Industry News

Starbucks' future growth will come from existing stores through increasing capacity and expanded day-parts, and through innovative store segmentation, with new concepts and formats in strategic locations. The company also expects to operate at least 1,500 Starbucks stores in mainland China by 2015. One concept being tested is the Seattle's Best Coffee Bar in Walmart Canada Supercenters. Full Story

Meanwhile, Starbucks is also open to buying large and small companies that would build its consumer products portfolio. The consumer goods business accounted for only 7% of Starbucks' total revenue of $10.7 billion last year; the company currently only sells packaged goods in 10 of the 54 countries in which it operates, reported ABC News. Full Story

New! The implications of Senate Bill S.510 and why the latest retail pricing from USDA should be locked in a time capsule are discussed in the Dec. 2 issue of the Lempert Report, hosted by Phil Lempert and featuring Food Institute data. Click here to view.

Local and hyper-local sourcing, healthy children's meals, sustainable seafood and gluten-free cuisine will be among the hottest trends on restaurant menus in 2011, according to The National Restaurant Association's What's Hot survey of more than 1,500 professional chefs. Mobile food trucks and pop-up restaurants will be the top operational trend in restaurants next year. Rounding out the top 20 hot menu trends are artisan liquor, locally-produced wine and beer, smaller portions for a smaller price, organic produce, nutrition as a culinary theme, culinary cocktails, newly fabricated cuts of meat, fruit/vegetable children's side items, ethnic-inspired breakfast items and artisan cheese. Full Story

McCormick & Company, Inc. released the McCormick Flavor Forecast 2011, identifying pairings including Fennel & Peri-Peri Sauce; Pickling Spice & Rice Vinegar; and Roasted Curry Powder & Wild Mushrooms. Full Story

Glass packaging manufacturer Owens-Illinois, Inc. formed a partnership with specialty soup maker Bookbinder Specialties as the company introduces a line of all-natural, gourmet vegetable soups packaged in glass. Full Story

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

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Food Institute News

Now Available for Purchase! Private Label: Consumer Perceptions & Intentions, a Food Institute webinar held in conjunction with PLMA and the NPD Group, explores private label perceptions, usage patterns and intentions. The webinar navigates marketers and manufacturers alike through the complexities of understanding this increasingly popular market segment. To learn more and purchase, click here.

RB International Company Headquartered in Sacramento, CA, RB International specializes in helping companies succeed with international marketing. International sales opportunities are plentiful, but often difficult to capture. RB International offers a unique understanding of international markets. RB evaluates product and services to be offered, markets to be sought and develops plan for action and profitability. To learn more about this Food Institute member visit: www.rbint.com. Interested in seeing your company featured here? Email us for more details.

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International News

PepsiCo, Inc. agreed to acquire 66% of Russia-based food and beverage company Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods OJSC for $3.8 billion. The transaction will raise PepsiCo's annual global revenues from nutritious and functional foods from approximately $10 billion to nearly $13 billion. Full Story

How Can You Comply With Complex Food Safety Regulations? The Food Institute's HACCP & U.S. Food Safety Guide - 2nd Edition provides clear explanations of the recent regulations and requirements issued by FDA and USDA regarding the handling and sanitation of food products. Authored by Olsson, Frank & Weeda, P.C., this guide includes information on applying HACCP plans in the plant, mandatory HACCP systems in general and specific HACCP requirements for seafood, meat & poultry. For details, click here.

Health News

Eating more seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids appears to slow advanced macular degeneration in seniors, according to research published in Ophthalmology, reported USA Today. Full Story

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.

Washington News

The Wall Street Journal criticizes several Republicans who voted for food safety legislation passed by the Senate that is now on hold due to a technicality. The editorial states the Senators "must know that the Obama Administration plans to pursue its agenda through regulation in the next two years now that it has lost the House." Full Editorial (WSJ Subscription Required) The full Senate bill can be found by clicking here. (242 pages) The Food Institute will hold a webinar on the new legislation in early January. The webinar will review the new food safety changes and discuss how it may affect your business. For more information, contact Multi-Media Marketer Doreen Pfeiffer at 201-791-5570, ext. 218.

Recording Now Available! A three-part webinar series hosted by The Food Institute and Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC, Food Labeling: What You Need To Know, is now available for purchase. The informative presentations were loaded with timely material, highlighting the latest regulations for labeling products destined for U.S. consumption. Presenters included Dr. Jessica Leighton, Senior Advisor for Science in the Office of Foods/Office of Commissioner at FDA; Bruce Silverglade, Director of Legal Affairs, The Center for Science in the Public Interest; and Heather Hippsley, Assistant Director, Division of Advertising Practices, FTC. To learn more and purchase, click here.

Monsanto will appeal a federal judge's order to uproot hundreds of acres of genetically modified sugar-beet plants in Arizona and Oregon, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

Market News

U.S. farm exports in fiscal year 2011 are forecast to set an all-time record high of $126.5 billion, according to USDA. The new high exceeds fiscal year 2008, formerly the highest level on record at $114.9 billion, and tops a strong fiscal 2010 by $17.8 billion. Agriculture continues to be one of the only major sectors of the American economy with a trade surplus, expected to be $41 billion in this fiscal year. Full Story