Butter's Back – Sales Rise As Consumers Seek Pure Ingredients

In the so-called oil-and-fats category, it's getting tougher to tell which is which. Butter giant Land O'Lakes is adding olive oil to some of its sticks, marking what it says is a category first. Meanwhile, a canola-oil-blended butter spread continues to gain attention, and some versions also include, you guessed it, olive oil. At the same time, brands are adding dashes of sea salt, cinnamon and sugar to spice up what was once a pretty mundane dairy staple. But one thing is for sure. In its race against margarine, butter is winning — and even outpacing olive oil of late — as consumers seek pure, simple, flavor-rich ingredients.

Sunshine Dairy Foods Names James C. Noonan President & Chief Executive

June 27, 2012 Sunshine Dairy Foods

Sunshine Dairy Foods announced the appointment of James C. Noonan as President and Chief Executive Officer. The Karamanos family selected Noonan to head the family-owned dairy processor after John “Sam” Karamanos III passed away earlier this year.

Sysco Set To Move Into New $100 Million Boston Facility

Only 14 months ago the Plympton Industrial Park was nothing but dirt and power lines. Now, the $100 million Sysco Boston facility is undergoing final preparations before becoming functional next month.

Restaurant Visits Increasingly Influenced By Online Marketing, Reports NPD

June 27, 2012 The NPD Group, Inc.

In the first quarter of 2012, six percent of restaurant visits (926 million visits) were influenced by online marketing, reports The NPD Group, a leading market research company. Additionally, those restaurant visits supported eight percent of all spending for restaurant meals/snacks, and the influence is expected to increase, reports NPD’s foodservice market research.

McCormick For Chefs Broadens Product Line With Lawry's Seasoning Mixes

June 27, 2012 McCormick & Company

With more than 53% of consumers concerned with the amount of salt/sodium in their diets, the foodservice industry is taking clear steps to address this growing demand. In fact, 69% of operators have lowered or plan to lower sodium in key menu items because of the percentage of Americans who take in sodium from processed and prepared foods at home and at restaurants.