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North America
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17/05/13 |
Kroger Making Energy from Food Waste |
The Kroger Company has installed a clean
energy production system that will convert food that can't be sold or
donated into clean energy to power one of its distribution centers.
More than 55,000 tons of food waste will be turned into renewable energy
each year using an anaerobic conversion system at the Cincinnati-based
grocer's distribution facility for its Ralphs / Food 4 Less stores
located in Compton, California.
The 65,000-square-foot center will be partially powered using the
process, which will employ the equivalent of 150 tons of food waste per
day and reduce truck trips by more than 500,000 miles each year.
"We are committed to finding solutions for food waste and clean energy,
and we believe this is a meaningful step forward," said Rodney McMullen,
Kroger's president and chief operating officer, in a
statement."Investing in this project is a good business decision for
Kroger and, most importantly, an extraordinary opportunity to benefit
the environment."
The Kroger Recovery System uses anaerobic digestion, which occurs
naturally, in an enclosed, oxygen-free area to convert the carbon in the
waste into a source of methane. The process generates no odors and will
provide enough power to offset more than 20 percent of the distribution
center's energy demand. The process is
designed and operated by Boston-based FEED Resource Recovery Inc.
Sustainable Foods Summit
Tackling food waste was a major focus of the North
American edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit. The next edition of
this international series of summits takes place in Amsterdam on 6-7
June. More details are on the
website
Related Article:
Food
Waste - Sustainability Implications
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Source: |
Business Courier of Cincinnati |
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15/05/13 |
Organic
Baby Food Brand Acquired by Danone |
Danone has acquired over 90% of
US organic baby food firm Happy Family.
The France-based multinational has stated it is in agreement to acquire
over 90% shares of the firm. According to Danone, New York-based Happy
Family is the fourth-largest player in the US baby food market.
Launched in 2006, Happy Family specialises in organic baby food
products. It has over 4% of the US baby food market, generating sales of
about US$ 60m.
"We are delighted with this acquisition in an innovative and fast-moving
segment of the baby food market," said Felix Martin Garcia, executive VP
of Danone's baby nutrition arm. "Building on a business model that has
proven its effectiveness, we plan to step up the development of Happy
Family and its brands."
The transaction is subject to the approval of the relevant authorities
and is expected to be finalised in the next few months.
OM Comment
Baby food is one of the major sectors in the organic
food industry. Its popularity is because organic baby food is bought by
young mothers, many who would not normally buy organic products. Young
mothers have high regard for food safety and are willing to pay a
premium for their new born. Danone has acquired Happy Family to get a
slice of this lucrative market segment.
Source: News Release / Organic Monitor
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15/04/13 |
Canada-Costa Rica Organic Equivalency
Arrangement |
The Canadian government has entered an
agreement with the Costa Rican authorities to recognize
each others organic agricultural standards.
According to the Canadian government, the Canada-Costa Rica Organic
Equivalency Arrangement is the outcome of an extensive analysis of both
countries' production and certification systems. The arrangement will
allow for easier import and export of certified organic products between
Canada and Costa Rica without the need for additional certification,
thus reducing costs and red tape for industry.
"This arrangement with Costa Rica eliminates trade barriers to give
Canadian organic producers a competitive edge in the Costa Rican organic
market," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "Canadian consumers will
also benefit by having increased access to organic food options."
Previous Article:
New US-EU Trade
Arrangement Opens up Global Organic Market
Source: News Release
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