Dairy
Dairy Farmers to See Big Payout After Price Fixing Settlement
January 23, 2013 11:51 am | News | CommentsAfter ongoing litigation, the Dairy Farmers of America have reached a tentative $159 million settlement with dairy farmers in 14 states who sued the organization over what the farmers called anti-competitive business practices that drove down the price of milk and hurt farming operations by depriving them of revenue.
Tentative Settlement Reached in Milk Price Lawsuit
January 23, 2013 9:36 am | News | CommentsSoutheastern dairy farmers from 14 states have reached a tentative settlement for nearly $159 million in their antitrust lawsuit against the Dairy Farmers of America over claims of dairy price controls. The preliminary settlement heads off a civil trial that was to have begun Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Greeneville.
Bolthouse Farms Unveils Innovation Center
January 17, 2013 9:17 am | News | CommentsBolthouse Farms unveiled its state-of-the-art Innovation Center Wednesday at the company’s headquarters in Bakersfield, CA. The facility is designed to accelerate new product development and enhance current Bolthouse Farms offerings across the company’s portfolio of beverages, salad dressings and fresh carrots.
USDA Offers Loans to Farmers Who Grow for Locals
January 16, 2013 8:52 am | by ADRIAN SAINZ, Associated Press | News | CommentsWith interest in locally grown food soaring, the federal government said Tuesday it has created a small loan program to help community farmers who might not be able to borrow money from banks. The low-interest "microloans" of up to $35,000 are designed to aid startup costs, bolster existing family-run farms and help minority growers and military veterans who want to farm.
PROCESS EXPO
January 11, 2013 3:54 pm | EventsPROCESS EXPO is the largest trade show in North America dedicated exclusively to the global food and beverage industry.
SNAXPO
January 11, 2013 3:44 pm | EventsSNAXPO is the world’s largest, most comprehensive trade show devoted exclusively to the international snack food industry, and as such, you won’t find a better opportunity to capture new business, generate quality leads and promote your brand — especially as an exhibitor, sponsor or both.
More Babies Squeezing Organic Food from Pouches
January 11, 2013 9:27 am | by MICHAEL HILL,Associated Press | News | CommentsOld-school glass jars of applesauce are still around, but these days they share shelf space in the baby food aisle with curious (and often organic) combinations like zucchini, banana and amaranth (it's a grain) packed in brightly colored pouches intended to be squished and slurped by consumers with little — and not so little — hands.
Thought of the Day: Winter Drought
January 9, 2013 1:02 pm | News | CommentsToday, 597 counties in 14 states have been declared primary disaster areas by the USDA. Due to ongoing drought conditions in these regions, farmers located in these counties are now qualified for low-interest emergency loans.
Group Calls Tax Relief Act Disappointment for Dairy Farmers
January 9, 2013 12:38 pm | News | CommentsJohn Wilson, Senior Vice President of Dairy Farmers of America issued the following statement regarding the Tax Relief Act and its impact on dairy farmers: “After years of work to bring dairy policy reform to fruition, we are extremely disappointed that Congress has turned its back on dairy farmers."
Recall: ShurFine Ice Cream May Contain Undeclared Allergens
January 9, 2013 9:36 am | News | CommentsSouthwest Ice Cream Specialties of McKinney, Texas, is voluntarily recalling some of its Dulce de Leche ice cream containers because they may contain praline pecan ice cream, which has wheat, soy and pecans that could cause problems for people allergic to those ingredients.
Midwest Dairy Farmers Have Strong November
January 4, 2013 12:38 pm | News | CommentsDairy farmers in Wisconsin and Minnesota had an especially strong month in November. Milk production in both states increased 5 percent compared to their output in November 2012. No other state showed as large an increase, and the increase nationwide was just 1 percent.
Farm Bill Extension Evidence of Lost Clout
January 4, 2013 12:35 pm | by MARY CLARE JALONICK,Associated Press | News | CommentsA patchwork extension of federal farm programs passed as part of a larger "fiscal cliff" bill keeps the price of milk from rising but doesn't include many of the goodies that farm-state lawmakers are used to getting for their rural districts.
Dean Foods Rises on ‘Cliff’ Deal
January 3, 2013 9:28 am | News | CommentsShares of Dean Foods rose more than 4 percent on Wednesday, as the "fiscal cliff" compromise deal will avert the potential doubling of milk prices. The measure approved by Congress extends portions of the expired 2008 farm bill through September, according to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
Thought of the Day: "Mitch McConnell's Version of a Farm Bill"
January 2, 2013 1:15 pm | News | CommentsWhen the U.S. House of Representatives voted last night to approve a Senate bill to avoid the "fiscal cliff," a little known provision in the bill provided relief to dairy farmers across the country. A somewhat controversial measure put forward by Senate Republican Mitch McConnell will extend some portions of the yet unpassed Farm Bill through September.
‘Cliff’ Deal Prevents Spike in Milk Prices
January 2, 2013 9:49 am | by MARY CLARE JALONICK,Associated Press | News | CommentsA potential doubling of milk prices will be averted as part of the compromise that White House and congressional bargainers reached on wide-ranging legislation to avert the "fiscal cliff," a leading senator said late Monday. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., told reporters that negotiators had agreed to extend portions of the expired 2008 farm bill through September.
Gluten-Free Foods and Veggies Are Hot Items in 2013
January 2, 2013 9:45 am | by Lois Abraham, The Canadian Press | News | CommentsAn increase in gluten-free cuisine that has fabulous flavor is going to be a big trend in 2013. Quince and cauliflower should be on your radar, along with finger limes and such delicacies as octopus and grits. The demand for more gluten-free foods has led to a wider availability of products that can be digested by those with celiac disease or an intolerance for the wheat protein.
Chobani Founder Discussed Greek Yogurt Biz
January 2, 2013 9:35 am | Videos | CommentsHamdi Ulukaya is a Turkish immigrant, a billion dollar business owner and a food industry revolutionary. Ulukaya has not only built his yogurt brand from nothing, but he has changed the way Americans eat by offering a quality product to fill a market void.
Consumer Trends: Dairy Industry Growth To Slow In 2013
December 21, 2012 12:02 pm | News | CommentsRabobank has published a new fourth quarter 2012 research report on the global dairy industry. In the report, Rabobank forecasts that demand growth will slow but will not prevent a price recovery in 2013. Rabobank's Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory group says that the slow recovery in international dairy prices that began in August continued into the final quarter of this year, but failed to gain much momentum.
Thought Of The Day: Still No Farm Bill
December 19, 2012 12:50 pm | News | CommentsWhile Washington remains deadlocked over a "fiscal cliff" deal currently being negotiated by the President and House Speaker, little attention has been paid to the legislature's inaction on the Farm Bill, which was left to languish as the last legislative session ended.
NYC Milk Distributor Closes
December 19, 2012 9:43 am | News | CommentsOne of New York City's largest dairy distributors has closed its doors after losing its main milk distribution contract. Dean Foods Co. terminated the deal after attempts to resolve financial problems failed. Dean Foods spokesman Jamaison Schuler said Beyer Farms Inc. had been its distributor in the New York area for many years, but fell further and further behind in its payments to the nation's largest dairy producer.
Greek Yogurt Craze Revives NY Manufacturing Town
December 19, 2012 8:59 am | Videos | CommentsThe growing popularity of Greek yogurt in the United States has revived at least one town in upstate New York when Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya decided to buy a closing yogurt factory in New Berlin, N.Y. He's grown the staff from five employees to over 1,300 people.
Chobani Opens Idaho Plant
December 18, 2012 12:43 pm | News | CommentsThe new Chobani yogurt plant in Twin Falls opened in grand fashion Monday, with appearances from company executives, Idaho political leaders, Olympic athletes and a marching band. After nearly a year of construction and planning, the New York-based Greek yogurt maker celebrated the opening of one of the biggest yogurt plants in the world in the heart of Idaho's milk producing region.
Farmers Worry Over Dairy Prices As 'Cliff' Deadline Nears
December 18, 2012 12:40 pm | by DINESH RAMDE,Associated Press | News | CommentsAs the nation inches toward the economic "fiscal cliff," anxiety is growing in farm country about an obscure tangent of the Washington political standoff that reaches into the dairy industry and, indirectly, into the household budgets of consumers who buy milk and cheese.
SD Cheese Company Settles Discrimination Case
December 18, 2012 12:36 pm | News | CommentsA South Dakota cheese making company has agreed to pay $85,000 to settle a sex discrimination charge. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says Milbank-based Valley Queen Cheese Factory has agreed to pay the settlement to two female applicants rejected for the position of milk hauler.
Consumer Trends: Dessert Trends For 2013
December 18, 2012 12:18 pm | News | CommentsAndy Axelrod knows desserts. As the president of Love and Quiches Desserts, Andy meets with foodservice professionals and food retailers all over the world to discuss what products — brownies, dessert bars, cheesecakes, cakes, tarts, cobblers, mousses and more — resonate with their customers. Here are his expert predictions for the top two dessert trends of 2013.
