Organic food supplier Organic Marketing Australia has lost its case against Woolworths Ltd over the supermarket giant’s use of the phrase “Honest to Goodness” in a recent marketing campaign. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday that Organic Marketing Australia, which trades as Honest to Goodness, applied to the Federal Court to stop Woolworths running the A$3m (US$3.1m) campaign until the matter was resolved. However, the court refused the injunction, urging the parties... ...Read more »

Food giant Unilever switched off lights and electrical equipment in all its office sites across Australia and New Zealand in support of Earth Hour on Saturday, in addition to encouraging its employees to do the same at home. “In line with our commitment to creating a more sustainable future, Unilever is once again proud to support Earth Hour in 2011” said Sebastian Lazell, Chairman Unilever Australia and New Zealand. “We believe that small steps can make a big difference and we encourage... ...Read more »

The passing of a Senate motion to establish a Select Committee on Australia’s food manufacturing sector has been welcomed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) yesterday. The motion – moved by Tasmanian Senator Richard Colebeck, who consulted with industry about its content – was passed in the Senate 34 to 32 votes.  The committee is expected to investigate the competitiveness and future viability of Australia’s food processing sector as well assess constraints in the current... ...Read more »

Private-label sales could account for 50% of the global food retail market by 2025, putting pressure on manufacturers of brands that do not lead their categories, research group Rabobank has predicted. In a new research report, entitled Private label vs. Brands, Rabobank said that the share of private-label sales will likely double from 25% to 50% by 2025, driven by retail consolidation in established markets and the deveopment of modern retail in emerging markets. Increased consumer acceptance of... ...Read more »

Australia’s second largest pizza maker, Eagle Boys Pizza yesterday (Thursday, 24 March) cooked up Australia’s largest ‘out of the box’ sculpture, made entirely out of Eagle Boys pizza boxes and packaging. Brisbane’s King George Square came alive as sculptors Rodd Brennan & Crew transformed over 5000 Eagle Boys’ pizza boxes and packaging into a 3.25m2 pizza box sculpture to launch the franchisor’s new gourmet pizza range. Complete with eight slices of... ...Read more »

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the introduction of the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) legislation into Federal Parliament and says it is pleased that it has addressed a number of the NFF’s key concerns raised through the draft consultation process. “We have always stated that we are broadly supportive of the concept and intent of the Carbon Farming Initiative,” NFF President, Jock Laurie explained. “Despite the uncertainties that abound in the area of carbon mitigation,... ...Read more »

Parmalat, the company behind iconic Queensland milk brand Pauls, is pleased to announce the success of its profit donating program which saw over $750,000 raised for Queensland flood relief. On Australia Day, Parmalat announced it would donate 100 percent of the profits from the Queensland sales of its Pauls branded fresh milk range, including Pauls Full Cream Milk, Smarter White, PhysiCAL, Trim, Skinny Milk and Breaka fresh flavoured milk products until the end of February. Parmalat Marketing Manager,... ...Read more »

Retailers are facing “promotional fatigue” and are looking to better target their offer to consumers through a “360-degree” understanding of their needs, according to software company Aldata. Speaking about the group’s 2011 Global Retail CIO Survey, Aldata vice president of customer support Mark Croxton told just-food today (24 March) that the shift is a reaction to efforts by “everybody to increase price competition in the market” at the start of the global... ...Read more »

Woolworths has been taken to court by food supplier Organic Marketing Australia, over a phrase used in its marketing campaign.The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that Woolworths is being sued over its use of the phrase “honest to goodness” by Organic Marketing Australia, who has traded under the Honest to Goodness brand since 2003. According to the report, Woolworths stands to lose A$3m (US$4.9m) if it is forced to halt the campaign, which features celebrity chef Margaret Fulton. Organic... ...Read more »

General Mills yesterday booked a 1% increase in year-to-date earnings and sales and insisted that it expects growth to accelerate in the final quarter of the year.For the first nine months of fiscal 2011, General Mills said net sales increased to US$11.24bn, with a 2% rise in volumes slightly offset by a 1% dip in price realisation and mix. Foreign exchange had “no material effect” on sales, the company added. Segment operating profit totalled $2.27bn, also up 1% on last year’s... ...Read more »