Cargill plans improvements at Fresno, Calif. plant Cargill plans to modernize its Fresno, Calif. facility and reduce pollution by building a new 80,000-square-foot cold storage facility to replace the 87 diesel-powered refrigerated trailers that currently are used at the site. The $50 million expansion includes plans to triple the size of the company's ground beef processing facility to 67,200 square feet. The Business Journal (Fresno, Calif.) (4/29) Keebler to expand Kentucky facility The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority granted Kellogg Co.'s Keebler division $2 million in tax incentives to expand its Florence, Ky., facility and buy new equipment. The new production line is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The plant produces a range of cookies, including Keebler Fudge Shoppe and Famous Amos. FoodBusinessNews.net (free registration) (4/29)  | Recharge and refuel with cereal and milk When it comes to nutrition, affordability and convenience, cereal and milk is one of the best choices for breakfast. It's nutrient-dense, only about 50 cents per serving and ready to eat in as little as 15 seconds. Click here to learn more. | | How spicy flavors can inspire brand loyalty The authenticity of spicy foods as well as the endorphins released when people eat them can translate to brand loyalty, according to food-makers. Companies are spicing up even traditionally unflavored products such as Bumble Bee's canned tuna with chipotle or jalapenos. Kraft has added habanero peppers to its sliced cheese. To make spicy work, aroma must come first, then the first flavor experience should be rich and clean followed by enough spice to make consumers want more and finish with a slightly acidic note like lemon or vinegar, according to Amanda Zimlich, culinary director for Hillshire Brands. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (4/29) Retailers, restaurants embrace the juicing trend Retailers and restaurants alike are responding to the juicing trend. Fresh Express, Bolthouse Farms and Foxy Produce have all introduced vegetable products expressly marketed for juicing. Meanwhile, Red Mango has added freshly squeezed juices in its frozen yogurt stores, Jamba Juice has added whole-food blending and juicing, and Starbucks-owned Evolution Fresh is expanding in its namesake stores and at Starbucks locations. "Consumers overwhelmingly want to eat healthier. People say 'I never thought about this; what a great way to incorporate fruits and vegetables in a different vehicle,' " said Matt Seeley, vice president of marketing for Foxy Produce. FoodBusinessNews.net (free registration) (4/29)  | Change to your Circulating Change!
How would changes to circulating coins impact your industry? The United States Mint invites industry stakeholders to provide written comments on potential changes to coins. The Federal Register Notice details how to provide your comments to the Mint. For questions and more information contact Leslie.schwager@usmint.treas.gov |
 | Mondelez launches 2 new mobile campaigns Mondelez announced two new mobile campaigns: the sponsorship of the U.S. soccer team in the FIFA World Cup that targets tech-savvy teens and a program that pairs brands and agencies for small-scale campaigns. The #PassTheLove World Cup campaign includes a video game with codes for upgrades featured on packages of Oreo, Ritz and Honey Maid products. Project Sprout is an attempt to test new initiatives quickly by moving away from the traditional marketing approach. One of the components is a Trident campaign in Toronto that encourages consumers to unplug while chewing the gum. Mobile Marketer (4/29) Florida's Natural looks for new creative agency Florida's Natural, which spent $10.7 million on marketing last year, according to Kantar Media, has begun its search for a new creative agency of record. The brand, owned by Citrus World, has previously focused its marketing on the juice's U.S. origin. "We're looking for a passionate and experienced agency partner that can offer a total integrated solution," said Chris Groom, vice president of sales and marketing. Advertising Age (free access for SmartBrief readers) (4/25)  | SAS® Gives Nestle A Flavor for What's to Come
Nestlé Direct Store Delivery improved forecasting accuracy four percentage points and increased service levels with help from SAS Demand-Driven Forecasting. The company is now able to hold inventory costs flat, and its sales force can better plan profitable sales promotions. Read the success story. |
 | Weis to invest $101M in growth and improvement Weis Markets will invest $101 million in growth projects this year, President and CEO Jonathan Weis said at a recent shareholders meeting. Weis reported that the company plans to wrap up 16 projects and has invested $500 million in growth since 2008. Progressive Grocer (4/24) | Food industry gets creative to entice Americans to eat their vegetables Most Americans do not consume enough vegetables, and the food industry is working to change that through offerings such as bags of ready-to-eat vegetables. Green Giant has introduced Veggie Blend-Ins, which are bags of squash, carrots and spinach that are already cooked and pureed to make the vegetables easy to add to meals. The company even offers recipes for the Blend-Ins, such as Brownies with a Boost, which mixes a spinach Blend-In with Betty Crocker Fudge Brownies. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/30)  | Going Global: Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses
Social media is creating new avenues for merchants to promote their companies at a low cost. However, before business owners decide which social media platforms to use for marketing, they need to know more about available options and why they should choose one social media channel over another. In this white paper review some of the most popular options. Download the free white paper now. |
 | Equip yourself and your company with RRE web tools Implementing a seamless supply chain recall notification and product removal process is an imperative requirement for all CPG companies. GMA's new Efficient and Effective Product Recall Management training program will provide extensive training in utilizing the industry adopted Rapid Recall Exchange web tool. Find out more information on how to participate in this program in Chicago on June 4. |  | High expectations are the key to everything." -- Sam Walton, American businessman | | | Please contact one of our specialists for advertising opportunities, editorial inquiries, job placements, or any other questions.
| Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | | |
