News on Food Trends

Who is cutting back on what

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:45:34 GMT

It's common knowledge that consumers have been trying to economize in the past year. But where have they been focusing their efforts at austerity? Inquiring about specific money-saving steps...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Unilever to Phase-Out the Smart Choices Program Logo While Awaiting FDA Guidance on Future Labeling

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:58:40 GMT

Unilever has long been committed to clear, transparent nutritional information for consumers, and therefore welcomes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announced plans to develop...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Should you be slashing your prices?

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:05:50 GMT

Is the broad-based discount strategy that many large chain supermarkets have employed to draw in business and increase purchases a good strategy?.The Lempert Report believes that by proclaiming price...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Americans Likely to Continue Cooking At Home As Economy Recovers

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:53:32 GMT

The instability of the economic climate has affected Americans in countless ways, including in the kitchen. Early on in the economic downturn, it became apparent that Americans were headed back into...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

UK Food and drink exports buck the trend

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:18:43 GMT

Exports of food and non-alcoholic drinks bucked the recessionary trend and were up 10.2% to £4.82bn in the first six months of the year, according to new research commissioned by the Food and Drink...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

United Biscuits "Crunch Busters" show low price right on the pack, offering value to consumers

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:07:36 GMT

United Biscuits (UBUK), a leading manufacturer of snacks, biscuits and cakes, has launched a range of savoury snacks 35p Price Marked Packs, available now, to help retailers and their customers beat...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Tate & Lyle survey reveals that health and wellness remains front of mind for European consumers

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:37:40 GMT

Research released today by Tate & Lyle shows that consumers continue to see health and wellness as an important issue and will pay more for foods that display health benefits on their labels....

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Cavendish Farms invests in product innovation

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:41:02 GMT

Cavendish Farms is pleased to announce the official opening of Cavendish Culinary Creation Centre and Canada's Smartest Kitchen, the research arm of Holland College's Culinary Institute of...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Tips and Tricks to penetrate the German retail market

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:18:29 GMT

Germany’s population of over 80 million is the largest in Europe. Its gross domestic product is the fourth largest in the world and provides the German population with a high annual disposable...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Mintel: Potato Chips Sales jump during recession

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:37:42 GMT

It's confirmed: the recession really did make us chow down on potato chips and other salty snacks. A new report from market research firm Mintel shows that after years of mediocre sales increases,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Farmers suffer as consumers benefit from low food prices

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:17:41 GMT

According to USA Today, consumers are reaping some benefits as farmers take their biggest hit in 35 years: lower food prices at the supermarket. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts farm...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Citigroup: Name-brand foods are gaining ground on private label for the first time since 2006

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:00:58 GMT

U.S. makers of name-brand foods are making some inroads on cheaper store brands, according to research issued late Sunday from Citigroup. For the four-week period ended Sept. 5, branded food...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Supermarket Guru: Snacking is driven by value and health

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:35:06 GMT

Since so many consumers feel they lack control over significant economic matters today, they compensate by snacking. It’s the tiniest affordable slack that people allow themselves in order to feel a...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Food pricing becoming an issue as recession wears on

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:04:16 GMT

Canadian shoppers have been paying more at supermarket cash registers, but a price war could be on the horizon if the loonie continues to trek higher and consumers react to the weak economy, some...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Will Japan cut back on food imports?

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:38:01 GMT

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) wants to cut food imports that make up more than half of Japan's total supply, helping local farmers at the expense of growers in the U.S., under a ¥1 trillion...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

‘Non-GMO’ Seal Identifies Foods Mostly Biotech-Free

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:20:30 GMT

Alarmed that genetically engineered crops may be finding their way into organic and natural foods, an industry group has begun a campaign to test products and label those that are largely free of...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Tate & Lyle Finds that Food & Drink Labels are Prime Real Estate for Manufacturers

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:39:06 GMT

Consumers’ secrets are out: When shopping for themselves and their loved ones, they are swayed by what’s prominently displayed on food labels. As U.S. consumers actively embrace healthier...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

New IRI Report: “Private Label 2009: Understanding and Mitigating Private Label Threat”

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:21:25 GMT

Once seen as knock-offs of "name brands," private label products have become increasingly more accepted by consumers as quality has increased and retailers have expanded their offerings of...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Feeling the pinch, fewer consumers can afford healthy food options, says Technomic

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:54:50 GMT

Technomic has found that the recession is adversely affecting consumers’ healthy eating behavior. Results from the Chicago-based food industry research firm’s recent consumer survey show that while...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

India plans for massive campaign to attract US$ 20bn foreign investment in the food industry

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:12:11 GMT

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, is planning massive campaign through Indian Embassies in the foreign countries to attract investment of US$ 20 billion in the food...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Top 10 claims on new product introductions in Europe

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:25:05 GMT

Between January 2008 and June 2009, Mintel (Global New Products Database) tracked a total of 88,364 new food and beverage product launches throughout Europe. The most frequent claims made on these...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Package size changes replace price adjustments

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:43:53 GMT

Over much of 2008 and 2009, CPG manufacturers imposed price hikes without being blunt about it, usually by shrinking the amount of food inside of cleverly designed boxes, bags, bottles and jars that...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Private label food manufacturers focus on quality, convenience, health

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:36:44 GMT

Mintel GNPD reports that amid rampant private label food product development, manufacturers stay current with the latest food trends. Providing more than just cheap alternatives to national brands,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

77% of US senior citizens have reduced food spending

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:33:17 GMT

A new survey, released today by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), found that senior citizens are being forced to make drastic cuts to their medical and food budgets due to the recession. The...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Gain Report: Organic Foods in Canada

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:59:10 GMT

With the growing availability of industry data, and given the significant growth in imports between 2007 and 2008, it is estimated that the retail value of organic food in the Canadian market reached...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

El Niño is back, bringing droughts, floods, crop failures and social unrest

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:32:42 GMT

El Niño, the warming of the Pacific Ocean that creates chaos in global weather patterns, is on its way back, threatening droughts, floods, crop failure and social unrest. The implications are...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

FDF Recipe for Change: Product innovation continues despite economic downturn

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:06:16 GMT

The economic downturn has not created a 'health crunch' when it comes to new product innovation, suggests research conducted for the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) by independent consultancy...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

NPD: "Organic" top food trend with 41% predicted growth during the next decade

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:06:36 GMT

In its new report, A Look into The Future of Eating, The NPD Group, a leading market research company, forecasts that “better for you” foods, such as organic and light or low-calorie foods and...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Food Prices in United states keep sliding lower

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:22:31 GMT

The American Farm Bureau Federation keeps tabs on a market basket of food items to have a better understanding of the food prices consumers pay at the local grocery store. And in the latest report...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Studies show waning optimism among restaurateurs

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:07:17 GMT

Newly released research from a trio of sources points to slowed restaurant industry sales trends and weakened consumer confidence in the early summer months, snapping a string of recent positive news...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Consumers indulge to lift spirits, food makers say

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:52:43 GMT

Specialty-food makers showcasing wares this week say anxious consumers are consoling themselves, and buoying the gourmet industry, by seeking solace in tasty treats from chocolate sushi to...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Farmers markets online; how big will it be?

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:14:29 GMT

Behind the scenes at farmers' markets, producers are up early getting their products picked, cleaned, weighed and packed. Then they load their vehicles, drive to market and sit for hours in a...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Grootste retailers steeds dominanter

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:22:13 GMT

De twintig grootste retailers ter wereld zijn goed voor een kwart van de totale wereldwijde foodomzet. De gezamenlijke omzet is 1,95 triljoen dollar. Planet Retail zette de twintig grootste...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Frugal Consumers Could Squeeze Restaurants As Costs Rise

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:41:27 GMT

Restaurants could see their margins squeezed as inflationary pressures return to the commodity markets, especially as the chains find it harder to wean customers off a steady diet of meal deals....

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Dutch supermarkets want to go cashless

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:36:44 GMT

Supermarkets in the Netherlands have pledged to switch to cashless methods of payment, such as the PIN system, over the coming years making it no longer possible for customers to pay with coins or...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Huismerken gemiddeld 35% goedkoper

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:12:13 GMT

In Nederland zijn consumenten gemiddeld 35% goedkoper uit als ze in de supermarkt alleen voor huismerken kiezen. Dat blijkt uit de nieuwste prijspeiling van de Consumentenbond. Nettorama is zowel bij...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Private Label Sales Pressure CPGs: Costco

Paul van Eijck — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:00:46 GMT

Costco Wholesale Corp. here said yesterday consumer packaged goods manufacturers are starting to reduce prices, possibly in reaction to rising private-label sales. According to Richard A. Galanti,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

EU deregulates packaging

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:42:48 GMT

Supermarket customers will soon have a wider range of choices in the size and amount of pre-packaged foods they buy, after the European Commission passed legislation deregulating food packaging...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Could food processors face the same fate as automakers?

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:06:02 GMT

According to Hank Cardello, food industry expert and author of Stuffed: An Insider’s Look at Who’s REALLY Making America Fat, the same problems that have menaced the Detroit auto industry could soon...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Burger King Corp. Announces Three Additions to Kids Meal Menu That Meet Its Stringent Nutrition Criteria

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:57:52 GMT

Burger King Corp.(NYSE:BKC) announced today that it is enhancing its BK® Kids Meal menu with offerings that meet its stringent nutrition criteria for advertised Kids Meals, as part of the company’s...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

US Restaurant Food prices rise twice as fast as Grocery Food Prices

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:38:26 GMT

The latest Consumer Price Index from the federal government showed that price inflation rose faster for food away from home as compared with food at home, a trend that could push more consumers away...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Mintel: 100-calorie packs a tough sell: price and size deter hungry consumers (US)

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:50:15 GMT

Though weight and health are major issues in today’s society, Mintel sees lagging interest in portion-controlled packaging. Only one in seven adults (14%) currently buy pre-measured packs, and the...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

FMI’s State of Food Retailing 2009: Strong Sales Increase Offset by Inflation

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:14:11 GMT

US Supermarket industry sales increased 5.2 percent in 2008, and identical-store sales rose 4.5 percent, but these gains were offset by the 5.7 percent food-at-home inflation rate last year,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

China's Food Processing Industry; 2009 Update & Forecast; Gain Report

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:35:55 GMT

Over the past five years, China’s food processing industry has grown at nearly 30 percent annually, with 2008 total gross output value expected to reach RMB four trillion ($588...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Don't Blame Private-Label Gains on the Recession

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:26:09 GMT

Private label growth didn't start gaining momentum in the downturn. Not only have private label brands been gaining share for the past decade, experts say these gains are the single-biggest problem...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Unilever makes a commitment to reduce salt

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:12:12 GMT

Unilever today announced the launch of a global salt reduction strategy for its Foods portfolio, covering over 22 000 products. Unilever has committed to a reduction in salt across its products to...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Potato leads retail food prices higher in Canada

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:40:42 GMT

Potatoes are 55 per cent more expensive now than a year ago, Statistics Canada says, and grocery prices overall rose more in March than at any time in the past 28 years. Potato prices are...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Food makers pass on savings to customers

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:29:39 GMT

After tracing an upward path last year, thanks, in part, to increased fuel prices and global demand, food prices recently have declined. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation keeps tabs on food...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

March food prices (US) fall for 2nd consecutive month

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:49:15 GMT

The consumer price stats came out from the Labor Department, showing a slight (0.1) percent decrease from February's levels. Overall prices have been flatlining or declining since last fall, when the...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Retail Frozen Food Market in the UK keeps growing

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:53:12 GMT

The latest data from TNS Worldpanel for the United Kingdom in the 52 weeks ending 25th January 2009 shows the UK retail market for frozen food increased in value by 6.7% year on year. The market...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Restaurants may see diners spending more

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:37:41 GMT

According to new data from Atlanta-based RBC Capital Markets, fewer consumers plan to cut back on restaurant spending in the next three months and a larger number of consumers than in previous months...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Fork the Recession, Feed the Recovery

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:46:35 GMT

The Colorado Restaurant Association has launched a statewide public awareness campaign to encourage dining in restaurants. A $170,000 promotion, with the slogan “Fork the Recession … Feed the...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Cooking up a new career in the food industry

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:30:50 GMT

It’s all about food lately. Culinary shows like “Top Chef” and “Hell’s Kitchen” are all the rage. Tainted peanuts have us worried about what we eat and how to make it better. Books such as “The...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Simplicity is the new selling point for food products

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:53:49 GMT

Haagen-Dazs's new line of ice cream, Five, doesn't hide the ingredients in tiny type on the back of the carton. Every one -- milk, cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla bean -- is prominently displayed in...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Pizza-making machine has chefs in a spin

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:43:36 GMT

A vending machine that bakes fresh pizza in minutes for a few euros has got Italian chefs in a whirl before it hits the streets in the coming weeks. The bright-red "Let's Pizza" machine...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Why 7-Eleven is selling its own potato crisps

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:06:49 GMT

Supermarkets in the US are more reliant on branded products than their counterparts in Europe, which have bigger selections of private label goods. But the recession is being treated by US retailers...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Food Standards Agency reports on what people think about emerging food technologies

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:19:30 GMT

People remain cautious about the emergence of new food technologies according to a review of existing research, published by the Food Standards Agency. The report, which looks at research since...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

US Consumer spending plunges in early March

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:19:59 GMT

Restaurateurs looking for signs of an economic recovery will not see it in a recent survey that found consumer spending down markedly across all income groups in early March. Even as government...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Restaurants may catch a break with falling costs

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:15:21 GMT

After suffering from cost inflation nearly all of last year, relief from sky-high commodity and energy costs is here, and restaurant bottom lines should stand to benefit from deflated prices by the...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Fast Food Chains Cut Into Casual-Dining Market With High-End Offerings at Lower Prices

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:10:41 GMT

As if unemployment rates, home foreclosures and the deepening recession weren't enough, the beleaguered casual-dining industry has to fend off new, formidable competition: fast-food chains. As...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Walkers launches upmarket crisp brand

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:25:32 GMT

Britain’s biggest crispmaker, Walkers, is aiming to take a bite out of the market for posh crisps by launching its own upmarket brand, Red Sky. Walkers does not appear anywhere on the packaging,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Wal-Mart Gives Its Store Brand a Makeover

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:03:01 GMT

Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) has completely overhauled its oldest and biggest store brand, a move likely to send shock waves through the ranks of branded grocery manufacturers around the globe. For the...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Food and beverage market holds its own in economic crisis

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:30:09 GMT

Last year’s economic slowdown and supply chain issues, including ingredient availability problems and vendor pricing, had a large affect on the global food and beverage market. In spite of these...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Reduced snack portions cut calorie intake

Paul van Eijck — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:19:00 GMT

Portion-controlled packaging for snacks could play a dual role in fighting raging obesity rates by reducing consumer calorific in-take and heightening awareness to portion size, finds new research...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Tough times are hurting fast food chains in China

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:32:46 GMT

Down an alley from a KFC, McDonald's and Pizza Hut here, Li Hong sat inside a dingy little storefront that serves full-course dinners for a dollar. A Western fast-food meal would have cost three...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Award winning packaging for potato products

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:42:50 GMT

The following packaging of potato products won an award at the FPA 2009: Ore Ida’s Steam n’ Mash package (Packaging Excellence Category) Heinz North America wanted a lightweight, flexible package...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Food spending declines 3.7 % in Q4 2008 in the United States

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:30:03 GMT

Fourth quarter 2008 consumer food spending met its steepest decline in more than half a century, according to data from Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis. Spending on food at retail...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Restaurants struggle as consumers eat at home

Paul van Eijck — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:40:39 GMT

Cash-strapped consumers are getting reacquainted with cooking at home, and that's been bad news for restaurants and their stocks. The dining-out industry is suffering through a major fire in the...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Tesco boss hints at GM backing

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:31:56 GMT

Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy has signalled that the retailer is willing to back genetically modified (GM) foods, saying consumer attitudes have changed and it has a vital part to play....

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Is the recession the death of the organic dream?

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:41:43 GMT

Consumers are turning away from organic food in favour of cheaper ethical alternatives as the recession bites. Is this the beginning of the end for organics? On its website, the Soil Association...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

UK Grocers: food providing fuel for growth

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:08:10 GMT

Asda has become the latest grocer to announce ambitious expansion plans, in yet another indication that food & grocery is proving much more resilient to the recession than other retail sectors....

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Frito-Lay introduces "Caffeine snacks" on Japanese market

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:57:48 GMT

Frito-Lay Japan has decided that "Coffee Crisp" should be more than just a pretty name. Their new Caramel Macchiatto and Green Tea Latte flavor corn chips pack two cups of coffee's worth of...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

McDonald's to open 1,000 stores

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:20:01 GMT

Announcing McDonald's Q4 and 2008 results, chief executive Jim Skinner said: "For 2009 we plan to invest $2.1bn in capital to open about 1,000 new restaurants and reinvest in our existing...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Walmart CEO sees "Fundamental change in consumer habits"

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:51:17 GMT

Consumers, particularly younger ones, who are seriously cutting back spending during the current economic downturn may be establishing new patterns of frugality that will live on after the recovery....

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Survey shows Changes in American Shopping Behaviour

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:34:05 GMT

According to a survey of U.S. consumers commissioned by NCR Corporation, unprecedented price wars and product promotions by retailers may be saving consumers money, but also costing them more in...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Retail Food Prices Drop Slightly in Last Quarter of 2008

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:39:09 GMT

Retail food prices at the supermarket decreased slightly in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey shows the...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Technomic names restaurant trends for 2009

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:51:55 GMT

Foodservice consultants and research firm Technomic has released its top trends for the restaurant industry in 2009. The consulting group said that while the industry may be facing the toughest New...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

National Restaurant Association releases 2009 trends forecast

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:21:29 GMT

Research released today by the National Restaurant Association shows that Americans are looking for healthier options and "greener" restaurants when they dine out, in addition to an...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Wieder sinkende Nahrungsmittelpreise

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:41:34 GMT

Seit August zeichnet sich in Deutschland ein Trend stabiler, zum Teil sinkender Nahrungsmittelpreise ab. Im November 2008 verringerte sich der Verbraucherpreis index um 0,9 auf 111,6 Punkte. Im...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Pinguin will be renamed Pinguin-Lutosa; CEO sees frozen foods boost from recession

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:20:34 GMT

As consumers feel the pinch of recession, they are likely to shun pricier fresh produce and head for cheaper fare in supermarket freezers, predicted the chief executive officer of frozen foods firm...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Effecten kredietcrisis op agrosector onderzocht

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:56:18 GMT

LEI Wageningen UR heeft op verzoek van het ministerie van LNV een overzicht gegeven van de gevolgen en mogelijke consequenties van de kredietcrisis voor de Nederlandse agrosector en visserij. Omdat...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Report: Tesco to be world no. 2 retailer by 2012

Marja Kuijsten — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:44:26 GMT

Britain's Tesco PLC will overtake France's Carrefour SA to become the world's second-largest retailer by turnover behind U.S.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. by 2012, according to an industry report...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Major restaurant chains in UK commit to healthier foods

Paul van Eijck — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:14:47 GMT

Six leading high street restaurant chains – Burger King, KFC, McDonald's, Nando's, Subway and Wimpy – have today announced a commitment to make changes in their restaurants, which support Agency...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Domestic and multinational food processors thrive in expanding Chinese market

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:18:34 GMT

The transition of China's economy from traditional to modern is flourishing as urban economic development draws millions of Chinese residents from the countryside to the city. For many, trips to open...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Ethanol No Longer Seen as Big Driver of Food Price

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:34:14 GMT

Heavy demand for corn from ethanol makers was seen as a key driver of corn futures to record highs in June, but since then the sharp decline of corn along with other commodities shows that belief was...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Innovation in food products essential to weather economic storm

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:28:39 GMT

Food makers confronted by today's challenging economic times must continue to invest hard in innovation to beat the downturn. This year's SIAL, which opened yesterday in Paris, is a showcase of new...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Falling oil prices? Food Prices won't necessarily follow.

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:00:43 GMT

Worries about a global recession have pushed the price of oil to its lowest in over a year. Don't expect the same for a bottle of beer, a tube of toothpaste, or a box of cereal. You can blame...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Food and Beverage Industry Concerned About Impact of 'Credit Crisis'

Paul van Eijck — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:54:09 GMT

In a survey conducted by Clear Seas Research on October 13th, food industry insiders expressed concern over the impact of the current credit crisis -- both on their companies and on the food/beverage...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Lean times bite snack vendors

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:09:12 GMT

Like other businesses, vending machine companies are reeling from rising wholesale and fuel prices. As a result, they're charging their customers at factories, hotels and office buildings more for...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

No going back for crop prices

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:37:46 GMT

The increase in prices of corn, soy and wheat is unlikely to decrease, and could stay at current levels for at least two to three decades, says a new report. New research by two University of...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Food manufacturers plan to increase spending on advertising

Paul van Eijck — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:29:32 GMT

While the food companies, like other large advertisers, pulled back on their spending as the economy soured, many big foodmakers plan advertising punches in the coming months. The shift comes as...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Potato price increases more than threefold between farm gate and shelves

Lukie Pieterse — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:12:47 GMT

In an article entitled "Grocery report's disparities only small fry", Paul Sheehan notes: "The figure you need to know is the price for a kilo of potatoes from the farm gate: 55...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

France to put 'fat tax' on pizzas, crisps and hamburgers

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:10:12 GMT

France is considering plans to impose a "fat tax" by more than trebling the VAT on junk food to tackle soaring obesity levels. Ministers are being urged by health experts to raise VAT...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Restaurants Spurn Food Contracts For Spot Market

Paul van Eijck — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:54:57 GMT

Higher prices and shorter lengths for food contracts are forcing some restaurants to reconsider locking in prices for ingredients and instead buy chicken, beef and other goods on the spot market,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Restaurant menus unhealthy for kids - report

Lukie Pieterse — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:44:30 GMT

Parents looking for healthy meal choices for their children are likely to find slim pickings on the menus of the nation's top restaurant chains, according to a report released Monday by a nonprofit...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Gain report: Annual European Union (overview food laws and regulations)

Paul van Eijck — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:00:12 GMT

This report gives a complete overview of food laws currently in force in the EU-27. The following sections were updated: labeling requirements (allergen labeling, nutrition and health...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Tiefkühlkost liegt im Trend

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:08:04 GMT

Tiefkühlkost liegt weiter im Trend. Auch im vergangenen Jahr verzeichnete das Segment ein Wachstum. Insgesamt wurden 2007 in Deutschland 3,1 Millionen Tonnen Tiefkühlkost (ohne Speiseeis) verkauft....

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Farmfoundation report: "What is driving Food prices"

Paul van Eijck — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:11:52 GMT

For many commodities, prices are at or near records. Why have commodity prices gone up so much? In the debate surrounding this question some have singled out one or two factors as the primary drivers...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Food Companies: Recipes for Tough Times

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:38:14 GMT

Faced with rising costs and pickier customers, processed foodmakers find ways to boost their products' appeal—and make price hikes stick. Having already teased out costs through greater automation,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Container Shortages Preventing US Ag Exporters from Meeting Soaring Demand

Paul van Eijck — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:15:30 GMT

Agricultural exporters at this year's Agricultural Transportation Coalition (AgTC) Annual Transportation Conference in June reported that in a year of soaring demand for their products, ocean...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]