Industry News

The food-at-home price index rose 0.4% in April after rising 0.7% in March, according to just-released government data analyzed by The Food Institute. This brought the annualized inflation rate for food-at-home to 3.1% and April prices 3.9% above a year ago. Full Story (FI Membership Required)

Mizkan Americas acquired Border Foods, Inc. from Ares Capital. Border Foods processes green chile, jalapeno and tomatillo peppers and manufacturers of enchilada sauces for the branded and private label markets. Full Story

General Mills Inc. will implement further price increases to offset higher commodity costs. Next fiscal year, General Mills expects costs to be above the estimated 4% to 5% long term range. The higher prices are expected to drive sales growth in General Mills' cereal business, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

Buffets, Inc. is exploring strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company. The chain has 500 restaurants in 39 states, including five franchised locations. Full Story

PepsiCo will start delivering Gatorade directly to Dollar General Corp. stores on May 16, as the company builds on the success it registered by shifting the sport drink's distribution model away from warehouses, reported Dow Jones. Full Story

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

Food Institute News

Register Now! The Food Institute and Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC will offer a year-long webinar series on FDA implementation of the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Twelve one-hour webinars will be offered throughout the course of the next year, offering information on the following topics and so much more: FDA Rulemaking Activity, Upcoming Deadlines, Significant Studies, Reports and Notices Mandated by FSMA and Guidance Document Developments. The webinar series begins Wednesday, May 25. To learn more and sign up, click here.

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International News

Key trends defining the new Canadian consumer marketplace include: tepid consumer confidence, rising prices and the quest for value. The rising cost of commodities is fueling price increases within the top 100 categories, with the most affected categories being coffee (19%), bacon (17%) and sugar (11%). Top saving activities for consumers include buying when on sale (70%), using coupons (52%) and buying larger value packs (37%), reported Nielsen. Full Story

Yum! Brands, Inc. plans to make a cash offer of HK$6.50 per share for Little Sheep Group Ltd. to buy out most of the shares of the company it does not already own for up to $586 million, reported Reuters. Little Sheep plans to open 40 restaurants in the country this year regardless. Full Story

Washington News

Currently in California's legislature, Senate Bill 104 would provide an alternative to secret-ballot elections for farmworkers, allowing them to obtain union representation if a majority of employees sign petition cards, reported The Sacramento Bee. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Market News

The Florida Citrus Processors Association joined other state citrus organizations in calling on Gov. Rick Scott to veto 11th-hour changes to the Florida Citrus Code sponsored by state Sen. J.D. Alexander. Other groups calling for a veto include Florida Citrus Packers, Florida's Natural Growers and the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, reported The Lakeland Ledger. Full Story (Free Registration Required)