Foodbank last night awarded its annual Foodbank Patron’s Award to partner Goodman Fielder Baking, in recognition of the company’s ongoing committment to food charity, particularly its ‘Daily Bread’ program. The award, presented in Sydney by Governor-General and Patron of Foodbank Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, is given in recognition of a company that has demonstrated unrivalled commitment over time to Foodbank’s objectives and is an inspiration and role... ...Read more »

Kerry Group could spend up to EUR1.5bn (US$2.1bn) on acquisitions in 2011, the Irish food maker’s CFO has revealed – although he suggested the company would look at deals of “any size” in its sectors.Brian Meighan, Kerry’s finance chief, told an analyst event in London yesterday (29 March) that the company could spend between EUR1bn and EUR1.5bn this year using debt but would consider all opportunities in its markets. “If an acquisition comes up of any size in... ...Read more »

The South Australian Health Minister, John Hill, has announced new results from the Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service showing a decline in the percentage of four year-old children in South Australia who are overweight or obese. In 2003, 20.1 percent of four year-olds were overweight or obese; in 2009 that had fallen to 18.3 percent. The Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service measures the height and weight of 4-5 year-old children to monitor the weight status of preschool children... ...Read more »

Western Australia’s agriculture and food sector is well positioned to tap into growing world demand for food, Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today told a food security forum. “Growing and diversifying demand for food presents great opportunity for the WA agrifood industry, but this is not without its challenges,” Mr Redman told the Committee for Economic Development of Australia forum in Perth. “Businesses along the supply chain will need to be focused on delivering what the market... ...Read more »

US spice brand McCormick said on Tuesday that it is “operating effectively in a tough environment” as it recorded net profit growth during the first quarter. The company said that net income grew 13.1% to reach US76.8m in the quarter ended 28 February. McCormick said sales were up 2% to reach $782.8m, which it largely attributed to pricing actions taken in response to increased raw and packaging material costs. “In response to a significant increase in raw and packaging material... ...Read more »

This week Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin, Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan and AgForce President Brent Finlay will visit Karumba, Normanton and Burketown to meet with the local community and discuss recent flood events. Mr Mulherin said there has been significant flooding throughout the Lower Gulf region since December last year. “On top of the ordinary wet season the communities of Karumba, Normanton and Burketown were also affected by excessive rainfall following... ...Read more »

Food rescue group SecondBite today released a report on the impact of its rescued fresh food on the many people who rely on the community food programs it supplies, revealing that two thirds rely on the programs for at least half their food intake, and that one third get all of their fruit and vegetables from meals served by SecondBite’s partners. The report – Food Rescue: A Fresh Approach – was launched today at Melbourne’s Prahran Mission by Victorian Premier and SecondBite... ...Read more »

Ebro Foods’ two planned acquisitions in the rice sector will be a “new step forward” for the Spanish food group, the company’s chairman and CEO has insisted. Antonio Hernandez Callejas said Ebro’s move to buy Australian rice processor Ricegrowers, as well as the rice assets of fellow Spanish food maker SOS Corporacion Alimentaria – deals that are both yet to be finalised – would benefit the business. Speaking at the Consumer Analyst Group Europe (CAGE) conference... ...Read more »

In its most recent assessment of the situation in Japan, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) noted that the Japanese Government had moved to place new restrictions on certain foods sourced from areas of Japan where radiation contamination has occurred. As a precautionary measure, and consistent with approaches internationally, FSANZ said that on March 23, it asked AQIS (the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) to institute testing of some foods originating from four Japanese prefectures... ...Read more »

Lenard Poulter, founder of the successful Lenard’s chicken franchise, has struck out at retail giant Coles for its decision to include fresh chicken in its price war with rival Woolworths. Poulter called on the Federal Government to intervene to stop the market domination by Coles and Woolworths, which he says is damaging farmers, manufacturers and suppliers and is not in the long-term interests of consumers. “This market dominance by the major retailers who are insisting on unsustainable... ...Read more »