The Natural Foods Game Gets Ugly
One doesn?t normally associate the natural foods industry with the kind of brutal business tactics one expects in, say, the software industry or the financial sector. But there?s a real rough-and-tumble going on now between Whole Foods and its tiny competitor, New Seasons Markets.

Whole Foods Cooks up Electricity
At the Whole Foods commissary in Boston, the canola oil won't just be for cooking -- it will soon be used to make electricity. The natural foods grocer plans to run the walk-in freezer and the overhead lights using the new power source, reports The Boston Globe . By next year, a generator that's powered by the used cooking oil will provide all the electricity needed for the commissary -- about 2 ...

Smithfield Foods posts 76 percent drop in fiscal 2nd-qtr profit as grain costs surge
SMITHFIELD, Va. - Pork producer Smithfield Foods has reported a 76 percent drop in its fiscal second-quarter earnings, as high feed costs linked to skyrocketing grain prices hurt its hog and Butterball turkey operations.

For the Birds: Feed 'em in Fall to Welcome Them Back in Winter
(ARA) - Humans aren't the only ones who look forward to the autumn harvest. Fall brings a bounty of natural foods for our feathered friends, too.

Shopping for Affordable Organic Foods Has Never Been Easier
(ARA) - Providing a family with nutritious, well-balanced meals is hard enough for busy consumers, but in today's changing economy, affordability is also a factor.

Industrial Powder-Free Gloves are pH balanced.
Made from natural rubber latex, SemperGuard® Latex industrial powder-free gloves provide tactile sensitivity in both wet and dry environments. Compliant with FDA 21 CFR Guidelines and Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada requirements, units suit applications in food, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and laboratories. This story is related to the following: Safety and Security Equipment ...

Pioneer Natural, Cabot Oil, Casey?s, Copart: U.S. Equity Movers
Dec. 4 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies had unusual price changes in U.S. trading . Stock symbols are in parentheses, and share prices are as of 4 p.m. in New York.

Pioneer Natural, Cabot Oil, Casey?s, Copart: U.S. Equity Movers
Dec. 4 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies are having unusual price changes in U.S. trading . Stock symbols are in parentheses, and share prices are as of 3:25 p.m. in New York.

The Recipe for Cool Weather Comfort Foods
(ARA) - As the weather gets brisk and the sun sets earlier, we find ourselves yearning for food and beverages that are simple, familiar and home-made. Comfort food is as soothing as a warm sweater, but it doesn't have to be boring if you add a little creativity.

Fashion focus
Starting to collect cute stocking stuffers? Here are a couple to wrap and stash: True Shimmer from ChapStick ($3) is a lip balm-cum-gloss. Available in Tropical and Botanical Berry flavors at drug stores. And Burt's Bees adds the antioxidant protection of pomegranate oil to its Replenishing Lip Balm ($3). Available at Chamberlains Natural Foods, Orlando, and burtsbees.com.

US: Private equity execs join Whole Foods board
Two executives from Leonard Green & Partners have joined the board of directors at US retailer Whole Foods Market following the private equity firm's investment in the business.

Thursday business stories in NW papers
Construction supplier Keith Brown fails [The (Salem) Statesman Journal] Abandoned boats pose expensive problems for coastal communities [The (Eugene) Register-Guard] Emerald Valley natural foods company may close Eugene plant [The (Eugene) Register-Guard] Shorewood, Springfield packaging company, closing and laying off...

Healthy Skin from the outside in
Take a closer look at what to look for (and what to watch out for!) in various skin care products. Holly Potter is available by appointment at Stonington Natural Health Center, Quiambaug Cove, 107 Wilcox Road, Suite 103, Stonington, Conn. Call 860-536-3880 for more information.

Whole Foods Contributes $30K-plus to Farm Aid
Whole Foods Market's Portland, Ore. and Seattle stores have raised over $30,000 to support Farm Aid. The donation represents 5 percent of net sales at the organic and natural grocer's 11 area locations that took part in the "5% Community Giving Day" held Oct. 16.

Cheese Plant To Bring $437M Impact To Region
HULL, Iowa ? One of the newest cheese factories in the United States, Green Meadows Foods of Hull, Iowa, hosted its grand opening on Saturday, November 22. The cheese plant is estimated to bring $437 million impact in economic development to the region and will employ 85 people at one of the largest cheese factories in the country.

Learn Great Foods sets retreats
Learn Great Foods, a natural foods tour company in Michigan, has announced its 2009 schedule of classes. The weekend retreats are held in either Petoskey or Leland.

Glazed Cranberry Almond Drop Cookies
Marcona almonds are a Spanish treat found in most gourmet and natural foods stores. They pair nicely with the dried cranberries and orange glaze. Sliced almonds will work just as well.

GLAZED CRANBERRY ALMOND DROP COOKIES
Marcona almonds are a Spanish treat found in most gourmet and natural foods stores. They pair nicely with the dried cranberries and orange glaze. Sliced almonds ...

Getting to know your glucose levels
As we continue with our diabetes theme, let's take a closer look at dietary strategies to control blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. This week, we'll look at the glycemic index, an often misunderstood tool for assessing the impact of foods on blood glucose levels.

Food firm?s commissary plant adjudged tops
Zenith Foods Corporation (ZFC), the commissary plant of Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), was adjudged National Winner of Meat Processing Plant "AAA" Category in this year?s search for best meat establishment of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).