Research & Analysis

Blue Book Services/Produce Reporter Co., provider of credit and marketing information to businesses involved in the wholesale fresh fruit and vegetable industry, on Tuesday announced the launch of its new Web Service interface. Designed and developed by Buyproduce, the new interface allows Blue Book customers to seamlessly and instantly retrieve time sensitive Blue Book data from virtually any application.

Nash Finch Company and U Save Foods, Inc. today confirmed that they are in discussions for Nash Finch to acquire U Save Foods through a purchase of U Save's stock.

A diverse group of antitrust experts, national consumer organizations and major farm groups have joined forces to announce their opposition to Nestle's $10.1 billion merger with Ralston Purina. If regulators approve the deal, Swiss-based Nestle would become the world's biggest pet food company and control roughly 45 percent of the $7 billion U.S. pet food market.

VoiceFlash Networks Inc. announced today that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with VeriFone Inc., to explore the viability of cooperating in the development of retail mobile commerce products.

(AP) - Concerns about beef safety in Europe sent McDonald's Corp.'s [NYSE:MCD - news] profits lower for a third straight quarter.

(Reuters) - Chiquita Brands International Inc., the No. 1 banana producer, on Tuesday reported a second-quarter loss due to weak European currencies, higher production costs and lower canned vegetable prices.

(Reuters) - Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., the world's largest chewing gum maker, said on Tuesday that second-quarter earnings rose 8.6 percent, as growth in shipments and better margins offset higher marketing costs and pressure from weak European currencies.

(Reuters) - Ralston Purina Co., the largest U.S. pet food maker, said on Monday that fiscal third-quarter net earnings rose nearly 27 percent, driven by firm sales volumes in all segments of its business and lower interest expenses.