Industry News

BI-LO, LLC and Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. will merge to create an organization of approximately 690 grocery stores in eight states. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, BI-LO will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Winn-Dixie stock in the merger in a transaction valued at $560 million. The transaction is currently expected to close in the next 60 to 120 days. Full Story

Retail food prices declined 0.4% during November, the first month-to-month decline in 12 months. Even so, retail food prices were still 5.9% more than a year ago, and the annualized inflation rate for food-at-home increased to 5.7% through 11 months, according to Food Institute analysis of just-released government data. Full Story (FI Membership 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.

View Today! Food passions in the aisles and a new gluten free store concept are discussed in the Dec. 19 edition of the Lempert Report, hosted by Phil Lempert. Click here to view.

Chipotle stated its employee annual turnover at its restaurants nationwide rose to more than 125% from below 100% since the Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation. About half its workers are Hispanics, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

Private equity firm Centre Partners acquired Bellisio Foods, Inc., together with the management team of Bellisio. Full Story

The Andersons, Inc. will separate its Grain and Ethanol operations into individual business units and appointed Harold M. Reed COO. Full Story

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

Food Institute News

Purchase Today! The Food Institute's Finding Competitive Advantage in 21st Century Food Retailing Webinar offered a framework that retailers and suppliers can use to identify sources of competitive advantage. The one-hour webinar, featuring Bill Bishop, answered numerous thought-provoking questions. To learn more and purchase, click here or contact Sue Antista at 201-791-5570, ext. 212.

* Members only

International News

A bill requiring mandatory labeling of all pre-packaged foods and beverages containing or produced from genetically modified (GM) products was introduced in the Philippine House of Representatives. The draft legislation covers all foods produced using biotechnology, as well as those foods produced with or derived from GM materials. USDA Report

Washington News

A rider in the onmibus spending bill is calling for a cost-benefit analysis for kid's marketing guidelines. In essence, the rider demands that the Obama administration weigh the benefits of a possible reduction in childhood obesity with what opponents claim will be a definite reduction in advertising jobs and the loss of sales for food marketers, reported Advertising Age. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Nexira filed a petition with FDA proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the expanded safe use of acacia gum (gum arabic) in food, according to a notice to be published in the Dec. 20 Federal Register. Full Notice

Market News

World coffee production is revised down from the June estimate by 1.2 million bags to 133.8 million bags. Colombia, which accounts for 10% of world production, will see a reduction to 8.5 million as shortfalls continue due to heavy rains, coffee rust and the coffee cherry borer. USDA Report

Cargill and Sugar Growers and Refiners, Inc. acquired all of Imperial Sugar's interest in Louisiana Sugar Refining, LLC (LSR). Cargill and Sugar now each have a 5% interest in the million-ton-per-year sugar refinery. LSR was previously owned in equal 1/3 shares by Cargill, Imperial Sugar Company and Sugar Growers and Refiners, Inc. Full Story