Industry News

Coca-Cola is implementing a new beverage partnership model in the U.S. Under the new model, The Coca-Cola Company and five U.S. bottlers agreed in principle to strengthen the U.S. business with new, expanded territories. The five bottlers are Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Swire Coca-Cola USA, Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country and Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works. Depending on the situation, transactions might include an outright territory sale, a territory swap, or a sub-bottling arrangement (under which the bottler would make ongoing payments in exchange for exclusive territory operating rights). Full Story Meanwhile, Coca-Cola's first-quarter earnings declined 15% to $1.75 billion, partly due to restructuring costs, though unit case volume increased 4%. Full Story

Boston Beer is expanding its five-year-old initiative to help small businesses in the food and beverage industry with funding, coaching and other resources available from the $2 billion market cap brewery. Known as Samuel Adams Brewing The American Dream, the program is adding $1 million in funding for microloans targeting about 100 new small businesses through its partnership with nonprofit lender Accion. Companies, including other craft brewers, can apply for microloans ranging from $500 to $25,000. All loan payments are recycled back into the fund, reported TheStreet. Full Story

Packaged-food makers continue to introduce packaging that encourages consumers to eat food anytime they have an urge, what some executives have termed "hand-to-mouth" eating. Hershey learned that individual wrappers on bite-size candy were getting in the way of people eating candy in certain settings, such as the car, and introduced Reese's Minis, a small, unwrapped version of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in a resealable bag. Target is also putting foods like freeze-dried fruit and granola bars into single-serving multi-packs, while Sabra Dipping offers its hummus and salsa in "Grab and Go" portions, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

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Good Times Restaurants entered into a series of agreements with Bad Daddy's International and Bad Daddy's Franchise Development for the exclusive development rights for Bad Daddy's Burger Bar restaurants in Colorado, additional development rights for Arizona and Kansas, and the ownership of 48% of the franchisor entity, Bad Daddy's Franchise Development. The company will develop and operate new Bad Daddy's Burger Bar restaurants through a wholly owned subsidiary, with its first restaurants planned in Denver this year. Full Story

Nonalcoholic beverage sales in the convenience channel dipped 2.7% year over year, according to the Wells Fargo Securities report. The cold weather and higher payroll taxes are being pinpointed for driving store traffic down, reported Convenience Store News. Full Story

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International News

Nestle will sell a 10-year license to operate the Mexican baby food unit of Pfizer, which it acquired under a deal to buy the U.S. pharmaceutical company's global baby food operations, and Mexico's competition watchdog said it approved the move. The federal competition commission, Cofeco, stated Nestle must also transfer assets including a food processing plant to the third-party buyer to limit Nestle's share of the Mexican baby food market. Under the terms of the agreement, Nestle will not be able to operate Pfizer's Mexican brands for a total of 20 years, giving the third party time to establish itself, reported Reuters. Full Story

Health News

Adults who adhere to a "Western-style" diet reduce the likelihood of reaching older age in good health and with higher functionality, according to a study published in The American Journal of Medicine. Researchers found fried and sweet food, processed and red meat, refined grains and high-fat dairy products may lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular death, reported Science Daily. Full Story

Preparing meals can mean less time for exercise, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed U.S. Census data from more than 112,000 American adults and found that a 10-minute increase in meal preparation was associated with a lower likelihood of exercising for 10 more minutes. The finding was true for men and women, single and married people, and those with and without children, according to the Ohio State University researchers. They said their findings suggest that one healthy behavior can take time away from another healthy habit, reported HealthDay. Full Story

Washington News

U.S. Marshals seized food products at a Ridgewood, NY warehouse that manufactures and distributes kosher food products, after investigators from FDA found widespread rodent infestation in the facility. The agency initiated the seizure of various food products in the manufacturing facility and warehouse operated by V.I.P. Foods on April 12 under a warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Full Story

Market News

The Oppenheimer Group plans to add organic orange and yellow peppers to its OriginO line of greenhouse bell peppers. This year's OriginO-branded peppers should begin shipping at the end of April, reported The Packer Online. Full Story