Restaurant owners open Mexican grocery Cooks can try their hand at creating “burritos as big as your head” in their own kitchens. The owners of La Bamba Mexican Restaurant locations in the Twin Cities will open a Hispanic-American grocery store that complements the fast-casual eatery. The grocery store, which will include another La Bamba restaurant, is slated to open Wednesday in the former Mor-For-Less location at 1512 W. Market St. in west Bloomington. Pantragraph, 11/17 California Hispanic Association of Professionals in Agriculture meets with CDFA The state secretary for the Department of Food and Agriculture, A.G. Kawamura, stopped in Palm Desert on Saturday where he spoke to members of the California Hispanic Association of Professionals in Agriculture. “We're trying to create a vision of what agriculture will look like by the year 2030,” Kawamura said. The Desert Sun, 11/16 Research gives Hispanics another reason to drink their milk Most Hispanics fail to get the calcium and vitamin D they need, but this shortfall could be affecting more than their bones. It may, at least in part, be one reason behind the epidemic of type 2 diabetes drawing attention this November, Diabetes Awareness Month, suggests research conducted at Tufts University. Drinking more milk could help decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes by nearly 15 percent, according to a meta-analysis and review published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. PR Newswire, 11/14 Taco takeout A new niche in the food industry has been filled with the spicy smell of cooked beef and the aroma of homemade tortillas. Two small, unassuming trailers have found a home on two different highways that run through Gillette. Shift workers and office crews have found something new for their dinner table and lunch boxes. The Gillette News-Record, 11/08 Wal-Mart's Mas Club to target Hispanics “Más Club will cater to the wants and needs of Hispanic families and entrepreneurs,” Doug McMillon, president and chief executive officer of Sam’s Club, said in the release. “We are excited about this club and the new range of products and services we can offer in Houston. Our objective is to create an additional shopping choice that provides currently unavailable value for families, restaurant owners, convenience stores and more.” The Packer, 11/07 In its tenth year, North Carolina's Festival Latino celebrates growing Hispanic community A decade ago, Festival Latino debuted a disaster. Maybe not for the public, but certainly for organizer Lucy Vasquez. For those unfamiliar with the event, here's what you'll find at the fest: a sampling of yummy food from countries such as Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador and Colombia; live music and lively dancing...Wilmington Star, 11/05 United Supermarket's new Amigos concept tests new demographic It started as an experiment in Plainview eight years ago with a store called Supermercado. United Supermarkets is now preparing to roll out that concept in a much bigger way with the opening Friday of Amigos - a $1 million-plus conversion of its 112 N. University Ave. store. Lubbock Online, 11/02   Last Month's Headlines Traditional Mexican diet may reduce breast cancer risk A recent study shows that a true Mexican diet may help cut down the risk of developing breast cancer. It does matter what kind of Mexican food you eat, though. There's no shortage of Mexican food in San Antonio. Restaurants that serve up favorites like enchiladas and chalupas are on almost every corner. San Antonio Express News, 10/31 General Mills launches Hispanic health initiative General Mills, Inc. (GMI), today announced the launch of a unique, three-year, grassroots program especially developed to encourage Hispanic families and children to share tasty, healthy and nutritious food as part of their daily routine. Called Mente Sana en Cuerpo Sano (Sound Body, Sound Mind), it involves a 10-session curriculum created by The Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. MarketWatch, 10/30 Well-known Hispanic baker draws crowd to Detroit coffee shop Todd Wickstrom, owner of the newly opened Mercury Coffee Bar, is providing jobs and training by hiring from the surrounding Corktown neighborhood and other parts of the city. His baker is Martha Garza, a well-known home baker in the Hispanic community. While she's creating the Mercury's cakes, cookies, bars and coffeecakes, is also learning skills that could help her run a business of her own, Wickstrom says. Detroit Free Press, 10/30 Celebrating Day of the Dead's delicious side Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos in Spanish, was always a novelty for me when I was growing up in Tijuana. Like Cinco de Mayo, it seemed more like a commercialized holiday than a real one. The only signs of the event were the colorfully decorated sugar skulls sold at stands along the border - a reminder to all the tourists that they had, in fact, been to Mexico. San Francisco Chronicle, 10/29 Sam's Club opens Mas Club for Hispanic shoppers Wal-Mart Stores Inc's WMT.N Sam's Club division is opening a new type of warehouse club aimed at attracting Hispanic shoppers with an expanded selection of products from Mexico. The club, to be called Mas Club, will be opened in Houston the first half of 2009. Reuters, 10/28 Chipotle plans 6% price increase Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. said this week it would increase menu prices by 6 percent in the current fourth quarter to help counter rising costs that led to a dent in third quarter profit. The increase is not without risks, according to both company management and industry analysts. Customer traffic, already trending negative for the 800-unit burrito chain, may take an additional hit, as consumers continue to feel financial pressures that already have caused dining-out cutbacks. Nation's Restaurant News, 10/23 Rubio's rejects buyout offer Rubio’s Restaurants Inc. has rejected the proposed $49.75 million buyout offer from investor Kelly Capital Investments LLC because the bid “significantly undervalues [Rubio’s] core business and operating plan,” the restaurant operator said. Nation's Restaurant News, 10/22 MillerCoors honors Hispanic leader As part of its Hispanic marketing plan, MillerCoors has unveiled the 14 Hispanic leaders it is honoring this year. Print ads have begun running in local and national Latino publications and will continue through 2009. “They serve as an inspiration and an example of what one person’s dedication can accomplish,” Joedis Avila, multicultural relations manager for MillerCoors, said in a statement. Promo Magazine, 10/21 Hispanic grocery chain expands Madera is home to a new grocery chain that has been expanding through the Central Valley. Rancho San Miguel Market opened last week and the 57,000-square-foot, full-service store is oriented toward Latinos but offers a complete line of national products, a full bakery where wedding cakes are made to order, salsa and juice bars and a pretty impressive deli that makes tortillas from scratch and serves a variety of dishes. The Fresno Bee, 10/19 Fiesta celebrates diversity of Hispanic culture in Linn Park Thousands of people filled downtown Birmingham on Saturday for the sixth annual Fiesta, a celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage. The event in Linn Park featured music, food, art and dance with the goal of educating the public about the many different Hispanic countries. The Birmingham News, 10/19 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Week Gabriela Cuen (pronounced Quinn) doesn't need a special reason to invite her friends over for a festive lunch of their favorite foods. However, lunch turned into a special occasion Wednesday when Gabriela and several of her friends gathered to share recipes and culinary traditions as part of Hispanic Heritage Week, which is observed from Oct. 13-17. The Daily Post-Athenian, 10/17 Chipotle celebrates local farmers Chipotle Mexican Grill, which has won kudos for practices such as using humanely raised meat and serving BST-free dairy products, will be at the University District Farmers Market on Saturday. The fast-casual restaurant will offer free canvas market bags and "burrito bucks" good for a free Chipotle burrito, taco or bowl to the first 100 people at the green tent inside the market's entrance at University Way Northeast and 50th Avenue Northeast. Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 10/16 Walmart to step up Hispanic products Wal-Mart officials said Thursday they plan on offering more products aimed at the Latino market and promised to step up local donations to nonprofits and food banks. "The Hispanic community is very important to us. In many stores, I hear more Spanish than English," said Bill Wertz, Northwest divisional director of public affairs. Yakima Herald, 10/16 Guatemala present at Los Angeles Hispanic Food Expo If you haven't tasted it, you must. Guatemalan food is all over the place, and now also present at the Los Angeles Hispanic Food Expo. We recommend tamalitos, chile cobanero, champurradas, chocolate and much, much more. The Guatemala Times, 10/16 Colombian coffee icon defies Starbucks doldrums Starbucks may be struggling, but a Colombian cafe chain built on the fame of the world's biggest coffee icon is determined to buck the trend with plans to expand worldwide depsite the slowing economy that has forced others to scale back. Even as cash-short consumers cut back on gourmet blends, the Juan Valdez Cafe is selling coffee at 101 stores across Colombia, as well as at outposts in New York, Seattle, Philadelphia, Santiago, and Spain. Yahoo Finance, 10/16 Retired CEO indulges in Margaritas When John Sullivan of Montgomery retired in May after 18 years as CEO of Gold Star Chili, he knew he wanted to stay busy. "I didn't want to just play golf and let my mind go to seed," he said with a laugh. Sullivan was quickly recruited through his network of restaurant business contacts by Tony Vanjohnson and Brian Clark, founders of the Margaritas chain of restaurants, which now number six in the Cincinnati area. The Cincinatti Enquirer, 10/15 P&G hosts Latinnovation for its Hispanic workers About 400 Hispanic Procter & Gamble workers attended Latinnovation, a gathering that serves as a motivational tool for employees and a cultural education opportunity for the company. P&G's international growth, plus a growing Hispanic population in the U.S., has prompted it to focus on Hispanics in its work force. The Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/14 Costco's Mexican Partner seeks reorganization Costco Wholesale Corp.’s joint-venture partner in Mexico is seeking a financial reorganization, but that should not impact the Mexican operations of Costco, industry analysts said Friday. "The pending reorganization of Controladora Comercial Mexicana (CCM), the holding company of Costco's joint venture partner in Mexico, is unlikely to materially affect the ongoing business of Costco Mexico," Deborah Weinswig, an analyst with Citicorp, New York, said. Supermarket News, 10/13 Celebra Hispanic Health Festival brings education and free medical screenings to Houston Hispanics Celebra La Vida Con Salud, the largest national Hispanic health education campaign addressing major illnesses that disproportionately impact Latinos, made its seventh stop on its 2008 health festival tour in Houston on Sunday. Celebra provided health information and free medical screenings to Houston area Latinos in an effort to help improve their overall health status. Hispanic PR Newswire, 10/12 Comercial Mexicano affected by spiraling peso Accordnig to Reuters, the Mexican supermarket operator Comercial Mexicana requested bankruptcy protection against creditors because it was unable to make debt payments due to a recent decline in the peso. Reuters, 10/10 Arizona's Hispanics low on healthcare About one in five Arizonans overall and one in three Hispanic residents lacked health insurance in 2005. However, Alberto Esparza, president and CEO of the Si Se Puede Foundation, a group that advocates for youth in Arizona, said a lack of health insurance isn't just a Hispanic issue. Arizona Republic, 10/10 Regent's Ordinary adds flavor to Hispanic Heritage Month Chef Dan Murphy is cooking up a meal to show that Hispanic food is not all rice and beans. Since Hispanic cuisine varies from region to region, town to town and family to family, it is difficult to define "authentic" Hispanic cuisine. That's why Murphy selected a sampling of items. The Virginian-Pilot, 10/10 Latino diet needs healthy boost The benefits of healthy food such as grains need to be promoted among the Hispanic community which is at greater risk of suffering the impact of a poor diet than any other ethnic group. The Hispanic community is particularly at risk because of food insecurity, lack of access to healthy foods and low socioeconomic status among other factors, said Melendez-Klinger, a registered dietician who is a member of the Grain Foods Foundation (GFF) scientific advisory board. Food Navigator USA, 10/09 Chef Pepín encourages healthy eating during Hispanic Heritage Month Chef Pepín has spent the last 20 years in the homes of Hispanics throughout the country via their television sets. Now he’s taking time out during Hispanic Heritage Month to try to encourage those same people to make their menus at home a little healthier. With high food prices, a lot of people have an additional perceived barrier to eating healthy foods, he says. But many simple, inexpensive steps can be taken to improve caloric and saturated fat intake San Antonio Express, 10/09 Hispanic 360 Conference teaches retailers how to talk the talk The need for multicultural involvement across the entire organization is something keynote speaker Greg Cunningham, director of multicultural marketing for Minneapolis-based Target Stores, stressed as well. Reaching Hispanic consumers, he told Hispanic 360 attendees, requires a strong, integrated business strategy that incorporates relevant messaging, respect and differentiation into every aspect of a brand or company. Convenience Store News, 10/08 Expansion on the table for Goya Foods Homes are in foreclosure, banks are topping and the nation's credit markets are tight. But Goya Foods Inc. is going strong. In fact, the Secaucus, N.J.-based business - the largest, Latino-owned food company in the United States - is on track to generate $1 billion in sales this year. "When we talk to our sales people and plan our marketing strategy, we see no reason why we shouldn't grow 20 to 25 percent over the next five years," said Evelio Fernandez, Goya's vice president. San Gabriel Valley Tribune, 10/07 Family-run La Altena market opens new California store While most people their age are wondering what they're going to be doing with their lives, Pedro and Ricardo Oropeza are making sure that the signs inside of Manteca's second La Altena Hispanic grocery store are just perfect. After growing up learning the ropes of the family-owned business, the brothers are now getting ready to spread their wings with a massively renovated complex at the old Goodwill Store location in the 200 block of West Yosemite Avenue. Manteca Bulletin, 10/07 General Mills promotes healthful eating among Hispanics General Mills is expanding its Hispanic-marketing platform Que Rica Vida (What a Healthy Life), which includes a website and magazine about healthful living, with a grass-roots program to offer lessons about nutrition to up to 10,000 Hispanic women at community centers starting recently. Ad Age, 10/06 Balduccis launches Spanish food promo Balducci's Food Lovers Market has introduced its "Discover the Delicious Flavors of Spain" promotion, featuring a wide array of foods from various regions of the Iberian country, including tapas, delicatessen and bakery items, and grocery products. The gourmet grocer will offer samples of various foods every Saturday between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at all 10 of its stores. Progressive Grocer, 10/06 Goya breaks ground on New Jersey manufacturing facility Goya Foods Inc., a multi-cultural food company headquartered in Secaucus, has secured a spot in the Gateway Business Park. The second largest Hispanic-owned company in the United States has broken ground and begun construction, said Salem County Improvement Authority (SCIA) Executive Director Jack Kugler. New Jersey Sunbeam, 10/05 Mexican food a favorite for presidential candiate Barack Obama When Sen. Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, want a special night out in Chicago, they often head for the award-winning Mexican restaurant Topolobampo. But don't equate the word "Mexican" with burritos and refried beans. Chef Rick Bayless founded "Topolo," as locals call it, almost 20 years ago to prove to Americans that genuine Mexican cooking can be as sophisticated as French and Italian. NPR, 10/05 Taco trucks in LA County can stay put What has become known locally as the great Taco Truck Wars of 2008 appears to have come to a close. The district attorney's office said Friday that it won't appeal a judge's ruling in August to throw out a law that requires taco truck operators to move every hour or face $1,000 fines and possible jail time. San Jose Mercury News, 10/03 Ethnic food trend adds spice to U.S. palate Asians and Hispanics are no longer a minority in large cities across the US and census figures predict that they will form a majority by 2050, according to John Corella, spokesman for the Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food industry event which will take place this month. Corella said,“There are a lot of products coming out that are uniquely flavored to address the cultural shift.” He gave the example of lime flavored products with chili, which is typically Hispanic. Food Navigator, 10/02 Guatamala's Pollo Compero opens in Miami Whenever Christina Fiallos would go home to Guatemala City she would bring back a box of Pollo Campero chicken. When friends would visit Central America she would ask them to do the same. Miami is now the latest site in the U.S. expansion for Pollo Campero, which bills itself as the largest Latin American chicken restaurant chain. The Miami Herald, 10/02 Chipotle launches green development Chipotle Mexican Grill, known as the leader in making high-end dining and top quality ingredients available to everyone, is now leading the charge on more environmentally responsible building designs. Chipotle will open a “green” restaurant in Gurnee, Illinois with a six-kilowatt wind turbine on-site that will generate a portion of the restaurant’s electrical needs. Yahoo Finance, 10/01 Organizers buzzing over the biggest Hispanic Heritage Month ever The men talked to the "Budweiser guy" about prices and quantities as they stood on the gray bricks where a beer garden will soon sprout in Town Center for the Hispanic Heritage Festival of Palm Coast. Daytona Beach News-Journal, 10/01

Sedanos gets a supermarket makeover
Hector Hernandez doesn't usually shop at Sedano's, but he was impressed when he brought his parents last week to the grand opening of the Hispanic supermarket chain's newest location in West Miami-Dade. ''This is actually pretty nice,'' Hernandez said. ``It seems a little more organized. It's cleaner. There are more choices.'' Miami Herald, 09/29

Latino buying power is a growing economic force
"Hispanics over-index in almost all consumer products that have to do with home and food. Money spent on groceries on average is as high as mainstream consumers even though Hispanic income is not as large," says Korzenny. "But because of big families, Hispanics spend a lot on food." Diversity Inc. Magazine, 09/29

Increased Hispanic presence affects businesses
When Puerta Vallarta Mexican restaurant opened in Muncie in the mid-1990s, they were one of few Hispanic-owned businesses in East Central Indiana. But times have changed. Hispanics are the fastest-growing population in the nation, the state and Delaware County and with their presence has come an increase in business opportunities. And they are not only catering to Latinos. The Star Press, 09/28

Troops in Iraq enjoy special shipment of Hispanic food sent by restauranteur Juan Contreras
Juan Contreras, co-owner of Juan and Maria's Empanada Stop at the Rochester Public Market, recently shipped 135 pounds of handmade empanadas to troops to feast on in Balad, Iraq. Col. Renata Sierzega of Webster, the commander of his daughter's unit in Niagara Falls, is among the troops receiving the food. "She craved the empanadas and asked if I (could) send it," Contreras said. "I did a lot of research and figured out how to do it." Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, 09/27

Ortega is back on TV
With the Olympics still fresh on many minds, B&G Foods is using the opportunity to launch new TV spots today and shine some spotlight on two of its lesser known brands: Cream of Wheat and Ortega. The spot for Ortega will debut during this evening's 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, airing on My Network TV. B&G Foods, Parsippany, N.J., created four one-minute commercials to be broadcast during the program. Brandweek, 09/26

Special events market Hispanic Heritage Month
The Greenville County Library System is teaming up with the Association of Hispanic American Women this weekend to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an up-close look at the history and culture of Hispanic Americans.Each "stop" will be staffed by an AHAM member from that country who will talk about her country's cultural aspects, such as food, music and history. Each booth also will feature samples of traditional food from each country, and traditional dress will be showcased in a fashion show. The Greenville News, 09/26

Hispanics try to cut costs at the grocery store during economic downturn
The economic slowdown in the United States and higher food prices have prompted Hispanic families in central Florida to make greater use of coupons and to seek out discount supermarkets to reduce their spending.According to Rosita Toledo, the high cost of food and gasoline has made her more cost-conscious when deciding where to do her bi-weekly grocery shopping. TMC Net, 09/25

Tyson executive earns young Hispanic corporate achievers honor
Adriana Wilhelm, a Lead Programmer Analyst for Tyson in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is one of 26 executives from across the country recently honored by The Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) at its 2nd annual Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers (YHCA) program. The annual leadership program recognizes young Hispanic achievers at Fortune 500 companies. MarketWatch, 09/24

Chef Jose Andres brings Spanish culinary revolution to Los Angeles
Jose Andres, always charming, is the life of the party at a soiree in the Hollywood Hills, and guests are circling around him next to the infinity pool. Chef Andrés is scooping caviar onto slices of jamón ibéricojamón ibérico (ham from the black-footed pigs of Spain), rolling it up and placing it directly into their mouths. LA Times, 09/24

Baskin Robbins steps up Hispanic marketing initiative
Baskin-Robbins said today that Carlos Nuñez, director of marketing for the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and consumer insights, will add Hispanic duties to his role, part of a plan to step up the ice cream shop's marketing efforts aimed at Latinos. Brandweek, 09/22

Jorge's Tex-Mex serves up spicy authentic food
Tony One Arts Plaza is a long way from downtown Midland, and further still from Monterrey, Mexico. But Jorge's Tex-Mex Café has successfully made the trip. The journey began in the 1950s, when George Veloz's parents left their small ranch outside Monterrey to open a Mexican cafe in Midland. Dallas News, 09/22

Taco Bueno introduces new flame-grilled menu items
Taco Bueno, the Mexican quick-service restaurant known for its “Buenohead” followers, has expanded its menu with flavorful, new flame-grilled items including Fajita Tacos, Gourmet Burritos, and Gourmet Bowls. Customers can order these items with either flame-grilled steak or chicken. Accompanying the new entrees are two new low-fat, vegetarian side items – Black Beans and Cilantro Lime Rice. Business Wire, 09/22

General Mills launches new marketing program with Univision
General Mills Inc., today announced the launch of a year-long partnership with the Univision Network, the country's leading Spanish-language television network, which will expand the reach of its highly successful Hispanic marketing platform, including the Spanish-language lifestyle magazine, Que Rica Vida, into television. Marketwatch, 09/22

Pollo Tropical celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month in schools
Pollo Tropical launched the Hispanic Heritage Month lesson plan to spice up this month’s class activities for the state's elementary school children. The lesson plan includes a set of four cards with the Spanish translation of featured menu items, along with a brief description of each item. Students take the cards to their local Pollo Tropical in exchange for a free sample of the food item on the card. Naples Daily News, 09/22

Hispanic health fair on campus celebrates healthy eating and diabetes
"The Fiesta de La Salud will provide students with music, healthy food, and information," said Sharon Bartels, health services coordinator. A healthy taco salad and gazpacho are some of the diabetic friendly foods that will be available for students at the event. "Norae Ferrera, a nutritionist from the San Francisco Nutrition Center, will also be attending the event to provide students with a workshop on diabetes," said Gloria D'Ambria, health services office assistant. The San Matean, 09/22

Chef Mario Battali launches new show on Spanish cuisine
The choice of venue is purposeful, for this week marks the debut on PBS of Batali’s latest television venture: a thirteen-hour travelogue-cum-food-porn series, Spain…On the Road Again, in which he rambles around the Iberian Peninsula with New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman, Spanish actress Claudia Bassols, and his pal Gwyneth Paltrow, consuming the local cuisine and culture. New York Magazine, 09/21

Toast Hispanic Heritage Month with Rancho Zibaco Zinfandel
An estimated 45.5 million Hispanic U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and Spanish-speaking Central America, South America and the Caribbean will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this September 15 through October 15, and premium Zinfandel producer Rancho Zabaco is thrilled to pay tribute to a culture rich in culinary traditions with several festive Zinfandels that pair perfectly with this month's favorite foods. Marketwatch, 09/19

Kraft named best company for Hispanic women
Latina Style magazine has named Kraft Foods one of the top 50 companies for professional Hispanic women in the United States. The award recognizes companies that excel in Latina representation in senior positions, leadership and mentoring programs for Hispanics and progressive employee benefits. Earth Times, 09/19

Latino cuisine shines at Yankee Stadium
The influence of Latinos in the United States has changed more than the baseball being played in the majors. It's changed the food being sold at major league stadiums, too. This has been clearly evident during the final seasons at the House That Ruth Built, where fans can enjoy Latino cuisine at one of the concession stands nestled within Yankee Stadium. ESPN, 09/19

Dyess Group marks Hispanic Heritage Month with barbacue, music
The Dyess Air Force Base picnic grounds were filled with the sounds of live bands playing salsa and Tejano music, along with the smell of beef fajitas and funnel cakes, Friday evening. The Fiesta in the Park event, coordinated by the Dyess Hispanic Heritage Committee and the Hispanic Leadership Council, kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month. Abilene Reporter News, 09/19

Acai-rich juice may reverse inflammation
An antioxidant-rich juice containing açai may reduce levels of markers of inflammation linked to conditions such as heart disease, says a new study. Writing in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers report that the antioxidant-rich juice was able to protect cells from oxidative damage, and, when consumed by a small number of volunteers, showed anti-inflammatory properties. Beverage Daily, 09/17

Latin Fusion recipes celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, is blending cuisines from all over Latin America in five new delicious "Latin fusion" recipes. Phoenixville News, 09/17

Giant Food Stores celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Giant Food Stores is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by giving out free bi-lingual cookbooks with recipes from Latin and Central America at all locations from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Some stores will also host food demonstrations at various times throughout the month. York Daily Record, 09/17

Sara Lee to acquire coffee business in Brazil
Sara Lee Corp. today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Café Moka, a family-owned coffee business located in the São Paulo metropolitan area in Brazil. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in October 2008 and will be filed with the Brazilian competition authorities for review and approval. Yahoo Finance, 09/17

Chipotles add bold flavor to dip and sauce
Chipotle has become a buzzword on menus and in packaged foods as well as in the name of a restaurant chain. Chipotles are dried, smoked jalapeños. They are sold dry or canned in a smoky adobo sauce. The canned variety is easier to use. Dallas Morning News, 09/16

Tortillerias bring a taste of authenticity to stores looking to build their Hispanic shopper base
As the fastest-growing demographic group in the United States, Hispanic shoppers have had the attention of food retailers for years now. The U.S. Census Bureau currently places their population at more than 45 million in the United States, and their aggregate purchasing power exceeded $863 billion last year, according to a recent report from the restaurant research consultancy Technomic Information Services, Chicago. Supermarket News, 09/15

Latino Festival shows the changing face of Perry, Iowa
"This is what I like about this event: We celebrate our differences, but we also celebrate what we have in common," said Shirley, who has been mayor for four years. "We're a good community." Shirley said the Latino population in Perry "has given us different foods, different thoughts about participation in government. They have made our community much more vibrant and exciting." Des Moines Register, 09/14

Fiesta embraces many cultures with an array of food
Downtown Winston-Salem was turned into a Latin American food court yesterday afternoon, as such traditional dishes as pupusas, elote and salchipapas were served up at the 17th annual Fiesta Hispanic Festival. Winston-Salem Journal, 09/14

200 turnout for Hispanic Festival
A festival held Saturday in a church parking lot off Route 9 sought to bring new perspective to the event and inspire Lakewood's growing Hispanic community. About 200 people attended the independence celebration at All Saint's Episcopal Church, enjoying a buffet of traditional foods from their home countries as well as hours of live music and dancing. Asbury Park Press, 09/14

Hy-Vee Hispanic efforts lauded
Hy-Vee Inc. has been given the 2008 Hispanic Retail Excellence Award for its leadership in targeting the growing Latino population, and the Austin store is credited for having one of the largest selections in the corporation. “We’ve added on to the (ethnic) aisle itself almost 30 extra feet of Hispanic items,” said Mike Silvis, assistant store director. Austin Daily Herald, 09/13

Baja's fresh approach
When Baja Fresh whipped up a smaller, speedier prototype to power its expansion, the company generated a whole host of additional perks. One Sunday night in March, the manager of the Baja Fresh Mexican Grill in Simi Valley, Calif., hung up a sign that said "Closed For Remodeling" and then locked the doors to customers. Over the next four days, fast-moving work teams ripped out the serving line and prep island and installed equipment in a more compact configuration. Foodservice Equipment Reports Magazine, 09/13

Giant and Martin's plan Hispanic Heritage Month celebration
Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets, based in Carlisle, Pa., are gearing up for their annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at a number of stores beginning Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The theme for this year's celebration in the stores is authentic recipes from Central America, South America, Spain and the Caribbean. Progressive Grocer, 09/12

Taco Bell "Feed the beat" program helps bands on the road
Taco Bell is doubling down on indie rock this fall by expanding the scope of its annual promotion that provides meals to touring bands. The fast-feeder's third iteration of "Feed the Beat" will feature twice as many bands and an online contest to record singles. Advertising Age, 09/11

Fiestas Patrias, a day of food, fun and celebration
Fiestas Patrias — the celebration of Mexican Independence Day, a day filled with food, music, dancing and lots of Hispanic culture — will be celebrated two days earlier this year than the official date. The celebration, recognition by Hispanics the world over of Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule, will be celebrated from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Porterville Fairgrounds. The Porterville Recorder, 09/11

Latin cooking as American as apple pie
Like most Latinas, Unbe Sanchez learned how to cook tamales, rice, moles, stews and fish -- all from scratch, all seasoned with love -- at her mother's side. The 64-year-old matriarch moved to Chicago from Mexico and thinks nothing of making 300 tamales for family get-togethers -- which can include her husband, seven children, 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is a culture removed from the trend of authentic Latin cuisine invading the mainstream American kitchen. Chicago Sun-Times, 09/10

Goya brings 'Goya Latino Family Celebration' back to Phillies
Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, will once again join the Phillies in hosting the "Goya Latino Family Celebration" on Friday, September 12, at Citizens Bank Park. The event -- which pays tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month with musical performances, foods with Latin flavor, and a special ticket discount -- will take place before and during the 7:05 p.m. Phillies-Brewers game. MarketWatch, 09/10

Sabor Midland hopes to bridge cultures through music, food, fun
The event, now in its fourth year, has a diverse base, Zerucho said. "In the sense the Hispanic demographics are segmented -- there are actually different cultures within the Hispanic community, so it's been extremely successful in bridging those segments and bringing them together under one entertainment umbrella." Midland Reporter Telegram, 09/10

Roadside roasters mark Denver's yearly bout with chile fever
Word is, chiles are milder this year, but the air still stings with the aroma of roasting Anaheims, Big Jims and the new Moscos. From her perch at denvergreenchili.com, website creator Anita Edge is seeing an increase in the Mosco, a chile that was 10 years in development. In its third year, her site lists local vendors, features recipes and offers lots of "hot" tips. The Denver Post, 09/09

Food firms launch Brazil GMO-free grain group
Brazilian soy producers and processors launched an association that will guarantee grains and feeds free of genetically modified organisms to meet demand in Europe. Reuters, 09/09

Moe's Southwest Grill president works to re-energize restaurant group
Paul Damico has wasted little time getting to know Moe’s Southwest Grill since being named president in May. In his second day on the job, Damico was learning how to make burritos at the company test kitchen in Atlanta. In the past four months, he’s visited more than 60 stores and held regional meetings with franchisees across the United States. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 09/09

Philadelphia celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
A major art exhibition, a Puerto Rican parade and grassroots community events are all in the works for Philadelphia's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, taking place from September 15 to October 15, 2008. Those wishing to experience the culture and charisma of the city's lively Latino community will find plenty of activities to choose from throughout the month. La Voz Nueva, 09/08

Authenticity key to booming Hispanic market
Above all else, marketing to North Texas’ Hispanic population requires authenticity – or the knowledge that the product or services one provides aren’t stereotypical or superficial, but rather an appropriate product for the culture in mind. That authenticity, according to many involved in Hispanic marketing, is hard won, but key to connecting to the growing and diverse Hispanic population. Forth Worth Business Press, 09/08

LA County puts taco truck battle back on front burner
Southern California's taco truck war continued to sizzle Monday as county officials asked a judge to reinstate a law he threw out last month that had forced truck operators to move every hour or face the threat of jail. County officials say the trucks, many of which have become the equivalent of neighborhood restaurants, are a nuisance, parking at the same spot every day and bringing in noise and traffic. Mercury News, 09/08

Hispanic food and heritage to be displayed in Michigan
Visitors will be able to sample traditional Latin-style food and learn about Hispanic culture at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum when it marks national Hispanic Heritage Month with a display of photographs and other information on Saturday, Sept. 20. The News-Dispatch, 09/08

Upscale Latin American restaurant downgrades in a tough economy
It's out with paella and ceviche and in with burgers and wings as an upscale Latin American seafood restaurant in Port Chester morphs into a casual dining spot. The switch from Pacífico to Route 1 Bar & Grill is a sign of the tough times facing the restaurant business as prices rise on everything from flour to fuel. The Journal News, 09/07

Hispanic festival spices up the weekend in St. Louis
As expected, the spicy food and salsa dancing proved hotter than the weather. Organizers of the Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival pushed back the outdoor event from its usual mid-August date after temperatures last year reached triple digits. Instead, cool breezes and temperatures in the 70s greeted the 6,000 people estimated to have attended the 13th annual event at the Soldiers Memorial downtown. It continues Sunday. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 09/07

Mexican beef producers to renew U.S. meat exports
The president of a major Mexican meat producers association said Friday he expects shipments to the United States to resume next week. Meat Council President Eugenio Salinas said the Mexican government has informed the council it could start issuing export permits as of next week. USA Today, 09/06

Hispanic festival celebrates culture and community
For some, the music of the traditional Latin instruments tied together with its Spanish lyrics sounds foreign and exotic, but for Peoria's Hispanic community the music at the second annual Fiesta en el Rio brought them home. Peoria Journal-Star, 09/06

Salsa y Salsas to bring a taste of Hispanic culture
The annual Salsa y Salsas festival will dance into Carson City next weekend, aiming to raise awareness and money for the local branch of Nevada Hispanic Services. The festival, set for Sept. 13, will include live music, food vendors and competitions in both salsa making and salsa dancing, said Raquel Knecht, director of the Carson City office. The Carson Times, 09/05

Mintel's research reveals Hispanic snacking habits
Dipped, topped or eaten plain, America loves snacks. But new research from Mintel shows that not all Americans snack the same. Hispanics, the fastest growing population in the US, differ significantly in their snacking habits. MarketWatch, 09/04

FUZE bolsters tea line with Acai
FUZE Beverage will be rolling out its Acai Berry flavored Black & Green Tea beverage nationally this September. The real Black & Green Tea extracts and natural tea solids of FUZE teas boast antioxidants. Only a company named FUZE would attempt a fusion of these fine ingredients and exceptional flavor. PR Newswire, 09/04

McDonald's partners with Hispanic Fiesta Tour in Michigan
In celebrating its 30th year downtown, the Hispanic Festival has added a new twist. The community festival will be the first stop for FiestaTour: McDonald's Music Experience, a national tour tied to the Latin Grammy awards. Martha Gonzalez-Cortes, of the West Michigan Hispanic Center, said the FiestaTour and the Hispanic Festival's partnership with McDonald's is a major step to growing the free festival. Michigan Live, 09/04

Lawry's and B. Smith recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month
By far, the Hispanic culture is one of the strongest influences on the types of foods we love in this country. From the enormous selection of Hispanic foods in grocery stores and restaurants to the Hispanic dishes offered on mainstream American menus, Hispanic cuisine has evolved to become a staple in American culture. And with the celebration of National Hispanic-American Month, it is the perfect time to celebrate the Hispanic foods and ingredients that have shaped American cooking and dining. MarketWatch, 09/03

El Polo Loco comes to New Jersey and New York
Allendale-based restaurant group Doherty Enterprises Inc. has signed a deal with El Pollo Loco to bring 30 of the grilled chicken and Mexican fast-casual restaurants to northern and central New Jersey and Long Island, N.Y. The North Jersey Record, 09/03

Tobasco introduces spicy tequila
Pepper sauce and tequila, together at last. Heaven Hill Distilleries announced it has signed a licensing agreement to produce Tabasco brand Spicy Tequila. Launching this month in five markets, the new spirit brand will bear the familiar Tabasco diamond logo and typeface. Brandweek, 09/03

Mazola taps Lapiz for its new marketing campaign targeting Hispanics
Ach Food has hired Hispanic ad shop Lapiz, Chicago, to handle creative duties for its Mazola cooking oil business, following a review, the company confirmed. The company also tapped media agency Tapestry, Chicago, to oversee media buying and planning. Both agencies already have begun formulating a Spanish-language marketing program for Mazola in preparation for an ad launch in the first quarter of 2009. AdWeek, 09/03

American Diabetes Association targets the Hispanic community
It has often been said that diabetes is an urgent health problem in the Hispanic/Latino community. The rates of diabetes in the community are double those of non-Hispanic/Latino whites. Providing information to the community about the seriousness of diabetes, its risk factors, those who may be at risk and ways to help manage the disease is critical. That's why the American Diabetes Association has created Por tu Familia--"for your family." NAPSI, 09/03

Chile introduces reforms to combat salmon virus
With a deadly virus threatening its fish farms, Chile has introduced measures to improve the sanitary conditions of its salmon industry and reduce the levels of antibiotics used to treat the fish. New York Times, 09/03

Foster Farms targets Hispanic consumers
In recognition of the expanding purchasing power of the Hispanic market, the California-based poultry producer Foster Farms has launched a series of advertising and educational campaigns aimed at this growing demographic. Hispanic Business, 09/02

Indiana University celebrates 10th anniversary of Festival Latino
To celebrate its 10th year, organizers of the 2008 Festival Latino at Indiana University Bloomington will bring in a Grammy-nominated group to perform at the free outdoor event. Latino culture will be celebrated with food, live music, dancing, interactive activities and more during the one-day festival sponsored by the IU Latino Cultural Center, La Casa. Indiana University News, 09/02

Avocado is a fruit ripe for innovation
No longer just a staple in Mexican restaurants, the avocado has found a starring role on menus throughout the country as chefs look beyond guacamole to find new ways to showcase the fruit’s rich taste and silky texture. From casual chains to upscale independents, avocados appear in many types of cuisine, including Asian and African, and chefs say they add a lusciousness for which diners pay a premium. Nation's Restaurant News, 09/01

Latin America draws foodies worldwide with its gourmet flavors
There were days when tourists would visit Benito Juárez market in Oaxaca only to take snapshots of the buckets of dried grasshoppers being sold. Now they're lingering-searching for specific chiles, scouting out the quesadillas from El Topil, sipping mezcal in the cafes and, yes, even tasting the chupulines, or grasshoppers.The regional gastronomy of countries like Argentina, Peru and Mexico are slowly creeping into the palates of North Americans and Europeans. Forbes Traveler, 09/01

Local tortilla moguls take big bite out of a growing market
Don Julio, a company little known within Salt Lake but that has a big footprint regionally, is making a multimillion-dollar investment in a tortilla press to keep up with demand for a product that's about to outsell white bread. The Salt Lake Tribune, 08/31

Honduran melon company to resume U.S. imports
Honduran officials say the U.S. has lifted a more than five-month ban on cantaloupe imports from one of the country's biggest melon farmers. Agriculture Minister Hector Hernandez says the Montelibano melon company was given the ''green light'' to resume melon exports to the U.S. following a salmonella scare. New York Times, 08/31

One Hispanic woman is part of a plan to build community by supporting small businesses
Ana Oralia Santos slices plantains, Tania Guevara cooks a Salvadoran brisket, and Melinda Chinchilla takes orders in a crowded Melitas Pupuseria y Taqueria kitchen. "I need to increase the size of the kitchen and the restaurant because we have lots of clients and not enough space," said restaurant owner Chinchilla, who started her Spring Branch-area business with $15,000 in savings. To expand, she needs financing and some basic business training — services a new group called Newspring plans to offer small businesses in the ethnically diverse area. The Houston Chronicle, 08/30

Del Monte Fresh Produce acquires two Guatemalan melon operations
Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. recently acquired two melon operations in Guatemala aimed at further strengthening its position as a leader in the off-shore melon season as one of the world's leading fresh produce companies. Progressive Grocer, 08/29

McDonald's to launch Latin tour during Hispanic fest
West Michigan will be the launching pad for a national tour celebrating Latin music and culture. The FiestaTour: McDonald's Music Experience will kick off its eight-city tour Sept. 6 during the 30th annual Hispanic Festival at Calder Plaza, which coincides with Celebration on the Grand. Grand Rapids Press, 08/28

Salmonella outbreak linked to peppers appears to be over
The largest outbreak of food poisoning in a decade appears to have ended and consumers can resume eating Mexican jalapeno and serrano peppers, U.S. health officials said. Bloomberg News, 08/28

Los Angeles' taco trucks win battle
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Wednesday overturned a controversial ordinance passed in April by county supervisors that made it a misdemeanor in unincorporated parts of the county to park a taco truck in one spot for more than an hour. Los Angeles Times, 08/28

Bashas supermarkets announce new 'Shop and Give' program
Supporting your local school, church or animal rescue organization just got easier. Through Bashas' new Shop & Give program, shoppers can donate 1 percent of their grocery purchases to their favorite non-profit. PR Newswire, 08/28

Chilean grapes get a pass on pesticide
Grape lovers could have an easier time finding Chilean bunches untouched by the potent chemical methyl bromide, under new rules proposed Wednesday by the Agriculture Department. At Chile's request, and after at least six years of study, the Agriculture Department wants to lift the long-standing requirement that Chilean table grape producers eradicate mites with methyl bromide. The Fresno Bee, 08/27

Gigante Supermarkets to rebrand as El Super
Next week the Hispanic 7-store grocery chain Gigante will rebrand itself after the banner of the company that bought it: El Super, bringing the total number of stores operated by Bodega Latina Corp. to 16. All but one Phoenix store are located in Southern California. Progressive Grocer, 08/26

Del Taco employees cook up new recipes
Del Taco's annual Employee Recipe Contest has kicked off, providing a chance for employees to demonstrate their menu ingenuity when it comes to using ingredients already found in Del Taco kitchens. The contest was inspired by the many creative suggestions the company's product development team received from restaurant employees. QSR, 08/26

Latino markets growing in the U.S.
The Latino food and beverage market in the U.S. is expected to grow to $8.4 billion in the next three years. Dan Grech reports how Latino grocery chains are assimilating with mainstream supermarket culture. Marketplace (audio), 08/26

North Carolina Hispanic community feels economic pinch
In her small Mexican store on Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington, Esmeralda Mondrago sits behind her silent cash register. She's been in business about a year and a half, and she's getting ready to put a for sale sign up in the window. She says business has slowed to a trickle in the last three months. Esmeralda's husband David Mondrago says their customers are mostly Hispanic, and they're now buying cheaper food Wal-Mart and Food Lion. WHQR, 08/26

Hispanic grocery closes due to lack of business
There's bad news from specialty grocers in two communities: Waukesha and Delafield. In Waukesha, the Super Amigo, a Hispanic grocery store on E. Racine and Roberta Aves. closed recently. Supermarket consultant David Livingston notes that the store, where most of the help spoke Spanish, was in a non-Hispanic neighborhood. Livingston said the store would have had a better chance of success if it were closer to where the Spanish-speaking customers live. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 08/25

Bodega fighting to survive in slump
The sun gleams off the windows of an East Harlem "bodega," as owner Julio Pimentel unlocks the door and steps behind the counter. He switches on a fan and tunes the radio to a Spanish station. It is 7 a.m. on a Friday. The rent is due, and Pimentel does not know whether he can pay. When he took over the small grocery eight years ago, his monthly rent was $1,500. Now it's $3,300. The Boston Globe, 08/23

Masses slow to warm to tacquerias
It's no secret that Durham's Hispanic population is growing rapidly. One of the big benefits has been an explosion of authentic taquer'as, where tacos don't come in a hard shell, varied homemade salsas abound, and queso fresco reigns supreme. The Durham News, 08/23

Gigante Supermarkets to become El Super
Two small ethnic grocery-store chains are combining in a bid to grab a greater share of the Latino market in Southern California. On Monday evening, the Gigante chain of seven stores will close its doors, reopening Tuesday morning as part of its competitor, the El Super chain. In all, there will be 15 El Super markets in Southern California. Los Angeles Times, 08/23

Inka Grill to franchise a chain of Peruvian restaurants
NutriPure Beverages has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Inka Grill Franchise Systems will begin franchising a chain of Peruvian restaurants and that an agreement is already in place with Francorp, a management consulting firm, to take the concept across the US and eventually worldwide. Food Business Review, 08/22

Despite warning, peppers still hot items
Federal officials say fresh jalapeno and serrano peppers from Mexico pose a salmonella risk, but the peppers are still selling in the U.S. and for much less than their U.S. rivals. Buyers tend to be small Hispanic grocers and mom-and-pop restaurants while big supermarkets and restaurants shun the Mexican supply, distributors say. Courier Post Online, 08/22

Agave subtleties found at Javier's
The reign of terroir has begun! What is that, you might say? Clearly, if you need to ask, you are obviously not a member of the American Food and Wine Snoot Society. Anyone in the know is aware that this term, normally associated with wine, is currently being used to describe chocolate, coffee, olive oil, cheese, meats, honey, etc. and now, tequila. All right, all right we’ll tell you what it means! Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot, 08/21


"Taste delicious taco: feel real Olympic"
Inside an authentic Mexican restaurant, the mariachi band played "Guantanamera" while the one-man melting pot walked inside. "Hola," Larry Langowski said. Only at the Olympics could one expect to find an athlete like Langowski, a self-described Polexican — part Polish, part Mexican — who lives in Chicago, runs the family-owned Italian gelato café and is the sole member of the Mexican wrestling team: four cultures blended into one man. He was on his way into a Mexican restaurant that serves an Olympic parrillada: a combination of chicken, beef, chorizo, cheese, fried fish, fresh shrimp and refried beans, served with corn tortillas. International Herald-Tribune, 08/21

Mexican peppers posing salmonella risk still being sold
Federal officials say fresh jalapeno and serrano peppers from Mexico pose a salmonella risk, but the peppers are still selling in the U.S. and for much less than their U.S. rivals. Buyers tend to be small Hispanic grocers and mom and pop restaurants, while big supermarkets and restaurants shun the Mexican supply, distributors say. USA Today, 08/20

New Jersey native brings Rosa Mexicana home
Doug Griebel and his partners have built a $50 million Mexican restaurant empire on fresh-made guacamole, pomegranate margaritas and architecturally enhanced ambiance. Griebel, is president of the Rosa Mexicano chain that he founded in 1984 with partners Dan Hickey and Josefina Howard. Hickey and Griebel, along with new partner Howard Greenstone, are set to open their eighth Rosa restaurant Thursday at The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack. The North Jersey Record, 08/20

Working class or upper crust, tacos for all in the Hamptons
When Bruce Damark took over his family’s deli in 2000, he didn’t realize how bitter plantains and empanadas would taste to his neighbors. Small food businesses like Damark’s have always struggled in Long Island’s beach towns, with too many customers in the summer, too few in the winter. New York Times, 08/19

Mexican peppers posed problem long before salmonella outbreak
Federal inspectors at U.S. border crossings repeatedly turned back filthy, disease-ridden shipments of peppers from Mexico in the months before a salmonella outbreak that sickened 1,400 people was finally traced to Mexican chilies. Food and Drug Administration officials insisted as recently as last week that they were surprised by the outbreak because Mexican peppers had not been spotted as a problem before. Associated Press, 08/18

Hispanic food, dance and tradition celebrated in Worcester
The festival energy could not have been as lively without the sweet aroma from food stands alongside City Hall. Oscar Valencia, 45, who owns the New Jersey-based restaurant The Latin Corner, a restaurant that serves Colombian and Puerto Rican dishes, said he has had a food booth at the Latin American Festival for five years. Worcester Telegram, 08/18

Michigan salsa maker spurns buy-outs
Jack Aronson's Michigan-based company seems to have defied the natural order of the food universe. It has created a line of salsas – historically the domain of regions such as the U.S. Southwest and California – that is on track to become the first nationally distributed fresh, all-natural products of their kind in the United States. Reuters, 08/18

Brazil's agriculture market is booming
On the family farm run by Joao Baggio Neto in the southern Brazilian state of Parana, you get some sense of the determination and competitive spirit that motivates Brazil's farmers. Blessed with what often seems like endless amounts of land and a good climate, Brazil has grown in recent years to become an agricultural superpower. BBC News, 08/18

M&M's get sweet on Hispanics
With such famous faces as Ingrid Hoffman, Wilmer Valderrama and Christina Saralegui, the iconic, colorful chocolate M&M's are taking on a more Latino flair. Hackettstown-based Mars Snackfood US, last month launched a new M&M’s marketing campaign targeting what the company calls an increasingly important Hispanic consumer base. NJBiz, 08/18

Volunteers distribute food to Hispanic families in need
More than 15 organizations have donated about $50,000 in food and rent money to help the families affected by the Pilgrim’s Pride immigration arrests, according to members of the Hispanic Displacement Relief Coalition, a group created in response to the arrests. So far the organization has distributed close to 100 boxes of food and hygiene products through the international group Feed the Children and Chattanooga’s Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. Chattanooga Times Free Press, 08/17

Hispanic-run supermarket changes name after being sold
The only supermarket in downtown Greenville has changed hands and the new owners are promising some upgrades. The Supermercado La Providencia, which opened about two years ago in the former Safeway building at 2601 King Street, has been sold and is being renamed as the Super Plaza. The Herald Banner, 08/16

Hearts of palm, a Latin favorite, are finding their way onto more menus
Latin American food is a hot trend these days as diners seek out intense flavors, from ultrasweet dulce de leche to fiery chilies. But one increasingly popular ingredient from South America upends expectations: heart of palm, which is pale, just about odorless and essentially bland. The Wall Street Journal, 08/16

Mexican food stand owner gives Hispanics lessons in finance
Life in America tastes good for Pedro Ponce. Ponce owns and operates the Mexican cuisine cart El Charro Negro, where he sells spicy delicacies from the Texaco parking lot across from the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Often serving more than 100 customers a day, Ponce said he's considering the possibility of opening a restaurant. The Daily Astorian, 08/15

Hy-Vee wins award for Hispanic retail efforts
Hy-Vee stores throughout the company's seven-state operating territory offer specialty produce and other products unique to the Latino population. The abundance of Latino food items in the last two decades has resulted in the category becoming more mainstream among all consumers. "Hy-Vee has taken the concept one step further by adding new products and authentic ingredients that broaden the scope of that category," said Pat Hensley, an assistant vice president of retail operations. MarketWatch, 08/15

Festival showcases Latin culture
After months of summer festivals and celebrations in this valley, what makes Elizabeth Ruiz so excited about this one?In her words, the Festival of the Americas has “different flair” than all the rest. “We think it’s a great opportunity to do community integration, a family event and showcase our local talent, and just experience different types of food,” she said. Glenwood Springs Post Independent, 08/15

The success of one Hispanic chef's business has grown organically
By the time Santa Fe chef and business owner Maria Elena Bustamante-Bernal finished taking her pastry chef courses at New York's famous Culinary Institute of America nearly a decade ago, she had her butter cream frosting down to a science. But the bookkeeping know-how to start a new business? Not so much. New Mexico Business Weekly, 08/14

Restaurants woo clients with sangria updates
Seeking a new way to refresh parched customers and stoke their tills this summer, some restaurant operators are revisiting sangria, a beverage that is moving beyond its traditional Spanish roots. Sangria is derived from the Spanish word sangre, "blood," which aptly describes the look of the mixture of red wine, brandy, fruit juices, sugar and soda, served in an iced glass or pitcher with sliced fruits like oranges and lemons. Nation's Restaurant News, 08/14

Vallarta Supermarkets acquires new California headquarters
Vallarta Supermarkets Inc., a fast-growing San Fernando Valley (CA)-based American supermarket chain with a Hispanic emphasis and 25 locations in California, has acquired a near new 89,693 square foot corporate headquarters and distribution center at the strategic “Golden Triangle” of Sylmar, CA, announces Delphi Business Properties, Inc. Yahoo Finance, 08/13

Marble Slab announces plans to expand in Mexico
Marble Slab Creamery announced today that it will start a new international franchise venture in Mexico. The franchise agreement will allow Marble Slab to continue to expand its reach and provide gourmet products to a growing number of countries. QSR, 08/12

Brazil Fast Food Corp. acquires Pizza Hut’s Largest Franchise in Brazil
Brazil Fast Food Corp., the second largest fast-food restaurant chain with 630 points of sale, operating under the Bob’s and KFC brands in Brazil, announced today that it has acquired 60% of Internacional Restaurantes do Brasil, Pizza Hut’s largest franchise in Brazil. Business Wire, 08/12

Mission Foods offers tips to get the most out of snacking customers
Today's consumers are breaking away from the traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner mold. Now is the perfect time for operators to take advantage of the opportunity that today's hectic lifestyles present for snacking. Nation's Restaurant News, 08/11

Honduran mellon farm caught in the middle of salmonella outbreak case
It took a single news release to undo what it had taken the Molina family 30 years to accomplish. In March, the Food and Drug Administration sent out a global news alert saying it suspected that a salmonella outbreak in the western United States was linked to cantaloupes grown on the Molinas' farm in Honduras. Overnight, the farm lost most of its business as the United States closed its borders to its melons. Four months later, the FDA has yet to prove that the salmonella strain originated at the Molinas' 7,400-acre farm, Agropecuaria Montelibano. Bradenton Herald, 08/11

Southern California celebrates Equadorian culture
On August 10, nearly 200,000 Ecuadorians living in Southern California commemorated Ecuador's Independence Day with local music, food, and cultural booths, culminating with the yearly Ecuadorian Parade through downtown Los Angeles. La Voz Nueva, 08/11

Hispanic heritage event celebrates valley's Latino culture
Like all things American, the Hispanic Heritage Fiesta in Twin Falls City Park held a little of everything and offered it to everyone. For some, the two-day celebration is a chance to celebrate Latino culture in the Magic Valley and to raise thousands of dollars for college scholarship - about 10 granted each year. Magic Valley Times-News, 08/11

Going hungry in America's bread basket
Early each morning, the manager of Mendota Food Center on Derrick Avenue in this small community west of Fresno, boxes his aging produce, which he would normally throw away, and leaves it at the back of his store. Within an hour, the boxes are all gone. “It shows there’s hunger in Mendota, and people will take anything,” said Mayor Robert Silva, who manages the grocery store. Mendota, whose population of 9,000 is 95 percent Hispanic, looks today like a small dilapidated town in a developing nation and not part of “America’s bread basket.” New America Media, 08/11

Food drive helps migrant laborers who have little agricultural work this season
Every summer for the past five years, Hilario Coronado, his wife and their five children have traveled the migrant seasonal farmworker's path from the fields of Texas to North Carolina to Wisconsin, picking fruits and vegetables that help feed the nation. This season, many migrant families are struggling to survive. The harvest of corn, potatoes and peppers has been delayed because freezing winter snows forced farmers to push back planting, and the spring floods ruined or delayed crops. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 08/11

Mexico says no salmonella found in its pepper tests
The lab results on Sergio Maltos' desk show that investigators from Mexico and the United States came to drastically different conclusions about the cause of the salmonella outbreak that sickened more than 1,300 Americans this summer. The Houston Chronicle, 08/10

Annual Keyport Spanish Festival brings cultures together
There's a strong aroma of Spanish food in the Keyport air right around this time each year. Its likely source: the annual Keyport Spanish-American Festival held each August on the Raritan Bay waterfront at the corner of Front Street and First Avenue. Asbury Park Press, 08/10

Ever eat a cactus?
Say "cactus" and people hardly think of lip-smacking cuisine. But the various cactuses of the Opuntia species, recognizable by their plump paddle-shaped stems, have been eaten as a staple in Mexico for centuries. St. Petersburg Times, 08/09

Sedanos launches new advertising campaign
New television and radio commercials starring shoppers of Sedano’s Supermarkets here launched on Wednesday, helping kick off a new branding effort for the Hispanic supermarket chain. Supermarket News, 08/07

Nestle pitches pure life to Latinos
To pack some star power into its first Hispanic-targeted marketing push, Nestle Waters North America this week signed a two-year agreement with Univision talk show host Cristina Saralegui, who will serve as the spokeswoman for Pure Life bottled water. Ad Week, 08/06

Black beans and black rice are two of the healthiest options
When it comes to plant-based foods, deep, vibrant colors are one of the best indicators of what’s healthiest. The pigments that give plants their color also provide the antioxidants that protect against heart disease, inflammation, and certain cancers. Health.com, 08/07

Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory expands products
The quest to make the perfect preservative-free tortilla took two sisters about a year to move from trial-and-error to full-capacity at their Pittsfield Township manufacturing site. Michigan Live.com, 08/07

Citrus Springs launches branded Horchata drink in U.S.
Citrus Springs plans to launch a premium ready-to-drink Horchata in the U.S. this summer, under the brand name Madrina's.  The drink is the first branded product initiative announced by Citrus Springs, a manufacturer of fruit juices for the food service industry. Madrina's is targeted toward the growing U.S. Hispanic population. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 08/06

In a volatile market, Hispanic food and green companies take the lead
Even at a time of economic upheaval in the United States, the Top 50 Hispanic-owned export companies proved last year that domestic goods can sell in the global marketplace. Thirty-two companies on this year's list reported double-digit gains in export revenues. Hispanic Business, 08/06

ADM in talks to tap Brazil's sugar-based ethanol
Archer Daniels Midland, the world's largest grain processor, yesterday signalled a wave of expansion in Brazil as it struck a relatively gloomy note on US corn-based ethanol production. ADM, a leading ethanol producer, has been a cheerleader for the industry in the US but its expansion into Brazil's sugar-based ethanol industry suggests it wants to diversify from corn-based production. Financial Times, 08/06

Adopting America's bad habits: Latino's poor diets propel social agencies to action
Armed with an array of plastic eggs, grapes, broccoli and a nasty looking cross-section of an artery clogged with cholesterol, Carlos Garcia was demonstrating the hidden dangers of American cooking and eating for a group of young Hispanic mothers in Silver Spring. The Washington Post, 08/05

Nuevo Latino goes formal in Chicago restaurants
Fifteen years ago, Italian food was all the rage. Then it was pan-Asian cuisine. Now, Chicago's restaurant scene is full of Latin-American flavor. But the trend doesn't just show up on your plate. It's also in the kitchen. Chicago Business News, 08/04

Ex-Mexican food distributor steps up to help Hispanics in Memphis
Changing jobs is nothing new for Mauricio Calvo. He has worked as a salesman, food distributor, plant manager and real estate agent. So, Calvo brought a diverse background and experience with him when he recently took over as the new director of Latino Memphis. One of his first priorities in the new job is to help people understand just what Latino Memphis is. Commercial Appeal.com, 08/04

Hispanic grocery stores in southwest Detroit expand
Even during hard economic times, grocery stores in the largely Hispanic southwest area of Detroit can justify expansion. At least six of the 27 markets in the area have grown and renovated in the past decade, posing a striking contrast to the rest of the city. The Detroit News, 08/02

Brazilian beef clan goes global as troubles hit market
With grain prices high, the meat business in much of the world is reeling. Cattlemen are losing money fattening their herds on pricey feed. Meatpackers are struggling to turn a profit. The Wall Street Journal, 08/01

Bashas' supermarkets wins one round and loses another in Hispanic workers trial
Supermarket operator Bashas’ won one judgement and lost one judgement in separate court rulings last week. On July 28 Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Douglas Rayes refused a request from the United Food Commercial Workers Local 99 asking to throw out Bashas’ claims in a lawsuit the union intentionally interfered with its business, issued false claims and violated RICO extortion laws. AZ Biz.com, 08/01

Grocer's Supply digs deeper into Dallas market with Minyard buy
In an effort to gain a stronger presence in the Hispanic food market, a group led by Grocers Supply Co. Inc. has inked a deal to acquire 37 grocery stores from Minyard Food Stores Inc. Houston Business Journal, 08/01