FOODSERVICE NEWS

B1 Title
Rob Evans, chef and owner of Hugo’s Restaurant of Portland, Maine was named the James Beard Foundation Best Chef in the Northeast.
Chef Evans beat out four other nominees to win the award—three chefs from the Greater Boston area as well as the two co-owners of Arrows restaurant in Ogunquit. Other James Beard awards included the following.
Outstanding Restaurant: Jean Georges (Chef/Owner: Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Owner: Phil Suarez, New York City.)
Outstanding Chef: Dan Barber (Blue Hill, New York City.)
Rising Star Chef: Nate Appleman (A16, San Francisco.)
Best New Restaurant: Momofuku Ko (Chef/Owners: David Chang and Peter Serpico, New York City.)
America's Classics: Arnold's Country Kitchen (Owners: Jack and Rose Arnold, Nashville, Tenn.); Mustache Bill's Diner (Owner: Bill Smith, Barnegat Light, N.J.); Totonno's (Owner: Lawrence Ciminieri, Brooklyn, N.Y).

B2 Title
Ecolab Inc. and the National Restaurant Association have joined efforts to create an industry response program that addresses the H1N1 influenza virus The program will be officially unveiled at the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show, May 16-19 in Chicago, Ill..
The program kicked off last week with a pre-National Restaurant Association Show webinar on May 7. A 90-minute educational seminar will follow at the NRA Show on Saturday, May 16, and include tools and tips for preventing the spread of the Influenza A virus.
The NRA will sponsor a Pandemic Preparedness booth staffed by experts, including those from Ecolab. The booth will offer training videos and materials that encourage proper hand hygiene, hard surface cleaning and other preventative measures restaurants can take for all types of public health situations.

B3 Title
Five industry leaders who have had some successful strategies in the fast-changing food-service market will be part of the Keynote Executive Panel at its 2009 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show scheduled for Sunday, May 17 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill.
Panelists include: chef-owner Daniel Boulud; Chipotle founder Steve Ells; Buffalo Wild Wings’ Sally Smith; wine maker and restaurateur Joseph Bastianich; and hospitality analytics entrepreneur Damian Mogavero. The event, titled “Seize the Moment: Energize the Guest Experience and Drive Sales in This Economy,” will be moderated by James Beard Award–winning food journalist Steve Dolinsky.
NRA Show 2009 will be held May 16–19, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event attracts attendees and visitors from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
Also present at NRA Show 2009 are several specialty pavilions highlighting some of the latest food and drink trends including the Organic & Natural Pavilion, International Cuisine Pavilion and American Food Fair, and the Int’l Wine, Spirits & Beer Event.
Show exhibit floor hours in the Level 3 building will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. For more information, visit the show website at www.restaurant.org/show.

American Craft Beer Fest Is In Boston This Week.
And More Food Service Latest Word…
On Wednesday, May 20, the Mass. Restaurant Assn. Educational Foundation will award $70,000 in scholarships to 31 students at a Scholarship Awards Gala at the Danversport Yacht Club…Coca Cola will service all the Papa Gino Pizzeria and D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches restaurant chains as a result of a multi year contract announced last week…OpenTable Inc., the owner of a restaurant reservation website plans to raise over $48 million in a public stock offering. Shares will be offered between $12 and $14 a share… The Mass. Legislature is still actively reviewing plans which would give local communities an option to raise the meals and lodging taxes…Joseph Caruso, 68, owner of the former Caruso Diplomat of Saugus, Mass. passed away recently at 68 years old.

C-STORE NEWS

C1 Title
PepsiCo is still interested in the Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiAmericas despite initial rejection by Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG( and PepsiAmericas (PAS) PepsiCo currently owns 33 percent of the outstanding shares of PBG and 43 percent of the outstanding shares of PAS.
On May 7, PepsiCo reiterated its belief that its offers were full, fair, and in the best interests of all three companies. PepsiCo Chief Executive Indra Nooyi told shareholders that buying both companies would save money in the long run and help the company respond quicker to a changing marketplace.

C2 Title
“Cycle Rally,” is the theme of the NYACS’ 23rd annual Trade Show and Convention to be held May 13-14, in Syracuse, N.Y.
NYACS is celebrating motorcycles and motorcyclists with a two-day event designed to draw the leaders of New York's convenience store industry like bikers are drawn to leather and chrome.
The opening event will be a golf outing the afternoon of Wednesday, May 13, followed by the Welcome Party Empire Brewing Co., Armory Square, Downtown Syracuse
On Thursday, May 14, at the Oncenter, educational workshops for retailers will be offered at 9 a.m., followed by the “State of the Industry” keynote presentation featuring Fran Duskiewicz at 10 a.m.
The trade show exhibits, with over 100 of the Northeast’s leading suppliers displaying the latest products, equipment and services that can help build your sales and lower your costs, will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Thursday evening, the convention will close with the traditional Chairman's Banquet, highlighted by inductions into the New York Convenience Store Hall of Fame and installation of NYACS officers for 2009-10. For information and to register, visit www.nyacs.org or call 877-384-8829.

C3 Title
The Hershey Co. last week unveiled a new website last week with targeted communication for over 90,000 independent convenience store retailers throughout the United States.   The new site was created to provide category insights and information on new products while helping c-store owners and operators maximize their sales potential. The site will give convenience store owners and operators a first-hand look at new products, current promotions, as well as quick and easy access to exclusive offers and important sales tools.
Membership is free and convenience store owners and operators can access and receive additional information on Hershey’s Premier Partner Program, a specialized program with insights on customized menu options, performance allowances and instant rebates on various displays. The site will also provide valuable information on category management, as well as Hershey’s “Big 33 items,” Hershey’s top 33 convenience store products.
“The new Web site will serve as an easy-to-use and innovative communications device for our independent c-store retailers,” said Dave Onarato, vice president, global convenience stores and specialty retail. “The creation and launch of this website not only helps reinforce Hershey as the category leader in convenience store sales but also provides our independent c-store retailers with a valuable tool for overall category information. The Web site delivers our dedication in providing leadership and solutions to all of our important c-store partners.” For more visit www.hersheysconvenience.com.

Frito Lay North American Division Partners With Jack Link’s
And More C-Store Latest Word…
Gulf Oil L.P. has selected SVX Prepaid as their preferred supplier in prepaid solutions for more than 1,400 gasoline retail centers in the Gulf branded network. SVX Prepaid includes prepaid wireless from national, regional and international carriers, stored value debit cards, prepaid MasterCard, Visa and Discover programs, international and domestic long-distance phone cards, prepaid cell phones and customer retailer gift cards…
Despite the flu outbreak, NACtech is still scheduled to take place May 18-20 in Dallas, Texas….
Poland Springs has begun construction of a $2.1 million spring water station, enabling spring water to travel from an underground pipeline in Denmark , Maine and be shipped to Poland Spring’s bottling facilities

NEW CHANNELS

D1 Title
U.S. sales of organic products, both food and non-food, reached $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, growing 17.1 percent over 2007 sales despite tough economic times, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The group released the final results from its 2009 Organic Industry Survey last week.
"Organic products represent value to consumers, who have shown continued resilience in seeking out these products," said Christine Bushway, OTA's executive director.
The survey, conducted by Lieberman Research Group on behalf of OTA, measured the growth of U.S. sales of organic foods and beverages as well as non-food categories such as organic fibers, personal care products and pet foods during 2008. Results show organic food sales grew in 2008 by 15.8 percent to reach $22.9 billion, while organic non-food sales grew 39.4 percent to reach $1.648 billion. As a result, organic food sales now account for approximately 3.5 percent of all food product sales in the United States.
The OTA noted that with tough economic times, consumers have used various strategies in continuing to buy organic products. Because most venues now offer organic products, consumers have the opportunity to shop around. Increased use of coupons, the proliferation of private label brands, and value-positioned products offered by major organic brands all have contributed to increased sales.
In other organic news, the OTA was pleased with the USDA’s decision to offer $50 million in new funding to encourage greater production of organic food in the U.S.

D2 Title
The National Assn. for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) has named five Outstanding Retailers for 2009 and they are: Straub’s of St. Louis, Mo, Taste Unlimited of Virginia Beach, Va.; The Market and More of Casper, Wy; Woodstock Farmers’ Market of Woodstock, Vt.; and Tony Caputo’s Market and Deli of Salt Lake City Utah.
A panel of specialty food experts including previous retailer winners, manufacturers, distributors and media chose the honorees. The awards will be presented at the Summer Fancy Food Show, June 28-30 n New York City. The actual ceremony will be June 29 in which Boston’s noted chef Ming Tsai will present the awards.
Woodstock Farmers Market carries prepared takeout dinners and lunches, fresh organic produce and fresh meat, milk, and eggs. Taste Unlimited has six locations through eastern Virginia and is known for its sandwiches on fresh baked bread.

D3 Title
Weis Markets of Sunbury, Pa., has appointed Brian Holt as marketing director and Steve Davis as director of GM/HBC sales and merchandising.
Mr. Holt will oversee all aspects of the company’s marketing programs, including loyalty marketing. Previously, Mr. Holt worked for Black and Decker Hardware and Home Improvement – Baldwin Hardware where he was responsible for the leadership of a $25 million business portfolio and retail marketing team. During his career, Mr. Holt worked on brand and product development for Graco Children’s Products, Dorman, Baldwin Hardware and Masco.
As director of GM/HBC Sales and Merchandising, Mr. Davis he will oversee the procurement and merchandising of the company’s GM and HBC categories. During his 30-year career, Mr. Davis has worked in merchandising and operations positions at Jewel/Osco, First National Supermarkets, Tops, Giant Food Stores, Wild Oats and Pharmica. Weis Markets operates 154 stores in five states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia.

World Tea East Co-Locates With Natural Products Expo East
And More New Channels Latest Word…
A relatively new Sam’s Club in Plymouth, Mass. abruptly closed last week, leaving 114 people out of work. Employees received severance pay and the company offered them help to find jobs at other Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart stores. Lack of traffic was cited as a reason for the store;s closure. Two other Sam’s Clubs are located in Massachusetts in Worcester, and Seekonk. The Plymouth store opened in 2005…

Hero/Beech Nut was the successful bidder for the Infant Foods and Cereal Rebate system for Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. It is the first time the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program will make available to program participants jarred infant food products…

The Food Basics store in Paterson, N.J., will host a Family Festival on May 23 and will featured 50 vendors of Hispanic food…