September 2010 is the first-ever Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

We are calling national attention and action to this epidemic.  It is your opportunity to unite with leaders in the White House and Congress, with the Governor of your state and Mayor of your city, and with all in your community who care about our youth and the health of our nation today and tomorrow. Here are some highlights:

►Congress has officially proclaimed September 2010 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.  Other national, state, and city leaders are called on to support and observe the month.

►Organizations around the United States will plan and carry out activities that build awareness about and encourage action on childhood obesity.

►And individuals – we hope you – will take steps within your family, on your block, in your community to help reverse the rise of childhood obesity.  Every person in the U.S. can be an important part of Childhood Obesity Awareness Month by taking small steps that add up to a big difference:  Eating more balanced meals and snacks, engaging in physical activity more regularly, and sharing your personal plan and commitment with family and friends of all ages.

Click here for much more information

Whole Foods Market turns 30 this September, celebrating three decades of offering the highest quality natural and organic foods and supporting organic agriculture, environmental stewardship and local producers.  With a birthday bash at its world headquarters and festivities at all of its stores, Whole Foods Market will acknowledge not only its past accomplishments, but also future food, farming and environmental initiatives for healthier communities and planet.

Nineteen Team Members helped open Whole Foods Market in Austin on September 20, 1980, with a simple goal of providing a more natural alternative to conventional grocery offerings. At the same time, the organization that became the Organic Trade Association was established, giving the organic movement new momentum.  After Whole Foods Market was in business for a decade, U.S. organic retail sales reached $1 billion in 1990; today these sales represent a $24 billion industry.  America’s first National Certified Organic Grocer, Whole Foods Market today employs more than 55,000 Team Members in its 298 stores in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom and reached sales of $8 billion in 2009.

“Whole Foods Market was started to offer people healthy, high quality food in its purest state, and we’re still committed to that mission 30 years later,” said co-founder and co-CEO John Mackey.  ”It has been extremely rewarding to see that Whole Foods Market is much more than a grocery store to our shoppers and our Team Members.  It is a catalyst for helping make our world a better place to live. We now have the scale, visibility and opportunity to have a larger influence than ever before.”

In a recent online survey conducted in June by Harris Interactive® for Whole Foods Market, more than four-fifths of Baby Boomers say they are now more concerned with the foods they eat (84 percent), read nutrition labels more closely today (84%) and have a better understanding of how their food is produced (83 percent) than they did three decades ago.

World Headquarters Birthday Bash & Store Celebrations

To commemorate its 30th birthday, 30 shoppers (and their guests) were selected from more than 5,600 entries from the Company’s “A Heart as Big as Texas” short essay contest to win a trip to Whole Foods Market’s world headquarters in Austin for an expense-paid VIP culinary weekend, September 17-19, presented by Texas Tourism, JetBlue Airways and Radisson Austin.  The winners, who will enjoy a weekend of parties, events and culinary delights, include:

All 298 stores companywide will also celebrate this milestone with parties and events from September 17-20.  Visit local store web pages to learn about their 30th birthday festivities at wholefoodsmarket.com/stores

To celebrate the one year anniversary of eValues, Sam’s Club is giving all members a chance to try the program for six days in September. During the event, Sam’s Club is offering more than $300 worth of eValues on more than a dozen items, and giving all of its members access to Early Shopping Hours beginning at 7 a.m. daily except on Sundays. Early Shopping Hours are another benefit of being a Plus Member at Sam’s Club.

“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the one year anniversary of eValues than to give all 47 million members a chance to try eValues,” said Cindy Davis, executive vice president, Membership, Marketing and Dotcom at Sam’s Club. “We want to appreciate our members, and show them how simple it is to save even more money year-round.”

The additional savings are on products in several categories from everyday needs such as $2 off Tide detergent to fresh items such as $1 off red seedless grapes to electronics — including $100 off an HP Desktop or Laptop. To learn more about the special anniversary eValues offers and items, visit samsclub.com/evaluescelebration. Existing Plus Members will receive these extra eValues, in addition to their personalized discounts loaded onto their account. Multiple redemptions are not permitted and sales are limited while supplies last.

Since the launch of eValues last August, Sam’s Club estimates it is has offered more than $3.2 billion in additional savings to its Plus Members. On average, members who take advantage of eValues offers save nearly 20 percent on the featured items, over and above the 30% savings they receive every day**.

Plus Membership at Sam’s Club costs $100 annually and, in addition to eValues and Early Shopping Hours, benefits include up to 2 percent cash back on any purchase anywhere when using a Sam’s Club Discover Card as well as other privileges. Non-members who join Sam’s Club Sept. 1-6 at any membership level will also get the special anniversary offers.

JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ product line is formulated with a unique combination of at least 98 percent naturally derived ingredients, the iconic NO MORE TEARS® formula and our ALLERFREE™ fragrance, containing subtle notes of white floral, powder and vanilla scents, which is naturally derived and free of known allergens and irritating essential oils. The line consists of five product offerings for moms with children of varying ages: JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ HEAD-TO-TOE™ Foaming Baby Wash, JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Baby Shampoo, JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Baby Lotion, JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Kids 2-in-1 Kids Hand & Face Foaming Wash, and JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Kids 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash.

“JOHNSON’S® is a leader in developing baby products that are mild and gentle to meet the different needs of all moms and caregivers,” says Rich Hildebrandt, group product director for JOHNSON’S® Brand. “We’re thrilled to provide moms with trusted, natural products that are affordable and available at mass retail. Not all natural products are suitable for children, but the new line by JOHNSON’S® is not only designed specifically for babies, it also won’t break the bank.”

To coincide with the launch of the new line, JOHNSON’S® is introducing a new micro site, www.johnsonsnatural.com , where moms can get information about the products and ingredients, receive coupons and view a new video series. The video series entitled “Baby Steps to a Natural Lifestyle,” showcases real moms who offer tips on how to incorporate natural living into everyday family life affordably. The videos feature real-life moms including natural lifestyle expert and author Sara Snow, prominent mommy blogger and co-founder of Cool Mom Picks Kristen Chase, and Holly Ambrose, a mom blogger who regularly works with the National Wildlife Federation.

Recognizing that part of living a natural life for moms includes the ability to introduce little ones to the great outdoors, JOHNSON’S® has teamed up with National Wildlife Federation in support of their efforts to inspire families to spend more time outdoors in nature.

“It’s never too early for moms to spend time in the outdoors with their babies and introduce them to nature at an early age,” says Meri-Margaret Deoudes, National Wildlife Federation. “We’re excited to be working with JOHNSON’S® and have them join our efforts to help parents and families connect with nature.”

The new JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ product line is now available nationwide at food, drug and mass retail stores, and has suggested retail prices that range from $4.59 for 9 oz. to $6.49 for 18 oz.

The article also highlighted Organic Valley’s post-recall orders, which are up an estimated 3 percent to 5 percent. And, National Pasteurized Eggs, which pasteurizes eggs via an all-natural, patented, process, expects to produce 9 million eggs for consumers, including major grocers; this is a major jump compared to the  5 million  it produced last week

The article noted organic producers routinely exceed government safety standards, including more requirements for more salmonella testing.

While demand for organic eggs is up, the demand for conventional eggs is slipping. A Publix grocery chain spokesperson quoted in the article said she has seen a slow in egg sales.

Despite decreased demand, the Publix spokesperson said she expects prices to rises, which may cause even more of a reduced demand. About 550 million eggs were recalled, which is less than 1 percent of U.S. production. Still, supply was disrupted, according to the article. If demand doesn’t drop in line with supply, prices are sure to increase.

The recall has already caused the price of eggs to rise for retailers, and USA Today said shoppers may soon be charged more for their egg purchases. The article said wholesale egg prices are up 40 percent since the start of the recall.

According to market researcher Urner Barry Publications, the article said the wholesale price for a dozen large eggs in the Northeast is up 38 percent since the first salmonella-inspired recall on Aug. 13. Other regions have seen similar increases.

The article noted for the past five years, egg prices rose by about 9 percent from early to late August as kids returned to school. With the back-to-school season and the recall, egg prices are skyrocketing.

Still, retailers have not yet passed the increased cost on to consumers, but they are likely to do so in the future. The article quoted Gene Gregory, CEO of the United Egg Producers, who said egg prices are sure to go up, but he said he wasn’t sure how much the increase will be.

North America Ties Global Average

The percentage of North American consumers increasing their private label purchases matched the global average for Q1 2010, and also matched the percentage in Asia-Pacific. The region with the highest percentage of consumers buying more private label goods was Latin America (66%). Middle East/Africa/Pakistan (MEAP) came in last at 51%, while Europe slightly lagged the global average at 58%.

European Nations among Highest, Lowest Private Label Purchase Growth Rates

Interestingly, European nations were at both the top and bottom of the scale in terms of percentage of consumers buying more private label goods in Q1 2010. The highest level of private label purchase intent during the economic downturn was reported by consumers in the Latin American country of Colombia (80%), followed by the European nations of Spain, Portugal and Greece ( 79%, 74% and 70% respectively.

Meanwhile, the lowest reported drift toward private label came from consumers in Sweden (30%), Thailand (38%), Hong Kong (40%) and Denmark (41%).

Most Global Shoppers Will Keep Buying Private Label

Fully 88% of shoppers globally said they intend to keep buying private label even after the economy improves, suggesting that store brand quality has reached parity with national brands and delivers on consumer expectations. While Latin American and MEAP levels were slightly less than the global average at 83% and 79% respectively, the overwhelming majority still intended to pursue a value strategy.

Countries with the most value-conscious consumers on the private label dimension included Austria, Germany and Sweden, all registering a better than 95% intent to continue purchasing private label, while more than one-quarter of shoppers in the Ukraine (31%), Pakistan (28%), the United Arab Emirates (27%) and Venezuela (27%) had no intention to buy private label in the future.

Private Label Takes Off in US

Private label has taken off in the U.S. For the year ending July 2010, store brand unit sales reached an average 22% share across all departments, with share gains in all but dairy. Store brand unit shares range from a high of 40% in the dairy department to a low of less than 1% in alcoholic beverages.

In Canada, private label represented $11.4 billion in national sales for year ending July 2010, which is 18.3% of overall consumer packaged goods spend. During the past year, private label share has declined slightly with overall dollar sales flat, while the total market increased 3%.

Regular Shoppers Purchase Private Label

Comprising just 20% of US households and 46% of US private label brand unit sales in 2008, “super heavy buyers” expanded to 22% of households in 2009 and chalked up nearly half (48%) of private label brand unit sales, according to other recent Nielsen data. In addition to fueling private label sales, super heavy buyers also accounted for 34% of total purchases across the store in 2009.

Heavy buyers accounted for another 15% of private label sales in 2009 and medium buyers represented 15%, with low and super low buyers only totaling a combined 13% of 2009 private label sales.

Beginning August 30, every time Kroger customers in the area make a purchase with their Kroger Plus Card, they not only save money on their grocery bill but also earn Fuel Points that can be used at the pump. Kroger customers have the opportunity to redeem 100 points per visit to save 10 cents per gallon instantly at Kroger Fuel Centers and now at participating Shell stations. This offer is valid up to 35 gallons per fuel purchase.

“Adding value and savings is an important part of Kroger’s commitment to providing our customers the best possible shopping experience,” said Bill Breetz, president of the Kroger Southwest Division. “In today’s economic times, it’s more important than ever for companies like Kroger and Shell to join forces to offer our customers optimum savings and rewards.”

“We are excited to be teaming up with Kroger to help fill customers’ gas tanks for less,” said Dan Little, North America fuels marketing manager for Shell Oil Products U.S. “With 82 Kroger stores throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and more than 400 conveniently located participating Shell stations nearby, it’s never been easier for customers to save on high-quality Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines.”

Customers earn one Fuel Point for every dollar spent on most items when they use their Kroger Plus Card during shopping trips at participating Kroger stores. To help shoppers build up their savings quickly, additional Fuel Points can be earned by purchasing prescriptions or gift cards at Kroger. Customers earn 50 Fuel Points for each filled eligible prescription and two Fuel Points for every dollar spent on third-party gift cards from Kroger’s in-store Gift Card Malls. Shoppers can visit any Kroger store for more details. Fuel Points will be automatically added to Kroger Plus Card accounts and will be reflected on customers’ grocery receipt after every purchase. Customers also have the option of looking online on their “My Kroger” page at www.kroger.com to check how many Fuel Points they have earned. Fuel Points must be used during the month they are earned or by the end of the following calendar month.

Customers may redeem their Fuel Points at Kroger Fuel Centers or participating Shell stations by using their Kroger Plus Card at the pump, manually entering their card number or entering their alternate ID, which will initiate the fuel savings. Customers with questions about the grocer rewards program can call Kroger Customer Service at 1-800-576-4377, or they can contact Shell Customer Service at 1-888-GO-SHELL for assistance identifying participating Shell locations.

For additional information, please visit www.shell.us/kroger or www.kroger.com/fuel.

As the country deals with obesity issues, ingredients in food have come under increasing scrutiny, bringing some confusion to the marketplace but also opportunities for companies as they try to differentiate themselves in a competitive grocery store.

Consumer concern has been getting a quick response from food companies, as many remove high-fructose corn syrup from well-known products, replacing it with cane or beet sugar.

Sara Lee Corp. is the latest to jump on board, removing the sweetener from its two best-selling breads. Among the big-name products that already have undergone recipe overhauls are Hunt’s ketchup, Gatorade, and everything in Starbucks’ pastry case.

High-fructose corn syrup, the widely used and historically inexpensive sweetener, has been getting a critical look from food scientists and many American families, due at least in part to books, movies, and studies looking at why Americans continue to gain weight. First lady Michelle Obama has said that she won’t feed her daughters products containing the ingredient.

Many medical and nutritional experts, as well as the Corn Refiners Association, say that all sweeteners are metabolized in the same way.

A Princeton University study, on the other hand, has found that long-term consumption of high-fructose corn syrup does lead to abnormal increases in body fat, especially around the belly. Books such as The Omnivore’s Dilemma have added to the debate, asserting that widespread use of high-fructose corn syrup is part of what’s wrong with the American diet. And movies such as Food, Inc. have heightened many consumers’ skepticism.

Last week, Sara Lee, the maker of Jimmy Dean sausages and frozen cheesecake, announced it would remove high-fructose corn syrup from its Soft & Smooth and 100 percent Whole Wheat bread lines because their consumers – mothers in particular – had asked them to. “We’re seeing more and more consumers asking for products without high-fructose corn syrup,” said Sara Lee spokesman Jeff Dryfhout.

Over the last few years, Kraft Foods Inc. has removed high-fructose corn syrup from its Capri Sun juice drinks, Wheat Thins, Premium crackers, Nabisco 100-calorie packs, and the majority of its salad dressings.

A danger, according to nutritionists, is that a label reading “HFCS-free” could become synonymous with “healthy.” Keri Gans, of the American Dietetic Association, said both high-fructose corn syrup and sugar provide a lot of extra calories and no nutritional value. “The message should be that people should limit their baked goods intake and eat less-processed foods with nothing added to it,” she said. “And eat more whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.”

Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, cited a survey that said only 3.6 percent of consumers are concerned about high-fructose corn syrup: “A sugar is a sugar, whether it’s corn sugar or cane sugar.” Production of high-fructose corn syrup has been on the decline over the last few years, and that’s putting pressure on the corn-growing industry.

For decades, corn syrup reigned as the industrial food-sweetener of choice. Trade barriers made sugar more costly to U.S. consumers, and corn subsidies made the grain-derived sweetener extremely cheap. However, increased ethanol production in recent years has boosted the price of corn and, consequently, of corn sweeteners. The average price of high-fructose corn syrup during fiscal 2009 was 31 cents a pound, compared with 36 cents a pound for sugar, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“It’s clear that food and beverage manufacturers are listening to their customers, who are asking for all-natural sugar,” Andy Briscoe, president of the Sugar Association, said in a statement. He added that the association is “excited that Sara Lee has joined with other major brands in making sugar its sweetener of choice, and based on what we’ve heard, we are confident grocery shoppers will welcome this move.”

“Prevention is a top healthcare priority at Target and we’re committed to helping guests stay healthy throughout the year. This cold and flu season Target will be the complete prevention destination,” says Keri Jones, senior vice president, merchandising, Target. “Our guests can feel confident that they will save time and money by visiting Target for flu shots, over-the-counter and prescription medications and sound advice from healthcare professionals they can trust.”

This year’s flu vaccine provides protection against both the seasonal flu and H1N1 virus. All flu vaccinations will be administered by Target pharmacists and Target Clinic providers and available during regular Target Pharmacy and Target Clinic hours, including weekday evenings and weekends. No appointment is needed. Guests can visit Target.com/flu for the hours of their nearest Target Pharmacy or Target Clinic. Target Pharmacy and Target Clinic accept many major insurance plans, which may cover the full cost of the flu vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine for everyone six months and older. Additional information on how to stay healthy throughout cold and flu season is available at Target.com/flu.

Boboli Pizza teams up with Hostess with the Mostess.

Summertime is officially in the air, and Boboli® Pizza has once again teamed up with party professional and home entertainment guru, the Hostess with the Mostess, Jennifer Sbranti, to help hosts keep their summertime soirees in top form this season. Jennifer has created 10 simple get-together guidelines and a custom Boboli pizza recipe for the grill — designed to turn any backyard barbeque into an affair to remember.

Sbranti’s popular Hostess with the Mostess website features regularly updated content that includes party themes, recipes, entertaining 101, product recommendations and a blog, where she includes her seasonal recommendations for Boboli fans.

“The ‘Hostess with the Mostess’ site is truly a one-stop shop for first-rate home entertainment ideas,” said Liza Leszczuk, Boboli Brand Manager. “Jennifer offers many suggestions that are still straightforward and simple, yet really creative, like her tasty new grilled pizza recipe for Boboli.”

Never grilled a pizza before? It’s surprisingly easy, with Boboli Pizza Crusts. Simply follow these steps:

• Grill the crust 2-4 minutes per side, over medium low heat.
• Remove crust and pile on your favorite, pre-cooked toppings.
• Grill for 8-10 minutes until crust is golden.

“Boboli pizza crusts are an ideal and clever option for the backyard barbeque this season,” said Jennifer. “The fresh taste and flavor make the pizza crusts a consistent crowd-pleaser during any season, while the hearty texture lets them stand up beautifully to the fiery intensity of the grill. Above all, they allow backyard entertainers to provide a stress-free solution that guarantees fun, customizable and tasty meals for everyone.”

On the grill or fresh out of the oven, Boboli Pizza provides a wealth of options for every meal. Available in 12” and 8” sizes and Original and Thin Crust options, versatile Boboli pizza crusts can take you beyond pizza itself, adding a flavorful twist to any mealtime table — from appealing appetizers to delicious desserts. And, the 100% Whole Wheat Crust is perfect for those craving a more nutritious option. For more recipes, tips and entertaining ideas, visit www.facebook.com/BoboliPizza.

Hostess with the Mostess Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Pizza Recipe

12″ BOBOLI® 100% Whole Wheat Crust
1 tbsp. olive oil
10 oz. chicken breasts, grilled and chopped
1 c. teriyaki glaze
2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ sweet onion, thinly sliced
12 oz. pineapple chunks

Preheat grill for 10-15 minutes. Coat chopped, grilled chicken with 3/4 cup teriyaki glaze and set aside. Brush a dash of olive oil on each side of the crust. Grill each side for 2-4 minutes. Remove crust from grill, and top with teriyaki chicken, cheese, sweet onion and pineapple chunks. Place back on grill for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and the crust is golden. Remove pizza from grill and place on a cutting board, drizzle with remaining teriyaki glaze, and cut into wedges. Let cool 2 minutes, and enjoy!

10 Outdoor Entertaining Tips from Hostess with the Mostess

Stay In Theme
Choosing a theme for your party will make planning much easier and help to create a unique experience for your guests. Hawaiian or beach-inspired themes are perfect for summer! Create a festive atmosphere with easy party décor. For a tropical feel, go with sea shells, pineapples, coconuts, exotic flowers, raffia, and tiki-inspired elements.

Set a Party Timeline
Keep yourself organized by creating an event timeline for the day of the party, including all hostess details from set up to clean up. List everything in order of when it should ideally happen, and be sure to incorporate cooking times, too. Don’t be afraid to ask for help at times when you might be busy… it can be fun for guests to get involved!

Garnish the Buffet
Don’t overlook decorations for the food areas and buffet tables. Set these sections up with tropical leaves, and embellish serving dishes with individual blooms of orchids, hibiscus, or other popular summer flowers. Use the top portions of pineapples as clever “centerpieces” for appetizer trays.

Safety First
If you haven’t used your grill in a while, be sure to refresh yourself with instructions before use. Always keep the lid open when igniting your grill, and use long-handled tools or heat-resistant barbecue gloves.

Creative Grill
Crank up the heat and wow your guests with fun, outside-the-box recipe ideas. Try a Boboli® pizza on the grill, and see my Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Pizza. Don’t forget that you can even grill fruit or desserts!

Flavor it Up
Use marinades and rubs to add unique flavors to grilled meats and veggies. Lemon pepper is delicious with chicken and chili and cayenne adds a nice spice to steaks. Marinades will also help to tenderize food, while rubs will add a bit of crust.

Serve Smart
Outdoor-friendly dishes made from sturdy materials like melamine, acrylic, or bamboo will help keep breaks — and stress — at bay.

Cheers to Summer!
Serve cool and refreshing signature drinks garnished with playful cocktail umbrellas and fresh fruit skewers. Thread colorful fruits and berries onto extra-long toothpicks for short glasses or onto just the top portion of wooden skewers for taller ones.

Mood Lighting
White twinkle lights, tiki torches, paper lanterns, and candles will instantly transform any backyard space into a party!

Wish You Were Here
Set up a photo area complete with fun props appropriate to your theme. Hawaiian leis, sarongs, maracas, hula outfits, and toy parrots and ukuleles, will let guests have a blast creating their own “staycation” memories!