Industry News

Supermarket industry sales increased 4.6% in 2007, and same-store sales rose 4.2%, however, these gains were largely offset by the 4.2% food-at-home inflation rate last year, according to the Food Marketing Institute's Food Retailing Industry Speaks: Annual State of the Industry Review 2007. Looking at the future, the report found a high level of anxiety over a growing number of issues, including energy costs, healthcare costs and the economy. Full Story

Meanwhile, higher fuel and food costs and other economic pressures are having a pervasive impact on how consumers shop, cook and dine, according to the Food Marketing Institute's U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2008 report. Economic concerns are compelling Americans to cook at home more and eat less often at restaurants (71%). Additionally, consumers are buying fewer luxury foods (67%) and more store-brand items (60%) and eating more leftovers (58%). The high cost of fuel is contributing to the decline in the number of shopping trips - below two per week for the second straight year at 1.9. Lastly, when deciding where to shop, 37% of consumers cite "low prices" as the overriding factor - well ahead of the second most often cited factor (convenient location at 13%). Full Story

The needs and preferences of Senior consumers, including Baby Boomers, are often overlooked at the retail level, according to Paul Murray creative director for Varsity at the FMI Show. The top issues among members of the age group when shopping are: items are hard to reach (54%); items are hard to find (27%); crowds are difficult to navigate (27%); and prices are hard to read (22%), reported Supermarket News. Full Story

Restaurant chains are increasingly offering up not only free food, but a variety of free menu items, to get customers in the door with hopes of making them into repeat customers. Such free-product promotions may actually proliferate as the economic downturn progresses and consumers are less likely to eat out, reported The Salt Lake Tribune. Full Story

Wal-Mart is opening its first "Hispanic community" store in Garland, TX, on May 7, according to The Dallas Morning News. The store has the chain's first bakery equipped to make corn tortilla chips from scratch and will be the first to stock several brands from Mexico such as Fud lunch meat and cheeses and Bonafont soft drinks, according to store manager Daryl Scoggins. Latino brands found in other stores such as Topo Chico, Barrilitos, and Jarritos are carried in greater quantities and varieties, stated Mr. Scoggins, reported WFAA.com. Full Story

Food Institute News

Consumer Understanding of Buying Local - A Webinar
Presented by The Food Institute and The Hartman Group

The Food Institute and The Hartman Group will host a webinar on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 2PM (EST) that will examine American consumers' understanding of what the term "buy local" means. This 45-minute webinar is your guide to understanding consumer perceptions of what "buy local" means in the context of products, brands, retailers, restaurants and businesses. Additionally, this webinar will provide a current view on where "buy local" is at with consumers and how this acquired knowledge translates into marketing opportunities. There will be a question and answer session following the presentation. For more information or to register for the webinar, click here.

BAYERNWALD GmbH For more than 80 years, Bayernwald has processed approximately 40 different types of fruit into juices, juice concentrates, purees, puree concentrates, pulp concentrates, dietary fibers and other special products. These products are manufactured from berry fruits but also soft, tropical and citrus fruits. Part of the Hengersberg, Germany-based company's product range is also available in organic. Many of Bayernwald's products are tailor-made following customers' requirements (example: smoothie blends). To learn more about this 19-year Food Institute member visit: www.bayernwald.com. Interested in seeing your company featured here? Email us for more details.

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International News

Central bankers are urging more market competition and free trade to even out food prices, according to Reuters. All countries, without exception, were affected by significant inflation risks stemming from rises in food, energy and other commodity prices, noted European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. Full Story

Health News

Increasing one's vitamin D intake may lead to mood improvements and protect against depression, according to a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Low levels of the vitamin and higher blood levels of the parathyroid hormone were associated with higher rates of depression among 1,282 patients aged between 65 and 95, reported Food Production Daily. Full Story, Study Abstract

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Washington News

Senate Republicans asked EPA to halt the country's plans to expand ethanol production amid rising food prices. Twenty-four Republican senators suggested that the agency waive, or restructure, rules that require a fivefold increase in ethanol production over the next 15 years, reported The Associated Press. Full Story

Market News

Beekeepers reported a total loss of about 36.1% of their honey bee colonies, up about 13.5% from the previous winter, according to a survey by the Agricultural Research Service and Apiary Inspectors of America. Losses attributed to Colony Collapse Disorder appear to be about the same, with just over one-third of the operations reporting some lost colonies in which all adult bees disappeared. The combined survey checked on nearly 19% of the country's 2.44 million colonies. Full Story