Capico News of the Week

Consumers claim they are watching what they spend and cutting back on c-store shopping trips due to the economy; however, retailers are growing their business in the recession, and consumers are actually spending more per trip, though they are stopping in less often, according to David Portalatin, director of industry analytics for The NPD Group Inc., who spoke at "Shopper Behavior in Challenging Times" at the NACS Show 2009. Mr. Portalatin noted "there are almost two c-store industries right now": A modern, vibrant and innovative group that is gaining traffic "by leaps and bounds," and the remainder that are not innovating, "where traffic loss is most profound," reported CSP Daily News. Full Story

Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages (NAB) and Ocean Spray expanded their U.S. sales and distribution agreement to include a broader array of single-serve juices and juice drinks. Beginning in February, NAB will produce, distribute and market, under license from Ocean Spray, several more flavors of Ocean Spray beverages. Full Story

Celsius Holdings, Inc.'s Celsius beverage will be carried at more than 200 ShopRite locations. Full Story

OregonLive.com profiled the best pork offerings in the Portland, OR-area. Highlighted items include Belly Timber's Pigstrami. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

San Francisco-based restaurateurs are increasingly offering trout instead of salmon on their menus, reported The San Francisco Chronicle. "It's just very economical," stated Bar Crudo chef/co-owner Mike Selvera. "It's sustainable, it's super easy to get year-round, and it's really versatile." Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Smoking salmon at high temperatures reduces the risk of Listeria monocytogenes, according to a study published in Journal of Food Science. Full Story

Restaurant Roundup: Uno Chicago Grill is offering Barilla Whole Grain Penne as a substitute for any of the traditional pastas on its menu. Full Story ... Baskin-Robbins launched the Double Header ice cream cone, designed to hold a swirl of soft serve and a scoop of ice cream in a single cone. Full Story ... Togo's Sandwiches is introducing sourdough bread bowls filled with soup next month. Togo's also plans to add sourdough and whole grain rolls to the menu in the first quarter of next year, reported Nation's Restaurant News. Full Story (Free Registration Required) ... Shari's Restaurants launched a new website, featuring an online pie store. Full Story

Consumer response to health claims varies by country, according to a study published in Food Quality and Preference. Italians are unswayed by healthy messages and images on foods, whereas the Finnish respond to medical pictures and British consumers are more likely to buy foods with any sort of health claim. Researchers also found that the base product was the most important factor for perceived healthiness, reported Food Navigator. Full Story

The weakened U.S. economy has not slowed demand for organic bananas, according to Simcha Weinstein, director of marketing for Albert's Organics, reported The Packer Online. Full Story (Subscription Required)

Miami-Dade County, FL and Publix Super Markets will introduce a new produce brand, Redland Raised, to promote the consumption of fresh local produce in more than 1,000 Publix locations. The local branding initiative, Redland Raised, was created by Miami-Dade County, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, to promote a "buy local" program throughout the County and the State of Florida. The brand will be in line with the Fresh from Florida brand, of which the majority of local growers and packers are members. Full Story

Vermont-based Rock Art Brewery can keep making and selling its Vermonster beer as long it stays out of the energy-drink business. The agreement settles a dispute initiated by Hansen Beverage Co., reported The Associated Press. Full Story

Those who drank cocoa-flavored milk had lower levels of inflammatory markers associated with heart disease than those drinking the milk alone, according to a study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reported HealthDay. Full Story

Consuming a diet rich in monounsaturated fats could lower the risk of metabolic syndrome, claims a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reported Food Navigator USA. Full Story