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Volume 7, Issue 15 April 6, 2007 |
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Weekly News in Review
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| China labor probe expands to more cities |
U.S. fast-food chains McDonald's and KFC said Thursday they are working with Chinese authorities to resolve allegations that the companies underpay their part-time workers, as a labor probe expands to other cities.
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Read Article Browse All News | Source: Business Week |
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| I McRobot machine taking over fast-food outlets |
Some robots are destined to rove the surface of Mars. Others, like Hyperactive Bob, will work in fast-food restaurants.
Pittsburgh's Hyperactive Technologies has come up with a system, based on the computer vision and artificial intelligence systems employed by robots, to manage the kitchens at so-called quick-service restaurants.
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Read Article Browse All News | Source: CNET News.com |
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| U.S. junk food hits Japan's sweet spot |
After years of staying slim on a humble diet of fish, vegetables and rice, Japanese are developing a sweet tooth. That's proving a business opportunity for Krispy Kreme and other fast-food chains from the U.S., home of the Big Gulp and supersized fries.
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Read Article Browse All News | Source: Business Week |
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| U.S. settles with Darden Restaurants over gift cards |
Darden Restaurants Inc., owner of the Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurant chains, has settled charges that it failed to fully disclose gift card fees to consumers, U.S. regulators said on Tuesday.
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Read Article Browse All News | Source: ABC News |
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| Coyote Visits Chicago Sandwich Shop |
For one day, at least, the roadrunner was safe. It seems the coyote was hankering for another kind of fast food. Employees and customers at a downtown Chicago Quiznos sandwich shop were stunned to see a coyote walk through the propped-open front door Tuesday afternoon and lie down in a cooler stocked with fruit juice and soda.
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Read Article Browse All News | Source: ABC News |
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| Chinese Cod Croaker Fish Sells for $75,000 |
A couple of days ago, a man fishing in Guangdong ZhanJiang city caught a 107.8 lbs slate cod croaker and sold it to a local hotel restaurant for about US$75,000, almost $700 a pound.
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Read Article Browse All News | Source: Weird Asia News |
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| 'Girls Gone Wild' founder plans restaurants |
Having made a fortune off bare-breasted women, "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis is now setting his sights on the restaurant business.
A chain under the "Girls Gone Wild" brand name is being planned by Francis, whose Mantra Films Inc. has built a $100 million business videotaping and selling the DVDs featuring young women exposing their breasts.
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Read Article Browse All News | Source: CNN |
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Beware of the Germ Police
By Howard Black
I will admit that illegal immigrants are a major problem, but we have a much larger problem that needs to be addressed, the Germ Police! You know who they are. It's the lady that refuses to sit down in a restaurant until she has completely wiped the seat clean of all germs. It's the guy that holds the door of the bathroom with his elbow as he comes out. It's the young mother that refuses to allow their children to touch anything that might remotely have a germ. And let's not forget about that middle-aged preppy that whips out his bottle of hand disinfectant every chance he gets. Let's set the record straight. This world is filled with germs and the most approved method of keeping them to a minimum is by washing your hands properly and often. In recent years experts have realized that some germs are good for you, they help build up an immunity to infection and disease. When you cross the line from common sense to outrageous, then you become a card-carrying member of the Germ Police, and when you are a member of the Germ Police you are subject to ridicule from the normal folks in this world. One of our local television stations has a reporter that does stories on where to find germs and how bad they are. Of course by the time her story finishes each week I want to soak myself in disinfectant and wrap myself in bubble wrap. Reasonably, if you are a part of this world you are going to get...
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"Every human weakness is strengthened by experience. When things get a little rough, it is always good to remember that you cannot stay where you are forever."
- Iyanla Vanzant
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View updated pricing and information each week on the website for the following food-commodity markets:
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Beef, Veal & Lamb |
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Beef production last week declined 3.3% but was .8% more than the previous year. Negative margins are propelling beef packers to restrict beef output this week influencing many beef markets upward. Beef production is anticipated to begin seasonally increasing later this month which could put downward pressure on many beef end cut markets. However, grill season demand should also rise as May nears which will likely bring a boost to beef middle meat prices. The March steer-feed price ratio was lowest for the month since 1998 suggesting historically poor profits for cattle producers. Prices per pound FOB from USDA.
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Dairy |
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The milk-feed price ratio rose slightly in March from the prior month suggesting improved dairy farmer profits. Still, March?s milk-feed price ratio was the lowest for the month since 1997 demonstrating that dairy farmer margins remain minimal. Dairy farmers are expected to liquidate part of the milk cow herd in the coming months. The butter market is relatively stable. Cyclical charts indicate that modest butter market decreases may be impending. The CME cheese markets are steady. Prices per pound, except Class I Cream (hundred weight), from USDA.
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Poultry |
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The broiler-feed price ratio has increased modestly since December as the rise in the whole chicken market has more than offset the costlier feed prices. However, March?s broiler-feed price ratio was the lowest for the month in 3 years indicating meager chicken producer profits. Chicken suppliers appear to be boosting chicken production but expansion will likely be cautious. The boneless skinless chicken breast market has climbed to its highest level since September 2004. The boneless skinless chicken breast market could trend upward through the spring. Prices per pound except eggs (dozen) FOB from USDA.
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Seafood |
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The 2007 Newfoundland snow crab quota has been set at 47,633 metric tons, 3% more than last year but 3.5% less than the 4 year average. Newfoundland fishing is expected to get underway this week. Newfoundland typically supplies a majority of the US snow crab leg inventory. Some modest snow crab leg price relief could be forthcoming next month. The whole salmon market is trending moderately downward. Prices for fresh product, unless noted per pound from Fisheries Market News.
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Pork |
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The March 1st US hog and pig (1.3%) and breeding herd (.9%) inventories were both greater than last year. The March breeding herd was the largest for the date in 5 years. Market hog weights suggest however that pork production could be closer to 2006 levels this month. The ham market is anticipated to start an upward course soon that carries into August. Prices per pound FOB from USDA.
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Produce |
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Huron lettuce production is expanding bringing relief to the earlier iceberg lettuce supply shortages. The lettuce markets could be erratic over the next few weeks however as the principal output area shifts north to Salinas California. The Salinas crop may be modestly late. The USDA is projecting spring lettuce (3%) and tomato (1.8%) acreage to decline from last year. 2007 summer (including storage) onion plantings are forecasted to fall 1.3% from the prior year. Elevated onion prices are persevering. Prices shipping point unless noted (terminal) FOB from USDA
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Oil and Grains |
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The USDA is forecasting planted acreage for the 2007/08 corn crop at 90.5 million, 15.5% more than last year and the largest since 1944. The grain markets are erratic. Prices per pound (oils) or bushel (grains) FOB from USDA.
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Canned and Frozen Food |
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Tomato Products, Canned - The CLFP estimates that the March 1st total canned tomato (7%) and tomato paste (11.2%) inventories were more than 2006. March 1st peeled product tomato stocks were calculated to be 2.4% less than last year. The canned tomato markets are firm. Price per case (6/10) FOB from Supply and Market Report.
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Processed Fruits and Vegetables - With relatively normal yields 2007 corn for canning output is forecasted at 1.42 million tons, 1.4% less than a year ago and possibly the smallest production in over 11 years. The canned corn market is steady. Prices FOB per case from Supply and Market Report.
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The Employment Center is your gateway
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My yellow flesh is sweet and juicy
I started in Brazil but I am a universal symbol of friendship. Isn’t that cool? Because of this you will often find me carved into furniture, used as a logo, printed within stationary or anywhere else that friendship would be implied or extended. Today one of my most popular varieties is a baby variety from South Africa, ah but I digress. In 1493 Columbus snatched me from Guadeloupe and introduced me to Europe with limited success in cultivation. It wasn’t until the early 1800’s in places like the Azores, Australia and Hawaii and yes South Africa began to grow us as a commercial crop. Main producers today include Thailand and the Philippines. Our shipping color has significantly changed within the last 8 years from green to gold. I grow on a herbaceous perennial plant that is about three feet tall. I start with one hundred or more purple flowers that grow in a spiral pattern around a central axis that join together to form a single me. I am actually made up of numerous eyes and I am seedless. My yellow flesh is sweet and juicy and the flesh near my base is the sweetest and most tender part of me. When full grown I weigh between four and nine pounds. A vast majority of my crop is used for canning. My skin, core and ends are used to make compote, vinegar, alcohol, and is also used as food for livestock. You will enjoy me the most when I am heavy for my size and highly aromatic. Tap me with your palm, if muffled I am ripe, if hollow I could well be dried out. I turn milk sour and soften fruits.
What am I?
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The Food Quiz has is brought to you by Culinary Specialty Produce, a specialty produce broker that scours the world for the very best in specialty produce. Contact them at 908-789-4700 or by sending an email to info@culinaryproduce.com.
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