Market Trends

VEVEY, Switzerland - Nestle today said it will acquire the assets of Chef America Inc., the leading U.S. manufacturer and marketer of frozen hand-held food products, for $2.6 billion in cash.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Food Marketing Institute announced today it has launched a labeling program urging consumers to cook hamburgers to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

DAYVILLE, Conn. - United Natural Foods Inc., the leading U.S. national distributor of natural and organic foods, today announced it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Blooming Prairie Cooperative, the largest volume distributor of natural foods in the Midwest region.

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. and KULPSVILLE, Pa. - NeXpansion announced today that Clemens Family Markets has selected the company's Endless Aisle technology to expand its product assortment via the Web.

NEWARK, Del. - On Sept. 12, the Produce Marketing Association will present a members-only audioconference to provide retailers with last-minute advice and guidance regarding regulations for the soon-to-be mandatory U.S. national organics standards.

BOULDER, Colo. - National natural and organic foods retailer Wild Oats Markets Inc. on Thursday reported net income of $1.5 million, or $0.06 per share, on sales of $236.2 million in its second quarter ended June 29.

LEEDS, WEST YORKSHIRE, U.K. - Asda has said it plans to launch an own-brand kids food line early next year, just weeks after rival Tesco announced its entry into the burgeoning children's food market, The Financial Times reports.

BOISE, Idaho - Albertsons Inc. announced today that it has appointed Yakov M.Yarmove as corporate kosher marketing and operations manager, a new position for the national food and drugstore company.