Industry News

If consumers respond to the tax rebates as they did in 2001 restaurants will benefit, according to a report from The NPD Group. Studies of what happened after households started receiving their rebate checks between July and September 2001 found that initially much of the money went into savings or to pay debt. Then, spending went to clothing stores and restaurants. In general, there was a lag time between when consumers received their checks and when they started spending at restaurants. Full Story

The outlook for the restaurant industry continued to weaken in March, as the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant activity fell sharply. The Association's Restaurant Performance Index stood at 97.9 in March, down 0.9% from February and its lowest level on record. Full Story

Some large agriculture companies seem to be profiting against the backdrop of a food crisis, which experts claims is the worst in three decades. However, companies say they are not to blame for the soaring prices, and that increased profits can be used to develop new technologies that will ultimately help farmers improve productivity, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

Consumer interest in buying green environmentally friendly products and healthy organic food remains high despite the tough economy and rising food and energy prices, according to a recent market research survey by Mambo Sprouts Marketing. Consumers are placing a priority on buying green and two in three or more are using coupons, stocking up on sales and cooking meals at home to stretch their grocery dollars, reported The Sun Herald. Full Story

Starbucks Corp. will unveil two new drinks: a smoothie-like beverage made of fresh fruit and whey powder, and another sweet, icy drink, according to The Wall Street Journal. The two lines of drinks come as the company is in the initial stage of a broader push into healthier drink and food products, reported Reuters. Full Story

Food Institute News

The Food Institute's Article Index was updated through April 14, 2008! FI Members click here to search for articles that have appeared in the weekly Food Institute Report. Search by company or by subject. To learn about becoming a Food Institute Member, click here.

Clarion Group The Clarion Group are management consultants in dining service since 1995. The group provides operational and facilities design solutions for companies, colleges and independent schools in all aspects of their in-house dining and vending services. Operations improvement, cost reduction, competitive contractor selection, feasibility studies, concept development and design of new and renovated dining facilities. Clarion's consultants have more than three decades' hands-on operations experience in all aspects of employee and student dining and vending services. You can reach Clarion Group by phone at (603) 642-8011 or by e-mail at TWM@clariongp.com. To learn more about this 9-year Food Institute member visit: www.clariongp.com Interested in seeing your company featured here? Email us for more details.

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International News

Plans to invest in biodiesel refineries across Southeast Asia are on hold as the prices of key raw ingredients, particularly palm oil, have increased amid surging food demand in China and India. An oversupply of biodiesel fuel in Europe and growing concern in the West about the adverse environmental impact of oil-palm cultivation have added to the bleak outlook. Many firms are instead capitalizing on growing demand for food in China and India by exporting more cooking oil, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

The Daily Update is a substantially abbreviated version of Today In Food. You can get a subscription to Today In Food, which usually has over 30 news items each day, as well as access to the archives for just $49.95 per year. Click here to sign up.

Health News

Not all trans fats may be bad for a person's heart, according to the University of Alberta. Natural trans fats found in yogurt, cheese, milk, beef or lamb chops may actually lower cholesterol and help reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, reported Winnipeg Free Press. Full Story

Washington News

House Democrats are pushing for new standards to protect workers from combustible dust explosions. The legislation would require OSHA to come up with temporary safety standards within 90 days and final safety standards 18 months after the legislation is signed into law, reported The Associated Press. Full Story

Market News

This year, about a quarter of U.S. corn will go to feeding ethanol plants instead of poultry or livestock. Although the change is helping farmers, it is boosting demand and prices for corn at the same time global grain demand is growing, reported MSNBC. Full Story

Label Reading From A Consumer Perspective A Webinar presented by The Food Institute and The Hartman Group The Food Institute and The Hartman Group hosted an informative webinar on Mar. 26 that explained label reading from a consumer perspective and the lifestyle elements that lead to consumer's interest with label reading. This one-hour webinar led by Hartman's Kate Peringer revealed the awareness, trust and understanding of 13 symbols and icons spanning the worlds of health and wellness, nutrition, ethical consumption and sustainability. The webinar also featured Robert Hahn, Esq., Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC, who discussed FDA, USDA, and FTC requirements for "fresh," "whole grain," "made in USA," "green," and other claims highlighted in the Hartman Group study. If you missed the Label Reading from a Consumer Perspective webinar, you can purchase the complete recording for $149. Click here to purchase the recording.