Industry News

SYSCO Corporation corrected information released by Dezina Marketing, Inc. Contrary to the Dezina press release, which SYSCO Corporation did not review or approve, SYSCO has not negotiated with or entered into a joint venture with Dezina to provide its products online to residential customers. SYSCO does currently deliver foodservice products to commissaries operated by Dezina. Furthermore, quotes attributed to Keith Shapiro, president of SYSCO's operating company in Baltimore, MD, were not reviewed or approved by Mr. Shapiro and information describing SYSCO and its financial performance was outdated or inaccurate. Full Story

RMH Foods L.L.C. signed an agreement to put its newest line of refrigerated entrées in Wal-Mart stores throughout the U.S. Launching on Sept. 8, the six-item Milano Italian Grille entrée line includes Chicken Milano, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lasagna, Fettuccini Alfredo, Chicken Marsala, and Chicken Parmesan, reported Meat & Poultry. Full Story

Food prices in the U.S. are not likely to fall any time soon, according to economists, as retail prices are quick to rise but slow to decrease. In the U.S., where retail food inflation is increasing at triple the normal rate, customers could see continued price increases before average levels subside to their normal rates, reported The Associated Press. Full Story

Although some fast-food burger chains have leveled off in recent years in the U.S., a higher class of burger chains is emerging. These chains appeal to consumers seeking a product and experience a notch above fast food but without the price of a full-service restaurant. A host of chains has entered this niche, including Five Guys, Smashburger, The Counter, and Cheeseburger Bobby's, which hopes to have 50 stores by the end of 2010, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

The number of people who shopped at club stores such as Costco, B.J.'s and Sam's Club increased 3.6% from September 2006 to April 2008, with upscale consumers driving the increase, according to Mediamark Research & Intelligence's Survey of the American Consumer. Moreover, club store shoppers with household incomes of $75,000 annually grew almost 12% in the same time period. Full Story

International News

Kentucky Fried Chicken raised its prices in China for the second time this year due to mounting commodity costs. The price increase ranges from 0.5 yuan to 2.5 yuan for different items on the company's menu, according to China Daily. Full Story

Health News

Consuming tree nuts five or more times per week reduces the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, according to epidemiologic studies. Individuals who ate the most nuts had about a 35% reduced risk of coronary heart disease, according to research published in Journal of Nutrition. Full Story, Study Abstract

Washington News

Federal agents continue to investigate House of Raeford Farms as seven former supervisors pleaded guilty to using fake IDs to work at one of its South Carolina poultry plants, reported The Charlotte Observer. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

The Federal Trade Commission will host a "Transatlantic RFID Workshop on Consumer Privacy and Data Security" on Sept. 23 to explore emerging applications of radio frequency identification technology and their implications for consumer protection policy. Full Release

Market News

A solution for the bumble bee colony collapse syndrome may be forthcoming, as researchers from the University of Toronto suggest that a disease is being spread by commercially reared bees used in greenhouses to wild bumble bees. The widespread decrease of bee populations, which caused a honey shortage and industry concern over other bee-pollinated crops, could end as beekeepers work to segregate the wild and domestic bees, reported Food Navigator USA. Full Story

The corn leafhopper is damaging California's cornfields. The bug damages the plants and also carries a disease that destroys them. Farm advisors say there is no material to control the leafhopper, but they hope to obtain funding to import a parasite that attacks the pest, reported The California Farm Bureau.

ECONOMIC DOWNTURN PRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES FOR RETAILERS The future of food retailing for the next three to five years will be dramatically affected by two major trends: food inflation and the emergence of small format stores, according to the annual Future of Food Retailing webinar presented by The Food Institute and Willard Bishop, which examined the state of the food and consumables retail industry in 2007 and beyond. Food price inflation will exceed current "conventional wisdom," and be a factor for three or more years, predicted Willard Bishop during the webinar. In fact, predictions about the rate of inflation have generally been underestimated. However, this food price inflation can benefit food retailers with winning shopper value equations and solid plans to take advantage. If you missed The Future of Food Retailing webinar and would like to purchase a recording, click here.

Water storage in California reservoirs is at 51% of capacity, 73% of average water storage for this date, according to the Department of Water Resources. This may pose a problem for Southern California farmers, who could lose as much as 90% of their water allocations, reported California Farm Bureau Federation.

USDA amended the general regulations for federal fruit, vegetable, and nut marketing agreements and marketing orders by establishing supplemental rules of practice for amendatory formal rulemaking proceedings. Full Notice

U.S. & Foreign Sales Leads

USDA offers to purchase frozen cherries. Offers are due by 1:00 p.m. (CT), Sept. 3. View Details

USDA offers to purchase frozen strawberries. Offers are due by 1:00 p.m. (CT), Aug. 27. View Details

USDA offers to purchase frozen marion blackberry puree. Offers are due by 1:00 p.m. (CT), Aug. 26. View Details