July 19, 2011 Edition

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Lorton, VA-based Kaldes Bros. showcased its line of gourmet Greek olive oils and cooking sauces at the NASFT Summer Fancy Food Show. Sold under the brand name Kaldi, the company was one of 26 exhibitors showcased as part of "New Brands on the Shelf," reported The Washington Post. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

The former Manhattan, NY-based wholesale butcher Pat LaFrieda III's business doubled since moving to North Bergen, NJ in spring 2010. The company moved to a $7 million custom 35,000-sq. ft. building, which is putting meat into more retail stores and a growing number of New Jersey restaurants, reported The Record. Full Story

Destin, FL-based Mermaid Maggie produces about 1,200-lbs. of wildflower honey each year, which is harvested in early summer and in the fall, reported The Lakeland Ledger. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

After an extensive renovation, Chicago-based Old Orchard shopping mall will reopen its food court as an open-air market called Wilde & Greene. The 30,000-sq. ft. space is now broken up into distinct food and beverage stations, and focuses on healthier fare. Wilde & Greene features sustainable design and a rooftop patio, reported Chicago Tribune. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Three new vendors were added to the Cincinnati farmers' market, including Whitford Farms, a produce stand, and another that sells locally-made jars of honey and other honey items, reported Cincinnati.com. Full Story

The St. Louis County's Health Department is considering introducing legislation to limit fees and streamline the process for handing out permits for seasonal food vendors at farmers' markets, reported STLToday.com Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Some 91% of consumers polled who are familiar with food trucks view the trend as having staying power, according to a survey from Technomic. Only 7% of consumers who use mobile food vehicles expect their frequency of visits to food trucks to decrease over the next year. Full Story

The Seattle City Council voted unanimously in favor of new rules allowing food trucks to sell beyond private lots. Mayor Mike McGinn, who supports the bill, has 30 days to sign it into law, reported The Seattle Times. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Single-use plastic shopping bags could be banned in Portland, OR as soon as Oct. 15 under an ordinance proposed by the city's mayor. The new ordinance would outlaw the bags at checkstands of grocery stores with $2 million or more in annual gross sales and of retailers that have a pharmacy and at least 10,000-sq. ft., reported OregonLive.com. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Reportedly Ohio's first licensed microdistillery, Woodstone Creek produces eight-year aged Ohio bourbon, along with Cincinnati vodka. The microdistillery makes approximately 600 to 1,200 bottles a year. In the spring, Woodstone Creek released a single barrel malt whiskey, retailing for $118 a bottle, reported Cincinnati.com. Full Story

Wal-Mart plans to roll out Copper Mountain Beverages' Hot 2 Go! coffee in all its stores by this fall; the ready-to-drink coffee has a shelf life of more than a year. The Campbell Soup Co. collaborated on the container, which opens like a can of soup and includes a spill-proof top. Copper Mountain also plans to introduce Hot 2 Go! hot cocoa, reported Cincinnati.com. Full Story

Over 81,000 metric tons of Utz Certified Good Inside coffee was sold in the first six months of 2011, an increase of 38% compared to last year. Some 20,300 metric tons of Utz Certified cocoa and 1,778 metric tons of Utz Certified tea were also sold in the first half of 2011. Full Story

New Store News: Whole Foods Market reached an agreement to open a store in Basalt, CO. The 26,000-sq. ft. store is expected to open in summer 2012, reported The Aspen Times. Full Story ... Natural Market Restaurants Corp. opened eight Fresh & Green's locations in Maryland and Washington, DC. Full Story

Costco began requiring its suppliers of bagged produce to test for a broad range of E. coli in June; recently, most produce suppliers added a test that can detect the strain from the European outbreak. The company also plans to test all of the ground beef sold at its warehouse stores. As an added step, Costco plans to ask suppliers of the trimmings to do their own testing, starting later this summer, reported The New York Times on the Web. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

UK grocery sales rose 3.3% year-on-year in the four weeks to July 10, up from 2.5% growth in the four weeks ended May 15, according to Kantar Worldpanel Growth. Growth was driven by a stronger-than-expected rise in grocery price inflation, which is close to 5%, reported Reuters. Full Story