January 25, 2011 Edition

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The Napa Valley Register discusses the NASFT Winter Fancy Food Show, which featured more than 320 exhibitors from California. Full Story

Companies are increasingly using publicity from celebrities to help draw attention to their items, some of which were featured at the NASFT Winter Fancy Food show. The John Zidian Group will produce a barbecue sauce and salsa line under Guy Fieri's name, while stationery and party supply maker Gartner Studios showcased baking and decorating products that were co-branded with Ace of Cakes baker Duff Goldman. Olive oil producer Gaea played up a line with Iron Chef Cat Cora, and specialty food maker Stonewall Kitchen featured products by cookbook author Ina Garten, reported USA Today. Full Story

The founders of Angie's Kettle Corn will appear on the Hallmark Channel's Martha Stewart Show to demonstrate kettle corn making. Dan and Angie Bastian started the company in 2001, selling kettle corn at outdoor events. The company now sells Angie's Kettle Corn at retail outlets across the Midwest, at Minnesota Vikings games and through the company's website, reported Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

 
USA Today identified 10 marketing trends for 2011, including Simplify my life, Fast scratch, Almost homemade and Flexitarians R Us. New products coming out this year include ConAgra's Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Pop Up Bowl, Kraft Foods' Philadelphia Cooking Cremes, Frito-Lay's Tostitos Dip Creations and MorningStar Farms' soy-based breakfast entrees. Full Story

Ann Arbor, MI-based Downtown Home and Garden will offer an open-air courtyard of seasonal food carts. The retailer will rent space to up to 10 independently owned food cart operators. A 3,000-sq. ft. building is being renovated to accommodate a commercial kitchen, which will be used by the cart owners, reported MLive.com. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Several northern states are among those with the largest numbers of winter markets, including Michigan, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Connecticut. The owner of an organic farm in Carver, MA, Donna Blischke sell jams, jellies and sauces made from produce left over from the fall harvest, while Plimoth Plantation, a museum, holds a winter farmers market, reported Traverse City Record-Eagle. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Clif Bar installed smart rooftop solar array on a communal building in Emeryville, CA. The building is looking to gain LEED certification, and its nearly 2,000 solar panels are expected to generate 6% to 8% more power than a standard array due to advanced technology, reported Contra Costa Times. Full Story

Amazon.com Inc. may be expanding its free home-delivery program. The service, AmazonTote, is currently available only around Seattle, and offers customers a free weekly delivery on a specified day and does not require a minimum-order size, reported Chicago Breaking Business. Full Story

Walmart is reportedly aggressively asking its suppliers for "opening price point" goods to compete with dollar stores, according to The New York Post. The company is seeking less expensive, smaller items. Full Story

Orchid Island Juice Company completed the Made in USA Certified audit process and was granted license to use the 'Product of USA' Certified Seal. The guidelines utilized in the analysis of the product and its origins meet those of the U.S. Government and FTC. Full Story

Cold Stone Creamery extended a licensing partnership with the Jelly Belly Candy Company by three years, and will continue to make Cold Stone Creamery Jelly Belly jelly beans available at retail locations nationwide and launch the products internationally. Full Story

Some 400,000 tons of cocoa beans come to the U.S. annually, reported The Philadelphia Inquirer. Of that, 150,000 tons come through Beckett Street Terminal in Camden, and an additional 150,000 tons pass through Pier 84 in South Philadelphia. About 80% of the processing plants that grind raw beans into cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and chocolate ingredients to make candy, ice cream, cookies, and cakes are located within 100-mi. of the Delaware River. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Palestinian olive oil producer Canaan Fair Trade supplies organic olive oil to retailers in more than half a dozen countries, including Whole Foods Market and J Sainsbury. The company works with more than 1,500 farmers in 43 villages. Canaan accounts for more than half of all West Bank olive oil exports, and sales are expected to be as high as $5 million next year, reported Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Full Story

Kirin Holdings Company, Ltd. and China Resources Enterprise, Ltd. entered into an agreement to establish a joint venture to operate a non-alcohol beverage business in China. Kirin's investment amount in this transaction will be approximately $400 million, and the investment percentage of Kirin and China Resources Enterprise will be 40% and 60%, respectively. Full Story