The Daily Brief

Free Standing Insert coupon activity increased 10.1% based on coupons used during the first six months of 2010 versus the same time period a year ago, according to Kantar Media's Marx. This increase is the greatest observed during the first six months of a calendar year, surpassing 2004's 8% gain. Retailer promotion activity also continued to grow with a 56.2% increase to 6.7 billion pages in the first half of 2010, led by Target based on pages circulated. Full Story

CVS is doubling the amount of nonperishable food it sells in 11 Chicago stores and plans to expand its food offerings in "several more" Chicago stores by year's end. Meanwhile, Walgreens is introducing fresh fruits, vegetables and new meal ingredients to 10 of its Chicago stores. Walgreens will also continue adding 750 new fresh food options to four more of its Chicago stores in the next few weeks, and to another four stores by the end of August, reported Chicago Sun-Times. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Cub Foods was the No. 1 grocery chain in the Twin Cities region in 2009, followed by SuperTarget with a 13.9% share and Rainbow Foods with a 12.9% share, according to data from IRI InfoScan published by Trade Dimensions, a service of the Nielsen Co. Wal-Mart Stores posted a 9.5% share through its Supercenters, according to IRI data. Target plans on having 29 of its PFresh stores open by the end of the year, reported The Minneapolis Star Tribune. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Americans consumed 422 million servings of smoothies between April 2009 and March 2010, according to The NPD Group, reported TwinCities.com. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Red Lobster began testing a menu that lists major allergens such as dairy products, wheat, peanuts, eggs and different types of seafood in its dishes, reported Orlando Sentinel. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

In response to a recent Daily Brief survey, "What company's new store prototype will be most successful," 2% voted TCBY, 45% voted Starbucks, 10% voted Quiznos and 44% voted Tim Hortons.

Burger King Corp. and Seattle's Best Coffee signed an agreement to begin offering Seattle's Best Coffee in Burger King restaurants across Canada this fall. Full Story

Chinese authorities found dairy products tainted with melamine in at least three provinces, according to state media, reported The Associated Press. Full Story

Approximately 63% of consumers are unable to accurately estimate the number of calories they should consume in a day to maintain their current weight, claims a study from the International Food Information Council Foundation, reported USA Today. Full Story

A report outlining voluntary standards for marketing foods and beverages to children was delayed, and people familiar with the work claim it is not clear when it will be completed. The report, produced by a working group made up of officials from several federal agencies including FTC, was originally due to Congress July 15 and was expected to be made available for public comment, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

The California State Organic Program proposed rules that would outline specific procedures for investigating complaints and collecting samples to check for use of unauthorized pesticides and fertilizers. The rules also would allow the state to establish a spot inspection program to ensure California-made products carrying the organic label are authentic, reported The Associated Press. Full Story

U.S. wheat supplies for 2010/11 are raised this month on higher area, yields and carryin. Beginning stocks are raised 43 million bushels based on the June 1 stocks estimate. Beginning stocks for corn are projected 125 million bushels lower reflecting higher use in 2009/10. With forecast harvested area down, corn production is lowered 125 million bushels, leaving supplies down 250 million bushels and 60 million below the 2009/10 record. Soybean production is projected at 3.35 billion bushels, up 35 million due to increased harvested area. WASDE Report

FCOJ yield forecast for the 2009-2010 season is 1.56 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, up 1% from the June 1 forecast but down 6% from last season's final yield. California's all grape production is forecast at 6.50 million tons, down 1% from last season. The final forecast for the 2010 apricot crop is 67,300 tons, down 2% from last year. USDA Crop Production Report