The Food Institute Report articles from November 2007

The Food Institute Report archives from November 2007

Supermarkets handling food price inflation better than restaurants ...(Statistical data)
November 5, 2007... Faced with higher food prices and slipping sales, eating and drinking place operators saw monthly "real" (deflated) sales drop under year ago levels for the first time in six years during September, according to an exclusive FOOD INSTITUTE...

... But inflation is "uncharted territory" for some.(cheese prices)
November 5, 2007... Despite increasing its retail cheese prices 7% this year, KRAFT FOODS INC. was not able to offset the raising commodity costs it faced this year and its gross margins dropped 2.4% in the most recent quarter. Kraft's Chief Executive Irene...

Eataly coming to New York City.(Oscar Farinetti's Italian food market )(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... A novel Italian food market concept, featuring elements of a European open market, two restaurants and educational activities, will debut in New York City in spring 2008. The two-level 10,000-sq. ft. store, to be located in the CENTRIA building...

Challenges in the organic market.
November 5, 2007... Natural and organic food companies have not entirely welcomed WHOLE FOODS MARKET'S acquisition of WILD OATS and there is cause for some alarm amongst suppliers as the retailer has strengthened its bargaining power. With few openings in the...

Private label-nationwide and abroad.
November 5, 2007... In the U.S., total private label share at retail has been flat for several years, but sizable shifts have occurred at the category level, driven in large part by changes in merchandising levels, changes in pricing, and new product...

More restaurant offerings at supermarkets.
November 5, 2007... With consumers eating more but cooking less, growing numbers of restaurant companies are bringing their menu items to grocery aisles. Figures showing how many restaurants offer their products in stores, or how those sales have grown, are hard...

Chiquita looks to value added products to improve profitability.(Chiquita Brands International Inc. is planning to restructure)
November 5, 2007... Chiquita Brands International plans to consolidate its operations and simplify its overhead structure, in an effort to improve efficiency, stimulate innovation and increase its focus on customers and consumers. The $4.5 billion marketer and...

Tesco could have 1,000 stores in the U.S. within five years, with sales of $7 billion to $10 billion, according to James Anstead, a London-based analyst for Citi Investment Research.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... TESCO could have 1,000 stores in the U.S. within five years, with sales of $7 billion to $10 billion, according to James Anstead, a London-based analyst for CITI INVESTMENT RESEARCH. By 2015, Tesco's U.S. stores could account for 5% to 10% of...

Through a joint venture, Starbucks and Pepsico introduced bottled "frappucino" coffee drinks in China.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 5, 2007... Through a joint venture, STARBUCKS and PEPSICO introduced bottled "frappucino" coffee drinks in China, in two flavors including: coffee and mocha.

Little Cupcake Bake Shop.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Conservation efforts saved thousands of dollars for Brooklyn's LITTLE CUPCAKE BAKE SHOP, reported The New York Times On The Web. The store saved $9,000 a year by switching from paper to ceramic coffee cups, over $3,500 by asking customers if...

Wakefern Food Corporation.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 5, 2007... WAKEFERN FOOD CORPORATION rolled out AccessVia Web dSignShop to deliver retail consumer messaging to member stores. Independent stores in this organization sign on to Web dSignShop to print signs with up-to-the-minute pricing and product...

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 5, 2007... WINN-DIXIE STORES, INC. is on track to remodel a total of 75 stores in fiscal 2008; 30 are already completed. Approximately $140 million of Winn-Dixie's fiscal 2008 capital expenditures is expected to be spent on the store-remodeling program.

Meanwhile, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. recently introduced V-H2O.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 5, 2007... Meanwhile, WINN-DIXIE STORES, INC. recently introduced V-H2O, its private label vitamin-enhanced water in four varieties: Vitality Fruit Punch, Kiwi-Strawberry, Energy Tropical Citrus and Strength Dragonfruit.

Target Corp. could open an average of one food distribution center per year for the next 10 years to serve a rapidly expanding number of Supertarget locations, according to Deborah Weinswig, an analyst with Citigroup Global Markets.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... TARGET CORP. could open an average of one food distribution center per year for the next 10 years to serve a rapidly expanding number of SUPERTARGET locations, according to Deborah Weinswig, an analyst with CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS. The...

Lamppost Pizza, a 43-unit California-based chain, is searching for franchisees to run eight or nine new locations in the Central Texas area.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... LAMPPOST PIZZA, a 43-unit California-based chain, is searching for franchisees to run eight or nine new locations in the Central Texas area. The company is also trying to expand to Nevada and Utah. Austin-based GATTI'S PIZZA recently opened...

Donatos Pizzeria LLC opened its first restaurant after signing a 64-shop franchise deal with North Carolina-based Piedmont Pizzeria LLC, and has franchised outlets planned for Athens, Ashland, Mason, Springboro and Toledo, OH.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 5, 2007... DONATOS PIZZERIA LLC opened its first restaurant after signing a 64-shop franchise deal with North Carolina-based PIEDMONT PIZZERIA LLC, and has franchised outlets planned for Athens, Ashland, Mason, Springboro and Toledo, OH. The restaurant...

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 5, 2007... CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC. plans to open 130-140 new restaurant in 2008 in addition to the 110-120 the company is opening in 2007. Chipotle currently operates more than 670 restaurants.

Starbucks Corp. plans to double its presence, up from 106 outlets, in Michigan over the next five years.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... STARBUCKS CORP. plans to double its presence, up from 106 outlets, in Michigan over the next five years. The Seattle-based company has approximately 200 points of distribution in Michigan, including the 106 coffee shops, 94 smaller locations in...

Froots Smoothies, Fort Lauderdale, FL, is working with Two Eyes Blue LLC to develop approximately 20 stores in Central Texas.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 5, 2007... FROOTS SMOOTHIES, Fort Lauderdale, FL, is working with TWO EYES BLUE LLC to develop approximately 20 stores in Central Texas, with the first franchise opening in about six months in either Austin or Leander... Austin Business Journal (Oct. 30)...

Nestle.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Nestle S.A.)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... NESTLE outlined plans to become the world's largest provider of "extreme nutrition," claiming its buildup in high-tech health foods would continue at a rapid pace. Nestle, for instance, shunned snack foods for probiotic yogurts, as well as...

The NPD Group.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(most of the mothers prefer identical foods for breakfast )(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... New moms today are feeding young children nearly identical foods for breakfast (cold cereal, glass of milk, fruit juice, eggs fruit, toast, waffles, pancakes hot cereal and bacon) as moms did two decades ago, according to the 22nd Annual Eating...

Baldacci.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(imports from Greece )(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Grocers are appealing to shoppers with products sourced from the Mediterranean region. The heart-healthy culinary traditions of Greece and southern Italy from around the 1950s are being revisited in international aisles throughout U.S. grocery...

Wawa Inc.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 5, 2007... WAWA INC. is in the process of a substantial upgrade to its website in an effort to convey the brand's benefits to consumers and encourage ongoing customer communication... CSP Daily News (Oct. 31)

Ministry of Commerce.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(forecast regarding accommodation and catering retail sales )(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... China's accommodation and catering retail sales are expected to reach $164 billion in 2007, up 18.6% from last year, according to statistics released by the MINISTRY OF COMMERCE. Over the first three-quarters of this year, sales were up 18.2%...

Applebee's International, Inc. stockholders voted to adopt the merger agreement between the company and IHOP Corp.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
November 5, 2007... APPLEBEE'S INTERNATIONAL, INC. stockholders voted to adopt the merger agreement between the company and IHOP CORP. IHOP's approximately $2.1 billion purchase of Applebee's is expected to close by Nov. 29.

Artic Glacier Income Fund's operating subsidiary, Artic Glacier Inc., acquired the assets and operations of Kar Ice Service Inc. of Barstow, CA.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... ARTIC GLACIER INCOME FUND'S operating subsidiary, ARTIC GLACIER INC., acquired the assets and operations of KAR ICE SERVICE INC. of Barstow, CA. The acquisition expands Artic Glacier's market coverage of California and contributes additional...

CKE Restaurants, Inc., Carpinteria, CA, sold 26 restaurants in Peoria and Quincy, IL to Shree Krishna Food, LLC as part of the company's ongoing strategic refranchising program.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... CKE RESTAURANTS, INC., Carpinteria, CA, sold 26 restaurants in Peoria and Quincy, IL to SHREE KRISHNA FOOD, LLC as part of the company's ongoing strategic refranchising program. Shree Krishna committed to build six new HARDEE'S restaurant...

The Clorox Company, Oakland, CA, will acquire Burt's Bees, a Durham, NC-based manufacturer of natural personal care products.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... THE CLOROX COMPANY, Oakland, CA, will acquire BURT'S BEES, a Durham, NC-based manufacturer of natural personal care products. Clorox will acquire 100% of Burt's Bees for $925 million net of an additional $25 million payment for anticipated tax...

GPM Investments, Mechanicsville, VA-based parent of Fas Mart, is planning to purchase the 57-unit Double Kwik convenience store chain and convert them to its Fas Mart brand.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
November 5, 2007... GPM INVESTMENTS, Mechanicsville, VA-based parent of FAS MART, is planning to purchase the 57-unit DOUBLE KWIK convenience store chain and convert them to its Fas Mart brand. Double Kwik is owned by BARNETTE ENTERPRISES, Wise, VA... Convenience...

J.E. Grote Company Inc., a Columbus, OH-based manufacturer of food slicing equipment, acquired Advanced Food Technology Ltd, an Oxfordshire, England-based producer of sandwich slicing and assembly gear.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... J.E. GROTE COMPANY INC., a Columbus, OH-based manufacturer of food slicing equipment, acquired ADVANCED FOOD TECHNOLOGY LTD, an Oxfordshire, England-based producer of sandwich slicing and assembly gear. The acquisition will enable Grote Co. to...

Kraft Foods Inc., Northfield, IL, signed final agreements to acquire the global biscuit business of Groupe Danone for 5.3 billion [euro] in cash subject to purchase price adjustments.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... KRAFT FOODS INC., Northfield, IL, signed final agreements to acquire the global biscuit business of GROUPE DANONE for 5.3 billion [euro] in cash subject to purchase price adjustments. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2007. For...

Kreher's Poultry Farms, Clarence, NY, purchased the Wolcott, NY egg farm from Wegmans Food Markets, Rochester, NY.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
November 5, 2007... KREHER'S POULTRY FARMS, Clarence, NY, purchased the Wolcott, NY egg farm from WEGMANS FOOD MARKETS, Rochester, NY... The Buffalo News (Nov. 2)

Prime Restaurants, Inc. entered into an agreement with a restaurant broker/dealer to acquire or establish three restaurants in the New York metropolitan area.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)
November 5, 2007... PRIME RESTAURANTS, INC. entered into an agreement with a restaurant broker/dealer to acquire or establish three restaurants in the New York metropolitan area. The three restaurants, to be located in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, will...

Nascent Wine Company, Inc., dba Nascent Foodservice, completed the acquisition of Comercial Targa SA De CV, a leading imported cheese distributor in Baja California, Mexico.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... NASCENT WINE COMPANY, INC., dba NASCENT FOODSERVICE, completed the acquisition of COMERCIAL TARGA SA DE CV, a leading imported cheese distributor in Baja California, Mexico. It's products, sold under the brand names of Nery's and Nery's Choice,...

OSI Restaurant Partners Inc., Tampa, FL, agreed in principle to sell a majority interest in the Lee Roy Selmon's restaurant brand to an investment group led by founder Lee Roy Selmon and Peter Barili, president of the restaurant brand.(MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... OSI RESTAURANT PARTNERS INC., Tampa, FL, agreed in principle to sell a majority interest in the LEE ROY SELMON'S restaurant brand to an investment group led by founder Lee Roy Selmon and Peter Barili, president of the restaurant brand. OSI will...

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. will not try to acquire the Sanford, NC-based convenience store chain The Pantry, according to the company's chairman, president and CEO Alain Bouchard.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD INC. will not try to acquire the Sanford, NC-based convenience store chain THE PANTRY, according to the company's chairman, president and CEO Alain Bouchard. Although, The Pantry's southeastern U.S. stores would be a...

Brazilian food processor, Perdigao SA agreed to buy rival Eleva Alimentos SA for $790 million in cash and stock.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
November 5, 2007... Brazilian food processor, PERDIGAO SA agreed to buy rival ELEVA ALIMENTOS SA for $790 million in cash and stock... Bloomberg (Oct. 31)

The European Commission cleared, subject to conditions, the proposed acquisition by the Groupe Danone SA of the Dutch company Royal Numico NV.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION cleared, subject to conditions, the proposed acquisition by the GROUPE DANONE SA of the Dutch company ROYAL NUMICO NV. The commission's decision is conditional upon the divestment of Numico's baby milk and baby drink...

Mitsubishi Corp. made a tender offer to boost its stake in Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan Ltd. in a deal worth up to $267.7 million.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
November 5, 2007... MITSUBISHI CORP. made a tender offer to boost its stake in KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN JAPAN LTD. in a deal worth up to $267.7 million. The company already owns 31% of KFC Japan's shares, reported The Associated Press.

Starbucks is eyeing Campbell Soup's Godiva unit, potentially in partnership with a private-equity firm.(MERGER RELATED NEWS)
November 5, 2007... STARBUCKS is eyeing CAMPBELL SOUP'S GODIVA unit, potentially in partnership with a private-equity firm... The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 2)

Potential buyers for Wendy's International Inc. have until Nov. 12 to submit bids, however, a financing package assembled by its banks could lead to lower offers, according to The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 1).(MERGER RELATED NEWS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Potential buyers for WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL INC. have until Nov. 12 to submit bids, however, a financing package assembled by its banks could lead to lower offers, according to The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 1). Its lenders, JP MORGAN CHASE and...

Latest financial reports.(Statistical table)(Financial report)
November 5, 2007... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS Current % Change Year Year Ago ALEXANDER & BALDWIN, INC. (HONOLULU, HI) Qtr. To Sept. 30: Sales $434,700 ...

FDA seeks comments on food label revamp.(WASHINGTON)(United States. Food and Drug Administration)
November 5, 2007... In a first step towards what could be a significant revamping of food labels, FDA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to request comments by Jan. 31, 2008 on what new reference values the agency should use to calculate the percent...

Brave new biotech world? Maybe ... maybe not.(WASHINGTON)(research on genetically engineered foods)
November 5, 2007... With over 70% of processed products on grocery shelves now containing genetically engineered ingredients designed mainly to ward off pests and withstand herbicides, biotech researchers are poised to introduce the next wave of modified products....

Food product recalls reported.(WASHINGTON)
November 5, 2007... Several varieties of Totino's Original Crisp Crust Party Pizza and Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Pizza are being recalled by GENERAL MILLS OPERATIONS, Wellston, OH. The products were distributed nationwide. The firm initiated recall began on Nov. 1,...

FDA issues warning letters.(WASHINGTON)(United States. Food and Drug Administration)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... ALLY K. ENTERPRISE CORPORATION, Miami, FL was issued a warning letter on Oct. 16, 2007 by FDA following an inspection of the company's seafood processing facility on July 1820, 2007. FDA found that the company has serious violations of the...

... Grocery stores, researchers and government entities are looking at ways to reduce the environmental impact of the two million tons of food Ohio residents send to the dump each year, by turning it into compost or alternative energy.(YOU SHOULD KNOW....)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... ... . Grocery stores, researchers and government entities are looking at ways to reduce the environmental impact of the two million tons of food Ohio residents send to the dump each year, by turning it into compost or alternative energy. About...

... Wegmans Food Markets adopted a new purchasing policy for farmed shrimp, requiring farmed shrimp producers to eliminate the use of antibiotics and other chemicals, avoid damaging sensitive habitats, treat their waste water and reduce the use of wild fish to feed shrimp.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... ... . WEGMANS FOOD MARKETS adopted a new purchasing policy for farmed shrimp, requiring farmed shrimp producers to eliminate the use of antibiotics and other chemicals, avoid damaging sensitive habitats, treat their waste water and reduce the...

... The Chinese government arrested 774 people in the past two months as part of a nationwide crackdown on the production and sale of tainted food, drugs, and agricultural products.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)
November 5, 2007... ... . The Chinese government arrested 774 people in the past two months as part of a nationwide crackdown on the production and sale of tainted food, drugs, and agricultural products. The Chinese government said only that it investigated 626...

... Kraft Foods Inc. and the Procter & Gamble Co. sued each other related to the use of plastic containers for the coffee brands Maxwell House and Folger's.(YOU SHOULD KNOW ...)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... ... . KRAFT FOODS INC. and The PROCTER & GAMBLE CO. sued each other related to the use of plastic containers for the coffee brands Maxwell House and Folger's. Kraft Foods suit alleges that a plastic container for P&G's Folger's brand infringes...

Produce.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
November 5, 2007... SWEET POTATOES--Eastern North Carolina movement is expected to remain about the same. Uncured (green) 40 pound cartons U.S. No. 1 medium are $15.00-$16.00, No Grade Marks jumbo $6.00-$7.00. Cured 40 pound cartons U.S No. 1 medium $15.00-$17.00,...

Canned vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
November 5, 2007... CARROTS--Retail prices of 24/300 canned carrots are between $8.75-$9.25, f.o.b. Midwest. PUMPKIN--Private label 24/300 cases of canned pumpkin are between $12.75-$13.00. Foodservice 6/10 cases are between $24.60-$24.80, both prices are...

Tomato products.(MARKETS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Despite a large processed tomato harvest this season in California, wholesale prices for tomato products have seen very little change compared to last year at this time. Prices on some items are slightly higher than last year because demand is...

Frozen vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
November 5, 2007... POTATOES--Fancy French fries are trading for 50 to 75 cents per pound, f.o.b. Washington. Canadian frozen French fry production in the current year is estimated to increase to approximately 1,410,000 metric tons (MT), up 3% from 1,370,000...

Canned fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
November 5, 2007... PEARS--Foodservice pricing for 6/10 canned Bartlett pears is $20.25-$20.50, 24/300 is $15.25, and 12/2.5 is $12.00, all prices are f.o.b. CA. PEACHES--Foodservice pricing for 6/10 canned peaches is $20.50, 24/300 is $15.25 and 12/2.5 is...

Processed fish.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
November 5, 2007... SCALLOPS--NMFS proposed implementing Framework Adjustment 20 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan, which was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council. Framework 20 would maintain the interim measures that were...

NMFS amended regulations governing salmon by-catch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.(IN THE NEWS ...)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... NMFS amended regulations governing salmon by-catch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. The action is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of salmon by-catch measures by exempting pollock vessels from Chinook and Chum...

Dried vegetables.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
November 5, 2007... DRIED BEANS--Dry edible bean trading continues to be very slow, as the lack of grower support has allowed for a very thin test on all varieties. Demand is moderate to good with the best demand being for specialty classes. PEAS &...

Dried fruits & nuts.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
November 5, 2007... APPLES--U.S. dried apple rings are trading around $3.25 per pound for a 25-lb. Pack size. Dried Chinese apple rings are around $1.59 per pound, for a 20-kg. pack size, ex-warehouse New Jersey. APRICOTS--Turkish whole apricots #7 are trading...

Frozen fruits.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
November 5, 2007... STRAWBERRIES--For the week through Oct. 31, 253,000 pounds of freezer berries from California were delivered to processors, brining the year-to-date total to 436.6 million pounds, up from 382.5 million pounds from the same week in 2006,...

Juices & concentrates.(MARKETS)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
November 5, 2007... ORANGE--Canned orange juice (12/46 oz.) is priced around $16.50-$16.70, f.o.b. Florida. Meanwhile, International Trade Commission determined that the request to institute an investigation concerning the Commission's affirmative...

Meat, dairy & eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical data)
November 5, 2007... DAIRY--A higher number of milk cows and slightly higher output per cow will translate into higher milk production for both 2007 and 2008. Production is projected to total 185.4 billion pounds this year and rise to 190.2 billion in 2008. The...

Butter.(MARKETS)
November 5, 2007... BUTTER MARKET, NOVEMBER 2 (Source: USDA) Cents Per Pound: 11/2/2007 10/26/2007 Chge. Grade AA 1.306 1.29 +0.0160

Cheese.(MARKETS)
November 5, 2007... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET NOVEMBER 2 Cents Per Pound: 11/2/07 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 1.9185 0.0300 Blocks (40-lbs.) 2.0055 0.1030

Eggs.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS NOVEMBER 2 (Source: USDA) Wk. Ending Wk. Ending Cents per dozen: 2-Nov 26-Oct Chge. Extra Large-NY 126-130 112-116 14 Large-NY 124-128 ...

Chicken.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 5 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 61-64 61-64 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit Too Few Too Few Los...

Futures prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash December January As of November 2, 2007: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $3.53 $3.69 3.86 (Mar)...

Commodity prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last 2-Nov 26-Oct ...

Farm prices.(MARKETS)(Statistical table)
November 5, 2007... WHAT FARMERS WERE PAID FOR FARM PRODUCTS-OCTOBER % Chge. % Chge. Commodity & Unit October Last Mo. Last Yr. Beans, Dry Edible, Cwt. 26.800 9.4% 36.0% Corn,...

Will Tesco's debut shake-up the market?
November 12, 2007... Tesco opened its first FRESH & EASY NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET convenience chain store in Hemet, CA and will be opening five more units in Los Angeles on Nov. 8, according to a company spokeswoman, reported Reuters (Nov. 5). The Hemet location...

Shoppers seek simple meal solutions.
November 12, 2007... As consumers become more pressed for time and less confident in the kitchen, a growing number are looking for an easier way to create meals, especially as the holiday season approaches. Meal assembly centers are increasing nationwide as...

Corporate structuring mode continues with PepsiCo.(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... Purchase, NY-based PEPSICO is the latest food/beverage industry player to implement changes in its corporate structure. PepsiCo unveiled a strategic realignment of its organizational structure to position the company for continued strong...

The expanding universe of CPG advertising.
November 12, 2007... Vast galaxies are opening up in the world of CPG advertising, apparently making traditional domestic media approaches look more like obsolete concepts. Indeed, the new stars in the CPG sky are new markets, new technologies and new cyberspace...

Rich Products Corp.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... RICH PRODUCTS CORP. is reorganizing its North American business to focus on the products with the most value and potential, and cutting about 100 jobs in sales, support and production roles that are not needed. The new strategy calls for...

Natur Research Ingredients.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... A new plant-derived sweetener, claimed to have a similar taste profile to sugar, is preparing to hit the worldwide market. Brazzein, derived from a plant native to Africa, will be marketed under the brand name Cweet. NATUR RESEARCH INGREDIENTS,...

Apple & Eve.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... APPLE & EVE, Port Washington, NY, entered the energy drink market with two 100% juice energy drinks--AWAKE and AWAKE LIGHT--designed specifically for morning consumption. Both all-natural, orange-tangerine flavored beverages have the caffeine...

Cadbury Schweppes' Snapple.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 12, 2007... CADBURY SCHWEPPES' SNAPPLE introduced Antioxidant Water, which reportedly improves energy, helps restore the body and supports a healthy immune system, and zero calorie Snapple LYTeWater, a mineral enhanced water line with electrolytes.

Quik-Sav, a 25- unit Michigan convenience store chain, will be rebranded as Beacon & Bridge Market.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... QUIK-SAV, a 25- unit Michigan convenience store chain, will be rebranded as BEACON & BRIDGE MARKET. An emphasis on Michigan-made products--such as doughnuts from AUNTIE EM'S, KELLOGG'S cereal, and KAR'S NUTS--comes along with the new banner. In...

The Village Pantry convenience chain, an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, will spend $15 million remodeling its 146-unit convenience store chain.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 12, 2007... THE VILLAGE PANTRY convenience chain, an affiliate of SUN CAPITAL PARTNERS, will spend $15 million remodeling its 146-unit convenience store chain. The company plans to boost variety in many categories such as foodservice and dispensed...

Noble Roman's, Inc. signed an area development agreement for 60 units for its dual-branded concepts, Noble Roman's Pizza and Tuscano's Italian Style Subs.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)
November 12, 2007... NOBLE ROMAN'S, INC. signed an area development agreement for 60 units for its dual-branded concepts, NOBLE ROMAN'S PIZZA and TUSCANO'S ITALIAN STYLE SUBS, in 10 counties surrounding Cleveland, OH over the next eight years.

Taco Bueno, a quick-service Mexican chain, entered into an agreement with Bueno Development Group Louisville, LLC and Dallas real estate developer Clint Haggard to develop a minimum of nine Taco Bueno restaurants in Kentucky and Indiana.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... TACO BUENO, a quick-service Mexican chain, entered into an agreement with BUENO DEVELOPMENT GROUP LOUISVILLE, LLC and Dallas real estate developer Clint Haggard to develop a minimum of nine Taco Bueno restaurants in Kentucky and Indiana. The...

Rising Roll Gourmet.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... RISING ROLL GOURMET, Atlanta, plans to open between 15 and 20 sandwich shops in the Phoenix, AZ area over the next three to five years, reported The Business Journal of Phoenix (Nov .2) In addition, the chain, which serves hot subs, gourmet...

Trader Joe's.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... TRADER JOE'S introduced between 250 and 400 new products a year. "Our philosophy over the years has really been to listen to what our customers have been telling us. That's how we've evolved as a company," said Jon Basalone, senior vice...

Food is the key reason the majority of warehouse-club shoppers choose COSTCO in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas, according to Katrin Yaghoubi Sosnick, president of Rondeel Research Group.(NEWS IN A MINUTE)(Brief article)
November 12, 2007... Food is the key reason the majority of warehouse-club shoppers choose COSTCO in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas, according to Katrin Yaghoubi Sosnick, president of RONDEEL RESEARCH GROUP. Approximately 76%-99% of respondents'...