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Fresh Del Monte, Pinnacle reportedly eye Del Monte Foods unit | Less-is-more when it comes to fancy food ingredients | Olive oil producers stress flavor, freshness

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July 10, 2013

News for the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry

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Less-is-more when it comes to fancy food ingredients
One of the hottest trends at the Summer Fancy Food Show was touting the things that aren't there, including gluten, GMOs, dairy, nuts and preservatives. Other hot trends: healthy convenience snacks, green "superfoods" like kale and seaweed, hummus and other chickpea-based snacks, coconut and goat cheese. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (7/9)

Olive oil producers stress flavor, freshness

An array of olive oils from around the world was on display at last week's Summer Fancy Food Show, including sustainably grown Greek oil from family-owned Euphoria. California brands including California Olive Ranch also made a strong showing, along with the California Olive Oil Council, which puts its members' products through testings and tastings and requires a press date on every bottle that bears its seal. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Food & Beverage (7/10)

Lifetime show shepherds food product from concept to shelf
Lifetime's "Supermarket Superstar" will give food entrepreneurs a chance to take their product from concept to consumer brand. The show, hosted by Stacy Keibler and a panel of judges, will feature three entrepreneurs in different categories, such as baked goods and types of ethnic food. Judge Chris Cornyn, founder of food and beverage marketer DINE, expects stiff competition. "Just because your cousin or family like your idea or recipe doesn't mean that it will succeed in America," Cornyn said. "We are preparing these entrepreneurs for these realities." FoodNavigator (7/9)

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Advertising & Marketing

Canned beer's comeback hinges on manufacturing advancements
Innovations in can technology that are meant to improve taste, smell and "drinkability" have led to a comeback for beer cans. More beer-makers, such as Boston Beer Co., Sly Fox and Founders, are offering canned beer, and big-time brewers such as MillerCoors are advertising their can advancements. Smaller brewers are also enjoying the extra label space on cans for additional marketing messages. "There's more room on the actual can to put their story. ... The more they can talk about their personality, the better," said Julia Herz, the Brewers Association's craft-beer program director. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (7/9)

Budweiser gets fans talking with Facebook photo contest
Budweiser saw 2,618 Facebook and Twitter user comments and 491 Facebook shares with a promotion asking users to submit photos to be used as the brand's next Facebook cover photo. Budweiser then asked fans to vote on the submissions. The success of the simple campaign came despite the lack of a paid push to promote the contest, Budweiser said. Adweek (7/9)

Engaging, personalized campaigns are key to mobile ad strategy
Engaging mobile brand fans through social channels such as Instagram or by offering mobile games are some of the strategies brands are using to earn consumer attention in a space crowded with banner advertisements that users would prefer to ignore, executives from big brands including Forever 21 and GM say. Speaking at an industry event, representatives from top brands say personalization is key to mobile ad success. "There has to be an elegance to delivering the message because phones are such a personal device," said Jon Nolz of the mobile ad network Hipcricket. VentureBeat (7/9)

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Kroger will widen Mich. workforce and store count
Kroger plans to go on a hiring binge and add 2,000 employees for its 128 stores in Michigan during the next 1½ years. The grocer says it will invest $110 million in the state this year as it looks to open two stores, expand some locations and add products. Kroger's sales increased 7.1% last year. Detroit Free Press (7/8), The Detroit News (7/8)

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Government & Food Safety

House inches closer to splitting farm bill
Despite opposition from agriculture and nutrition lobbyists, House Republicans appear ready to split the farm bill, removing food stamp funding from subsidies. The $939 billion bill failed to pass the House last month because of disagreement about food stamp funding. More than 500 farm groups oppose dividing the legislation, saying "splitting the nutrition title from the rest of the bill could result in neither farm nor nutrition programs passing." Bloomberg (7/9), The Hill/On The Money blog (7/9), The Washington Post (tiered subscription model)/The Associated Press (7/9)