Equipment Leasing and Finance Confidence Levels Near Two-Year High
February 25, 2014 1:11 pm | News | CommentsThe Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has released the February 2014 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 63.3, the second highest index in two years.
5 Quick Questions: Putting Big Data to Work
February 25, 2014 12:00 pm | by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director, Food Manufacturing | Articles | CommentsSteve Wise is the Vice President of Statistical Methods at InfinityQS, a provider of statistical process control (SPC) software. He recently discussed the best practices for implementing data-driven software and how manufacturers can most effectively use the information it provides.
Consumer Trends: Americans Have Love Affair with Pizza
February 25, 2014 12:00 pm | News | CommentsA new study released by the USDA's Food Surveys Research Group found that the total amount of pizza consumed by U.S. children and adults between 2007 and 2010. Some 13 percent of Americans over the age of two eat pizza on any given day.
Equipment from Closed Campbell Plant Will Be Auctioned
February 25, 2014 11:46 am | News | CommentsSoup makers looking for giant stainless steel kettles or canning equipment may be in luck. The new owners of a shuttered Campbell Soup Co. factory in Sacramento will begin auctioning off equipment from the facility on Tuesday, in hopes of clearing space and raising cash.
Awrey’s Bakery Is Back from the Brink
February 25, 2014 11:33 am | by JC REINDL, Detroit Free Press | News | CommentsIt was a year ago that Awrey's Bakery — one of the few remaining iconic Detroit-area brands — avoided permanent closure in a down-to-the-wire purchase deal. The new buyers bought the bakery just hours before its equipment was to be sold at a liquidation auction.
USDA to Spend $3M to Feed Honeybees
February 25, 2014 11:29 am | by M.L. JOHNSON, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe USDA announced it will spend millions of dollars to help farmers and ranchers improve pastures in five Midwestern states to provide food for the nation's struggling honeybees. Commercial honeybees pollinate an estimated $15 billion worth of produce each year.
Kellogg Approves $1.5B Buyback
February 25, 2014 9:50 am | News | CommentsKellogg Co. said Monday that its board of directors approved a plan to buy back up to $1.5 billion of its own stock. It also declared a quarterly dividend of 46 cents per share. The cereal maker said the new buyback replaces its previous share repurchase plan.
Ben & Jerry’s Rolls Out New Flavors
February 25, 2014 9:47 am | News | CommentsBen & Jerry’s has announced its new line with four new flavors, and the company believes it will resonate with its “core” consumers. The concept includes a core center down the middle of each flavor, which compliments the two super-premium ice creams packed into every pint.
Vermont Adds More Than 2K Food Jobs
February 25, 2014 9:41 am | by LISA RATHKE, Associated Press | News | CommentsRecent statistics show that Vermont's food entrepreneurs have added at least 2,162 new jobs and 199 new businesses since 2009, according to the 2013 annual report of Farm to Plate, an initiative to boost the food and farm economy in the state.
New Rules Would Limit Marketing Unhealthy Food in Schools
February 25, 2014 9:36 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press | News | CommentsNew rules that will be proposed by the White House and the Agriculture Department would limit marketing of unhealthy foods in schools. They would phase out the advertising of sugary drinks and junk foods around campuses during the school day.
Photo of the Day: Taco Bell Takes on McDonald's with Breakfast
February 25, 2014 9:31 am | News | CommentsTaco Bell is readying for the launch of its national breakfast menu on March 27, with items such as the A.M. Crunchwrap designed to appeal to its fan base of younger men. And the chain says breakfast will be available until 11 a.m. — a half-hour later than McDonald's.
Taco Bell Bets on Waffle Taco, Other Breakfast Items
February 25, 2014 9:28 am | by CANDICE CHOI, AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsTaco Bell is readying for the launch of its national breakfast menu on March 27, with items such as the A.M. Crunchwrap designed to appeal to its fan base of younger men. And the chain says breakfast will be available until 11 a.m. — a half-hour later than McDonald's.
K-Cups Cause a Stir
February 25, 2014 8:00 am | by CBS News | Videos | CommentsIn 2013, American consumers purchased a whopping $3.1 billion worth of single-serve coffee pods, up from $132 million in 2008. Consumer Reports' senior projects editor Tod Marks talks about the K-cup boom and its impact on the coffee industry.
Q&A: Preventing Food Fraud at Your Facility
February 25, 2014 8:00 am | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | Articles | CommentsThe Grocery Manufacturers Association estimates that economic adulteration and counterfeiting of global food and consumer products costs the industry $10-15 billion per year. Don Hsieh of Tyco Integrated Security discusses how food manufacturers can prevent food fraud in their facilities.
Refrigeration Compressor
February 25, 2014 1:00 am | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | Product Releases | CommentsThe Copeland Scroll™ K5 Digital™ compressor for low and medium temperature refrigeration allows users added flexibility for new applications (7.5 to 15 hp).
Food-Grade Hose
February 25, 2014 1:00 am | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | Product Releases | CommentsF-NBR food-grade hose for use with company’s pumps provides 80% longer life for improved production efficiency and process/product safety.
Carousel Filling Machine
February 25, 2014 1:00 am | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor | Product Releases | CommentsThe KF 2/4 carousel filling machine is designed for the aseptic or ultra-clean filling and closing of bottles and cups.
McDonald’s Considers Extending Breakfast Hours
February 24, 2014 12:50 pm | by CANDICE CHOI, AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsMcDonald's is in the early stages of looking at whether it can make breakfast available later in the day. It's an option the chain is eyeing more seriously at a time when people's eating habits are changing — particularly those coveted customers known as Millennials.
Calif. Almond Farmers Face Hard Choices
February 24, 2014 12:48 pm | by SCOTT SMITH, Associated Press | News | CommentsWith California's agricultural heartland entrenched in drought, almond farmers are letting orchards dry up and in some cases making the tough decision to have crews perform the grim task of ripping their trees out of the ground, leaving behind empty fields.
Oklahoma State Center Testing Quality of State’s Grapes
February 24, 2014 12:42 pm | by MOLLY M. FLEMING, The Journal Record | News | CommentsWineries in Oklahoma no longer have to send their product out of state for testing. Food scientists at the Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center at Oklahoma State University are performing those tests and have even used the results to help name a state wine to be used by the governor.
