News
Senate Rejects Bid to Let States Run Food Stamps
May 23, 2013 9:38 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press | CommentsA proposal by Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., to a wide-ranging farm bill would have converted the food stamp program into grants to states, which could decide how to use the money, with certain restrictions. The Senate rejected the amendment 60-36.
Photo of the Day: Packaging Company's Growth Skyrockets
May 23, 2013 8:00 am | CommentsGSC Packaging was named the fastest growing private company in metro Atlanta, with 3,265 percent growth. GSC Packaging, a nationwide provider of turnkey contract packaging solutions, earned the number one spot in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2013 Pacesetter Awards, which recognize Atlanta’s 100 fastest-growing private companies.
Consumer Trends: The Facts About Honey
May 22, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsIn a 2013 Attitude and Usage (A&U) study, the NHB learned that when purchasing honey, consumers prefer for honey to be brilliantly clear and golden. Consumers also responded that they are increasingly likely to prefer honey that has pollen grains filtered out. The fact is, whether there is pollen in honey or not, it's still honey.
Texas Schools Soda Ban Advances
May 22, 2013 11:44 am | by MICHAEL BRICK, Associated Press | CommentsSeeking to help the state's youngest students develop nutritious habits, Texas lawmakers on Tuesday approved banning the sale of sugary drinks in public elementary and junior high schools. The bill would limit beverage choices to water, low-fat milk and pure juice.
Meatpacker Bids on Nebraska Land
May 22, 2013 10:24 am | CommentsScottsbluff leaders are considering a proposal in which they would sell 43 acres of city land to Future Food Energy LLC for $10,000 per acre. The company intends to begin construction of a meatpacking plant in the western Nebraska community.
Evian Giving Its Water Bottle a Makeover
May 22, 2013 10:20 am | by CANDICE CHOI, AP Food Industry Writer | CommentsEvian is giving itself a facelift to keep up with its sleek, young competitors on store shelves. The water company is unveiling a new bottle for the first time in 14 years as it looks to reinvigorate its image and win back market share in the premium water category.
Escaped Goat Bound for Slaughter Snarls N.J. Traffic
May 22, 2013 10:07 am | by SAMANTHA HENRY, Associated Press | CommentsA goat believed to have escaped en route to a slaughterhouse snarled the morning commute along one of the busiest roadways in northern New Jersey on Tuesday, leading police on a nearly two-hour chase, jumping back and forth over a central divider along the Pulaski Skyway.
Mondelez CEO's $22M Paycheck in Line with Rising CEO Pay
May 22, 2013 10:02 am | by CHRISTINA REXRODE, AP Business Writer | CommentsThe head of a typical large public company made $9.7 million in 2012, a 6.5 percent increase from a year earlier that was aided by a rising stock market, according to an analysis by The Associated Press using data from Equilar, an executive pay research firm.
Daily Sound Bite: Bidding on a Bankrupt Brewery
May 22, 2013 9:52 am | CommentsAn unsanctioned bid for bankrupt Hawaiian brewer Big Island is shaking up the bankruptcy process and could trigger a possible bidding war for Hawaii Nui Brewing LLC. Chuck Choi, an attorney for Hawaii Nui is optimistic about the future.
Photo of the Day: Food Company Receives Awards
May 22, 2013 9:00 am | CommentsLouis DeMent (right) receiving the SBA 2013 Small Business Person of the Year Award. Two executives from Giovanni Food Co., an Upstate New York manufacturer of tomato-based products, have been honored by state and regional business associations.
Thailand Urged to Explore Edible Insects
May 22, 2013 8:42 am | CommentsResearchers say Thailand is showing the world how to respond to the global food crisis: by raising bugs for eating. The United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization released a study and handbook Tuesday on what they call "six-legged livestock."
Research Links Communication to Childhood Obesity
May 22, 2013 8:34 am | CommentsRutgers Business School professor Jerome Williams is co-editor of a new book of research that explores the role communications play in the nation's troubling epidemic of childhood obesity. The book also touches on the implications of regulating advertising and the variety of efforts underway to try to counter the obesity problem.
Ind. Farmers Make Quick Progress Planting Corn
May 22, 2013 8:18 am | CommentsWarm, sunny weather has allowed northern and central Indiana farmers to make quick progress planting their corn crop despite lingering wet conditions in the state's southern counties. Only 30 percent of the state's corn crop had been planted as of last week. But the new weekly crop report says 64 percent of the Indiana corn crop had been planted by Sunday.
Seafood Processor to Expand in Virginia
May 22, 2013 8:16 am | CommentsA Canadian seafood processing company will spend about $6.6 million to upgrade a facility it owns in Newport News. The project by High Liner Foods is expected to create nearly 60 new jobs. Gov. Bob McDonnell's office made the announcement on Tuesday.
Aloha Beer Bid Disrupts Hawaii Nui Bankruptcy Case
May 22, 2013 8:06 am | CommentsAn unexpected bid for a bankrupt Big Island brewery has postponed a court auction and set up a possible bidding war for the microbrewery. Aloha Beer Co. offered to buy Hawaii Nui Brewing for $325,000, but did so outside the court-approved bidding process.
Rice Contamination Reported in China
May 21, 2013 12:10 pm | CommentsAuthorities are investigating rice mills in southern China following tests that found almost half of the staple grain in one of the country's largest cities was contaminated with a toxic metal. Reports say the mills had been operating legally and sourced their rice from local farmers.
Calling All Grill Masters: Is It Done Yet?
May 21, 2013 12:04 pm | by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | CommentsAs part of their award-winning Home Food Safety program, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ConAgra Foods encourage all grill masters to equip themselves for the job with a food thermometer — the only way to determine if foods are fully cooked and safe to eat.
Consumer Trends: Gluten-Free Market Skyrocketing
May 21, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsThe increasing number of celiac patients, gluten intolerants and health conscious people has increased the demand for gluten-free products. The gluten-free products market is experiencing a double-digit growth. The most important factor behind buying more gluten-free food products is that they are considered healthier than conventional products.
White House Pushes for More Farm Subsidy Cuts
May 21, 2013 11:51 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press | CommentsThe Obama administration said Monday it wants to see more cuts to agriculture subsidies in a massive farm bill moving through the Senate this week. The bill would cost almost $100 billion a year over five years and would set policy for farm programs and food aid.
Daily Sound Bite: From Golf Course to Farmland
May 21, 2013 11:40 am | CommentsPart of a wave of Midwestern farmers snapping up land to cash in on steadily rising commodity prices, Illinois farmer Clark Kelly has purchased the Hend-Co-Hills Golf Course near Biggsville with plans to turn the course into a cornfield.
