A new American study has found that 30% of consumers feel it is important to purchase eco-friendly products, with CPG manufacturers needing to appeal to a diverse range of needs and wants to satisfy a varied and growing “green” market. The growth in popularity of sustainable products – those that are eco-friendly, organic and those produced through fair trade methods – has been strong for at least the past five years as more shoppers factor in the environmental impact of the... ...Read more »

Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, today reported a 9.6% rise in revenue for the first six months due to seasonal factors, a stronger contribution from regional consumer businesses and the lower NZ dollar. The latest half year covered the period August 2008 to January 2009 and included two additional high production months (December and January), distorting comparisons with the previous half year which went from June 2007 to November 2007, the company noted. Fonterra’s revenue... ...Read more »

Yum! Brands the world’s largest restaurant company and parent of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, has opened an environmentally-friendly KFC-Taco Bell restaurant in Massachusetts. The restaurant is the Company’s first effort to pursue certification under the United States Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. With the assistance of some of the leading sustainability and restaurant experts, Yum! Brands has carefully studied the environmental... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), which represents food and beverage manufacturers, has welcomed a public debate on the nanotechnology, which will kick off with the Nanodialogue – Nanotech and Food Regulation conference in Melbourne tomorrow, AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said today. “We are pleased that Choice has accepted the invitation to attend this meeting and to participate in the discussions,” she said. “The food and grocery industry is not an advocate... ...Read more »

IGA, Australia’s largest chain of independent supermarkets, is encouraging individuals and families to abstain from fast food for 21-days, breaking the common and, often unhealthy, habit of relying on junk food. The supermarket chain is encouraging people to think about their food choices by signing-up for the IGA Fast Food Blitz which runs from Friday 1 May and continues for 21 days – the length of time research suggests it takes to make or break a habit. By signing up for the challenge... ...Read more »

The owner of acclaimed Melbourne restaurant Vue de Monde believes that restaurants can safely negotiate the downturn provided they continue to budget and plan more effectively. “Current economic times are going to be tough for restaurants,” Shannon Bennett, renowned chef and owner of Vue de Monde, told ABC’s Inside Business program on Sunday. “You’ve just got to be very basic in working out food costs, beverage costs, labour costs and basically rental costs.” “If... ...Read more »

For the second year running, UK supermarket chain Morrisons has secured the most sought after award in British retail, ‘The Retailer of the Year’ at the Oracle Retail Week Awards 2009. The UK’s fourth largest food retailer received the award after out-performing its peers, due, in part, to an improved fresh offer and a focus on value-for-money which has resonated with consumers. “When we presented this award to Morrisons just twelve short months ago, no-one could have... ...Read more »

Goodman Fielder, Australia’s largest publicly listed food group, believes that the struggles confronted by clothing manufacturer Pacific Brands provide a valuable insight into the need to rid the company of underperforming brands. “You can’t afford to have sub-scale brand equity out there,” Peter Margin, MD of Goodman Fielder said, according to The Age. “In two years, you should have 20-25 per cent of revenue from new products. You have to turn over the products pretty... ...Read more »

Buyers from around the world will sample the very best of Western Australian produce – including a new crab mornay, marinated yabbies and fruit-flavoured vinegar – at this weekend’s Fine Food Perth trade exhibition. West Australian Agriculture and Food Minister, Terry Redman, said more than 60 WA food companies would be showcased to domestic, national and international buyers. “This event attracts up to 200 exhibitors from across Australia with WA produce recognised as a stand-out... ...Read more »

Once a niche market for serious exercisers, the appeal of ready to drink protein-enriched beverages has now expanded to water, juice and milk based variants plus an increasing number of smoothies, according to new research from drinks consultancy Zenith International.”Ready to drink protein beverages have benefited from a number of factors including technological advances and changes in lifestyle as well as improvements in the taste and texture of products,” Esther Renfrew, Dairy Market... ...Read more »