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

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 […]