| Industry
News The fastest growing 15 store brand categories
showed double-digit dollar growth versus single-digit
growth for the 14 fastest growing branded categories. From 2007 to year-to-date
2010, store brand dollar share grew across all categories, according to Nielsen.
Full
Story 
Some
27% of adults claim that natural and/or organic foods comprise more than a quarter
of their total food purchases this year, up from 20% a year ago, according to
Whole Foods Market's annual Food Shopping Trends Tracker survey conducted
by Harris Interactive. About 84% of adults are more concerned with what foods
they eat, 84% read nutrition labels more closely and 83% have a better understanding
of how their food is produced than they did in 1980. Full
Story Country Pure Foods was acquired by Mistral
Equity Partners and management from the affiliates of First Atlantic Capital
and DN Partners. Country Pure Foods supplies juice to retailers, schools, hospitals
and institutions nationwide and is also a key manufacturing partner for a number
of nationally branded juice companies. Full
Story Macaroni and cheese sales are up 25%
over the last four years to $802 million. In response, Kraft is rolling out
Homestyle Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, which is focused on adult consumers and comes
with wider, curvier noodles, a packet of cheese, breadcrumbs and a seasoning packet.
The company's Macaroni & Cheese Dinner sales are up 8% over last year to $645
million, according to SymphonyIRI Group, reported Chicago Tribune. Full
Story (Free Registration Required) The
Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. will close 25 stores in five states
as the company begins the implementation and execution phase of its comprehensive
turnaround. The store closures are expected to be completed in the company's fiscal
third quarter. Full
Story New Product News:
Walgreens introduced the DR (Duane Reade) Delish line of premium snacks
and beverages at more than 6,000 stores.
Full Story ... Sara Lee North American Fresh Bakery is reformulating
the recipes of Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White bread and Sara
Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat bread, removing the High Fructose Corn Syrup
in both breads and including vitamin D in the Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat bread.
Full
Story International
News  Agrium
Inc. submitted a proposal to acquire AWB Limited for
approximately A$1.238 billion. Full
Story
UK consumers are paying up to 59% more
for basic grocery items than they were three years ago, according to figures
compiled by mySupermarket.co.uk. The price of staples such as bread and eggs increased
by 18%, tea is up 30% and rice increased by 59% since 2007, reported The Press
Association. Full
Story Washington
News A
federal judge revoked the government's approval of genetically altered sugar beets
until regulators complete a more thorough review of
how the scientifically engineered crops affect other food, reported The Associated
Press. Full
Story
|  How
Can You Comply With Complex Food Safety Regulations?
The
Food Institute's HACCP & U.S. Food Safety Guide - 2nd Edition provides
clear explanations of the recent regulations and requirements issued by FDA
and USDA regarding the handling and sanitation of food products. Authored
by Olsson, Frank & Weeda, P.C., this guide includes information on applying
HACCP plans in the plant, mandatory HACCP systems in general and specific HACCP
requirements for seafood, meat & poultry. For details, click
here. | | Bashas'
is set to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy organization after a U.S. Bankruptcy
judge approved the reorganization plan. The decision is expected to be appealed
by the company's secured lenders, reported Phoenix Business Journal. Full
Story (Free Registration Required) Market
News Extremely wet conditions in Canada had a significant
impact on forecasted grain production for 2010/11, noted
FAS. Total wheat exports are forecast to drop to 15.5 million metric tons (MMT)
in 2010/11, down three MMT from the year before. Due to reduced area and excessive
moisture, Canada is forecast to be headed for the smallest barley crop in nearly
50 years. Full
Report 
Darigold's
11 processing plants make and distribute milk, butter, cottage cheese, yogurt
and other cultured dairy products under both its own label and private labels.
The cooperative is made up of more than 500 regional farmers and has annual sales
of more than $2 billion, reported The Seattle Times. Full
Story (Free Registration Required) | 
