February 3, 2012 Edition

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Vita Coco made an investment in beverage start-up Coco Cafe, which produces a ready-to-drink beverage of coconut water and organic, fair-trade espresso with milk. The company will enter Vita Coco's production and distribution networks. Full Story

Smart Money looks at some lessons offered by startups in the booming gluten-free food market that is projected to hit $5 billion in sales in three years. Gluten-free granola maker Jessica's Natural Foods' founder put startup costs at $50,000 in 2009 and estimates $500,000 in 2011 sales, using a contract manufacturer. Smart Money notes it may be more difficult for entrepreneurs to find contract food makers these days, however, due to "significant consolidation" in the contract-manufacturing industry. Nutrition bar manufacturer Ag Commodities, for example, does not accept orders smaller than 50,000 units. Full Story

Frank's RedHot Sauce boosted sales 18% last year and is now the best-selling hot sauce in America, followed by Tabasco, according to SymphonyIRI. Sales are expected to keep rising; the North American spicy sauce category is expected to grow 6% annually over the next five years, according to Euromonitor, reported Bloomberg.com. Full Story

Heritage Family Specialty Foods Inc. switched its Brack Ranch Sweet Pepper Glaze to 32-oz. decanter-size polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles from glass bottles. The move gives the company an entry into the club store market segment with a launch late last year at Costco's locations throughout the Southwest. Full Story

The National Organic Program (NOP) released a draft guidance document intended for use by accredited certifying agents, certified operations and non-certified handlers of certified organic products. The NOP is seeking comments on the draft guidance document, Handling Bulk, Unpackaged Organic Products, and once finalized will be available through The Program Handbook: Guidance and Instructions for Accredited Certifying Agents (ACAs) and Certified Operations. Full Notice

The world's largest publicly traded commodities supplier, Switzerland's Glencore, is reportedly in talks to merge with resources group Xstrata plc that would create an $80 billion firm, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

Facebook's "Sponsored Stories" advertisements will move from a sidebar into the social network's coveted "News Feed" area this month, reported The Wall Street Journal in article about the firm's vice president of marketing. Facebook derived some $3.1 billion in advertising revenue last year, including the "sponsored stories" feature used by companies including Ben & Jerry's. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

New Store News: Target will open a 124,000-sq. ft. CityTarget location with a Pret A Manger eatery in Chicago on July 29, reported Chicago Sun-Times. Full Story ... Safeway will replace a store in Portland, OR with a larger 62,925-sq. ft. location, set to open next year, reported OregonLive.com. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

About 44% of healthy snackers tend to eat healthfully most of the time and 42% make it a point to snack on foods that are healthy. Additionally, 39% of healthy snackers consume less-healthy items as an occasional treat, according to Mintel. Fresh fruit is overwhelmingly (86%) considered healthy snacking, followed by raw vegetables (73%) and nuts/seeds (71%). Full Story

Food processing company Chesapeake Gardens received debt investment funding from The Reinvestment Fund that will be used for growth capital to support the Company's product line and distribution channel expansion. Full Story

Acosta Sales & Marketing acquired certain assets of Griffin Strategic Advisors LLC, a strategy and operations management consulting firm that provides consulting and other services to a range of business sectors. Griffin will combine with Acosta's Marketing Group (AMG) to form AMG Strategic Advisors, a new business unit to be led by Griffin's co-founder and CEO Carrie Shea. Full Story

Some 46.1 million Americans received food stamps in November, falling 0.2% from October and marking the second straight month of decline, according to FNS. The November figure was 5.8% higher than the year prior. Full Story

Specialty bakery Red Petal Cakes is set to open in Edmonds, WA next month. The location will offer designer cakes, gourmet cupcakes, espresso and wine, reported Edmonds Patch. Full Story

Mecklenburg County, NC-based Beverly's Gourmet Foods operates in the Mecklenburg County Market, where it sells 240 products, which includes 58 soups, 37 salads and 22 tofu dishes, reported Charlotte Business Journal. Full Story (Paid Subscription Required)

Coffee caffeine consumption reduces the risk of advanced fibrosis in those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, according to research published in Hepatology, reported Science Daily. Full Story