Industry News

Following four consecutive increases, U.S. expenditures for food & beverages (excluding foodservice) declined 3.2% in the second quarter of 2010, according to just-released data from Bureau of Economic Analysis. Overall consumer expenditures rose 2% from the prior quarter. BEA Data

Cooked white turkey meat, or deli meat, distribution in the marketplace grew 6% in 2009 to more than 467 million-lbs., with nearly half (43%) being distributed to foodservice operations, according to the National Turkey Federation's (NTF) 2009 Marketplace Survey, conducted by AgriStats, Inc. The top three turkey products produced are whole birds (more than 1 billion-lbs.), cooked white meat (more than 467 million-lbs.) and ground turkey (more than 415 million-lbs.). Full Story

Fancy frozen popsicles - both purchased and homemade - are reportedly becoming the new gourmet treat of choice for adults looking for a little nostalgia. Frozen pop shops across the country have developed cult followings, while carts have become staples in farmers markets in Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles. Whole Foods Markets stores in Austin and Houston carry Goodpops, which are made by Manuel Flores and his wife at their Austin shop that opened last year. Locopops, which caters to humans and dogs, now has stores in Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, with carts at the University of North Carolina and Duke University during the school year. Flavors include bacon, hot sauce and chili peppers. Atlanta-based King of Pops, which started in March, now sells nearly 2,000 pops a week and is booked for two weddings this fall, reported The Associated Press. Full Story

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The fast casual restaurant category accounted for estimated sales of $23 billion in 2010, up nearly 30% since 2006, according to Mintel. Full Story

Latest sales & earnings from food-related companies (Updated daily - FI Membership Required)

Dunkin' Donuts opened 338 new locations worldwide since January, with 75 of those in the U.S. The company also signed 72 new domestic development commitments. Full Story

Food Institute News

Purchase Today! The Almanac of Canned Vegetables 2010, a newly revised, updated reference report, presents five-year time series data through the end of 2009. At 216 pages, a variety of data is included, such as acreage, consumption and production, as well as imports and exports. Benefit from this new edition, which contains "exclusive" Food Institute price trend data collected directly from industry sources as well as U.S. Census Bureau data. To purchase or for more information, click here.

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International News

China Resources Enterprise Ltd. may spend as much as $707 million on acquisitions by the end of the year. China Resources opened more than 300 supermarkets in the 12 months ended June and closed more than 100, according to CFO Frank Lai, who noted that it will expand the business at a similar pace this year. The company also plans to open coffee shops at some of its 200 hypermarkets, deeming it a good time to tap the China coffee market, reported Bloomberg.com. Full Story

Health News

Black rice is a good source of antioxidants, according to research from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. The study authors noted that black rice bran could be used to boost the health benefits of breakfast cereals, cakes, cookies and other foods. It could also be added to beverages, and may serve as food coloring, reported HealthDay. Full Story

NEED HELP COMPLYING WITH THE BIOTERRORISM ACT? A convenient reference source and guide to the Bioterrorism Act, as well as federal regulations and policies implementing the Bioterrorism Act, is available from The Food Institute. Authored by Olsson, Frank & Weeda, P.C., this guide can assist U.S. and foreign food industry users in understanding not only the strict legal requirements, but also FDA’s findings, conclusions, and views as set forth in rulemaking preambles and other documents. For more information or to order the book, click here.

Washington News

In the U.S., hourly compensation costs for all employees in food and beverage manufacturing rose 3.1% from the 2007 level to $23.25 in 2008, according to a report from The Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is a larger increase than the 2.4% gain in compensation for all manufacturing. Full Report, Food & Beverage Compensation

Five states and the District of Columbia reported statistically significant employment increases from July 2009 to July 2010, while four states experienced statistically significant declines, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The largest statistically significant over-the-year employment increases were posted in Texas (134,600), Indiana (47,600), Massachusetts (36,600) and the District of Columbia (21,300). The largest statistically significant job losses occurred in California (103,900), New York (51,400) and Georgia (39,100). Full Story

Market News

In line with lower production and recession-strapped consumers, per capita disappearance of all mushrooms decreased 2% to 3.55 pounds in 2009/10, noted ERS. This is down 12% from a decade earlier and the smallest per capita domestic disappearance since 1988/89. Meanwhile, this summer, fresh-market vegetable area for harvest for 11 selected crops (excluding summer nonstorage onions and melons) is forecast to increase 3% from a year ago. If realized, this will be the first increase in summer fresh-vegetable acreage since 2001. Vegetables and Melons Outlook