chicken, spicy garlic chicken, Kung Pao chicken and cashew chicken. The meal kits are already sold in France...

Cuisine Solutions, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... CUISINE SOLUTIONS, INC., Alexandria, VA, will increase the capacity at its U.S. facility by 60% and expects its new equipment to be installed and operational in July. Cuisine Solutions utilizes the "Sous-Vide" technology, whereby food such as...

Kraft Foods Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
June 4, 2007... KRAFT FOODS INC. will launch a reclosable tray for Oscar Mayer bacon, which will keep meat fresher longer and be easier to open. The 12-oz. plastic container of bacon is expected to cost on average $3.99 at grocery stores.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
June 4, 2007... One half of a cup of soy nuts each day may work as well as anti-hypertension medication to lower blood pressure in postmenopausal women, according to researchers at BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER, Boston... Reuters (May 29)

Despite being sold, Crystal Cream & Butter Co. kept its contracts in recent years by offering a premium to farmers to not use the synthetic growth hormone rBST.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Despite being sold, CRYSTAL CREAM & BUTTER CO. kept its contracts in recent years by offering a premium to farmers to not use the synthetic growth hormone rBST. The new owner of Crystal, HP HOOD LLC, markets all of its New England brands as...

TNS Retail Forward.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Survey)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... U.S. men are doing more and more grocery shopping, both for themselves and their families, but retailers are still not doing much to make the trip any more enticing, say retail consultants and industry experts, according to Reuters (May 27)....

Sales of Two Buck Chuck accounted for at least 8% of California wine sold in-state last year, according to Woodland-based Fredrikson, Gomberg & Associates.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Sales of Two Buck Chuck accounted for at least 8% of California wine sold in-state last year, according to Woodland-based FREDRIKSON, GOMBERG & ASSOCIATES. The wine, released by vinter Fred Franzia under the formal label of Charles Shaw wines,...

American Italian Pasta Company.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
June 4, 2007... AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY, Kansas City, MO, reintroduced its Mueller's, Heartland, and Golden Grain multi grain pasta lines under a whole grain banner.

Albertson's LLC will require temperature monitoring devices on all inbound produce, fresh meat and seafood shipments to its distribution centers.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
June 4, 2007... ALBERTSON'S LLC will require temperature monitoring devices on all inbound produce, fresh meat and seafood shipments to its distribution centers. The Boise-based company will be employing the PakSense Smart Label provided by PAKSENSE, INC.

Appetite for refrigerated dog food soaring.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Freshpet, a refrigerated dog food brand introduced last July by a New Jersey company, is experiencing brisk growth, following the industrywide petfood contamination crisis, which surfaced in March. Sales of Freshpet, manufactured by...

Kashi Company.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
June 4, 2007... KASHI COMPANY, La Jolla, CA, introduced its first granola cereal--Kashi Granola, featuring an all-natural blend of fruits, nuts and seven whole grains...

Del Monte Foods.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
June 4, 2007... DEL MONTE FOODS entered the energy beverage category with Bloom Energy, formulated specifically for women. The fruit-filled energy drink is available in berry, cran raspberry, and mango passion-fruit flavors...

Niman Ranch.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
June 4, 2007... NIMAN RANCH, Oakland, CA, introduced four sausage flavors (Thai Spice, Spicy Italian, Apple Gouda and Chipotle Cheddar), three frank flavors (Cajun Three Pepper, Southwest Fajita and Jalapeno Cheddar) and three bacon flavors (Black Pepper,...

Old London, a brand of Nonni's Food Company.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
June 4, 2007... OLD LONDON, a brand of NONNI'S FOOD COMPANY, is rolling out Old London Pita Chips, in whole grain, lightly slated and garlic varieties....

Snapple, part of Cadbury Schweppes portfolio.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
June 4, 2007... SNAPPLE, part of CADBURY SCHWEPPES portfolio, added Snapple Classic Black Teas to the company's good-for-you, ready-to-drink beverage line...

Harry's Fresh Foods.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
June 4, 2007... HARRY'S FRESH FOODS, Portland, OR, will be adding seven ready-to-serve organic side dishes to its line in June...

Corbin Kitchens.(NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP)
June 4, 2007... CORBIN KITCHENS, Santa Ana, CA, is introducing Small Bites--mini cheeseburgers, mini patty melts, mini grilled cheese sandwiches and two varieties of mini tamales.

CKE Restaurants, Inc., Carpinteria, CA, reached an agreement to sell its La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill restaurants to Thousand Oaks, CA-based Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, led by David Kim and M Plus Capital, Santa Monica, CA.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... CKE RESTAURANTS, INC., Carpinteria, CA, reached an agreement to sell its LA SALSA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL restaurants to Thousand Oaks, CA-based BAJA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL, led by DAVID KIM and M PLUS CAPITAL, Santa Monica, CA. SANTA BARBARA...

HM Capital Partners LLC, a Dallas-based private equity firm, signed a definitive agreement to sell Swift & Company, Greeley, Co, to J&F Participacoes S.A., Brazil, in an all-cash transaction representing an enterprise value of approximately $1.4 billion.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... HM CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC, a Dallasbased private equity firm, signed a definitive agreement to sell SWIFT & COMPANY, Greeley, CO, to J&F PARTICIPACOES S.A., Brazil, in an all-cash transaction representing an enterprise value of approximately $1.4...

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Melville, NY, reached an agreement to acquire the tofu and meat-alternative business of Whitewave Foods Company, a subsidiary of Dean Foods Company, Dallas.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... THE HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP, INC., Melville, NY, reached an agreement to acquire the tofu and meat-alternative business of WHITEWAVE FOODS COMPANY, a subsidiary of DEAN FOODS COMPANY, Dallas. These products are sold under the brand names TofuTown...

Martha Uhlhorn, owner of La Bonne Bouchee wholesale bakery, acquired Gourmet To Go, a corporate catering and retail business in St. Louis.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
June 4, 2007... MARTHA UHLHORN, owner of LA BONNE BOUCHEE wholesale bakery, acquired GOURMET TO GO, a corporate catering and retail business in St. Louis. Plans call for expanding with a fourth Gourmet to Go retail store in Chesterfield this summer... St....

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. Montvale, NJ.(M&A RELATED NEWS)
June 4, 2007... THE GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC., Montvale, NJ, is in advanced negotiations with a number of buyers for its 21 SAV-A-CENTER stores based in Louisiana.

The Coca-Cola Company.(M&A RELATED NEWS)
June 4, 2007... THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, Atlanta, is in talks to buy Britain's No. 2 bottled water brand Highland Spring in a potential $992.7 million deal, British Sunday newspapers the Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph reported, citing industry sources....

The Justice Department tentatively approved Monsanto Co.'s $1.5 billion acquisition of agriculture company Scott, MS-based Delta And Pine Land Co., on the condition that the companies sell assets related to cottonseed production.(M&A RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... The Justice Department tentatively approved MONSANTO CO.'S $1.5 billion acquisition of agriculture company Scott, MS-based DELTA AND PINE LAND CO., on the condition that the companies sell assets related to cottonseed production. As part of the...

Travelcenters of America LLC, Westlake, OH, acquired the operating businesses of Petro Stopping Centers, LP for $630 million.(M&A RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC, Westlake, OH, acquired the operating businesses of PETRO STOPPING CENTERS, LP for $630 million. Simultaneously with this acquisition, 40 Petro travel centers were leased from HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES TRUST. Prior to...

Red Robin International, Inc., a subsidiary of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire 18 franchised Red Robin restaurants (17 existing restaurants and one currently under construction) in California from Top Robin Ventures, Inc. and Morite of California for $47.5 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... RED ROBIN INTERNATIONAL, INC., a subsidiary of RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC., entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire 18 franchised RED ROBIN restaurants (17 existing restaurants and one currently under construction) in California...

Smart & Final Inc. completed its merger with an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P., in a transaction valued at approximately $812.9 million.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... SMART & FINAL INC. completed its merger with an affiliate of APOLLO MANAGEMENT, L.P., in a transaction valued at approximately $812.9 million. In addition, Smart & Final announced the completion of Apollo's acquisition of a subsidiary of...

Warner Candy Co., Elk Grove Village, IL, and Blueberry Hill Foods, El Paso, TX, merged, combining two manufacturing and repackaging companies in the candy and snacks sector.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
June 4, 2007... WARNER CANDY CO., Elk Grove Village, IL, and BLUEBERRY HILL FOODS, El Paso, TX, merged, combining two manufacturing and repackaging companies in the candy and snacks sector. The merged business will be named SIMPLY GOODIES LLP. Warner Candy is...

Latest financial reports.(Statistical table)
June 4, 2007... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS Current % Change Year Year Ago AMBEV (SAO PAULO, BRAZIL) Year to Dec. 31: Sales 17,613,700 10.4%...

Ray Bros. & Noble Canning Co., Inc.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Ray Brothers and Noble Canning Inc.)(Company overview)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... The Ray Bros. & Noble Canning Co., Inc. is a family-owned tomato grower/processor located in Central Indiana, in Operation since 1925. Their Midwestern grown product lines include; whole peeled, diced, and sliced stewed tomatoes, diced tomatoes...

Washington Red Raspberry Commission.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... The Washington Red Raspberry Commission (WRRC) helps raspberry growers with field research, developing market opportunities, and engaging in fair trade discussions. The WRRC is funded by grower assessments and is governed by a grower elected...

Carlos Steffens, Inc.(FI MEMBER PROFILE)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Headquartered in Livermore, CA, Carlos Steffens, Inc. is one of the largest industrial ingredient brokers in the U.S., Specializing in concentrated fruit juice products. With suppliers located throughout the world and mainly in South America,...

FDA releases perchlorate data surveys.(WASHINGTON)(Survey)
June 4, 2007... FDA's CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY AND APPLIED NUTRITION (CFSAN) estimated human exposure to perchlorate through consumption of 27 foods and beverages for which CFSAN collected data on perchlorate levels. For the mean population (all ages 2+ years)...

New health claim for Frito-Lay.(WASHINGTON)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... FRITO-LAY will now carry claims that products with unsaturated fat, including vegetable oils, salad dressings, crackers and other oil containing foods, can curb the risk of heart disease. The company notified FDA in January about its intent to...

FDA launches new labeling submission process.(WASHINGTON)(Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... FDA launched a new web-based submission process for small businesses to file an annual notice of exemption from the nutrition labeling requirements. The new process will make it easier for businesses to update their information. In addition,...

FDA examines how consumers view label Health Claims.(WASHINGTON)
June 4, 2007... An Experimental Study of Health Claims on Food Packages by FDA found that consumers are more likely to consider buying products with health claims when the claim mentions the nutrient responsible for the benefit. Similarly, the purchase intent...

Food product recalls reported.(WASHINGTON)
June 4, 2007... The May 30 FDA Enforcement Report from FDA included the following recalls: Jermuk Sodium Calcium Bicarbonate and Sulphate Mineral Water, 500ml bottle was recalled by IMPORTERS DIRECT WHOLESALE CO., Los Angeles, CA, by press statement on...

.... CKE Restaurants Inc. sued Jack In The Box.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)
June 4, 2007... ... . CKE RESTAURANTS INC. sued JACK IN THE BOX over the chain's recent ads suggesting it uses a better quality meat than CKE's Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, reported MSNBC.

.... Kellogg Co. is nearing an agreement to prevent a threatened $1 billion lawsuit by agreeing to impose new limits on its marketing.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... ... . KELLOGG CO. is nearing an agreement to prevent a threatened $1 billion lawsuit by agreeing to impose new limits on its marketing. In January 2006, the CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST and CAMPAIGN FOR COMMERCIAL-FREE KIDS...

.... The Kroger Co.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)
June 4, 2007... ... . THE KROGER CO. reached a tentative agreement on a new contract that covers over 9,900 Kroger associates at 101 stores in the Detroit metropolitan area.

.... California Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) asked USDA to rescind its 2006 approval of the "100 percent natural" labeling on chicken.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)
June 4, 2007... ... . California Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) asked USDA to rescind its 2006 approval of the "100 percent natural" labeling on chicken, saying it is unfair to producers of non-enhanced chicken and could mislead people into buying products with...

.... A U.S. district judge denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... ... . A U.S. district judge denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges soft-drink manufacturers are selling drinks made with ingredients that can form cancer-causing benzene, reported The Associated Press. In the suit, plaintiffs are...

.... New Jersey's health department is starting a new Office of Nutrition and Fitness.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... ... . New Jersey's health department is starting a new Office of Nutrition and Fitness to better coordinate programs to prevent obesity. The state has the highest percentage of overweight and obese children under age five, at 17.7%, according to...

Casey's General Stores Inc.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)
June 4, 2007... ... . Convenience store chain CASEY'S GENERAL STORES INC. was sued in federal court as two assistant managers allege that the company violated federal law by avoiding paying them overtime, reported The Associated Press.

.... Most federal legislators want to enact fiscal incentives to produce more biofuel crops.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... ... . Most federal legislators want to enact fiscal incentives to produce more biofuel crops, particularly cellulosic ethanol. If South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune has his way, there will be incentives for farmers to produce switchgrass,...

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)
June 4, 2007... ... . The New Jersey State Supreme Court certified a class-action lawsuit against WAL-MART STORES INC. filed by employees who allege the retailer deprived them of rest and meal breaks while forcing them to work "off the clock," reported Reuters....

Melamine risk assessment.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... MELAMINE RISK ASSESSMENT: FDA released an "Interim Melamine and Melamine Analogues Safety/Risk Assessment," describing the risk to human health associated with eating pork, chicken, fish, and eggs from animals that were inadvertently fed animal...

Imported wood packing material.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)
June 4, 2007... IMPORTED WOOD PACKING MATERIAL: USDA is reopening the comment period for the supplemental environmental impact statement prepared for the Importation of Solid Wood Packing Material Final Environmental Impact Statement. This action will allow...

U.S.-Chile free Trade.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... U.S.-CHILE FREE TRADE: The U.S. Trade Representative announced the opportunity to file petitions requesting accelerated tariff elimination and changes to the rules of origin under the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement by July 20. The U.S. and...

NAFTA Sweetener dispute.(NOTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER)
June 4, 2007... NAFTA SWEETENER DISPUTE: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) provided notice that on Mar. 15, 2007, Mexico requested consultations, under Article 2006 of the North American Free Trade Agreement, regarding certain U.S. measures,...

Produce.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... BROCCOLI--Out of Salinas/Watsonville, CA demand is very light with a wide range in price. Cartons bunched 14s are $4.00-$6.45, mostly $4.00-$5.45, occasionally higher and lower; bunched 18s $4.50-$6.95, mostly $4.50-$5.95, occasionally higher...

As of June 29, USDA is amending the regulations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.(IN THE NEWS ...)
June 4, 2007... As of June 29, USDA is amending the regulations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) to ensure that the status of sellers of perishable agricultural commodities as trust creditors is protected when electronic data...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... ASPARAGUS--Processor prices of 6/10 canned asparagus are between $37.00-$37.25, f.o.b. Midwest. Processor prices of asparagus in 24/300 cases are between $18.00-$18.50, f.o.b. Midwest. CANNED/ GLASS VEGETABLE EXPORTS, JAN. 1 - APR. 1,...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... Throughout California, tomato growers are cultivating, hand weeding and irrigating their fields and some tomato fields are being treated with herbicides for weed control. CANNED TOMATOES--Exports of canned tomatoes, whole/pieces were 89.0...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... GREEN BEANS--Retail packs are trading for $7.50--$7.65, f.o.b. East Coast. Industrial size packs are between 55 to 62 cents per pound, f.o.b. East Coast. USDA HAS PURCHASED FROZEN VEGETABLES * Shipments between Aug. 16 - Nov. 15,...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... PEARS--Foodservice pricing for 6/10 canned Bartlett pears $22.25--$22.50. Pricing on 24/300 is $15.50. Pricing on 12/2.5 is $12.00. USDA HAS PURCHASED CANNED FRUIT * Shipments between June 16--June 30, 2007 * ...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... Analyst: Justin Marsling 201-791-5570 ext. 226 jmarsling@foodinstitute.com SHRIMP--Gulf shrimp landings as of May 1 totaled 9.8 million pounds, down 37% from one year ago. Texas leads in total Gulf production, bringing in 4.0 million...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... DRIED BEANS--Dry edible bean trading remains very slow, as there remains limited amounts of classes available. Demand is moderate at best for remaining supplies. Most regions are just beginning to plant with the exception of North Dakota, which...

Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... ALMONDS--The 2007 almond crop is predicted to be valued at $2.2 billion, which is a 2% increase over last year and the second highest valued on record. Americans increased their almond consumption to 1.05 pounds per person this year....

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... CHERRIES--IQF dark sweet cherries in 40 lb cartons are priced at $1.25 per pound, f.o.b. MI. RTP Cheery 5+1 in 30 lb pails are priced around 83 cents per pound, f.o.b. MI. BLUEBERRIES--Reported MI/NW Cultivated Blueberries Grade A, are...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... ORANGE JUICE--Both the supply and demand for orange juice has been below average throughout the 2006/07-season. The small Florida orange crop, along with the lowest beginning juice stocks in almost a decade, resulted in supply this year...

Butter.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... BUTTER MARKET, JUNE 1 Cents Per Pound: 6/1/2007 5/25/2007 Chge. Grade AA N/A 1.4995 N/A (Source: USDA)

Cheese.(MARKETS)
June 4, 2007... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET JUNE 1 Cents Per Pound: 6/1/2007 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels N/A N/A Blocks (40-lbs.) N/A N/A