| Industry
News Wal-Mart lost its hold on U.S. households
earning less than $70,000 a year after making a push
for up-market consumers, as the customers, which made up 68% of its domestic business,
are looking to other discounters. Some analysts believe it could take years for
Wal-Mart to rebound, unless it quickly opens smaller locations to counter the
explosion of dollar stores, which plan to add more than 1,000 locations this year,
reported The Wall Street Journal. Full
Story (Free Registration Required) 
Kraft
Foods will roll out MiO liquid water enhancers this year, the company's largest
beverage brand introduction in a decade. About 60% of the company's revenue is
generated from overseas. High-growth snacks
comprise about half its  portfolio.
Full
Story New!
Shoppers are saying "it's about more than price," according
to the Feb. 22 edition of the Lempert Report, hosted by Phil Lempert. Also,
is bison the next trend in meat? Click
here to view. U.S. Foodservice purchased
Midway Produce Inc., an Indianapolis-based produce distributor serving restaurants,
healthcare facilities, schools and other business and industry customers throughout
central Indiana. Full
Story Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
and Dunkin' Donuts signed a promotion, manufacturing and distribution agreement
that will make Dunkin' Donuts  coffee
available in single-serve K-Cup portion packs for use with Keurig Single-Cup Brewers.
Beginning this summer, Dunkin' Donuts will offer 14-count boxes of Dunkin' Donuts
coffee in single-serve K-Cup portion packs exclusively at participating Dunkin'
Donuts restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. Full
Story 7-Eleven Inc. aims to increase food sales
by 10% this year, more than double the typical 3% to 4%. Foodservice makes
up 17.3% of the company's sales. New products being tested include a pretzel/croissant
breakfast sandwich with egg and ham and Angus beef hot dogs, reported The Dallas
Morning News. Full
Story (Free Registration Required) International
News  The
Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd. is looking to expand operations into Asia,
drawn by an emerging middle class raising demand and prices for milk. Fonterra
is currently building its second farm in China and considering a third, reported
The Wall Sreet Journal. Full
Story (Free Registration Required)
The retail
food sector in South Korea evolved rapidly over the last two decades to become
one of the most advanced in the world. Growth of the sector was mainly fueled
by expansion of modern, large-scale retail businesses, which reflect evolving
tastes and increased wealth of Korean consumers. More stream-lined supply channels
coupled with strong consumer trends for better value and wider choices was translated
into growing demand for imported consumer-ready food products. Imports of consumer-oriented
foods from the U.S. totaled $1.8 billion in 2010, up 32% from the previous year,
noted FAS. FAS
Report 
Washington
News The
World Trade Organization made a final ruling in Brazil's favor
in a dispute with the U.S. over anti-dumping measures imposed on its orange juice
exports. Brazil challenged the methodology of the U.S. Department of Commerce
used in applying antidumping tariffs on Brazilian orange juice, reported Chicago
Breaking Business. Full
Story 
The
U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment blocking federal funding of
EPA action to implement the use of E15. The amendment passed by a vote of
286 to 135. Full
Story Market News Hanson
Logistics will spend $2 million to expand the company's Decatur, MI-based facility
used for cold storage, mixing and packaging by Dole
Packaged Foods. Hanson Logistics reached an extended lease and service support
agreement with Dole Packaged Foods, which includes facility enhancements for higher
volume fruit storage, mixing and packaging. Full
Story 
Walnut
processor Poindexter Nut Co. installed a pasteurizer at its plant, which
may be a first for the industry. Poindexter ships walnuts to more than 40 countries
and 35 states in the U.S., reported The Fresno Bee. Full
Story (Free Registration Required) | 
