The food industry is feeling ripple effects from rising food and fuel prices, new benefit costs due to the 2010 Affordable Care Act, modest income growth following the 2013 payroll tax increase, and weak consumer confidence due to fiscal uncertainty.
The U.S. Dairy Export Council, Arlington, Va., projects that by the end of this year the value of U.S. dairy exports will total $6.5 billion, up more than 25% from 2012.
There is no stopping the caffeinated beverage. Sales of refrigerated, ready-to-drink coffee soar in the last year. Refrigerated juices and juice blends do well, too.
Processors combine tropical fruit flavors in ice cream and fruit bars. They look to the bakery aisle for inspiration and develop “dessert within a dessert” creations like red velvet cake and S’mores ice cream.
The star of the cultured category continues to be Greek yogurt, but other international-style yogurts are vying for attention. Plus, bold, exotic flavors, on-the-go products and a high-protein emphasis are showing up throughout the cultured dairy case.
Natural cheese is still the clear winner for cheese processors, while snacking occasions are on the rise. Plus, consumers’ interest in unique flavors helps fuel the artisan cheese movement and inspires other processors to create more bold combinations.
Julia Kadison, Vice President of Marketing, will assume day-to-day oversight of the program effective immediately.
November 11, 2013
Vivien Godfrey, CEO of the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), has resigned her position to pursue other interests including the leadership of her two family-owned businesses in London and Florida. She has been at the helm of the fluid milk marketing program for the past five years.
Food Share Partners will dispatch trucks across the country to pick up food. Drivers return to warehouses in the five-county Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex and distribute the food within 24 to 48 hours.
November 10, 2013
A Dallas-area nonprofit organization that serves homeless shelters, food pantries, medical centers and other social services agencies is asking dairy processors and other food and beverage manufacturers across the United States to donate usable food items that are nearing their expiration date.