Industry News

Seneca Foods Corporation entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire the membership interests of Signature Fruit Company, LLC from John Hancock Life Insurance Company and its affiliates. Full Story

The Cincinnati Enquirer examines the fuel/grocery initiatives being offered by retailers including bigg's, Meijer and Kroger, in an effort to win more business despite increasing prices for food at home and energy. Full Story

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc., an eclectic group of 68 restaurants whose eateries range from fast food to four-star dining, is profiled by The Cincinnati Enquirer. The restaurant group consists of eateries with unique names including: Lawrence of Oregano, Great Gritzbe's Flying Food Show, Jonathan Livingston Seafood and Fritz. Full Story

Latest sales & earnings for food related companies (Updated Daily)

H.J. Heinz Co. will add two positions to its 12-member board and to make changes meant to give investors a bigger say in the company's affairs, reported Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Full Story

The Hershey Company's new product innovation, particularly in the areas of dark chocolate, refreshments, and Kissables, was the major contributor to record second quarter results. Seasonal shipments also positively impacted sales during the quarter. Full Story

Americans' eating habits are slow to change, and for the most part, any changes are simply extensions of previous trends, according to the NPD Group's VP of Marketing and Research. The opportunity for food and beverage manufacturers is to pinpoint what Americans eat most and to develop new versions of these, which can involve new flavors, new added benefits or even new packaging, reported FoodNavigator.com. Full Story

One of the Chicago's top trade shows for more than 50 years, The National Restaurant Association show, is expected to remain in the city, reported The Chicago Tribune. Full Story

T.G.I. Friday's restaurants added eight new menu items including three salads, three sandwiches and two new burgers. Full Story

The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners agreed on a 10-year contract with Host International Inc. to operate the primary food, beverage, retail and duty-free concessions in Oakland International Airport. Full Story

FM Paradise closed its Wolfgang Puck Express restaurant in Cherry Creek, CO and is opening a Paradise Bakery & Cafe in its place. The company has five franchises in the Denver area and plans to open at least two more, and is also currently in negotiations for seven additional locations to be developed over the next three years, reported The Denver Post. Full Story

Snapple Green Teas will be available at major retailers, grocery and convenience stores nationwide in August 2006. The teas will be sold in 17.5 ounce bottles for a suggested retail price of $1.39. Snapple will also roll out a premium Diet Green Tea in September. Full Story

Quiznos introduced its Smokehouse Beef Brisket Sub with a double portion of mesquite-smoked brisket, topped with cheddar cheese and barbecue sauce. Full Story

ProHealth Physicians plans to open walk-in clinics in Price Chopper supermarkets, starting next month, the first venture of its kind in Connecticut, reported The Hartford Courant. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

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In response to a recent Stagnito Daily Brief survey, 59% of respondents agreed with the statement, "My company is taking specific steps to address the threat of bioterrorism," while 41% disagreed.

Newsday went "trawling" at the 34th Annual Fancy Food Show in New York, and netted positive reviews for Artisanal Premium's mail-order cheesecake, Ciao Bella's lemon-crème fraîche gelato, Harvest Song Artisanal preserves imported from Armenia, Nueske's applewood smoked baco, La Quercia Rossa's pancetta and prosciutto, and Larabars Pecan Pie. Full Story

International News

Following UK consumer demand for a healthier alternative, the Sunny Delight Beverage Company, maker of the Sunny Delight soft drink launched a new 'reinvented' version. However, despite the colorful re-branding, the drink's nutritional information shows an average 500ml bottle of Sunny Delight Florida Original still contains 42g of sugar - or 28 teaspoons [at 1.5g a teaspoon] of sugar, reported The Daily Mail. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

McDonald's Co. (Japan) will introduce two health-conscious pita bread sandwiches in a three-week campaign beginning Aug. 4, according to The Japan Times. Full Story

Carrefour plans to establish a large network of outlets across Bulgaria, with planned investments of more than €82 million in the country by the end of 2008, reported Sofia News Agency. Full Story

Washington News

The U.S. decision to reduce mad cow testing by 90% will not impact Japan's decision on reopening its market to U.S. beef. However, Japanese opposition parties and consumer groups urged the government to keep the ban in place until Washington tightens its measures against mad cow disease to the level of Japan. Full Story

USDA will soon begin transitioning to an ongoing Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance program that corresponds to the extremely low prevalence of the disease in the U.S. Full Story

The FDA directed a letter to manufacturers and suppliers of soft vinyl lunchboxes marketed in the U.S. after the Consumer Product Safety Commission learned that the interior polyvinyl chloride (PVC) linings of certain flexible lunchboxes contain lead. Full Story

Brinker International Inc., operator of the Chili's and Romano's Macaroni Grill restaurant chains, must face a class-action lawsuit claiming that the company violated California law mandating workers' meal and rest breaks, reported The Los Angeles Times. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Market News

U.S. producers of fresh oranges and fresh lemons, who have enjoyed a dominant position among world producers, face new challenges both at home and abroad as the global market for fresh oranges and lemons becomes increasingly more competitive, reports the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in its publication Conditions of Competition for Certain Oranges and Lemons in the U.S. Fresh Market. Full Story, Full Report

Due to the draught conditions on Wisconsin farms, Gov. Jim Doyle issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency, making it easier for farmers to apply for temporary irrigation permits from streams and rivers at a critical point in the season, reported TwinCities.com. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

For area farmers throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey, few crops prospered in the rain and others suffered. The National Weather Service measured rain on 13 of the 15 days from June 22 through July 6, resulting in floods throughout the region, reported The Philadelphia Inquirer. Full Story (Free Registration Required).</