Baking & Snack - May 2009 - 18

NEWSFRONT

Bread proves 'recession-proof'

Bread is among the food categories
that have improved during the current
economic recession, according to Mintel
International, Chicago, IL. The market
research firm reviewed and re-forecasted
its research reports from the past two
years, identifying which food and drink
markets are actually being improved by
recessionary woes.
"Over the past year, we've seen people trying to save money on food by
either dining out less, cutting super-

market bills or both. More people
cook at home now, but they still want
healthy, convenient, tasty food and
drink for their dollar," said Bill Patterson,
senior analyst at Mintel. "As
consumers spend less
and stay in more,
certain food markets are benefitting. These recession-proof or
rather recessionfueled industries
are destined to do well
throughout the economic downturn, but it will be interesting to track
their sales after the nation recovers."
According to Mintel, the bread market is
faring the recession quite well. Originally
predicted to grow 2.1% in 2008, Mintel's latest figures show the bread category increased 7%. Mintel now predicts
higher growth for bread through 2013.
Other categories Mintel reviewed and
re-forecasted included sweet spreads,
frozen meals, side dishes and coffee.

Herr Foods celebrates new plant opening
Herr Foods held an
open house at its newest
manufacturing facility
in Nottingham, PA, in
April. The $15 million
project, which broke
ground in May 2008,
took about a year to
complete and created
25 new jobs in southern
Chester County.
"Herr Foods is excited
ᮡ Pictured left to right at the open house are Daryl Thomas, senior viceto introduce new prod- president sales and marketing; Gene Herr, potato procurement; Ed Herr,
ucts and new opportuni- president; James S. Herr, founder.
ties for our employees
and our community," said Ed Herr, president of Herr Foods.
The 70,000-sq-ft facility is dedicated to manufacturing Herr's Baked Cheese Curl
line and two new innovative snack products: Herr's Baked Snack Friez and Herr's
Baked Potato Crisps.
"Herr Foods is excited about the opportunities this new plant will provide and appreciates the support we have received for the project," said James M. Herr, chairman
and c.e.o. of Herr Foods. "We are proud of our 63-year history as a Pennsylvania company and look forward to continuing to be part of the commonwealth's vitality."
BAKING & SNACK / May 2009

Dancing Deer c.e.o.
bikes 1,500 miles
to raise awareness
of homelessness
From April 22 through May 6, Trish
Karter, c.e.o. of Dancing Deer Baking
Co., Boston, MA, rode her road bicycle
1,500 miles from Atlanta, GA, to Boston,
stopping at homeless shelters in cities
along the way to raise awareness about
homelessness and the growing problem
that affects 600,000 families with 1.35
million children in the US, according to
statistics from the National Alliance to
End Homelessness.
During the 2-week ride, which took
place during Dancing Deer's 15th anniversary, Ms. Karter visited 15 cities along
the East Coast. At family homeless shelters in the cities, she spotlighted initiatives to solve and end homelessness. She
also brought the company's tradition of
gingerbread house making to the families
in the shelters.
Ms. Karter's journey was documented in
real time at www.dancingdeer.com/ride.
Visitors could view a GPS-enabled map,
read blog entries, watch video from the
road and make donations to the cause.

ᮡ Dancing Deer C.E.O. Trish Karter trains for a 1,500-mile
bike ride to raise awareness about homelessness. Ms. Karter
built a desk over the handlebars of her trainer so she could
work while training.

http://www.Mintel.As http://www.dancingdeer.com/ride

Baking & Snack - May 2009

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