Industry News

While the overall inflation rate during January was 0.3% from the prior month, food-at-home prices jumped 1%, the largest monthly increase since July 2008, according to exclusive Food Institute analysis of just-released government data. Full Story (FI Membership Required)

About 66% of those in the restaurant industry believe going green would make their brands appear more attractive to consumers, while 63% indicated that they felt an ethical obligation to make their businesses more environmentally sound, according to a study conducted by Retail Systems Research in partnership with Nation's Restaurant News. Some 63% claimed going green would help them to be better viewed as industry leaders, reported Nation's Restaurant News. Full Story (Free Registration Required), Full Report

Aldi will add another building to its Batavia, IL-based headquarters. The 80,000-sq. ft. addition will house more test kitchens, as well as space for growth in buying and product quality areas, reported Chicago Daily Herald. Full Story

ShopRite store operator Jeff Brown and the National Grocers Association (NGA) are spearheading the movement to open stores in underserved areas. NGA has been involved in the issue on the national level for 14 years, working with such entities as the Community Development Corp. and USDA in coalitions of like-minded companies and organizations, with the aim of opening stores in underserved rural and urban areas, according to EVP Frank DiPasquale. Mr. DiPasquale characterized the impetus behind NGA's involvement as a "moral responsibility" to mitigate the often deadly health consequences of people's lack of access to fresh, nutritious food, reported Progressive Grocer. Full Story

Kirtland Capital Partners completed the sale of PVC Container Corporation, parent company of Novapak Corporation, to Pretium Packaging, L.L.C., owned by Castle Harlan Inc. Full Story

Latest sales & earnings for food related companies (Updated Daily - FI Membership Required)

Food Institute News

Purchase Today! The two-part Listeria Control and Regulation webinar, presented by the Food Institute and Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC, is now available for purchase. Topics addressed include root cause analysis and corrective preventive measures when Lm is discovered and how to respond to the government when an agency requests a recall or threatens enforcement actions as a result of Lm positives. Click here to purchase or for more information.

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International News

Wal-Mart de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. (WALMEX) will open 300 units in the country this year. Full Story

Carrefour chief executive Lars Olofsson intends to fix the hypermarket model and revealed that the company is testing several projects, some inspired by Carrefour's Brazilian hypermarkets. The revamp will be launched in France, Belgium and Spain starting next year. Mr. Olofsson also plans to cut choice on store shelves and reduce the number of references by 15% and increase private-label products, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

In-Store Marketing Triggers: The Effect on Brands and Purchase Behavior Purchase the recording today! In-Store Marketing Triggers: The Effect on Brands and Purchase Behavior, a webinar presented by The Food Institute & Miller Zell, examined Miller Zell research on shopping habits and provides guidance in how to more effectively target food and beverage shoppers in the grocery and mass channels by using the store as a valuable media. The webinar featured Curt Johnson, SVP Consumer Industries, Miller Zell and was moderated by Food Institute president Brian Todd. To purchase a recording, click here.

Health News

Western diet salt intake levels may lead to hardening of arteries, independent of blood pressure effects, claims a study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reported Food Navigator. Full Story

Washington News

AMS is in the midst of evaluating a proposed marketing agreement for the leafy green industry and FDA is currently developing a proposed produce safety regulation. Full Story

Market News

StarKist has a 35% share of U.S. tuna sales by volume, up from 29% at the end of 2008, according to president and CEO Donald J. Binotto. The company is testing a frozen white fish fillet product line in Florida, SeaSations, which is expected to roll out along the East Coast this summer, reported Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Full Story

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