wheatfieldPhiladelphia Macaroni Company
Conte Luna Foods - Minot Milling - Pasta USA
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PREMIUM PASTA & FLOUR
Commodity Update & News       May 23, 2008

CONSUMER TRENDS

Washington Post Columnist Gives Props to Healthy Pasta
Check out this article from the Washington Post.  The best organic pastas are actually made by Philadelphia Macaroni! 
 
Bad News from the NRA Food Show in Chicago 
The restaurant industry is in one of its worst slumps in 30 years as a weakening economy has prompted consumers to cut back on dining out.  Even  McDonald's, known for its recession resistance, has not been immune, with its U.S. division posting a rare year-over-year same-store sales decline in March.
 
Move Over Chips...Pasta comes to Vending Machines!
Twirl Pasta Company's new machine, the Cucina 2000 serves hot pasta.  Spaghetti is cooked to al dente perfection and automatically dispensed into the Twirl Pasta bowl in less than 90 seconds!  MORE>>>
Shoppers feeling squeeze buy a little at a time
From meat to mustard, consumers are trying to control their food bills by buying smaller-size items as they grapple with soaring prices. Companies have taken note, experimenting with different measures like 3/4 gallon milk jugs and pies that have shrunk to 6 inches.
Al Dente...
Red meat is not bad for you.  Now blue-green meat, that's bad for you!  ~Tommy Smothers

As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices:  take it or leave it. 
~Buddy Hackett

DATES

June 8-10
Sosland Publishing's 31st annual Purchasing Seminar

InterContinental Hotel

Kansas City, MO
 
June 28 - July 1, 2008
IFT 08 - Annual Meeting & Food Expo
New Orleans

Commodity Chart 5-21-08

INGREDIENT NEWS

Celery May Have Alzheimer's-Fighting Chemical
A chemical found in celery and green pepper may help ease symptoms including memory loss of people suffering from brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, according to a study published on Monday.

FOOD INDUSTRY NEWS

Campbells Sales of Snacks Up Amidst Operating Loss

In the cookies and crackers business, sales gains were driven by the performance of Goldfish crackers and the launch in selected markets of Baked Naturals, a line of adult savory snacks.. The bakery business delivered double-digit sales gains behind continued consumer demand for whole grain bread and growth in sandwich rolls.   MORE>>>
 
Rutter's Stirs Up Foodservice with Wok & Rolls
YORK, Pa. -- In an effort to stir up consumers' taste buds, Rutter's Farm Stores unveiled a new foodservice platform including custom stir-fry and fresh-baked bread. MORE>>>
 
Bad News for Foodservice - Good News for Groceries
Supermarket foodservice and convenience stores are expected to enjoy a more profitable year while  2008 foodservice industry growth is forecasted downward to an anemic 2.2 percent from its original 3.6 percent forecast in January. MORE>>>

Papa John's menu to include whole wheat pizza crusts
Papa John's International, which operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants, will soon be launching a whole-wheat pizza crust as part of its efforts to attract an increasing number of consumers seeking healthy food options.

 
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The information in this report is compiled from various sources. 
If you have a comment or question, please contact Linda Schalles at 484-802-7583 or via email at LindaSchalles@conteluna.com