| Industry
News Some 24% of North American consumers actively
buy organics, according to a survey from Nielsen. Organic
products are most popular in Asia Pacific (47%), Latin America at 45% and Middle
East/Africa/Pakistan at 43%. Environmental and social considerations whet the
North American appetite for organics, making it the region most likely to buy
organics to avoid toxins (71%), promote environmentally-friendly organic farms
(59%), help small farmers (58%), avoid genetically-modified products (45%), do
the right thing (38%) and vote against modern farming methods (23%). Full
Story 
George
Weston Ltd is buying Keystone Bakeries for $185 million through its subsidiary,
Maplehurst Bakeries. Keystone Bakeries is made up of Freed's Bakery, Granny's
Kitchens and Heartland Baking, reported Reuters. Full
Story 
Whole
Foods will introduce a private-label line in 2011 based on the healthy eating
book The Engine 2 Diet. Products will be vegan with no canola or safflower
oils, and low in sugar and salt. The company's new animal welfare rating program
will be in all stores by Jan. 1. By Sept. 1, the company will have transparency
on all species of seafood sold in a partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium
and the Blue Ocean Institute. Meanwhile, the company is looking at additional
locations in Canada, according to CEO John Mackey, reported USA Today.
Full
Story New!
The IFIC Food Health Survey is evaluated in the Aug. 31 Lempert Report.
"Martha and the meat case" is also discussed. Click
here to view. Logan's Roadhouse, Inc.
reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Kelso & Company.
Logan's operates 188 company-owned and 26 franchised restaurants in 23 states.
Full
Story International
News  Smashburger
partnered with consulting service Bridging Culture Worldwide
to lead its expansion into South Korea and sign its first South Korean multi unit
franchise development agreement in 2011. Full
Story
Global Franchise Group, LLC's subsidiary
for the Marble Slab Creamery brand signed a master franchise agreement with
Miteco Pacific for its expansion into Australia, calling for the development of
at least 30 Marble Slab Creamery stores over a 10-year term. Full
Story Health News Drinking
even moderate amounts of alcohol may raise the risk for breast cancer recurrence
in some women, according to research published in Journal of Clinical Oncology,
reported HealthDay. Full
Story Washington
News FDA
inspection found numerous violations at Hillandale Farms
and Wright County Egg in Iowa, including signs of wild birds, maggots and flies.
Hillandale
Inspection Report, Wright
County Egg Report 
Nine
Max & Erma's restaurants closed due to rent concessions that were not met.
The closings leave the chain with 52 company-owned restaurants and 26 franchised
locations, reported Business First of Columbus. Full
Story (Free Registration Required) Market
News Peanut stocks reported in commercial storage on July
31 totaled 1.83 billion-lbs. of equivalent farmer stock,
compared with 2.13 billion-lbs. a year ago. Utilization by type was 106 million-lbs.
for all peanut butter products, 28.7 million-lbs. for peanut candy and 33.7 million-lbs.
for snack peanuts. Peanut
Stocks and Processing Report 
The
annual Farm Progress Show commenced as unease over continued consolidation
in the agricultural market remains, coinciding with rising crop prices, expectations
of a near-record U.S. crop harvest and a booming export market for the U.S., reported
The Wall Street Journal. While farmers worldwide are moving towards the
"Big Ag" model of intensive farming, the domestic sector is rethinking its operations
after bouts of food inflation and ongoing consolidation make agriculture a focus
of antitrust regulators. Full
Story (WSJ Subscription Required) | 
