ConAgra moves forward on "Recipe for Growth" ConAgra CEO Gary M. Rodkin described the 2013 fiscal year as "transformational," saying the company "took a big leap forward" in implementing the five growth strategies outlined in its 2012 "Recipe for Growth." In particular, the acquisition of Ralcorp quadrupled the company's annualized net sales of private brand products, he said. FoodBusinessNews.net (free registration) (8/29) Other News  | New white paper: Overcoming challenges of asset management amid declining federal budgets
Modern asset management solutions are often no longer included in large program budgets and logistics professionals and engineers at federal agencies are being tasked to do more with less and extend the service life of existing assets. Agencies must find other ways to modernize their asset management solutions - learn how in the free white paper. |
 | Adventurous eaters create flavor opportunities, hurdles Flavor companies face opportunities and challenges as consumers seek out different food and drink experiences, particularly spicy, ethnic and seasonal flavors, experts say. "The trend towards combination flavors is a way to move away from flavors that can be copied and toward distinctive signature products," said Kantha Shelke, principal at Corvus Blue. FoodNavigator (8/29) Could smaller bottles lead to bigger sales for cold-pressed juice? Though the barrier to entry is low for the cold-pressed juice category, start-ups must compete with juice juggernauts such as BluePrint, Suja and Starbucks-owned Evolution Fresh. BevNET founder and CEO John Craven said he predicts smaller sizes will be a major trend in the category as brands look to lower prices in hopes of attracting new customers. BevNet.com (8/29) Authentic fruit flavors predicted to grow in 2014 Greg Kaminski, executive research chef at Synergy Flavors, said desserts with "new twists on familiar fruits" are among the flavor trends gaining popularity. "In general, consumers are looking for more 'true to the fruit' flavors that taste like the actual fruit, not candy," he said. FoodNavigator (8/28)  | 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. |
 | Behind McCormick's search for a social media identity McCormick is a well-known brand, but launching a gourmet line aimed at young consumers created something of an identity crisis. To overcome that problem, social media chief Jennifer LaFrance says, she used online monitoring to figure out who the brand's fans really were, and focused her energies on a handful of social media platforms rather than spreading the brand too thinly across a range of platforms. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Social Media (8/29) | Dark chocolate linked to mental health benefits Studies indicate the antioxidants in dark chocolate can improve heart health, lower cholesterol and lower the risk of dementia. A new study by Harvard Medical School discovered improved memory when participants drank two cups of hot cocoa a day. One nutrition expert, Kristin Kirkpatrick of the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute, urges her clients to eat a single ounce of dark chocolate a day, even if they are trying to lose weight. MarketWatch (8/28)
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