The Food Institute Report articles from May 2003

The Food Institute Report archives from May 2003

Wal-Mart to shed food distribution unit.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. agreed to sell its McLane food distribution unit to billionaire Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Separately, the Bentonville, AR-based retailer plans to sell its Merit Distribution Services business, a subsidiary of...

New product intros up in first quarter.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... An impressive 6,309 new products hit the market in the first quarter of 2003--topping the total for the comparable period last year by slightly more than 1,000 entries. Nonfoods continued to lead the way with 3,747 new products compared to...

Kroger launches naturally preferred brand.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... The Kroger Co. is officially launching nationwide its Naturally Preferred brand of premium-quality natural and organic products, making the products available at all of the company's nearly 2,500 stores. The national rollout ranks as one of the...

Heinz is getting back to basics.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... In recent years, Heinz has had difficulty showing revenue growth, as lower-priced store labels have taken market share from the established premium brands and new-product development in the food business remains complicated and costly. Heinz is...

Producers of pre-cooked meats aim to appeal to busy families.
May 5, 2003... Various food companies are offering quick-heat meats--pre-cooked meats that can be heated in a microwave: the six-minute beef pot roast, the five-minute pineapple-glazed ham, the five-minute pork tenderloin in teriyaki sauce and the nine-minute...

Gourmet Take-N-Bake Pizza chain plans expansion.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... In less than two years, Scott Adams and partner Dick Weil doubled Nick-N-Willy's World Famous Take-N-Bake Pizza locations to 35 in 11 U.S. states. Adams expects store numbers to double again by the end of 2003 and, in seven years, he believes...

Hispanic marketing: how much should you spend?
May 5, 2003... What percentage of your advertising dollars should be allocated to the Spanish-speaking population? According to the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA), the top 50 companies that advertise to Hispanics spend 3.2% of their...

Metro unveils high tech supermarket.
May 5, 2003... German retailer Metro AG opened a new store, Extra, a "Future Store" featuring various new technologies. The supermarket, located in Rheinberg, Germany, relies on wireless networks and radio frequency identification (RFID) chips to track goods...

Implementing RFID can begin at the distribution center.(radio frequency identification)
May 5, 2003... Approximately $5.8 billion worth of inventory was lost in 2001 due to administrative errors alone, according to the National Retail Security Survey, by the University of Florida. One approach for implementing RFID tracking, which can help...

RSI adopts EAN-UCC System for product identification.(Restaurant Services Inc. )(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Restaurant Services, Inc. (RSI), an independent member-owned purchasing cooperative serving Burger King restaurant owners in the U.S., is adopting the global standards of the EAN-UCC System for product identification. RSI requested that...

Bottled water sales reach $7.7 billion in 2002.
May 5, 2003... In 2002, per capita consumption of bottled water reached 21.2 gallons, with volume sales reaching 5.95 billion gallons, up 10.8% from 2001, reported BeverageWorld (April). Wholesale dollar sales of bottled water, meanwhile, totaled $7.73...

Latest financial reports (000 omitted).
May 5, 2003... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted) Current % Chge. Year Year Ago AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA CO. (Kansas City, MO) Qtr. To Mar. 31: Sales...

Mergers & acquisitions.(multiple briefs)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Appleton, WI-based Appleton acquired two privately-held companies, C&H Packaging Co., Inc., Merrill, WI, and American Plastics Co., Inc., Rhinelander, WI. C&H Packaging prints and converts flexible plastic packaging materials for companies in...

International mergers & acquisitions.
May 5, 2003... Dutch retailer Ahold agreed to sell its Indonesian operations to PT Hero Supermarket for $13.2 million. The deal involved 22 existing stores, one under construction, and two distribution centers. Sydney-based soft drinks bottler Coca-Cola...

McD's seeks help to shed non-core chains.(McDonald's Corp. has hired Morgan Stanley & Co. to help it find a buyer for Chipotle Mexican Grill, other chains)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Morgan Stanley & Co. has been tapped by Oak Brook, IL-based McDonald's Corp. to help find a buyer for its Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., Boston Market Corp. and Donatos Pizzeria Corp. chains, reported Crain's Chicago Business. The company has...

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.(plans for new locations in Florida)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., Winston Salem, NC, is planning to add as many as eight outlets in the Orlando, FL area within three to five years, in addition to its two existing locations in Winter Park and Kissimmee... The Orlando Sentinel...

Additionally, Krispy Kreme plans to expand its development in Canada, increasing the development territory of KremeKo, Inc.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Additionally, Krispy Kreme plans to expand its development in Canada, increasing the development territory of KremeKo, Inc., the company's franchisee in Eastern Canada. The new development agreement, which includes the Canadian provinces of...

Starbucks Corp.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Starbucks Corp. is aiming to boost its lunch business in 155 New York City outlets with the introduction of a new menu featuring lower-priced sandwiches and salads, and more fruit and yogurt items. The lowest price on the new menu is $4.95,...

Cinnabon, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc., has been chosen to offer Makara Cinnamon Coffee Cakes on Song, a low-fare service, operated by Delta Air Lines.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Cinnabon, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc., has been chosen to offer Makara Cinnamon Coffee Cakes on Song, a low-fare service, operated by Delta Air Lines. The breakfast coffee cake will be sold on all morning flights for $3.00 as part of...

Baskin-Robbins announced 100 of its franchise locations will open throughout the Northeast in combination with Dunkin' Donuts stores by the end of summer.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Baskin-Robbins announced 100 of its franchise locations will open throughout the Northeast in combination with Dunkin' Donuts stores by the end of summer. Currently, more than 60 locations are open throughout the Northeast, with the majority...

CocoMoka Cafe teamed up with Virgin Records to put its gourmet cafe concept in 11 of Virgin's best performing stores.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * CocoMoka Cafe teamed up with Virgin Records to put its gourmet cafe concept in 11 of Virgin's best performing stores. The chain, a unit of Candy Express Inc., offers gourmet soups, salads and sandwiches, pastries, fine chocolate and Seattle's...

Fort Lauderdale, FL-based AOL Latin America Inc. teamed up with McDonald's to offer its services at nearly 600 McDonald's restaurants in Brazil.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Fort Lauderdale, FL-based AOL Latin America Inc. teamed up with McDonald's to offer its services at nearly 600 McDonald's restaurants in Brazil. "McInternet cafes" are now debuting in Sao Paulo and Rio and will be rolled out later throughout...

McDonald's.(drops UK marketing push based on text messages)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * In the UK, McDonald's pulled the plug on a pioneering marketing push based on text messages about special deals sent to members' phones. The company still, however, plans to devote more money to digital marketing. McDonald's noted that it is...

Potbelly Sandwich Works.(plans for new locations)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Potbelly Sandwich Works, a Chicago-based chain, intends to open three new restaurants in the Loop this summer, bringing its downtown total to 10. Currently the sandwich chain has 17 restaurants in the Chicago area, eight in the Washington, DC...

Van Houtte Inc. signed an agreement with R.C. Bigelow to be the exclusive packager and distributor of Bigelow specialty teas in K-Cups for use in the Keurig Premium Coffee Systems.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Van Houtte Inc. signed an agreement with R.C. Bigelow to be the exclusive packager and distributor of Bigelow specialty teas in K-Cups for use in the Keurig Premium Coffee Systems. The single-serve Bigelow teas will be available with both of...

Autocrat Inc.(new distribution facility)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Autocrat Inc. broke ground on a new 32,000-sq. ft. distribution facility in Woonsocket, RI. Autocrat has grown about 30% in the last three years, driven mainly by increased demand for highly concentrated coffee flavorings for specialty...

Bunge North America.(to idle production at its Marion, Ohio, soybean processing facility until margins improve)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Bunge North America will idle production at its Marion, OH soybean processing facility until margins improve. The current weak margin environment has been caused by declining demand for domestic soybean meal in the short term and a smaller...

Unless dietary supplements retailer General Nutrition Cos. can bulk up on sales, its owner may have no choice but to shed the business.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Unless dietary supplements retailer General Nutrition Cos. can bulk up on sales, its owner may have no choice but to shed the business. A spokeswoman for GNC's Dutch owner, Royal Numico, said it could start looking at offers for the business...

Boston Brewing Co.(Utopias beer)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Extreme beer, the latest effort to transform the common brew, is finding a market among connoisseurs. A growing phenomenon of America's 25-year-old craft-brewing movement, one brew, Utopias, is produced periodically by the Boston Brewing Co.,...

A growing number of medical experts are concerned that Americans are overdoing their vitamin consumption, observed The New York Times on the Web.(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * A growing number of medical experts are concerned that Americans are overdoing their vitamin consumption, observed The New York Times on the Web. As many as 70% of the population is taking supplements, mostly vitamins. But researchers say...

Coca-Cola.(will introduce "Flavor Rage" packets in fountain accounts)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * Coca-Cola will introduce "Flavor Rage" packets in fountain accounts around Memorial Day. The packets, which come in flavors like vanilla and cherry, will likely be priced at 29 cents... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Apr. 25)

The Cold Stone Creamery.(to build up to four stores in Wichita, Kansas)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... * The Cold Stone Creamery chain will build up to four stores in Wichita, KS. The company plans to award six franchises in Kansas... The Wichita Eagle (Apr. 29)

Irradiated meat on school lunch trays remains a hot-button issue. (Washington).
May 5, 2003... USDA took comments until mid-April on the changes it expects to make in its meat contracts to allow for the purchase of irradiated meats in its school lunch program. The department received 5,240 comments, many opposing the use of irradiated...

Secretary Ridge voices support for national ID System for livestock. (Washington).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Tom Ridge, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, recently endorsed an ambitious concept for nationwide identification of all commercial livestock, revealed The Sacramento Bee (Apr. 29). "Some of these thoughts are certainly...

Mexico signs farm accord. (Washington).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... A landmark farm rescue accord signed by the Mexican government and farmers in late April will not bring about immediate change in trade rules, but includes plans to ask NAFTA trade partners to restrict corn and bean exports to Mexico, a top...

Many differences exist between Canadian and U.S. nutritional labeling regulations. (Washington).
May 5, 2003... Canada's Department of Health (Health Canada) has issued a final rule requiring nutrition labeling of all prepackaged foods unless exempt. Currently, nutrition labeling is optional in Canada. While the Canadian final rule generally follows...

Visa, MasterCard pay $3 billion to settle lawsuit with Wal-Mart and others. (Washington).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Visa and MasterCard will pay a combined $3 billion to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other retailers to settle a lawsuit that began in 1996 with a suit by Wal-Mart and other big merchants and ballooned to include millions of retailers across the U.S....

Food recalls reported. (Washington).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... White Wave, Boulder, CO, is voluntarily expanding its recall to include approximately 360 additional packages of its 64-oz./half gallon blue, gable top cartons of Vanilla Silk brand soymilk (see FIR, Apr. 21, page 12). The products were sold...

... The European Union's supreme court will give long-awaited rulings May 20 on trademark disputes involving slicing and grating of two of Italy's most famous foods--Parma's salty ham and gourmet Parmesan cheese. (In The Courts ...).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ... The European Union's supreme court will give long-awaited rulings May 20 on trademark disputes involving slicing and grating of two of Italy's most famous foods--Parma's salty ham and gourmet Parmesan cheese. The regional Italian producers...

... A California jury awarded a former McDonald's Corp. franchisee $16.5 million in a case charging the fast-food giant with conspiracy to defraud. (In The Courts ...).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ... A California jury awarded a former McDonald's Corp. franchisee $16.5 million in a case charging the fast-food giant with conspiracy to defraud. The key issue in the case was whether the company had conspired to force Sandra Darling, a...

... The Justice Department sued Dairy Farmers of America, saying it gained an illegal milk monopoly in Kentucky and Tennessee through the 2002 acquisition of a competitor. (In The Courts ...).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ... The Justice Department sued Dairy Farmers of America, saying it gained an illegal milk monopoly in Kentucky and Tennessee through the 2002 acquisition of a competitor. The lawsuit aims to force the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative to...

... Safeway, Albertsons and Kroger Co. will use labels or signs to inform shoppers that color additives are fed to farm-raised salmon to make the flesh pink. (In The Courts ...).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ... Safeway, Albertsons and Kroger Co. will use labels or signs to inform shoppers that color additives are fed to farm-raised salmon to make the flesh pink. Each of the three grocery chains is a defendant in separate proposed class-action...

... An age discrimination suit against Supervalu filed by seven former employees has been cleared for trial. (In The Courts ...).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ... An age discrimination suit against Supervalu filed by seven former employees has been cleared for trial. The case is expected to go to trial in August. The plaintiffs contend that younger people were hired and promoted into comparable...

... Statements from 110 female workers of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. claiming they were denied promotions and paid less than men were filed in the motion requesting class-action status. (In The Courts ...).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ... Statements from 110 female workers of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. claiming they were denied promotions and paid less than men were filed in the motion requesting class-action status for a suit filed by six women in 2001. Wal-Mart denies it...

A woman is reportedly suing Pilgrim's Pride and Jack Lambersky Poultry Co. over the death of her husband. (In The Courts ...).(during a food poisoning outbreak)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ... A woman is reportedly suing Pilgrim's Pride and Jack Lambersky Poultry Co. over the death of her husband during a food poisoning outbreak last year. She said his illness was due to eating deli meats contaminated with Listeria. Last year...

You should know ...(Agricultural Marketing Service began holding listening and education sessions on the Country of Origin Labeling law; food stores in New York are lobbying state lawmakers to allow their businesses to sell wines)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ... USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service began holding listening and education sessions on the Country of Origin Labeling law included in the 2002 Farm Bill. Among future sessions: May 6, Kansas City, MO; May 8, Kearney, NE; May 14, Orlando,...

PACA coverage. (Noted In The Federal Register).(USDA is amending regulations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act )(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... PACA COVERAGE: USDA is amending the regulations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) to extend PACA coverage to include fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables that are coated or battered. PACA establishes a code of fair...

Organics board meeting. (Noted In The Federal Register).(National Organic Standards Board)
May 5, 2003... ORGANICS BOARD MEETING: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service announced a forthcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board. The meeting will take place in Austin, TX on...

Ingredients used in production of meat & poultry products. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Food Safety and Inspection Service amending regulations to permit use of any safe and suitable binder or antimicrobial agent in the production of meat and poultry products )(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... INGREDIENTS USED IN PRODUCTION OF MEAT & POULTRY PRODUCTS: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is amending its regulations to permit the use of any safe and suitable binder or antimicrobial agent in the production of meat and poultry...

Produce. (Markets).
May 5, 2003... Rocket Fuel Contaminating California Lettuce, According to Recent Study California's winter lettuce crop contains unhealthy levels of a harmful rocket fuel component, according a study conducted by Texas Tech University. The study,...

Canned vegetables. (Markets).
May 5, 2003... USDA is planning to purchase up to 7.0 million pounds of canned and frozen asparagus for donation to child nutrition and other domestic food assistance programs. The planned purchase will be made from offers that must be submitted on a...

Tomato products. (Markets).(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... SPAGHETTI/ITALIAN SAUCE SUPERMARKET SALES * (Source: Information Resources Inc./Grocery Headquarters) Dollar Sales % Chg. Brand (In Millions) Yr. Ago Prego ...

Frozen vegetables. (Markets).(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... SELECTED FROZEN VEGETABLE EXPORTS JAN. 1-MAR. 1 (Source: Bureau of Census) 1,000 Pounds: 2003 2002 % Chge. Peas 4,729 4,577 3.3% Canada ...

Canned fruit. (Markets).
May 5, 2003... SELECTED U.S. EXPORTS OF CANNED FRUIT JAN. 1-MAR. 1, 2003 (Source: Bureau of Census) Volume Value (1,000 Lbs.) % Chge. ($1,000) % Chge. Citrus Fruits ...

Processed fish. (Markets).
May 5, 2003... SUPERMARKET SALES--Supermarket sales of frozen fish/seafood for the 52-weeks ended Dec. 29, 2002 totaled over $1.5 billion, up 14% from the same time period the previous year. Total volume sales increased approximately 6% to 270.0 million...

Dried vegetables. (Markets).
May 5, 2003... ***KANSAS CITY COMMODITY BUY *** *Shipments between May 16-31, 2003* Metric Tons Price Per Ton Pinto Beans 2,000 $355.00 - $397.27 Yellowstone Bean Co. ...

Dried fruits. (Markets).
May 5, 2003... RAISINS--The 2003/04 Australian crop is forecast at 20,000 metric tons, down sharply from the previous season and well below average levels. Exports are forecast to fall to 6,000 metric tons and consumption is expected to decline slightly in...

Nuts & nutmeats. (Markets).
May 5, 2003... U.S. EXPORTS OF NUTS AND NUTMEATS, JAN. 1-MAR. 1, 2003 (Source: Bureau of Census) Pounds: 2003 2002 % Chge. Hazelnuts, Inshell 3,107,723 7,780,289 -60.1% Hong Kong 2,202,451...

Frozen fruits. (Markets).
May 5, 2003... USDA IS AMENDING REGULATIONS--USDA is amending the regulations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) to extend coverage to include frozen fruits that are coated or battered. For more information, see FEDERAL REGISTER, page...

Juices & concentrates. (Markets).
May 5, 2003... SELECT JUICE CONCENTRATE IMPORTS JAN. 1- MAR. 1, 2003 (Source: Bureau of Census) 1,000 Concentrate Gallons * 2003 2002 % Chge. Pineapple- 72 Brix 1,138 1,026 10.9% Thailand 362 ...

Butter. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... BUTTER MARKET, MAY 2 (Source: USDA) Cents Per Pound: 05/02/2003 04/25/2003 Chge. Grade AA 108.75 109.00 -0.25

Cheese. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET MAY 2 Cents Per Pound: 05/02/2003 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 113.00 +3.00 Blocks 115.75 +3.25

Eggs. (Markets).(prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS May 2 (Source: USDA) This Week Ending Chng. From Wk. Cents per dozen: Week Apr. 25 Ending Apr. 25 Extra Large-NY 65-69 71-75 -6.0...

Chicken. (Markets).(broiler prices, broiler chicks placed, chicken part prices)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF MAY 5 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 47.00-50.00 47.00-50.00 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too...

Futures prices. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash May July As of May 1, 2003: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $2.31 $2.3325 $2.3150 Soybeans, bu. ...

Commodity prices. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last May 1 Apr. 24...

Warehouse club & supercenter impact on U.S. retail trade was substantial over the past decade.
May 12, 2003... A decade ago, food-based retailing including food & beverage stores and foodservice establishments, accounted for 27.8% of all U.S. retail trade of $2.06 trillion. Although food-based retailing sales increased 44% between 1992 and 2002, to $825...

Fleming to close five wholesale divisions.(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Fleming Cos. will close five wholesale divisions, including a general merchandise distribution center in King of Prussia, PA, as it works to cut costs and focus its resources on the profitable parts of its business. Fleming said the facilities...

Roundy's bids for some rainbow stores.(acquisition from Fleming)
May 12, 2003... Roundy's Inc. offered a bid of $120 million to purchase 31 of Rainbow Food's 42 stores from Fleming. Roundy's has vowed to keep the Rainbow name and employee count intact. The offer represents a starting point in the auction to sell the...

Burger King Chief unveils plan to quell fast food giant's woes.(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Burger King Chief Executive Brad Blum revealed his strategy for turning around the struggling chain to franchisees at their annual convention in Dallas, TX, noted The Miami Herald (May 9). In order to distinguish Burger King from its rivals,...

FMI reveals trends in consumers' shopping behavior.
May 12, 2003... Consumers continue to demonstrate money-saving behaviors in their weekly shopping routines such as coupon clipping, reviewing advertising specials, comparing prices at different supermarkets, participating in frequent shopper programs and...

Yogurt sales top $2.5 billion in 2002.
May 12, 2003... Sales in the refrigerated yogurt and refrigerated yogurt drinks category reached $2.5 billion last year in food, drug and mass merchandisers (excluding Wal-Mart), according to Information Resources Inc. (IRI), noted Grocery Headquarters. ...

Companies are gearing up efforts to attract Hispanic consumers.
May 12, 2003... This summer, for the first time, Catalina Marketing Corp. will target supermarket shoppers who show Hispanic characteristics based on transactional behavior. The company plans a mailer of coupons, offers and ads to 150,000 frequent-shopper-card...

Mexican franchises look to enter U.S. market.
May 12, 2003... Mexican taco and gordita franchises, as well as some nontraditional Mexican franchises, such as a sushi chain, are setting their sights on entering the U.S. market, reported The Houston Chronicle (May 8). Brazilian firms and even a fast-food...

ID's 2003 leading food industry suppliers.
May 12, 2003... General Mills/Pillsbury was selected by foodservice distribution management as the overall leading food industry supplier in 2003, according to the 2003 ID Industry Leaders Survey. General Mills was also listed as the leader in the dry...

Deloitte Consulting.(survey on manufacturing investments)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... * While investment by U.S. manufacturing companies abroad slipped last year to an estimated $23 billion--down 37% from $36 billion in 2001, foreign direct investment by U.S. manufacturers in the food industry soared sharply--to $11.9 billion in...

Gigante.(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... * Gigante opened a 47,000-sq. ft. supermarket in Anaheim, CA, ending a long battle with the city council. The $3 billion Mexican retail corporation expects to double the number of its stores in Southern California to eight by year's end, but...

Publix Super Markets, Lakeland, FL, opened a prototype Publix Wine & Spirits on May 10 adjacent to its South Miami-Dade store and will also open a unit in Tampa, FL this month.(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... * Publix Super Markets, Lakeland, FL, opened a prototype Publix Wine & Spirits on May 10 adjacent to its South Miami-Dade store and will also open a unit in Tampa, FL this month. In addition, PublixDirect, the firm's internet grocery-delivery...

Coca-Cola.(Viaa Cafe machine yanked)
May 12, 2003... * Coca-Cola yanked a machine that was used to test a new coffee brand called Viaa Cafe at a cafe & bakery in Atlanta, GA, on May 3, the same day an article about Viaa Cafe appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Hard Rock Cafe International, Orlando, FL, is expanding its ties to American Indian tribes with a 10,000-sq. ft. cafe in Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... * Hard Rock Cafe International, Orlando, FL, is expanding its ties to American Indian tribes with a 10,000-sq. ft. cafe in Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. The chain, with outlets in 40 countries, will also open a Hard Rock Beach Club...

Levy Restaurants.(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... * Levy Restaurants has been selected by the Houston Rockets to manage all foodservice operations at the new downtown Houston Arena. Chicago-based Levy will provide general concessions at the 775,000-sq. ft., 18,500-seat facility. It will also...

Cadbury.(chocolate bars being renamed)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... * Cadbury is dropping its Wispa brand after more than 20 years. Instead, the chocolate bars will be known as Dairy Milk Bubbles as part of a drive to expand the popular Dairy Milk brand. Cadbury's Turkish Delight and Caramel chocolate bars are...

CAM International Trading Corp.(moving to North Carolina)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... * CAM International Trading Corp., a Long Island, NY-based spice packaging and distributing company, plans to move its entire operation to Lenoir County, NC, this summer. The company, which owns the Spice Bouquet and Gourmet Spice brand names,...

University of Bristol Dental School.(studies find herbal teas erode enamel on teeth)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... * Researchers at the University of Bristol Dental School writing in the Journal of Dentistry found that herbal teas can seriously damage teeth by eroding protective enamel... The Independent (May 5)