|
     |
August 12, 2011 |
|
 |
||
|
IFDA NewsDo you fully understand the societal factors that are converging to define the pool and characteristics of the future workforce? Whether aging patterns, economics, or other conditions, it is clear that the next generation of workers will be different in very significant ways. During the workshop “Future Trends to Shape Your Workforce” at the upcoming Distribution Solutions Conference, you can learn about anticipated trends and their potential impact on the foodservice industry. The session, led by Elliott Stephenson, PhD, vice president of human resources at Ben E. Keith Foods, will help HR leaders and management distinguish the broad trends that can impact the makeup of your workforce, identify strategies to better align future members of the workforce with the strategic needs of your company, and develop approaches to accommodate and grow from the anticipated changes in the workforce. For full information on the conference, taking place October 24-26 in Fort Worth, TX, click here. Operator NewsAramark is considering expanding its ballpark food truck program after finding success with its first in Colorado. The truck, Wok in the Park, serves Asian-inspired noodle bowls, reported Philadelphia Business Journal. Full Story (Paid Subscription Required) Approximately 62% of college students eat at on-campus dining facilities at least weekly, according to Technomic's College and University Consumer Trend Report. Customization is an increasingly critical issue for college diners: nearly half (47%) believe it is important that they can omit or substitute ingredients in their food. Some 21% of students limit their consumption of meat. In addition, 48% would like more on-campus dining facilities to stay open later at night. Full Story The U.S. West already contains a disproportionately high number of coffee and snack stores, 26% of the U.S. total, compared with 17% of the population, according to IBISWorld, which will make Dunkin' Donuts entry challenging, noted analysts. So far, locations outside the Northeast are generating lower sales than the home-region stores. Midwestern locations brought in, on average, $602,029 in sales for the year ended Oct. 31, compared with $996,247 for New England locations, according to the company's Franchise Disclosure Document. Stores in the West averaged $718,100 in sales, reported Bloomberg.com. Full Story Traffic counts at Brinker International Inc.'s Maggiano's Little Italy were up nearly 6% in its fourth quarter, compared with a gain of 1% a year earlier, reported The Dallas Morning News. At Chili's, traffic at company-owned restaurants gained 2.1% for the quarter, compared with a drop of 6.4% a year earlier. Full Story (Free Registration Required) Chick-fil-A is scouting for Twin Cities locations; the company plans to enter the area in 2013. Typically when Chick-fil-A enters a market, it opens three to five stores in the first year, then ramps up to roughly 25 stores within five years, reported Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Full Story (Paid Subscription Required)
Retail NewsD'Agostino Supermarkets joined Allegiance Retail Services, a new division created by Foodtown, which offers independent retailers the benefits of a cooperative membership while retaining their own store banners. The transition will take place over the next few months, reported Supermarket News. Full Story Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is exploring the possibility of buying Carrefour SA's Brazilian unit. UBS AG is advising Wal-Mart on the possibility of making an offer for Carrefour's Brazilian stores, though Wal-Mart is not currently in talks with Carrefour and has not contacted the company about its interest. The two companies attempted to reach a deal on the Brazilian stores two years ago but ended talks because of a price disagreement, reported The Associated Press. Full Story Industry NewsA growing number of Wall Street analysts claim PepsiCo may be the next company that will split itself, reported Advertising Age. The analysts claim the company's fast-rising snacks unit is being held back by its beverage business. Pepsi dismissed the idea, stating that PepsiCo has a "very different portfolio [from Kraft Foods], and we continue to see very attractive opportunities to create value in our global snacks and beverages businesses." Full Story (Free Registration Required) Latest sales & earnings for food related companies (Updated Daily - FI Membership Required) The top 10 beverage trends for 2011 include: D.I.Y. Flavor; Iced Coffee Is Scalding Hot; Drinking Ourselves Thin; and Fast Food Beyond the Fizz, according to The Food Channel, CultureWaves and Mintel International. Full Story About 9% of U.S. grocery shoppers buy high omega-3 food or beverage products in a typical grocery shopping trip, according to Omega-3: Global Product Trends and Opportunities, a report released by Packaged Facts. Consumer demand for omega-3 products will continue growing briskly over the 2011-2015 forecast period, and will influence the activities of marketers worldwide across various categories of consumer packaged goods, including the private label arena. Full Story Brasil Foods S.A. will build an industrial plant for processed products in the United Arab Emirates, reported 4traders.com. Full Story Health NewsThe UN must make reducing salt intake a global health priority, according to UK scientists in a report published in the British Medical Journal. The scientists claim that a 15% cut in consumption could save 8.5 million lives around the world over the next decade, reported BBC News. Full Story
Washington NewsUSDA and DOE awarded 10 grants totaling $12.2 million to spur research into improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of growing biofuel and bioenergy crops. Full Story Market NewsMany hog producers across the U.S. have no intention of expanding their herds as feed costs rise. At the same time, pork exports are surging, especially to China where tight supplies are fueling food inflation. Chicken producers also recently started reducing flocks as high feed costs hurt bottom lines, reported Reuters. Full Story There is new evidence of Asian carp in Wisconsin waters, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. An angler's catch of a bighead carp in the Lower Wisconsin River and traces of silver carp DNA were found in the St. Croix River late last month. However, no young Asian carp nor other signs of successful reproduction have been documented so far in any Wisconsin waters. Full Story Highbush blueberry producers and importers voted to continue the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order. Full Story The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) provided notice of country-by-country allocations of the fiscal year 2012 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quotas for imported raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar and sugar-containing products. Full Notice USTR also is requesting comments to assist it in identifying significant barriers to U.S. exports of goods, services and U.S. foreign direct investment for inclusion in the annual National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. Full Notice
|
|
The IFDA Daily UpdateTo view our editorial policy, click here. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IFDA MembershipFor more information about becoming a member or partner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|