Specialty Food News

U.S. consumers are expected to spend more than $323 million on chocolate candy over Valentine's Day week, according to The Nielsen Company. Valentine's week ranks number one for chocolate candy sales, and places third for all candy sales with consumers expected to purchase more than $414 million. Full Story

Although Harry and David experienced sales volume decreases, the company held its own last quarter despite dealing with rising material costs for fuel, chocolate, corrugated products, paper and postage. The company also reported paying $22.5 million last month for specialty food company Wolferman's, reported the Mail Tribune. Full Story

Fraud in organic farming may become an increasing concern as the segment experiences rapid year-on-year growth, leading scientists to develop ways to test whether synthetic fertilizers were used. Scientists successfully use nitrogen isotopic discrimination to determine if non-organic synthetic fertilizers were used on sweet pepper plants, according to a new report, reported Food Navigator. Full Story

For Immediate Release: News from the Specialty Food Trade

A Good Housekeeping magazine Test Kitchen panel has chosen Lake Champlain Chocolate's Old World Drinking Chocolate as the winner in a hot chocolate taste test. Full Release • Product Image

The chicken sandwich is the fastest growing food offering at American eateries and is now appearing on more menus than ever before, according to The NPD Group, Inc. and Datassential. The reasons behind the chicken sandwich's popularity are consumer demand for healthier food, as well as a major effort by restaurant operators to improve their tried-and-true poultry offerings by adding everything from chipotle sauce to asiago cheese to ciabatta bread. Full Story

P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. rolled out a new Chinese Grill Menu and new Mini Desserts nationally. The Grill Menu features several new dishes including a Grilled Sichuan Chicken Flatbread, Citrus Soy Wild Salmon and an Asian Marinated New York Strip Steak. The eight Mini Desserts include a mini of its signature Great Wall of Chocolate. Full Story

Panera Bread reached an agreement with Flapan, LLC to develop bakery-cafes in Florida's Palm Beach and Broward counties. Flapan will open 10 new bakery-cafes. Separately, Flapan agreed to acquire 16 existing Panera Bread locations in Palm Beach and Broward counties from franchisee West Palm Bread, LLC. Full Story

Kellogg Company's net sales from innovation almost doubled since its W.K. Kellogg Institute for Food and Nutrition Research opened in 1997, while the company's investment in research and development increased significantly from $106.4 million in 2002 to $179.3 million in 2007. Some of the new products that have hit store shelves recently focus on health and convenience, including Special K Cinnamon Pecan cereal, Special K Bliss bars, Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries with One Serving of Whole Grain, Eggo Mini Muffin Tops, Townhouse Flipsides pretzel crackers, and Morningstar Farms Asian Veggie Patties Full Story

Wal-Mart is now selling alcohol at its general merchandise stores in Missouri. Experts believe the move is designed to drive up foot traffic and draw more customers away from grocery stores as the retail market slumps, reported STLtoday.com. Full Story

A diet rich in berries may boost levels of good cholesterol and improve blood pressure, signifying its potential benefits for heart health, according to a new study from Finland, reported NutraIngredients.com. Full Story USDA raised its price projections for most cereals and grains for 2007/08 this month, including wheat, corn, barley, sorghum and soybeans.

USDA World Supply & Demand Estimates
Castle Brands Inc. and Autentica Tequilera will develop and launch a new brand of super-premium tequila called Tequila Tierras Autenticas de Jalisco, or Tierras. Castle Brands will be the exclusive importer and marketer of Tierras in the U.S. Full Story

Supplements of vitamin A and zinc may protect children from malaria, according to report in the Nutrition Journal, reported NutraIngredients.com. Full Story

In an effort to lower prices on private-label products retailers are asking manufacturers to reduce the quality of the ingredients, which could threaten the positive impression consumers have about house brands, according to John Paul, vice president, sales and merchandising, for Nash Finch, reported Supermarket News. Full Story

Diageo PLC is pulling out of the auction for Vin & Sprit A.B., making Fortune Brands Inc.'s push to buy the company easier. Fortune maybe able to get a more reasonable price for Vin & Spirit, the maker of Absolut, noted an analyst, reported Crain's Chicago Business. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Marks & Spencer will open its first stand-alone sandwich shop, M&S To Go, this spring in West London. The store will feature a range of pre-packed sandwiches, fresh baguettes and a limited range of hot foods, including soups and porridge, reported This Is Money. Full Story

NEW STORE NEWS: Sheetz, Inc. opened a new location in Waynesboro, VA. Full Story ... Genki Sushi Hawaii plans to open its second Maui location later this year, reported Pacific Business News. Full Story (Free Registration Required)