December 16, 2011 Edition

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The number of winter farmers markets increased 38% from 2010, from 886 to 1,225, according to USDA's updated National Farmers Market Directory. Winter markets also account for nearly 17% of the nation's 7,222 operating farmers markets. The top three winter farmers market states are New York, California and Pennsylvania. Full Story

A growing number of confectioners are beginning to market candy made with beer, working out technical problems such as the burning of beer at the high temperatures required to make many kinds of candy. Specialty chocolatiers are also seeking to make candy more "manly," with Vosges Haut Chocolat rolling out a Smoke and Stout Caramel Bar, made with a beer brewed from dark-roasted malt, and Dean & DeLuca offering a six pack of Roni-Sue's black-stout and India Pale Ale caramels, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

New York City-based Esposito's Finest Quality Sausage Products launched an online store. The sausage maker has been making the product for over 75 years. Full Story

Portland, OR-based ice cream shop Salt & Straw plans to open a second location in the spring, reported OregonLive.com. Stumptown Coffee Roasters, whose coffee appears in one of Salt & Straw's popular ice cream flavors, is helping develop the coffee program at the new location. Current flavors include eggnog with buttered rum; bourbon pecan pie; and sweet potato and marshmallow. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission proposed two rule changes. One would allow more liquor stores to become "non-exclusive," meaning they would be allowed to expand into beer and wine sales. The other would allow corporations to become liquor agents, reported OregonLive.com. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Food and nutrition forecasters at Publicis Consultants USA named the Top 12 Food & Nutrition Trends for 2012. Trends include: Perpetual Snacking; Global Food Mash-Up; The Connected Table; and Wine Cred. Full Story

All natural whole nut and fruit bars company Kind LLC is expected to generate more than $100 million in U.S. retail sales this year, roughly doubling its 2010 sales, according to founder Daniel Lubetzky. Mr. Lubetzky set out in 2003 to produce granola bars with only ingredients that consumers could "see and pronounce." Products began appearing in stores in 2004. The company is successful in the marketplace is by being authentic and transparent in the process used, ingredients, the names of the products and the clear wrapper making the products visible, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required)

The Coca-Cola Company reached partnership agreements with three biotechnology companies to accelerate development of the first commercial solutions for next-generation PlantBottle packaging made 100% from plant-based materials. Agreements with Virent, Gevo and Avantium were signed following an in-depth two year analysis of different technologies by The Coca-Cola Company's R&D team and technical advisory board. Full Story

Burlington, Ontario-based bakery Pane Fresco teamed with Fortinos supermarkets to launch a project involving bread and pizza kiosks in select stores. The stores feature a food market, an assembly of small specialty booths all under the Pane Fresco label, reported TheSpec.com. Full Story

The New Jersey Senate approved a measure to allow wineries to sell directly to retailers, and to ship small amounts of wine to consumers by mail. Only wineries that produce a maximum of 250,000 gallons a year would be able to sell and ship directly under the bill, reported The Star-Ledger. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

The owners of wholesaler Great Lakes Foods agreed to sell the company to a Menominee, WI-based businessman. The wholesaler operates from a 220,000-sq. ft. building and services more than 125 grocers in Upper Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin, reported Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Full Story

Rich Products Corporation will realign its governance and organizational structure, effective Jan. 1. Rich's is transitioning from its current dual business group structure, North America and International, to one organization consisting of five regional business units: U.S./Canada, Asia/Pacific, Latin America, Europe/Middle East and South Africa. Full Story

Some food co-ops around the Northeast are featuring frozen vegetables grown in Vermont via a pilot project to extend the consumption of local foods into the winter. With the use of the Vermont Agriculture Agency's flash freeze unit, the stores are now offering frozen green beans, corn, broccoli and blueberries grown by local farmers, reported WCAX.com. Full Story