The Prime Directive

Tyler Brown, with JBS in Greeley, Colo., has seen a significant increase in the demand for high-quality beef over the last 18 months. “It’s been even more pronounced in the last six to eight months,” says the JBS premium program manager. “And I don’t see it subsiding any in the near term. The market is sending a clear message, not just in the foodservice channel, but also in the retail channel. Consumers are demanding a higher quality eating experience.”

NBO3 Technologies Unveils Omega-3 Ground Beef

November 1, 2012 GreatO Nutrition

Finally consumers who wish to supplement their diets with additional omega-3's can turn to something besides fish and supplements. NBO3 Technologies' 10 years of research and development means consumers soon will be able to get the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids from the company's new GreatO Premium Beef, Premium Chicken, Premium Pork (and bacon), as well as Premium Dairy (milk, butter and cream) products. In the next few weeks, the company will introduce its GreatO Premium Meats, initially with its first to market GreatO Premium Ground Beef product in selected grocers, followed by an intensive, region-by-region roll out in 2013.

Pen & Petal Launches New Web Site

November 1, 2012 Pen & Petal, Inc.

Pen & Petal, Inc. has launched a new company web site with an enhanced portfolio and more. “With this rejuvenation we’ve made our site more interactive and targeted to our potential customers’ needs,” said Kerstin Ouellet, president of Pen & Petal. “We’ve built this site around the way our clients do business and the information they seek.”

1-800-FLOWERS.COM Reports Top & Bottom Line Growth

November 1, 2012 1-800-FLOWERS.COM

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. reported revenue growth of 3.1 percent to $120.9 million from continuing operations for its fiscal 2013 first quarter ended September 30, 2012, compared with revenues from continuing operations of $117.2 million in the prior year period. The Company said the revenue growth for the quarter – typically the Company’s smallest in terms of revenue due to the lack of gifting holidays during the summer months – was driven by its Consumer Floral division, which increased 3.8 percent to $72.8 million, and its BloomNet business which increased 6.8 percent to $19.8 million, with revenues essentially unchanged in its Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets business compared with the prior year period.

Terra Nova Nurseries Introduces New Rodgersia Variety

November 1, 2012 Terra Nova Nurseries

Terra Nova Nurseries announced today a new introduction now available to garden centers, Rodgersia ‘Bronze Peacock’. This variety is already a popular favorite among the company’s grower customers.