The Food Institute Report articles from March 2002

The Food Institute Report archives from March 2002

Final 2001 Merger & Acquisition Summary: Activity Waned In 2001 As Only Five Of 29 Categories Saw More Activity.(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... The final tally of merger and acquisition activity among food and food-related firms for 2001 shows just 516 transactions for the entire year, according to exclusive Food Institute data. That's down nearly one-fifth from the 641 deals reported...

Burger King To Recruit New Franchisees.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... For the first time in five years, Burger King will begin aggressively soliciting new franchisees in targeted markets, including Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, hoping to recruit between 20 and 25 new franchisees over the next six months, reported...

Positive Start For 2002 "Real Sales".(Grocery stores and eating places)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... "Real" (deflated) sales in the nation's grocery stores during January were a positive 2.2%, according to preliminary Food Institute estimates. That compares to a positive 2.4% in January 2001 versus 2000, but a negative 0.49% for all of 2001....

Sales And Taste Improve For Frozen Foods.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Sales of frozen prepared foods reached $7.2 billion in 2001, up from $6.7 billion in 2000, according to ACNielsen. Recent improvements in technology, ingredients, packaging and the relatively nigh profit margins associated with frozen foods...

Starbucks' International Expansion Heats Up.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... On a global basis, Seattle, WA-based Starbucks Coffee Co. plans to open at least 1,200 new stores in 2002. The first Starbucks store is scheduled to open in Mexico City by the end of this year, through a joint-venture agreement between...

Customer Satisfaction At All Time High In Fast Food Industry.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... In the final quarter of 2001, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for the fast food industry was at an all time nigh, at 71. While the industry as a whole remains below the score of the retail sector (for more on the retail...

Top Selling Super Bowl Consumer Packaged Goods.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Supermarket dollar sales of consumer packaged goods (CPG) for this year's Super Bowl were up 6% versus the prior year, according IRI PuIxe[TM]: SuperBowl XXXVI report. The study by Information Resources, Inc. compared supermarket sales of 289...

Shoney's, Inc.(Lawsuit to block buyout by Lone Star Funds)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Shoney's, Inc., Nashville, has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the buyout of the company by Texas equity fund investor Lone Star Funds...TENNESSEAN.com (Feb. 27)

Smithfield Foods Inc.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Smithfield Foods Inc. of Virginia has been awarded a contract to replace Hormel Foods Corp. as the exclusive provider of fresh pork to Jewel -Osco, the largest supermarket chain in the Chicago area. Hormel will continue to supply other...

An Omaha plant where TV dinners were created nearly 50 years ago closed.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * An Omaha plant where TV dinners were created nearly 50 years ago closed on Mar 1, however, Swanson products will be continued to be produced at another downtown Omaha facility, reported Pinnacle Foods Corp. The company will be spending $35...

Publix Super Markets, Inc.(Delays the launch of its online shopping service)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lakeland, FL, is delaying the Atlanta, GA, launch of its online shopping service at least eight months, and possibly into 2003. PublixDirect, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Publix, was created in 2000 to operate the...

P.F. Chang's China Bistro.(Will buy out five equity partners)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Scottsdale, AZ, is planning to buy out five equity partners this year for about $6 million. It did not reveal who the partners were...restaurantbiz.com (Feb. 21)

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.(Kosher doughnut shops)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., Winston-Salem, NC, is considering making a West Palm Beach store, scheduled to open in May, kosher If it does, it would be the first kosher-certified Krispy Kreme store in Florida. Of the company's 218 stores, 22...

Cafe de Coral.(Expands in California)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Cafe de Coral, Hong Kong, announced that its Canadian joint venture acquired 20 restaurants in California for HK$99.4 as part of its plan to expand its presence in North America.

Farmland Foods.(Cider House Bacon cured with real apple cider )(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 4, 2002... * Farmland Foods, Kansas City, MO, is rolling out Cider House Bacon cured with real apple cider in March. It is smoked naturally over applewood chips and is touted as having a distinctive apple taste...New Product News (February)

Horizon Organic Holding Corp.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Horizon Organic Holding Corp. is currently launching its largest national consumer advertising campaign and it is targeting women between the ages of 25 and 49, particularly mothers. In-store promotions, consumer sampling and print ads are...

The National Turkey Federation.(updated website, database)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * The National Turkey Federation, Washington, DC, has launched an updated version of its site, www.eatturkey.com, featuring 30 celebrity chef demonstrations, a searchable database of more than 400 foodservice recipes, and the online Foodservice...

Potbelly Sandwich Works.(restaurant chain, plans to double size with new units)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Potbelly Sandwich Works, Chicago, intends to more than double its size in 2002 with the addition of at least 25 units. It plans to open five units in the Washington, DC market and 20 to 25 in the Chicago area by year-end...Nation's Restaurant...

Snapple Beverage Group.(new bottle for beverages)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Snapple Beverage Group, a White Plains, NY-based subsidiary of Cadbury Schweppes, pie, will be rolling out a 20-ounce PET bottle in March so consumers will have the opportunity to take Snapple where glass is not welcome.

Country Choice Naturals.(certified Kosher)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 4, 2002... * Country Choice Naturals, Eden Prairie, MN, has launched the first and only certified organic Vanilla Wafers and Ginger Snaps. The cookies contain no hydrogenated oils, refined sweeteners, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Both are...

Glanbia Foods.(expansion plans, dairy processing facility in Idaho)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Glanbia Foods, the largest dairy processor in Idaho and largest cheese manufacturer in the northwestern US, is putting expansion plans of its dairy processing facility in Gooding, ID, on hold. The company, a unit of Glanbia plc in Ireland and...

Yoplait USA.(product testing, new yogurt)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Yoplait USA, a division of Minneapolis-based General Mills Inc., is testing Whips, a mousse-like light yogurt in peaches & cream, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, keylime, and orange cream varieties...New Product News (February)

Wild Oats Markets Inc.(to open four new stores in 2002; natural food stores)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Wild Oats Markets Inc., the nation's No. 2 natural foods retailer, will open four new stores this year, 10 in 2003, and 20 in 2004. Rather than expanding by acquiring existing natural foods stores, as it has done in the past, Wild Oats will...

Nestle SA.(studies acquiring Novartis' functional food line)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... * Nestle SA, Switzerland, said it was considering whether Novartis AG's functional foods businesses could complement its own product lines. Novartis recently put its health and functional food business, including popular brands such as Ovaltine...

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS.(various news items)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Borges USA-Star Fine Foods, Fresno, CA, an importer and distributor of Mediterranean products, has acquired Cara Mia, a leading brand of processed artichokes, from Artichoke Industries, Castroville, CA, and plans to expand distribution to the...

INTERNATIONAL MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS.(various news items)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Japan retailer Aeon Co. has agreed to acquire 50 of the remaining 90 stores of financially troubled Japanese supermarket chain Kotobukiya Co., which will continue negotiations with local supermarket operators on Japan's southwestern main island...

LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted).(for various food retailers, restaurants, etc.)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted) Current % Chge. Year Year Ago AURORA FOODS, INC. (St. Louis, MO) Qtr. To Dec. 31:...

Foodservice Sales On The Rise Among Self-Op Colleges and Universities.(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Self-operated college and university foodservice operations taking part in FoodService Director's 2000-01 Performance Report rang up foodservice sales of $1.4 billion, up 8.9% from the prior year. Attempts to revamp offerings, lure more and new...

USDA, FDA Criticized In Mad Cow Study.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... USDA and FDA must strengthen enforcement of the cattle feed ban that allows cattle feed to contain proteins from homes and pigs, develop a coordinated strategy to identify resources needed to increase inspections of imported goods, and alert...

.... USDA.(USDA files complaints against three papaya handlers)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... ... . USDA has filed administrative complaints against three papaya handlers for violating the federal marketing order regulating papayas grown in Hawaii. The firms are E&A Produce Inc., Pahoa, R.J. Produce Inc., Kahuku, and W & C Julian Farms,...

.... Ocean-advocacy group Oceana has accused the National Marine Fisheries Service of failing to follow a 1996 edict to minimize the bycatch of fish.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... ... . Ocean-advocacy group Oceana has accused the National Marine Fisheries Service of failing to follow a 1996 edict to minimize the bycatch of fish. The Wall Journal (Mar. 1) reported that bycatch is an international problem that wastes and...

.... A group of agriculture concerns, headed by the National Pork Producers and Farmland Industries, sent a letter to all senators.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... ... . A group of agriculture concerns, headed by the National Pork Producers and Farmland Industries, sent a letter to all senators, urging swift action on trade negotiating authority. The House passed a presidential trade negotiating authority...

.... USDA officials tipped off selected commodity traders, researchers and investors with details of government reports before they were disclosed.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... ... . USDA officials tipped off selected commodity traders, researchers and investors with details of government reports before they were disclosed to the public, reported The Wichita Eagle. Officials said they provided the reports in February...

.... The new generation of ready-to-eat foods that are only refrigerated before being sold could cause outbreaks of botulism.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... ... . The new generation of ready-to-eat foods that are only refrigerated before being sold could cause outbreaks of botulism, reported The Nando Times. Proper refrigeration is key according to researchers.

.... The U.S. government's system for regulating genetically engineered crops is inadequate.(according to U.S. National Academy of Sciences)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... ... . The U.S. government's system for regulating genetically engineered crops is inadequate to prevent environmental damage from new types of vaccine- and chemical-producing crops coming to market in the next few years, according to a report by...

Crawford Named Senior FDA Official.(Lester M. Crawford Jr.)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... Health & Human Service Secretary Tommy G. Thompson named Dr. Lester M. Crawford Jr. to serve as deputy commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration immediately. As deputy commissioner, Dr. Crawford will be the senior official at FDA,...

GREENHOUSE TOMATOES FROM CANADA.(to be sold in U.S. at prices less than fair value)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... GREENHOUSE TOMATOES FROM CANADA: Greenhouse tomatoes from Canada are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U. S. at less-than-fair-value prices, according to the final determination by The International Trade Administration. The period of...

INCOME GUIDELINES FOR CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS.
March 4, 2002... INCOME GUIDELINES FOR CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS: USDA's Food and Nutrition Service adjusted the Income Eligibility Guidelines that are used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals or free milk for the period from July 1, 2002...

FLORIDA AVOCADO GROWERS TO VOTE.
March 4, 2002... FLORIDA AVOCADO GROWERS TO VOTE: Avocado growers in Florida will vote from June 3 to June 14 on whether to continue their federal marketing order To be eligible to vote, growers must have grown avocados within the state of Florida during the...

CALIFORNIA WALNUTS.
March 4, 2002... CALIFORNIA WALNUTS: USDA adopted as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that decreased the assessment rate established for the Walnut Marketing Board from 1.34 to 1.24 cents per kemel weight pound of assessable walnuts. The assessment...

BSE EXISTS IN GREECE.(Bovine spongiform encephalopathy)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... BSE EXISTS IN GREECE: USDA adopted as a final role, without change, an interim role that amended the regulations by adding Greece to the list of regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) exists because the disease had been detected...

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE EXEMPT FROM A TOLERANCE.(safe to use on post-harvest agricultural foods)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2002... HYDROGEN PEROXIDE EXEMPT FROM A TOLERANCE: Hydrogen peroxide is safe to use on all post-harvest agricultural food commodities when applied and/used at the rate of 1% hydrogen peroxide per application, according to The Environmental Protection...

SINGAPORE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT.
March 4, 2002... SINGAPORE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: A public hearing concerning negotiation of a U.S.- Singapore Free Trade Agreement will be held on April 1, 2002. Parties wishing to testify orally at the hearings must provide written notification of their...

PRODUCE.(prices on apples, avocados, sweet onions, and strawberries)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... APPLES - From the Yakima Valley and Wenatchee District of Washington, movement is expected to remain about the same. Trading is fairly active and prices are generally unchanged. Cartons of tray-pack Washington Extra Fancy Controlled Atmosphere...

CANNED VEGETABLES.(price index)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... ***USDA HAS PURCHASED*** CANNED DRIED BEANS *Shipments between Apr. 1, 2002 - Jun. 30, 2002* 24/300 Delivered Cases Cost Vegetarian Beans 45,900...

TOMATO PRODUCTS.(prices and sales data)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... TOMATO PRODUCT PRICING Current Year Ago TOMATO PASTE (F.o.b. CA) 48/6-oz. 11.00-12.00 11.00-12.00 6/10 17.00-18.75...

FROZEN VEGETABLES.(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... POTATOES - Feb. 1, potato stocks in the 15 major potato-producing states were 202 million cwt, down 14% from 2001 and 3% below two years ago. Storage accounts for 51% of the 2001 fall storage states' production, the same as a year ago. ...

CANNED FRUIT.(supermarket sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... OLIVES - Supermarket sales of canned/bottled olives totaled 100.4 million pounds in 2001, down 2% from 2000 and the lowest volume sold in supermarkets in the past five years. Physical sales during the fourth quarter were virtually unchanged at...

PROCESSED FISH.(cold storage holdings)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... Preliminary cold storage holdings on Feb. 1 for fish and shellfish totaled 381.2 million pounds, up 2% from the same time in 2001, but down 1% from last month's total. Holdings of Blocks and Slabs were up 48% from 2001, while holdings of...

DRIED VEGETABLES.(dry bean prices)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... DRIED BEAN PRICES Per cwt. f.o.b. area indicated Current Week Year Ago Pinto Colorado $35.00 - $36.00 $19.50 - $20.50 North Dakota $35.00 - $36.00 $14.00 - $15.00 ...

DRIED FRUITS.(production data and exports)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... CALIFORNIA PROCESSED CONDITION PLUMS/PRUNES SUPPLY AND DISPOSITION AUG. 1, 2001 - JAN. 31, 2002 VS. 2001 (Source: Prune Marketing Committee) Jan. Aug. 1, 01 - Tons ...

NUTS AND NUTMEATS.(stocks and pricing)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... PEANUTS - As of Jan. 31, peanut stocks in commercial storage totaled 3.88 billion pounds of equivalent farmer stock, up 41% from last year's 2.75 billion pounds. This includes 2.89 billion pounds of actual farmer stock. Shelled on hand totaled...

FROZEN FRUITS.(cold storage holdings)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... RED TART CHERRIES - As of March 1, pricing will be 71 cents for 5 + 1 and 73 cents for IQF. Regionally, cold storage holdings saw a major increase in the East North Central region, compared to Feb. 1,2001. While it appears to be just a 14%...

JUICES & CONCENTRATES.(sales data)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... SUPERMARKET OVERVIEW - Supermarket shoppers spent $4.4 billion on 8.3 billion pints of refrigerated juices and drinks in 2001, according to the Food Institute's analysis of Information Resources, Inc. Infoscan Reviews. Sales of the higher...

FARM PRICES.(February, 2002)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... FARM PRICES WHAT FARMERS WERE PAID FOR FARM PRODUCTS - FEBRUARY (Source: USDA) % Chge. % Chge. Commodity & Unit February Last Mo. Last Yr. Beans, Dry...

BUTTER.(prices for week ending March 1, 2002)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... BUTTER MARKET WK. ENDING MAR. 1 (Source: USDA) Cents Per Pound: 3/1/02 2/22/02 Chge. Grade AA 127.00 124.25 +2.75

CHEESE.(cheddar cheese prices week ending March 1, 2002)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET MAR. 1 Cents Per Pound: 3/1/02 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 115.00 NC Blocks 119.00 +1.5

EGGS.(prices to retailers for week ending February 28, 2002)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS WEEK ENDING FEB. 28 (Source: USDA) This Last Chng. From Cents per dozen: Week Week Last Week Extra Large-NY 67-71 62-66 ...

CHICKEN.(broiler prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF MAR. 4 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 45.00-48.00 45.00-48.00 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few ...

FUTURES PRICES.(as of February 28, 2002)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash Mar. May As of Feb. 28, 2002: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $1.91 $2.005 $2.075...

COMMODITY PRICES.(of various livestock and vegetables)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 4, 2002... COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last 2/28/02...

Competition Heating Up For Control Of 26 Shop-Rite Stores.(Pathmark and Stop & Shop band together to acquire grocery stores)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Carteret, NJ-based Pathmark has joined forces with Stop & Shop to take on rival ShopRite in the escalating battle for control of 26 of 31 ShopRite stores owned by Florida, NY-based Big V Holding Inc., which will help determine dominance in the...

Update From USDA: THE OUTLOOK FOR FOOD PRICES IN 2002.(Statistical Data Included)
March 11, 2002... On the heels of a 3.1% increase in the all food Consumer Price Index (CPI) in 2001, the CPI for all food is forecast to increase 2.5% to 3% in 2002. The two main components of all food, food at home and food away from home, are also projected...

FDI Board Approves Plan For Future Trade Association Representation.(Food Distributors International)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The Board of Governors of Food Distributors International (FDI) approved a plan for future trade association representation of its membership, which now includes both grocery wholesale companies and foodservice distributors. Under this plan,...

Food Safety A Top Concern Among Those Involved In Plant Operations.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 11, 2002... Approximately 40% of respondents say that food safety was the ultimate concern heading into the coming year and some 75% say they are taking steps to better ensure food safety in 2002, according to the Top 100 Manufacturing Survey conducted by...

Study: Change In Eating Habits And Recession Cause Decline In Dining Out.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 11, 2002... In November 2001, consumers ate out less often than they did at the same time in 2000. Although it would seem that the events of Sept. 11 and concerns about bioterrorism or mad cow were the prevalent causes of the decline, a study by Harris...

Heinz Details Priorities For Profitable Growth.(H.J. Heinz Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 11, 2002... H.J. Heinz Co. has outlined its strategies for generating consistent and sustained sales and earnings growth. The main goals of the company include reducing annual costs by 1%-2%, reducing SKUs by at least 20% and inventories by 15% over the...

Catalina A Strong Player In The Coupon Distribution Game.(Catalina Marketing)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 11, 2002... In 2001, 240 billion coupons were issued, according to NCH Marketing Services, the word's largest coupon-clearing house. Of the total, 82% were delivered in fliers that fill Sunday newspapers. Catalina Marketing, St. Petersburg, FL, competes...

Cheese Giant Playing With Food Combinations.(Kraft Foods Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 11, 2002... Northfield, IL-based Kraft Foods Inc. is playing with new food combinations that mix its historic brands with those of newly acquired cookie maker Nabisco. Shoppers have already found new versions of Nabisco's Ritz and Cheese Nip crackers and...

Coca-Cola Is #1 Carbonated Soft-Drink Company, Pepsi Gains Market Share.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 11, 2002... The U.S. carbonated soft drink industry saw slight growth with volume increasing just 0.6%, or about 10 billion 192-oz. cases, according to the latest Beverage Digest/Maxwell all-channel data. The increase is above the average growth rate of...

Regional Fast-Food Chains Remain Favorite.(fast-food consumers survey)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The American public continues to favor more specialized regional chains, including many in the rapidly growing "Fast-Casual" segment, according to findings based on the quarterly syndicated QuickTrackr research program conducted by Sandelman &...

Kmart Crop.(to cut stores and employees)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * Kmart Crop., Troy, MI, announced on Mar. 8 that it will be closing 284 stores and cutting its work force by nearly 9%, 22,000 employees, as part of its reorganization under bankruptcy protection. The stores to be closed include 271Kmart...

Albertson's, Inc.(begins online ordering and delivery services in the Portland, OR, area)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * Albertson's, Inc., Boise, ID, said it will begin offering online ordering and delivery in 53 neighborhoods in Portland through 31 supermarkets...imarketingnews.com (Mar. 4)

PriceSmart, Inc.(opens store in Guam, to open stores in Jamaica and the Philippines)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * PriceSmart, Inc., San Diego, will open its first Jamaican membership club in Kingston before the 2002 Christmas holiday season. It opened its first store in Guam last week, and its third in the Philippines will be opening in March.

Miller Brewing Company.(two new alternative malt beverages based on Stolichnaya vodka and Sauza tequila)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, has announced that two new alternative malt beverages--Stolichnaya vodka and Sauza tequila--will be available in selected markets in May. Both beverages, aimed at young consumers who don't drink beer, look...

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.(Customer Reward Card program debuted)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., Jacksonville, instituted a Customer Reward Card program on Mar. 7 in most Florida and southeast Georgia Winn-Dixie stores. It represents the first such reward program of its kind by a major Florida grocer. A swipe of...

Five McDonald's restaurants in Dallas.(testing an alternative means for paying for food using Transcore)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * Five McDonald's restaurants in Dallas, TX are part of a six-month pilot program allowing customers to add their food order bills to their Transcore account for toll-highway collection fees. Experts are hoping that it will shorten the average...

Papa John's International Inc.(introduces Spinach Alfredo and Six Cheese pizzas)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * Papa John's International Inc., Louisville, KY, has come out with two new pizzas--Spinach Alfredo and Six Cheese pizza. A blend of mozzarella, smoked provolone, fontina, asiago, romano and parmesan cheeses are included in the Six Cheese...

Cuba.(bought $32 million in food from the U.S.)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * Cuba, which took advantage of a modified U.S. trade embargo to buy food products last year but said it was a one-time deal, purchased another $32 million of food in recent days.

Horizon Organic Holding Corp.(debuts Kosher organic puddings)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * Horizon Organic Holding Corp., the nation's leading organic food company, has introduced the first national organic brand of pudding at the Natural Products Expo in California. The ready-to-eat pudding, in chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate...

The Minute Maid Company.(debuts new orange juice)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * The Minute Maid Company, a Houston-based division of The Coca-Cola Company, announced the launch of Simply Orange, a not-from-concentrate orange juice, in Florida. following its success in the Northeast U.S.

CoolBrands International.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * CoolBrands International has entered into an agreement with Brand Innovations LTD, Brockenhurst, England, to launch a line of Tropicana branded frozen fruit juice bar novelties in the United Kingdom. CoolBrands in the exclusive marketer of...

The National Turkey Federation.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... * The National Turkey Federation, Washington, DC, received positive results from its annual member survey on sales of turkey products to foodservice channels. Sales rose six percent in 2001, continuing a three-year growth pattern in foodservice...

LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted).(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 11, 2002... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted) Current % Chge. Year Year Ago AHOLD NV (Zaandam, The Netherlands) 12 Wks. To Dec. 30:...