Capico News of The Week

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade's (NASFT) Winter Fancy Food Show exhibitors will donate more than 100,000-lbs. of specialty foods and beverages to San Francisco's needy. For the second year, NASFT will work with Feed the Hungry to collect and distribute specialty products to a network of community programs, reported Supermarket News. Full Story

Half of small-business retailers who compete against major retailers claim customer service differentiates their business from their larger competitors, according to a survey from RatePoint. Full Story

Taste preference varies on both age and gender, according to a study from Kent State University. The study found that girls tend to prefer sweet foods and fruit and vegetables, whereas boys like meat, fish and poultry. Tastes were also seen to change with children's ages, reported Food Navigator USA. Full Story

Fort Myers, FL-based Irresistible Confections, which creates hand-made chocolates, is in a growth mode despite the faltering economy. Gross earnings were roughly $60,000 in 2007 and jumped to about $95,000 last year, with 2009 gross revenues projected to be approximately $165,000. The business will open its first retail location on Dec. 1 in south Fort Myers. Irresistible Confections expects sales in the retail shop and the additional production capacity to enable revenues to range between $250,000 and $350,000 next year, reported News-Press. Full Story

Some 70% of consumers claim they purchased the wrong product in a supermarket in the past year, and about 60% stated they had trouble differentiating products on a store shelf due to the packaging, according to a study by strategy and design agency The Brand Union. Canned goods were among the most confusing categories; of the 23% of consumers who stated they were confused, 42% stated they ended up purchasing the wrong product. According to the study, half of consumers stated they accidentally purchased the wrong product because they were misled by the color or name of the imitator, reported MediaPost's Marketing Daily. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Kellogg will discontinue its on-the-go single-serving cereal packages due to lack of demand from more value-conscious consumers. The company is also focusing on its eight best-performing cereals, including the Kashi organic brand, which CEO David MacKay claims is integral to Kellogg's continued success, reported Advertising Age. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Jamba, Inc. sold eight restaurants in California to Four Life Foods, LLC, a company owned primarily by one of the four original co-founders of Jamba Juice, Linda Olds. Full Story

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade's (NASFT) Winter Fancy Food Show exhibitors will donate more than 100,000-lbs. of specialty foods and beverages to San Francisco's needy. For the second year, NASFT will work with Feed the Hungry to collect and distribute specialty products to a network of community programs, reported Supermarket News. Full Story

Half of small-business retailers who compete against major retailers claim customer service differentiates their business from their larger competitors, according to a survey from RatePoint. Full Story

Taste preference varies on both age and gender, according to a study from Kent State University. The study found that girls tend to prefer sweet foods and fruit and vegetables, whereas boys like meat, fish and poultry. Tastes were also seen to change with children's ages, reported Food Navigator USA. Full Story



For Immediate Release: News from the Specialty Food Trade

Pacific Natural Foods, Tualatin, Ore., has given its premium ready-to-eat organic canned soups a new look and improved flavors. Full Release





Fort Myers, FL-based Irresistible Confections, which creates hand-made chocolates, is in a growth mode despite the faltering economy. Gross earnings were roughly $60,000 in 2007 and jumped to about $95,000 last year, with 2009 gross revenues projected to be approximately $165,000. The business will open its first retail location on Dec. 1 in south Fort Myers. Irresistible Confections expects sales in the retail shop and the additional production capacity to enable revenues to range between $250,000 and $350,000 next year, reported News-Press. Full Story

Some 70% of consumers claim they purchased the wrong product in a supermarket in the past year, and about 60% stated they had trouble differentiating products on a store shelf due to the packaging, according to a study by strategy and design agency The Brand Union. Canned goods were among the most confusing categories; of the 23% of consumers who stated they were confused, 42% stated they ended up purchasing the wrong product. According to the study, half of consumers stated they accidentally purchased the wrong product because they were misled by the color or name of the imitator, reported MediaPost's Marketing Daily. Full Story (Free Registration Required)



For Immediate Release: News from the Specialty Food Trade

Simple tea Inc., an Oakland, Calif-based company that was formed to serve the specialty advertising industry, has entered the specialty tea retail market with two new tea collections: Simple Jade and Simple Travel Pack. Full Release





Kellogg will discontinue its on-the-go single-serving cereal packages due to lack of demand from more value-conscious consumers. The company is also focusing on its eight best-performing cereals, including the Kashi organic brand, which CEO David MacKay claims is integral to Kellogg's continued success, reported Advertising Age. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Jamba, Inc. sold eight restaurants in California to Four Life Foods, LLC, a company owned primarily by one of the four original co-founders of Jamba Juice, Linda Olds. Full Story





New Store News: The Urban Grocery and Wine Bar opened in Phoenix, AZ. The full-service grocery store is part of the biweekly outdoor Phoenix Public Market and stocks mostly locally sourced, organic foods. It also carries meat, cheeses and a rotating selection of beer and wines, reported Phoenix Business Journal. Full Story (Free Registration Required) ... Philly Dawgz is opening in the Washington, DC area. The chain, which serves a mix of Chicago-style, Latino and BBQ dishes, currently has three stores across the U.S., two in Minnesota and one in West Virginia, with two in the works in Nebraska and New Jersey, reported Washington Business Journal. Full Story (Free Registration Required) ... A Twilight-themed restaurant, Volterra, will open in Forks, WA next year, reported Peninsula Daily News. Full Story

Global Icons formed an agreement with Diageo North America, Inc. for exclusive licensing representation of the Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum brand for sauces, glazes and marinades. Full Story


PepsiAmericas' carbonated soft drink volume decreased 8% in third quarter 2009 compared to third quarter 2008. Non-carbonated soft drinks decreased 11% in the period. Full Story

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation entered into an agreement with KDN Company Limited for the development of 20 franchise Krispy Kreme retail shops in Thailand over the next five years. Full Story