The $20 billion U.S. chocolate candy market is mature, differentiated and demanding. That makes it challenging for marketers of chocolate products seeking to distinguish themselves from the competition, according to “Chocolate Candy in the U.S.,” a just-released report from Packaged Facts. Packaged Facts estimates the U.S. market for chocolate sold at retail at $19.5 billion […]
Category: Organic Natural
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Americans Support Doubling Food Stamp Value At Farmers Markets
Three-quarters of Americans support a nationwide program to double the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly food stamps) when used at farmers markets, according to a recent survey commissioned by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The poll finds strong support for making produce affordable and accessible to all Americans and that, officials at […]
Posted in, Northeast, Organic Natural
Giant Store Nutritionist Helps Customer Lose 100+ Pounds
Mary Ann Moylan, RD, LDN, CDE, an in-store nutritionist at the Giant Super Food Store in Willow Grove, Pa., has assisted hundreds of customers make healthier choices since the store opened four years ago. Helen Johnson, a shopper at the Willow Grove Giant, recently reached a milestone with the help of Moylan and her individualized […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Organic Natural, Southwest
Mile High Organics Is Nation’s First USDA-Certified Organic Online Grocer
Colorado-based Mile High Organics, a leading organic produce and natural grocery delivery service, is the first online grocery retailer in the United States to receive USDA organic certification. The voluntary certification assures customers of the company’s commitment to transparency and traceability, and to supporting organic farmers through the delivery of high-quality food, according to company […]
Posted in, National, New Products, Organic Natural
Cedarlane Bringing Burrito Bites Exclusively To Kroger
Dedicated to bringing innovative options to the natural and organic convenience foods industry, Cedarlane® Natural Foods Inc. is introducing its new product line of quick, easy and “snackable” Burrito Bites, available exclusively at Kroger stores in early May. A leading producer of award-winning natural and organic frozen and fresh foods, Cedarlane offers healthy and quick […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Safeway, Go Green Initiative Partner For Earth Day Contest
Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway Inc. is partnering with the Go Green Initiative to launch the first Go Green Glogster Earth Day contest. Students will be asked to investigate the sustainability of the food, water or energy system in their community, and express their findings through videos, podcasts, blogs, music and photos compiled in a “Glog” (see […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Farmers Talk Pesticide Use Via New Alliance Website
The Alliance for Food and Farming, a nonprofit group representing farmers of fruits and vegetables, has announced the addition of a new section to its website featuring real farmers talking about pest and disease control methods on both conventional and organic produce farms. The website can be found at www.safefruitsandveggies.com under the section titled “Ask […]
Posted in, Midwest, Organic Natural
Hy-Vee Celebrates Laugh Out Loud Day
Laughter is said to be the best medicine and April 2 was Iowa’s first-ever L-O-L Day, or Laugh Out Loud Day. It was part of Iowa’s effort to become the healthiest state in the nation, reports Radio Iowa. Iowans were encouraged to forward a joke, tell a funny story, even to bring a whoopie cushion […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Local Produce Edging Out Organic In Importance Among Consumers
It seems like just yesterday natural/organic was the hot ticket, but local is quickly becoming a consumer favorite, as locally sourced products are becoming more popular at grocery stores and restaurants alike. According to recent Mintel research, the same is true in the fruit and vegetable industry with more than half (52 percent) of consumers […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Lundberg Family Farms Marks 75 Years Of Organic Leadership
Richvale, Calif.-based Lundberg Family Farms®, a leading manufacturer of organic rice and rice products, is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The occasion arrives three-quarters of a century after Albert and Frances Lundberg fled the ravages of the Dust Bowl for the fertile soil of the Sacramento Valley. Arriving in Richvale in 1937, armed with lessons learned […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Organic Natural
Organic Food Sales Hit High in 2011
For the first time in four years since undertaking its annual Organic Product Survey, TABS Group (www.TABSGroup.com) found a significant increase in American consumers reporting they purchased organic products and a jump in overall sales. Specifically, the percentage of all consumers saying they purchased organics rose from 39.8 percent in January 2011 to 41.8 percent […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Organic Natural, Southeast
North Carolina Sauce Lauded in Bon Appetit Magazine
Original Cackalacky™ Spice Sauce was featured in the February 2012 issue of Bon Appétit Magazine, with editors declaring it a favorite in their “Savor The South” issue. The sauce was notable as an example of “… a fresh crop of artisans [who are] giving the Southern pantry a whole new shelf life.” Created in Chapel […]
Posted in, Midwest, Organic Natural
Surf Sweets Debuting Spring Mix of Organic Jelly Beans
Wheeling, Ill.-based Surf Sweets® is launching an 8-oz. seasonal spring mix of its Organic Jelly Beans—with six new flavors: tropical punch, lemonade, mixed berry, pineapple, tangerine and watermelon. “Consumers tell us they love the delicious taste of our Organic Jelly Beans,” says Bert Cohen, president and founder of TruSweets. “Our bigger, more convenient 8-oz. seasonal […]
Posted in, Northeast, Organic Natural, Perishables
Stonyfield’s Hirshberg Selects Walt Freese as Successor
Business leader Walt Freese will join Londonderry, N.H.-based Stonyfield as president and CEO. Co-founder Gary Hirshberg will continue as Stonyfield chairman and shareholder, while advocating for change in national food and agriculture policies, including the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Hirshberg hand-selected Freese, former CEO of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc., who will take the […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Beanitos Gets Investment Boost
Beanitos brand bean chips has announced a substantial investment by 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners, and managing partners Sharon Kieffer and Andy Whitman joined the company’s board of directors. In addition, Sweet Leaf Tea founder and former CEO Clayton Christopher has invested in Beanitos Inc. and joined the board. Terms of the investments were not […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Applegate Praises FDA for Action on Antibiotics in Food Animal Production
“The Food and Drug Administration did the right thing in limiting the use of cephalosporins in food animal production, and I urge them to keep moving forward so that we can save antibiotics and avert a public health crisis,” said Stephen McDonnell, founder and CEO of New Jersey-based Applegate, a producer of natural and organic […]
Posted in, Beverage News, C-Store News, Center Store, National, Organic Natural, Suppliers
Bioenergy takes ingredient to new food, beverage applications
Since 2008, the sales of ribose as an energy supplement increased by more than 85 percent. This, in conjunction with $9 billion sales of functional energy drinks in 2011, suggests that demand has never been higher for ingredients with a variety of applications in functional food and beverage industries. Enter Bioenergy Ribose—a superior energy ingredient. […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Top Five Forecasted Diet Trends for 2012
Looking for the hot new diet trends to follow in 2012? Who better to ask for help than the nation’s top nutrition experts? In a survey by Pollock Communications, a full-service public relations agency with long-standing relationships in the food and wellness industry, responses from more than 200 registered dieticians (RDs) in its network were […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
LA County Launches ‘Renew’ Campaign
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s “Renew LA County” initiative has launched its first-ever “sugar-loaded drink awareness” campaign aimed at addressing what it says is a major contributor to the county’s obesity epidemic. Fueled by the release of local data on obesity and sugar-loaded drink consumption, the campaign will inform the public of […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Portland Named America’s Most Natural City in Safeway Poll
Safeway tapped into the power of Facebook to determine “America’s Most Natural City.” The winning city was Portland, Ore., based on the city’s natural attractions, green spaces and outdoor activities. The city was awarded with 25 picnic tables, sectioned off from the 305-ft. Douglas Fir table that recently broke the Guinness World Record for the […]