Industry News

Frozen yogurt is making a comeback, but this time with an edge. Companies selling the treat are opening stores with hip decor and music that draws a young crowd. The concept behind newcomers Red Mango and Pinkberry is to keep customers in the store, rather than buy their yogurt and leave, reported The Associated Press. Full Story

Consumer Understanding of Buying Local A Webinar Recording from The Food Institute and The Hartman Group The Food Institute and The Hartman Group presented a webinar that examined American consumers' understanding of what the term "buy local" means. This 45-minute webinar is your guide to understanding consumer perceptions of what "buy local" means in the context of products, brands, retailers, restaurants and businesses. Additionally, this webinar provided a current view on where "buy local" is at with consumers and how this acquired knowledge translates into marketing opportunities. If you missed the Consumer Understanding of Buying Local webinar, you can purchase the complete recording for $149. For more information, click here.

Consumers disapprove of food manufacturers' reduction of the size of products to manage prices, according to research by The Nielsen Company. Although U.S. consumers are cutting their budgets, they would still prefer to buy larger quantities of food at better values than smaller alternatives. Full Story

Some 77% of U.S.-based retailers expect their use of direct store delivery processes (DSD) will increase or remain constant in 2008, representing a significant opportunity to drive sales growth, according to Powering Growth Through Direct Store Delivery, a study released by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and conducted by AMR Research and Clarkston Consulting. As evidence of the sales opportunity that DSD can create for retailers, the study notes that sales of DSD products account for 24% of unit sales and 52% of retail profits in the grocery channel. Seven of the top ten largest grocery categories employ DSD, and these categories experienced nearly 15% growth in sales from 2003 to 2007. Full Story

As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, Panda Express proved itself to be an effective competitor against larger corporate fast-food chains and thousands of independent rivals. The 1,100 Panda Express restaurants dominate Chinese fast food and are ubiquitous residents of shopping-mall food courts, airports and sports stadiums across America. The company achieved 12 consecutive years of same-store-sales growth. Customers in California, Nevada and Arizona account for 70% of the chain's sales. Its highest-volume store is in Hawaii. Stores in North Carolina and Georgia do not do as well, reported The Idaho Statesman. Full Story

A film coated with nanoparticles of silver and calcium phosphate could be used in food processing plants and packaging to inhibit pathogen growth, claims Swiss chemical engineers. The group developed a self-disinfecting polymer that is effective against pathogenic bacteria and is significantly more lethal than conventional silicon-based silver preparations against the bacterium E coli, reported Food Production Daily. Full Story

Rosa Mexicano plans to have 11 restaurants open by next summer, and up to 20 locations within the next three to four years, reported The Record. Full Story

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. became a member of Topco Associates LLC for procurement of its corporate brands products in the categories of Grocery, Frozen, Dairy, HBC, GM, and Perishables. Full Story

International News

Quiznos will significantly expand its international restaurant operations, with plans to open 175 restaurants in Brazil and 100 in India over the next 10 years. Another deal to add more outlets in India is under negotiation. Discussions are also underway for agreements to introduce the brand in Singapore, Chile, and Ecuador. The chain already announced agreements in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In addition, Quiznos recently completed deals in Eastern Europe and the Dominican Republic. The company currently has restaurants operating in Canada, Central America, the United Kingdom, Korea, and the Middle East. Full Story

Cold Stone Creamery opened its 100th international store in Japan as well as its 25th store in the country. Full Story

Health News

Eating more fruits and vegetables helps men avoid developing cancer of the esophagus, according to a Japanese study. Those who ate the most fruit and vegetables had nearly half the risk of developing cancer than men who ate the fewest vegetables and fruits, reported California Farm Bureau.

Washington News

Lawmakers in 12 states, including California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and West Virginia, proposed legislation that would require businesses to provide paid sick days in the past year. Some 46 million U.S. workers do not have them, reported CBSNEWS.com. Full Story

Market News

The forecast for the 2008 cranberry crop is 6.89 million barrels, up 5% from 2007 and slightly below 2006. If realized, this will be the second largest production on record. Production is expected to be up in Massachusetts and Wisconsin but down in New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington. Full Report

A projected smaller pear crop in Europe could pay dividends for U.S. exporters this season. Mostly because of spring freezes, production in Europe is expected to be down about 14%, according to the World Apple and Pear Association, reported The Packer Online. Full Story (Subscription Required)

NMFS prohibited directed fishing for Greenland turbot in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. Full Notice

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council wants to amend the Fishery Management Plan for the Bottomfish & Seamount Groundfish Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region. Full Notice

NMFS proposed a regulation to implement the annual harvest guideline for Pacific mackerel in the U.S. exclusive economic zone. Full Notice