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Emporia, Kan. – Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) recently concluded a line expansion at its prepared foods plant in Emporia. The expansion, which cost an estimated $3 million, created an additional line that will make a product for a national foodservice customer. About 16 jobs were created as a result of the project.

“We welcome this investment by Tyson Foods,” said Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. “In addition to creating jobs, this expansion solidifies the important role Kansas plays in providing food to the nation. I congratulate Tyson on this business expansion.”

The project consisted of building a new room to house the line, modifications to existing refrigeration and the installation of equipment. The Emporia plant is one of Tyson Foods’ specialty meat plants; it produces value-added raw cuts of beef, pork and chicken for food service and retail – both branded and private label.

To assist Tyson Foods with expansion in the state, the Kansas Department of Commerce helped provide qualified tax credits for new capital investment and training credits to help the company build and maintain its workforce.

“We’re glad we can make products to meet our customer’s needs,” said Mike Fiehler, complex manager. “Any time we invest in our facility, it’s an investment in Kansas and Emporia. We want to thank the Kansas Department of Commerce for all they did to help make the expansion project possible.”

IBP, inc., which was acquired by Tyson Foods in 2001, purchased the Emporia plant from Armour & Co. in 1967. After extensive renovations, it started up in May 1969. The plant was converted into a specialty meats facility in 2008 and today about 950 people work there. Payroll for fiscal 2013, the most recent full year available, was more than $31.5 million.

“We’re pleased to be part of this community and fortunate to have such a great workforce to support our plant operations,” Fiehler said.

About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest producers of chicken, beef, pork and prepared foods that include leading brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. The company was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. Tyson Foods provides a wide variety of protein-based and prepared foods products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, supplying customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. It has approximately 124,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

GUANGDONG PROVINCE, China – H.J. Heinz Company CEO Bernardo Hees joined Chinese Government Officials today to celebrate the opening of the Company’s largest infant cereal production plant in the world. The 80,000 square meter state-of-the-art factory, located in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, ushers in a new chapter for Heinz’s growth in China, a longstanding strategic location for the Company. The grand opening and commencement of production at the factory today coincides with the 30th anniversary of Heinz’s presence in China, where the Company operates six other facilities. The factory will create 200 new jobs for the Foshan region and position Heinz to significantly increase production in the country.

“Since the Company’s founding in 1869, Heinz has been dedicated to providing the world’s highest-quality foods and beloved brands to consumers everywhere,” said Heinz CEO, Bernardo Hees. “With this new world-class facility, we are proud to deepen our commitment to China and its people. The new facility will allow Heinz to continue to grow and exceed consumer expectations, while sustaining our leadership in the food industry.”

Hees praised the Guangdong Province’s regional workforce and cited the factory’s strategic location as another asset for continued growth. Located between East and Southeast Asia, Foshan is one of the most dynamic business environments in the Pearl River Delta economic zone.

“We are proud to welcome Heinz to our region,” said Mr. Liu Yuelun, Party Chief of Foshan Municipality. “We have worked closely with Heinz and Mr. Hees as this impressive project has come to life, and we will support the Company’s continuing development in this region that is rich with opportunity.”

Heinz’s Commitment to Food Safety Remains Paramount at New Factory

The new factory integrates the food industry’s most advanced infrastructure to uphold the Company’s relentless focus on quality and safety. Advanced technologies, including drum dryers, powder handling systems and packaging machinery from global leaders including Andrtiz Gouda, GEA Group, and Bosch, will enhance production speed, while ensuring the most stringent quality controls. Every product that leaves this factory must undergo rigorous quality tests, from raw materials through semi-finished product to finished products, before being shipped to market.

Additionally, addressing Chinese consumers’ concerns about food allergens, this facility will completely isolate allergens from raw material storage to the production process in order to exceed international standards and serve as an industry leader in the handling of allergens.

Three Decades of Efforts Establishes a No. 1 Infant Food Brand

One of the first Fortune 500 companies to enter China, today Heinz is one of the world’s largest producers of baby rice cereal and bottled baby food, trusted globally for its quality and enduring expertise in infant nutrition. Heinz infant cereals have been available in the Chinese market for 30 years, constantly holding the No. 1 market position. Data shows that more than 50% of infants in China eat Heinz products on a regular basis.

“We have consistently lived our Heinz value of putting the consumer first, focusing on the development and innovation of infant nutrition ranging from infant formula and cereals to wet baby foods and noodles, to teething rusks, and nutritional snacks. We are committed to providing Chinese babies with the safest and highest quality foods,” said Grace Chen, Managing Director of Heinz China.

The launch of this plant is a milestone for the continued strategic growth of Heinz in China, and around the world, as well as the evolution of China’s infant food industry.

ABOUT HEINZ: H.J. Heinz Company, offering “Good Food Every Day”™ is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether in the home, restaurants, the office or “on-the-go.” Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz’s total sales), Ore-Ida® potato products, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® entrees, T.G.I. Friday’s® meals & snacks, and Plasmon infant nutrition. Heinz is famous for its iconic brands on six continents, showcased by Heinz® Ketchup, The World’s Favorite Ketchup®.

PURCHASE, N.Y., – PepsiCo Americas Beverages has announced that it will be the 2015 sponsor of the Marcus Graham Project’s iCR8 boot camp, a summer-long experiential learning program that provides aspiring advertising and marketing leaders with the opportunity to gain the exposure and experience necessary to solidify careers within the industry.

As part of the program, selected boot camp participants will create a pop-up marketing agency that will provide real-world marketing and advertising solutions for PepsiCo U.S. beverage brands, including Aquafina, Brisk, Pepsi, Mountain Dew and Sierra Mist, as well as Beats By Dre and other start-up and non-profit clients.

PepsiCo has a long legacy of developing African American and minority marketing professionals. In fact, 2015 will mark 75 years since The Pepsi-Cola Company blazed the trail that would help change the color of corporate America by creating a special markets sales team focused on the African American community. “Our relationship with the Marcus Graham Project and all that it stands for in developing the next generation of leaders is a natural extension of the legacy that we will celebrate next year,” said Angelique Krembs, Vice President of Marketing Activation for PepsiCo America Beverages.

“Working with the Marcus Graham Project is a great way for PepsiCo to reinforce our legacy of driving engagement and fostering opportunities within the African American community. MGP’s mission is aligned with our own belief that the best way to speak to our consumers with an authentic voice is to cultivate a diverse and engaging culture within our organization,” said Krembs. “We think it is wonderful that next summer – 75 years after that first Pepsi special market team was created – we’ll have the opportunity to empower the next generation of marketing and advertising leaders.”

Applications to the iCR8 Summer Boot Camp are due January 11, 2015 and can be found on the Marcus Graham Project website at www.marcusgrahamproject.org.

The Marcus Graham Project and PepsiCo have been on the road recruiting for the 7th edition of the iCR8 Summer Boot Camp, unlocking the imaginations of college students around the country. MGP will host a Q&A session on December 11th, so that individuals interested in learning more about the boot camp program can engage with alumni and program leaders. Guests can tune in to the program at: www.blogtalkradio.com/MarcusgrahamProject

Additionally, the Marcus Graham Project and PepsiCo hosted a national event on #GivingTuesday as the official kick off to MGP’s Capacity Building Campaign, The Boomerang Effect, which was announced at the organization’s annual gala in Dallas. To date MGP has commitments of over $680,000 towards their $1.25 million goal for in 2015 with the plans to establish programming in Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta; transition from volunteer staff to full-time salaried staff and develop self-sustainable leadership programs and services.

About Marcus Graham Project
The Marcus Graham Project is a national network of diverse professionals that have purposed themselves in developing the next generation of thought leadership within the advertising, media and marketing industry. The vision of The Marcus Graham Project (MGP) is to provide long term access to information, technology, financial and people resources that will strategically develop a viable pool of talent and leadership within the industry. The Marcus Graham Project is a 501 (c) 3 organization. http://www.marcusgrahamproject.org

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2013, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth in shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

ACCRA, Ghana– The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY), in partnership with Project Peanut Butter, today announced that the project’s newest manufacturing facility – located in Kumasi, Ghana — is now beginning full operation. The new plant will produce Project Peanut Butter’s peanut-based Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) endorsed by leading NGOs1 as the world’s most effective treatment for severe childhood malnutrition.

At full capacity, the plant will be able to produce approximately 20,000 peanut-based RUTFs each day, enough to treat approximately 48,000 children each year. It takes nearly 150 packets to treat one child, and the product has a 95 percent success rate.

Starting in January 2015, Project Peanut Butter will mobilize a traveling clinic in the central region of Ghana to distribute RUTFs to local children. The clinic will be funded through an additional $50,000 contribution from Hershey and its employees through a matching gifts program. Although Ghana is one of the strongest emerging economies in Africa, about 30,000 children suffer from severe malnutrition at any time.

“Hershey’s donation to Project Peanut Butter was the single largest donation we’ve received. While it gave us the freedom to think about ‘what’s possible’ instead of worrying about dollars, the truly invaluable piece has been their employees’ immense passion and willingness to share their food manufacturing expertise with us,” said Dr. Mark Manary, founder of Project Peanut Butter, a pediatrician and a professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. “In just one year we turned an empty, unconditioned warehouse into a U.S.-quality food manufacturing plant. Hershey’s input saved us months if not a year and we are now ready to begin treating children in Ghana,” added Dr. Manary.

Throughout 2014, Hershey sourcing experts have been on the ground working with Ghanaian peanut farmers on better planting and harvesting techniques that will increase productivity and expand Ghana’s peanut crop for the long term.

“Sustained food security is a key element in helping foster long-term economic growth in Africa,” said The Hershey Company’s CEO John P. Bilbrey. “One of our goals for this project is to help Ghana build its peanut farming industry to ensure strong, reliable sources of locally grown peanuts. This will not only provide a steady source of peanuts for the Project Peanut Butter plant, but will also pave the way for the future production of additional peanut-based foods and nutritional supplements for Ghana.”

Project Peanut Butter will seek to source its ingredients in country as well as hire and train local Ghanaians to work in the factory, supporting the local economy and providing good job opportunities.

Hershey’s support of Project Peanut Butter emanates from Hershey’s vision of encouraging the private sector to use its distinct expertise and financial resources to invest in the continued development of Africa, a region with untapped potential that is important to the entire world.

During the past year, 15 Hershey employees have worked more than 6,200 hours on the Project Peanut Butter plant. With more than 30 years of food manufacturing experience, the team advised on raw material sourcing, plant design and quality controls, including recommending changes to the peanut-grinding process to reach a finer peanut blend for a higher-quality RUTF. With Hershey’s input, the plant was designed to give Project Peanut Butter room to grow in the future.

“Watching the first nutritional packet come off the line was special. I’ve worked in food product development for 36 years, but visiting a mobile clinic and meeting mothers who had walked for days to get the peanut-based RUTF packets for their children was life-changing,” said Judy Cooley, Principal Scientist, The Hershey Company. “With the Ghanaian plant, Project Peanut Butter is giving mothers hope and children a chance for a brighter future.”

More than a decade ago, Dr. Manary developed a peanut-based RUTF, designed for home-based treatment. Manary’s therapeutic food doesn’t spoil, doesn’t need to be cooked, is portable, is easy for mothers to give in small amounts to their children at home and is energy dense. Ninety-five percent of children recover compared to 25 to 40 percent from traditional hospital therapies. Children recover in four to six weeks and will never require another treatment for severe malnourishment. The project focuses on treating children six months to five years of age, a very important developmental time both physically and cognitively that impacts the rest of a child’s life. Project Peanut Butter is now operating in Ghana, Malawi, and Sierra Leone.

About Project Peanut Butter
Project Peanut Butter is a revolutionary therapeutic program founded by Dr. Mark Manary, a medical doctor and a professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. It has been called the most effective method to treat malnourished children around the world. From 2000 to 2004, Dr. Manary and his teams tested various formulas with thousands of malnourished children in Malawi, Africa. Today, Project Peanut Butter serves thousands of malnourished children. The program distributes peanut-based, vitamin enriched nutritional packets called Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) through 21 clinics, approximately 50 supported sites that receive RUTFs and training at no cost, and at affiliated clinics that receive RUTFs through approximately 90 governments and charities around the world that buy the packets at cost of manufacture.

About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY), headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 13,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company, which has more than 80 brands around the world that drive over $7.1 billion in annual revenues, includes such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Hershey is focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to build its competitive advantage in North America. Additionally, Hershey is poised to expand its portfolio into categories beyond confectionery, finding new ways to bring goodness to people everywhere.

At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For 120 years, Hershey has been committed to good business by operating fairly, ethically and sustainably to make a positive impact on society. This means contributing to a better life for its employees, consumers, communities, and, ultimately, creating a bright future for children in need. This commitment is exemplified by Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company’s founder and administered by Hershey Trust Company. The children who attend the school receive education, housing, and medical care — thriving as direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company’s success.

OMAHA, Neb.– Lamb Weston / Meijer, a joint venture between US-based ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston and Netherlands-based Meijer Frozen Food, recently announced plans to invest approximately $150 million (€ 120 million euros) to expand its frozen potato facility in Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands. This strategic investment will add a second production line to the plant – increasing capacity for making french fries and other premium frozen potato products – and is expected to create approximately 50 new jobs. The line is currently planned to be fully operational in mid-2016. The investment is being financed directly by Lamb Weston / Meijer with no additional capital investments from its joint venture partners.

The expansion by Lamb Weston / Meijer is consistent with ConAgra Foods’ strategy to grow its international business. As large, global quick-serve restaurant chains continue to expand rapidly across the globe, this significant investment by Lamb Weston / Meijer is expected to accelerate ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston’s dynamic international growth with customers. International consumption of frozen potato products continues to climb with the worldwide frozen potato category projected to grow by 1.8 billion pounds between 2013 and 2018.*

“ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston is well positioned to meet customers’ emerging market growth through our highly efficient, well-established dual sourcing model supplying our customer base with frozen potato products from both North America and Europe,” said Paul Maass, president Private Brands and Commercial Foods, ConAgra Foods. “In addition, local potato sourcing and production will play an important role in the future for select countries, such as China, where we expect the most growth.”

ConAgra Foods began production in its newly acquired frozen potato facility in Shangdu, Inner Mongolia, on Oct. 31 after investing in updates to the facility to meet exacting standards for employee safety, food safety and quality. In June, ConAgra Foods completed the expansion of its frozen potato facility in Boardman, Ore., which supports domestic and international customer growth.

About ConAgra Foods
ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America’s largest packaged food companies with branded and private branded food found in 99 percent of America’s households, as well as a strong commercial foods business serving restaurants and foodservice operations globally. Consumers can find recognized brands such as Banquet®, Chef Boyardee®, Egg Beaters®, Healthy Choice®, Hebrew National®, Hunt’s®, Marie Callender’s®, Orville Redenbacher’s®, PAM®, Peter Pan®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Snack Pack® and many other ConAgra Foods brands, along with food sold by ConAgra Foods under private brand labels, in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise, club and drug stores. Additionally, ConAgra Foods supplies frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice, bakery and grain products to commercial and foodservice customers. ConAgra Foods operates ReadySetEat.com, an interactive recipe website that provides consumers with easy dinner recipes and more. For more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.

About Lamb Weston / Meijer
Lamb Weston / Meijer started in 1994 as a joint venture between ConAgra Foods® Lamb Weston® (USA) and Meijer Frozen Food (NL). Lamb Weston / Meijer produces frozen potato products and dried potato flakes in five facilities – the Netherlands (3), United Kingdom (1) and Austria (1). With a production capacity of 650,000 tonnes, Lamb Weston / Meijer employs more than 1,300 employees. Together with ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, these products are sold under the Lamb Weston brand in more than 100 countries throughout the world.

BEIJING and ARMONK, N.Y., IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today that Sinofert Holdings Limited (HKSE: 00297.HK), China’s largest fertilizer producer and distributor, has transformed its business with new mobile apps to help hundreds of millions of farmers across the country increase crop yields such as rice, wheat or soybeans.

China’s agriculture and food supply chain is critical for the country’s stability and contribution to global food markets. Therefore, it’s important that farmers avoid disruptions – including access to fertilizer – that could negatively impact production of vital crops.

To continue to grow its business and remain competitive, Sinofert needed a more efficient system to service its massive sales and distribution network. Key to that growth was investing in mobile technologies to help its sales force improve decision making from the field, better anticipate demand, and offer customers more relevant products and services. Sinofert’s network includes 17 branch offices, nearly 1,700 sales outlets, more than 600 transit warehouses and 2,100 distribution centers.

Sinofert and IBM Business Partner Enwaysoft Software Technology (Enwaysoft) selected the IBM MobileFirst Platform to transform its sales and distribution processes. Enwaysoft quickly developed a set of industry-specific sales and customer relationship management apps to empower the Sinofert workforce – improving their reach into untapped markets in remote and rural areas, and ensuring more accurate and timely order placement and delivery.

“Investing in industry-specific mobile solutions has enabled our organization to gain a more timely, holistic view of our entire sales and operations process, and provide insight to make better decisions about business development and growth plans,” said He Pingshi, project manager, Sinofert Holdings Limited. “The apps have been critical to improving the productivity and responsiveness of our sales team and increasing satisfaction among our farming customers.”

More than 2,000 of Sinofert’s sales team are using the new mobile apps to easily check product pricing, client profiles, open new accounts, update client records, plan sales visits and place orders – anytime, anywhere. Orders can now be placed instantly, streamlining the entire sales process and cutting delivery times to an average of 10 days, a process that could previously take more than a month.

“As an affordable and accessible means of communication, farming communities in China are realizing the potential of mobile to create economic opportunities while bridging the rural digital divide,” said Li Han, mobile business director, Enwaysoft. “Our collaboration with Sinofert creates a positive user experience for the sales team that focuses on the specific needs of the farming industry and ensures their customers’ operations run smoothly and without interruption, allowing farmers to focus on their crops, not worrying about supplies.”

The sales team can also access Sinofert’s database to quickly and accurately respond to questions from the field, especially from farmers who live in remote areas and aren’t able to always meet with the sales team in person. They can streamline and expedite placing orders, even from remote areas with unreliable Internet coverage, and eliminate manual order entry. The apps synchronize with Sinofert’s back-end systems to expedite processing and delivery coordination from days to minutes.

About Sinofert Holdings Limited
Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Sinofert Holdings Limited is the largest fertilizer distributor, the largest supplier of imported fertilizers and one of the largest fertilizer manufacturers in China. Sinofert produces and distributes nitrogen, phosphate, potash and compound fertilizers, offering customers the widest range of fertilizer products. As one of China’s leading phosphate resource owners, the group is also the largest feedstuff phosphate manufacturer in Asia. Sinofert is a flagship company of Sinochem Corporation specializing in fertilizer operations. Sinochem Corporation was established in 1950 and has been named one of the Fortune Global 500 for 23 consecutive years.
About Enwaysoft Software Technology Co. Ltd.

Established in 2008, Enwaysoft is among the first in China that have entered the enterprise mobile app development market. The company has led in more than 100 large-scale mobile app development projects. For further information visit: http://www.enwaysoft.com/#

About IBM MobileFirst
IBM’s 6,000 mobile experts have been at the forefront of mobile enterprise innovation. IBM has secured more than 4,300 patents in mobile, social and security, which have been incorporated into IBM MobileFirst solutions that enable enterprise clients to radically streamline and accelerate mobile adoption, help organizations engage more people and capture new markets. Through IBM’s partnership with Apple, the two organizations are transforming enterprise mobility with a new class of industry specific business apps. For more information on IBM MobileFirst, visit the press kit or www.ibm.com/mobilefirst. Follow @IBMMobile on Twitter, and see IBM MobileFirst on YouTube, Tumblr and Facebook.

Land O’Lakes, Inc. announced it is working with Nestlé to provide feed and forage training, nutrition services and laboratory services at Nestlé Dairy Farming Institute (DFI), a dairy training center located in Shuangcheng, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China.

“We are pleased to partner with Nestlé, one of our largest customers, to deliver value to China’s dairy and forage crop producers,” said Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. “This expansion of our relationship with Nestlé will showcase our feed and forage capabilities and how they can contribute to this important, growing market in China. This is a very real embodiment of our company’s aspiration to help produce more food in an increasingly sustainable manner to feed a hungry planet.”

Land O’Lakes will provide agricultural insights and expertise to China’s farmers to help them improve on-farm productivity and profitability. As a partner, Land O’Lakes brings more than 90-years of experience in farming operations and feed and forage solutions that will be featured at the DFI training facility.

The Nestlé DFI facility sits on 148 acres, encompassing three training farms replicating progressive farms of various sizes as well as a training center. The facility is designed to educate local farmers on modern agricultural practices and dairy farming skills.

Land O’Lakes has been present in China for a number of years, including the import and manufacture of a variety of animal nutrition and crop products. Land O’Lakes and its partners operate several trial sites across China testing alfalfa, forage sorghum, sudangrass, tropical corn and forage corn. These test results will be leveraged for conventional variety selection to further develop the seed industry.

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About Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from farm production to consumer foods. With 2013 annual sales of more than $14 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 194 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 93 years of operation, Land O’Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including LAND O LAKES® Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition and WinField. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes, Inc,. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn.

About Nestlé DFI
Nestlé Dairy Farming Institute (DFI) is a dairy training center located in Shuangcheng, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China. The facility sits on 148 acres, encompassing three training farms replicating progressive, large, and mega-sized farms, as well as a training center. The facility is designed to educate local farmers on modern dairy farming skills. The center is equipped with modern teaching facilities and laboratories to study fodder ingredients, digestive system, mineral substances, microorganisms, animal health and anatomy analysis.

GUANGDONG PROVINCE, China- -H.J. Heinz Company CEO Bernardo Hees joined Chinese Government Officials today to celebrate the opening of the Company’s largest infant cereal production plant in the world. The 80,000 square meter state-of-the-art factory, located in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, ushers in a new chapter for Heinz’s growth in China, a longstanding strategic location for the Company. The grand opening and commencement of production at the factory today coincides with the 30th anniversary of Heinz’s presence in China, where the Company operates six other facilities. The factory will create 200 new jobs for the Foshan region and position Heinz to significantly increase production in the country.

“Since the Company’s founding in 1869, Heinz has been dedicated to providing the world’s highest-quality foods and beloved brands to consumers everywhere,” said Heinz CEO, Bernardo Hees. “With this new world-class facility, we are proud to deepen our commitment to China and its people. The new facility will allow Heinz to continue to grow and exceed consumer expectations, while sustaining our leadership in the food industry.”

Hees praised the Guangdong Province’s regional workforce and cited the factory’s strategic location as another asset for continued growth. Located between East and Southeast Asia, Foshan is one of the most dynamic business environments in the Pearl River Delta economic zone.

“We are proud to welcome Heinz to our region,” said Mr. Liu Yuelun, Party Chief of Foshan Municipality. “We have worked closely with Heinz and Mr. Hees as this impressive project has come to life, and we will support the Company’s continuing development in this region that is rich with opportunity.”

Heinz’s Commitment to Food Safety Remains Paramount at New Factory

The new factory integrates the food industry’s most advanced infrastructure to uphold the Company’s relentless focus on quality and safety. Advanced technologies, including drum dryers, powder handling systems and packaging machinery from global leaders including Andrtiz Gouda, GEA Group, and Bosch, will enhance production speed, while ensuring the most stringent quality controls. Every product that leaves this factory must undergo rigorous quality tests, from raw materials through semi-finished product to finished products, before being shipped to market.

Additionally, addressing Chinese consumers’ concerns about food allergens, this facility will completely isolate allergens from raw material storage to the production process in order to exceed international standards and serve as an industry leader in the handling of allergens.

Three Decades of Efforts Establishes a No. 1 Infant Food Brand

One of the first Fortune 500 companies to enter China, today Heinz is one of the world’s largest producers of baby rice cereal and bottled baby food, trusted globally for its quality and enduring expertise in infant nutrition. Heinz infant cereals have been available in the Chinese market for 30 years, constantly holding the No. 1 market position. Data shows that more than 50% of infants in China eat Heinz products on a regular basis.

“We have consistently lived our Heinz value of putting the consumer first, focusing on the development and innovation of infant nutrition ranging from infant formula and cereals to wet baby foods and noodles, to teething rusks, and nutritional snacks. We are committed to providing Chinese babies with the safest and highest quality foods,” said Grace Chen, Managing Director of Heinz China.

The launch of this plant is a milestone for the continued strategic growth of Heinz in China, and around the world, as well as the evolution of China’s infant food industry.

ABOUT HEINZ: H.J. Heinz Company, offering “Good Food Every Day”™ is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether in the home, restaurants, the office or “on-the-go.” Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz’s total sales), Ore-Ida® potato products, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® entrees, T.G.I. Friday’s® meals & snacks, and Plasmon infant nutrition. Heinz is famous for its iconic brands on six continents, showcased by Heinz® Ketchup, The World’s Favorite Ketchup®.

HOUSTON and MEXICO CITY, — Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY), North America’s leading foodservice distributor, today announced that it has reached an agreement to buy 50 percent of Pacific Star Foodservice, a leading foodservice distributor in Mexico whose majority equity shareholder is privately-owned Arancia, S.A. de C.V. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Pacific Star has operated since 1989 with distribution centers servicing customers in the major metropolitan areas of Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Tijuana. It primarily services chain accounts, including fast food and casual dining restaurants, casinos, theme parks, movie theaters and hotels throughout Mexico.

Pacific Star is Sysco’s second Latin America market investment in 2014. In June, Sysco acquired a 50 percent ownership stake in Mayca Distribuidores, S.A., a leading foodservice distributor in Costa Rica.

As of October 2014, Pacific Star had 534 employees. All, including the management team, will remain in place at the closing of the transaction.

“We are pleased to reach this agreement to become joint partners with Sysco, North America’s leader in foodservice distribution,” said Armando Beltrán, CEO of Pacific Star. “Pacific Star’s customers and employees will benefit from the operational expertise, product assortment and immense world-class capabilities that Sysco can offer.”

“Sysco is excited to partner with Pacific Star because of its reputation for customer service and the success in growing its business in Mexico,” said Kent Humphries, Sysco’s senior vice president-International Foodservice Operations. “This partnership fits our international expansion strategy and reinforces our leadership position in North America with our operations in the United States and Canada. By combining the strengths of Pacific Star and Sysco, we can better serve customers in the region, continue to grow the business and provide value to our shareholders.”

The transaction requires a regulatory review by Mexico government authorities, after which it will close. When completed, Mexico becomes the sixth country outside the United States where Sysco will have broadline foodservice operations. The others are in the Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Sysco also has subsidiaries that serve customers in more than 90 countries across the globe.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates 194 distribution facilities serving approximately 425,000 customers. For Fiscal Year 2014 that ended June 28, 2014, the company generated sales of more than $46 billion. For more information, visit www.sysco.com

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), SABMiller plc (LSE:SAB, JSE:SABJ) and Gutsche Family Investments (GFI, majority shareholders in Coca-Cola Sabco) have agreed to combine the bottling operations of their non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages businesses in Southern and East Africa. The new bottler, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, will serve 12 high-growth countries accounting for approximately 40 per cent of all Coca-Cola beverage volumes in Africa.

Africa offers significant growth potential in beverages, underpinned by rising personal disposable income, a fast-growing population and increasing per capita consumption. With more than 30 bottling plants and over 14,000 employees, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa will be the largest Coca‑Cola bottler on the continent, with the scale, complementary capabilities and resources to capture and accelerate top-line growth. This will also allow the new African bottler to develop best operating practices and invest in production, sales and distribution, and marketing to benefit from growing demand and drive profitability.

With a shared vision, extensive experience of operating in African markets, and long-term commitment to the continent, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa will be strongly positioned to offer consumers greater choice, broader availability and better value. The new bottler will continue the shareholders’ strong commitment to the economic and social development of the communities it serves, which includes providing access to clean water, supporting women’s economic empowerment and promoting wellbeing.

On full completion of the proposed merger, shareholdings in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa will be SABMiller: 57.0%, Gutsche Family Investments: 31.7% and The Coca-Cola Company: 11.3%.

“A combined Coca-Cola bottling operation is further evidence of our commitment to Africa, and our firm belief in the tremendous growth prospects that the continent offers,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “As one of the top 10 largest Coca-Cola bottling partners worldwide, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa can leverage the scale, resources, capability and efficiency needed to accelerate Coca-Cola growth and contribute to the economic and social prosperity of African communities.”

“Soft drinks are an important element of our growth strategy. This transaction increases our exposure to the total beverage market in Africa. The opportunity is significant, with favourable demographics and economic development pointing to excellent growth prospects,” said Alan Clark, SABMiller Chief Executive. “This also signifies a strengthening of our strategic relationship with The Coca-Cola Company.”

Phil Gutsche, Chairman of Gutsche Family Investments (GFI), said, “Our family sees this merger as an important and logical step to enable Coca-Cola Beverages Africa to optimise the opportunities for development in the rapidly-evolving Africa beverage market. We are very excited about the opportunity and are totally committed to ensuring that Coca-Cola Sabco’s distinctive culture is successfully integrated with that of our new partners in order to create an even more successful business in the future.”

Details of the transaction

In a transaction to be completed in two phases, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa will bring together:

SABMiller’s South African soft drinks bottling businesses, Amalgamated Beverage Industries (ABI) and Appletiser, and its soft drink bottling businesses in eight other African countries
GFI’s bottling interests in Coca-Cola Sabco, including its South African bottler, Coca‑Cola Fortune, and its bottling operations in six other African countries
The Coca-Cola Company’s South African soft drinks businesses in the form of Coca-Cola Canners, Valpré and Coca-Cola Shanduka Beverages
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa will initially produce and distribute Coca-Cola beverages in nine countries: South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Comoros and Mayotte.

SABMiller intends to include at a later date its Swaziland soft drinks business and those of its listed subsidiaries in Botswana and Zambia, subject to agreement in due course with those subsidiaries and the requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Phil Gutsche will be Chairman of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa and Port Elizabeth, South Africa is the intended location for the company’s headquarters.

As part of the transaction, The Coca-Cola Company will also acquire SABMiller’s Appletiser brands on a worldwide basis, and acquire or be licensed rights to a further 19 non-alcoholic ready-to-drink brands in Africa and in Latin America, for an approximate cash consideration of US$260m. SABMiller will retain ownership of its non-alcoholic malt beverages in Africa and Latin America and will retain its Coca-Cola franchises in El Salvador and Honduras.

Phases of the transaction and closing conditions
In Phase I:
SABMiller will contribute its Coca-Cola bottling franchise (ABI) and Appletiser bottling businesses in South Africa, together with its soft drinks businesses in Comoros and Mayotte, as well as its water businesses in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
GFI will contribute Coca-Cola Fortune in South Africa and its other African Coca-Cola bottling businesses in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Coca-Cola Company will contribute its South African soft drinks bottling businesses, Coca-Cola Canners, Valpré, and Coca-Cola Shanduka Beverages. Completion of Phase I is subject to a number of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals in South Africa and other African jurisdictions, and is expected to complete within the next 6-9 months.
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s results will be fully consolidated into SABMiller plc’s financial statements. The Coca-Cola Company will equity account for its stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.
In Phase II:

SABMiller intends to contribute its Swaziland soft drinks bottling business, and the soft drinks bottling businesses of its listed subsidiaries in Botswana and Zambia to Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.
Completion of Phase II is subject to a number of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and requisite shareholder approvals, and is expected to complete 12-18 months after the completion of Phase I.

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa
In South Africa, the parties’ respective bottling operations will be combined to create a new South African bottler, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa. It will be majority-owned by Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, with minority shareholders holding an interest of approximately 10.6%. Zanosi Kunene will be the Chairman of Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa upon its formation.

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa will retain the Kunene family and Khulile Beverages (previously Coca-Cola Fortune’s empowerment partners) as empowerment shareholders. Zenzele, SABMiller’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) scheme, will retain an indirect interest in Coca‑Cola Beverages South Africa through SABMiller’s shareholding in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa. Initial Black Economic Empowerment ownership of Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (post completion of Phase II of the transaction) under the BBBEE Codes will be approximately 11.3%.

WASHINGTON, – Today, US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $9.7 million in grants to 62 community-based and non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to conduct training, outreach and technical assistance for socially disadvantaged (including tribal) and veteran farmers and ranchers. These awards are distributed through the Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, also known as the ” 2501 Program”.

“Our nation’s farmers and ranchers are diverse in experience, background and knowledge, giving us the tools we need to build a resilient agricultural system,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Today’s announcement is part of our ongoing commitment to identify, recruit and train a vibrant next generation of farmers and ranchers who can carry American agriculture into the future. It is also part of our pledge to assist military veterans find economic opportunity as they return to civilian life.”

Secretary Vilsack made today’s announcement at the 2014 White House Tribal Nations Conference, a gathering of leaders from the country’s 566 federally recognized Tribes. The 2501 Program primarily partners with Historically Black Land Grant Universities ( 1890 Land Grant Institutions), Native American Land Grant Tribal Colleges and Universities ( 1994 Land Grant Institutions), Hispanic-Serving Institutions of higher education, and community-based and non-profit organizations that work with minority and veteran farmers and ranchers.

The 2501 Program has distributed more than $66 million to 250 partners since 2010. The 2014 Farm Bill reauthorized the program and expanded assistance to include military veterans. The program is administered by the USDA’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach.

Of today’s announced grants, 31 (50 percent) will support efforts in states participating in USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative, an effort to direct USDA support and services to underserved rural areas experiencing chronic poverty. Twenty-five (39 percent) of the grants will go to partnerships directly targeting veterans interested in farming and are part of USDA’s enhanced commitment to expanding services to veterans in agriculture. Twelve grants (20 percent) will directly benefit tribal and native communities.

This year’s awards will be distributed in 34 states, Puerto Rico and the Federated States of Micronesia and are part of USDA’s efforts to support new and beginning farmers.

During his remarks at the Tribal Nations Conference, the Secretary announced additional support to Native communities including:

A $5.4 million loan to upgrade broadband service for residents of New Mexico’s Mescalero Apache Reservation. This is the first telecommunications loan USDA has made under the Substantially Underserved Trust Area (SUTA) provision of the 2008 Farm Bill. Congress implemented SUTA to help USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) improve Tribal infrastructure including offering Tribal borrowers lower interest rates and extended payment terms for RUS loans. It also waives some requirements that applicants provide matching funds for approved projects.
28 loans and grants totaling $4.1 million to 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program. This program provides loans and grants to construct, enlarge or improve community facilities for health care, public safety and public services.
Partnerships between USDA and three Tribal Colleges (Oglala Lakota College, Kyle, S.D.; Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, N.M.; United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, N.D.) to provide grant writing assistance and other services to help traditionally underserved communities access federal resources as appropriate.
USDA has made significant investments in economic development, housing and infrastructure projects benefiting American Indians and Alaska Natives. More information is available at www.usda.gov/tribalrelations.

Today’s 2501 announcement was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The 2014 Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life.

Premier Foods today announces a reorganisation of its commercial structure creating three new Strategic Business Units (SBU’s) to strengthen focus on its major growth opportunities and develop more agile ways of working following the successful conclusion of a new capital structure earlier this year.

The new SBU’s will be named Grocery, Sweet Treats and International and will enable a tighter focus on capturing specific category opportunities in the UK market while ensuring a more strategic approach to developing the Company’s brands internationally. Each SBU will have full accountability for its respective portfolio and be responsible for directing innovation, marketing, sales, manufacturing and logistics resources in support of agreed growth priorities.

To lead the new structure, two new appointments have been made to the Executive leadership team. Alex Whitehouse is appointed Managing Director, Grocery bringing significant marketing, innovation and strategic experience to the Company following an 18 year career with Reckitt Benckiser plc. Graham Hunter is appointed Managing Director, Sweet Treats and brings valuable expertise in the sweet treats category having held senior general management, marketing and commercial roles at Tangerine Confectionery, Fox’s Biscuits, Jacobs Bakery and Mars.

In addition, Peter Ellis is appointed General Manager, International expanding his existing responsibilities for the Company’s international sales and building on his substantial international experience gained over 16 years at Campbell Soup Company.

As a result of these changes, the previous position of Commercial Director, Premier Foods, currently held by Ian Deste, will no longer exist. During a transition period, Ian will focus on helping execute the remainder of the Company’s 2014 commercial plans and particularly the important Christmas trading period, continuing to strengthen its customer relationships and supporting the move to the new structure.

Commenting on the new commercial organisation, Gavin Darby, CEO Premier Foods said:
“Given the major structural changes taking place in the UK grocery market, it is important we stay ahead of the game and re-focus our organisation on the most promising growth opportunities and delivering what our customers and consumers want. By implementing a focussed and more accountable business unit structure, I believe we will improve our agility and rate of innovation.”

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to attract two outstanding individuals in Alex Whitehouse and Graham Hunter to Premier Foods. They are experienced leaders with clear ideas on how we can grow the business. Together with Peter Ellis, I believe we have the right structure, leadership, experience and energy to build a stronger, more agile and less complex business and deliver shareholder value for the future.”

“I’ve worked closely with Ian Deste for some time and am very grateful to him for his important contribution in helping shape our category-focussed strategy and building stronger relationships with our retail customers. I’m pleased that he will be further supporting us in the transition to the new structure. ”

Grocery SBU
The Grocery Strategic Business Unit will exploit common insights, trends, innovation and customer opportunities by bringing together the Company’s leading brand portfolio in Flavourings & Seasonings (Bisto, Oxo, Paxo), Cooking Sauces & Accompaniments (Loyd Grossman, Sharwood’s, Homepride), Easy Eating (Batchelors), Desserts (Ambrosia, Bird’s) and Homebaking (McDougalls).

Sweet Treats SBU
The Sweet Treats Strategic Business Unit will capitalise on the substantial opportunities that exist for the Company’s cake portfolio, including Mr. Kipling, Cadbury and Lyons, through competing more effectively in the broader, and faster growing, sweet treats category. A dedicated approach for this category also aligns better with how the Company’s major retail customers are organised.

International SBU
The International Strategic Business Unit will focus on the development of selected brands in a number of strategic markets including Australia, the USA and China.

Alex Whitehouse
Alex Whitehouse joined the Company in July following a 18 year career with Reckitt Benckiser plc, where he held senior general management, marketing, innovation and strategy roles across multiple geographies. He was Managing Director of Reckitt Benckiser New Zealand, Head of Marketing of Reckitt Benckiser in the USA and most recently was Worldwide Head of Shopper & Customer Marketing. Earlier in his career, he held a number of retail management positions with Whitbread plc.

Graham Hunter
Graham Hunter has a strong track record in the sweet treats business spanning more than 20 years. Most recently he was CEO of Tangerine Confectionery. He also spent a number of years as Managing Director of Fox’s Biscuits and Divisional Managing Director of Northern Foods prior to its acquisition by 2 Sisters Food Group. Earlier in his career Graham was Marketing Director for Jacobs Bakery and he additionally spent 10 years at Mars Confectionery.

Peter Ellis
Peter Ellis joined Premier Foods in 2012 and is currently Director International and Private Label. Prior to this he had a 16 year career at Campbell Soup Company where he held a number of senior, international roles including Managing Director, Central, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, General Manager, Russia as well as Euro

Wheeling, WV, Today, on behalf of the White House Rural Council, six federal agencies joined to announce 26 communities selected to participate in Local Foods, Local Places, a federal initiative providing technical support to integrate local food systems into community economic action plans. Under this effort, a team of agricultural, transportation, environmental, public health and regional economic experts will work directly with the communities to develop specifically identified local food projects. Project proposals include repurposing vacant land into local food production, developing year-round retail markets for local food products, and establishing food hubs to increase local food supply chains.

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Affairs Doug O’Brien and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl made the announcement in Wheeling, West Virginia. Wheeling will receive Local Foods, Local Places support to transition the historic and underused Vineyard Hill, into a productive regional hub for diversified local food production and value added products. The officials will also visit Youngstown, Ohio, which will receive Local Foods, Local Places support to reclaim vacant property for local food production.

Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Christopher Masingill announced seven communities in four states that will be receiving Local Foods, Local Places technical support in the Delta region via conference call. Projects in these communities will include efforts to create a local food network, establish a regional food innovation center and develop job training efforts around local food entrepreneurship. A complete list of communities participating in the Local Foods, Local Places Initiative is available on the White House Rural Council website.

“The Local Foods, Local Places initiative illustrates that communities are thinking about creative ways to integrate local food in their community economic development plans,” said USDA’s Deputy Under Secretary Doug O’Brien. “The projects developed via Local Foods, Local Places will revitalize rural Main Streets and urban downtown areas, and create market opportunities for food producers and entrepreneurs.”

“Our agencies are working together to make a visible difference in communities,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Stan Meiburg. “By promoting farmers markets, community kitchens, and other efforts to increase access to healthy food, we are supporting local businesses in struggling downtown neighborhoods and preserving farms and undeveloped land. It’s good for people’s health, good for the economy, and good for the environment.”

“The Local Foods, Local Places Initiative recognizes the relationship between available transportation and the health and well-being of our communities. This collaboration provides local communities an opportunity to transform vacant spaces into vibrant spaces, which will provide better food options and better mobility for their residents,” said U.S. DOT Undersecretary Peter Rogoff.

ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl said, “Appalachian communities recognize the role food systems can play in downtown development and revitalization. Local Foods, Local Places will provide the technical resources to take ideas and put them into a plan. ARC is pleased to provide the funding that will support implementation of the plans developed by the eight Appalachian communities.”

“As a region historically centered on agriculture, it is important to strengthen and grow the local food systems that have supported the Delta communities and this country for centuries,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill. “The Delta Regional Authority is proud to support this innovative program which is in an investment into community health and economic growth for workers, businesses and families in the Delta region.”

Local Foods, Local Places is a partnership among USDA, EPA, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The initiative draws on the Administration’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities, USDA’s Seven Strategies for Economic Development and other place-based strategies to address regional challenges. The 26 Local Foods, Local Places communities were chosen from among 316 applicants. The initiative is jointly funded at $800,000. This amount, and the projects it will support, will make a significant impact in communities involved in the Local Foods, Local Places initiative.

USDA Secretary Vilsack identified strengthening local food systems as one of the four pillars of USDA’s commitment to rural economic development, along with production agriculture (including expanding export markets and improving research), promoting conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities, and growing the biobased economy. Local Foods, Local Places is part of USDA’s commitment to support local and regional food systems. USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative coordinates the Department’s policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems.

About the White House Rural Council
To address challenges in Rural America, build on the Administration’s rural economic strategy, and improve the implementation of that strategy, the President signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council. The Council coordinates the Administration’s efforts in rural America by streamlining and improving the effectiveness of federal programs serving rural America; engage stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, and local citizens, on issues and solutions in rural communities; and promoting and coordinating private-sector partnerships. The work of the White House Rural Council and USDA to bring investment to rural America is an example of how the Administration is creating smart partnerships with the private sector to better support Americans in all parts of the country.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has today published the cumulative results from the first two quarters of its year-long survey of campylobacter on fresh chickens. Tackling campylobacter is the FSA’s number one food safety priority and it is spearheading a campaign to bring together the whole food chain to tackle the problem.
Individual results by major retailer have also been published.

The results to date show:

18% of chickens tested positive for campylobacter above the highest level of contamination*
70% of chickens tested positive for the presence of campylobacter
6% of packaging tested positive for the presence of campylobacter with only one sample at the highest level of contamination (>1,000 cfu/g)
* Above 1,000 colony forming units per gram (>1,000 cfu/g). These units indicate the degree of contamination on each sample.

In total, 1,995 samples of fresh whole chilled chickens have now been tested, with packaging also tested for most of these samples. Data show variations between retailers but none are meeting the end-of-production target for reducing campylobacter (see table below).

The overall figures show an increase in contamination from the first quarter to the second quarter. This is most likely due to the second quarter’s samples being taken during the summer months when an increase in campylobacter is often seen because of the warmer weather.

This 12-month survey, running from February 2014 to February 2015, will test 4,000 samples of whole chickens bought from UK retail outlets and smaller independent stores and butchers.

Campylobacter is killed by thorough cooking; however it is the most common form of food poisoning in the UK, affecting an estimated 280,000 people a year. Poultry is the source of the majority of these cases.

Steve Wearne, FSA Director of Policy, said: ‘These results show that the food industry, especially retailers, need to do more to reduce the amount of campylobacter on fresh chickens. Although we are only half-way through the survey, 18% of birds tested had campylobacter over 1,000 cfu/g, the highest level of contamination, and more than 70% of birds had some campylobacter on them. This shows there is a long way to go before consumers are protected from this bug.

‘If chicken is cooked thoroughly and preparation guidelines are properly followed, the risk to the public is extremely low.

‘There are signs that some retailers are starting to step up to their responsibilities. When more do, we will see the sustained improvements that will help prevent many of their customers getting ill.’

There have been some recent developments in industry and retailer efforts to tackle campylobacter. These include:

Marks & Spencer and its supplier, 2 Sisters Food Group, have recently developed a five-point plan, an integrated programme of interventions along the food chain to reduce levels of campylobacter.
Asda and its supplier, Faccenda, have committed to an innovative new steam technology (SonoSteam) that has shown promising results in tests and is now being installed at the Faccenda factory for full scale, in line trials.
Moy Park’s development of on-farm biosecurity, which has found cost effective ways of exceeding Red Tractor standards.
A number of retailers have introduced ‘roast in the bag’ chickens which help limit cross-contamination by minimising the handling of the raw chicken in the home.
It is likely that recent interventions to reduce the levels of campylobacter will not be reflected in the survey results at this stage. The results from on-going sampling will allow the FSA and the food industry to see what impact they have had.

Summary of results by retailer
The FSA advises that the data for individual retailers have to be interpreted carefully. Confidence intervals are given for each retailer and the ‘others’ category. These show the likely range of the results allowing for the number of samples taken.

At this half-way stage in the survey the results show, taking the confidence intervals into account, that Tesco is the only one of the main retailers which has a lower incidence of chicken contaminated with campylobacter at the highest level (>1,000 cfu/g), compared to the industry average. Asda is the only main retailer which has a higher incidence of chicken that is contaminated by campylobacter at the highest level, compared to the industry average. However, the results suggest that none of the retailers is achieving the joint industry end-of-production target for reducing campylobacter.

Consumer advice
The FSA is pressing the industry to play its part in reducing the levels of campylobacter contamination at each production stage to as low a level as possible before raw chicken reaches the consumer. Chicken is safe as long as consumers follow good kitchen practice:

Cover and chill raw chicken – cover raw chicken and store at the bottom of the fridge so juices cannot drip on to other foods and contaminate them with food poisoning bacteria such as campylobacter;
Don’t wash raw chicken – cooking will kill any bacteria present, including campylobacter, while washing chicken can spread germs by splashing;
Wash used utensils – thoroughly wash and clean all utensils, chopping boards and surfaces used to prepare raw chicken. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, after handling raw chicken. This helps stop the spread of campylobacter by avoiding cross contamination.
Cook chicken thoroughly – make sure chicken is steaming hot all the way through before serving. Cut in to the thickest part of the meat and check that it is steaming hot with no pink meat and that the juices run clear.

HERSHEY, Pa.– The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY), in partnership with Winn-Dixie and its parent company Bi-Lo Holdings, today announced the opening of Hershey’s “Candy Experience,” a new concept that has replaced the traditional candy aisle at Winn-Dixie’s newly renovated store in Baton Rouge, La. The new candy section, best described as a “store within a store,” has shown in testing that it can lift confection category sales for retailers by strong double digits.

The candy aisle at Winn-Dixie’s Baton Rouge store, located at 13002 Coursey Blvd., is now a circular set of bold displays located in the highly trafficked front of the store next to customer service and the checkout lanes, a dramatic change from where candy aisles are traditionally located. Hershey is the independent category advisor at many major U.S. retailers and took a full category approach in designing the section, which displays America’s most well-known confections, including competitors’ top brands. Shoppers will be enticed to shop by feature displays with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates shaped toppers, graphics of unwrapped candy, bright colors and convenient organization by usage occasion (candy dish, premium, movie & snack, grab & go).

Winn-Dixie’s Baton Rouge store has committed to using Hershey’s new candy aisle design for one year. Throughout the year, Hershey will invest in in-store shopper research as well as category merchandising plans.

Over the last few years, the grocery channel has experienced declining sales in center of the store categories, including confection, with trips in the grocery channel down 2.1 percent1 .

“We are excited about this new candy experience because it puts the consumer and shopper first,” said Rick Price, Senior Manager of Center Store Evolution, The Hershey Company. “A majority of shoppers2 find the candy category the hardest to shop and the least inspiring in the store resulting in many shoppers walking away without any confection in their basket. Our re-imagined candy aisle addresses these challenges and makes candy shopping more convenient and memorable.”

Hershey’s transformative approach to candy aisle merchandising is a result of the company’s insights driven performance (IDP) model, its proprietary retail collaboration model to grow the category based on industry-leading consumer and shopper insights. Hershey’s IDP customers typically outperform their peers and Hershey’s merchandising experience and shopper insights team has been working to uncover ways to improve the center-of-the-store shopper experience and in-store conversion.

Winn Dixie is at the forefront of bringing a unique shopper experience to the consumer that will differentiate it from competitors and build shopper loyalty.

“We have put comprehensive success metrics in place, and we are excited to see how the Hershey’s Candy Experience performs,” said Frank Jimenez, Senior Director of Retail Evolution, The Hershey Company. “We anticipate it will be a game changer and we look forward to working with Winn-Dixie to roll it out at other stores and beginning to ignite a change in how candy is displayed and sold across the grocery channel.”

Hershey’s industry-leading knowledge and insights has helped the company and its retail partners plan for new technology and changing consumer expectation in the retail environment. The Hershey Company’s expertise includes front-end transformation, total store insights, center of the store transformation, experiential shopping and small store formats.

About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY), headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 13,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company, which has more than 80 brands worldwide that drive over $7.1 billion in annual revenues, includes such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Hershey is focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to build its competitive advantage in North America. Additionally, Hershey is poised to expand its portfolio into categories beyond confectionery, finding new ways to bring goodness to people everywhere.

At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For 120 years, Hershey has been committed to good business by operating fairly, ethically and sustainably to make a positive impact on society. This means contributing to a better life for its employees, consumers, communities, and, ultimately, creating a bright future for children in need. This commitment is exemplified by Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company’s founder and administered by Hershey Trust Company. The children who attend the school receive education, housing, and medical care — thriving as direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company’s success.

About Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. is a subsidiary of Bi-Lo Holdings, which is the fifth-largest conventional supermarket in the United States based on store count. Founded in 1925, Winn-Dixie employs more than 48,000 associates who serve customers in approximately 546 grocery stores and 415 in-store pharmacies throughout the five southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com and www.biloholdings.com.

CHICAGO, – Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) today announced that it had completed its acquisition of Specialty Commodities Inc., a leading originator, processor and distributor of healthy ingredients, including nuts, fruits, seeds, legumes and ancient grains, for $191 million (including $95 million in working capital), subject to post-closing adjustments.

“We are continuing to expand our specialty ingredients portfolio to better serve our customers, improve returns and reduce the volatility of our earnings,” said Greg Morris, president of ADM’s WILD Flavors and Specialty Ingredients business unit. “Now that Specialty Commodities has joined ADM, we’ll be looking at ways to combine SCI’s healthy ingredients with ADM’s existing products to offer our customers a wider and fuller range of products.”

ADM also announced that Ken Campbell, formerly ADM’s vice president, North American Oilseeds, has been named president, Specialty Commodities. Kevin Andreson, Specialty Commodities’ former chief operating officer, has been appointed ADM’s vice president, Specialty Commodities. Larry Leitner, SCI’s founding partner and CEO, has stepped down from that position and will join ADM’s WILD Flavors and Specialty Ingredients business unit, bringing his extensive supply chain and industry knowledge to help support growth throughout the business unit.

“We’ve put together a Specialty Commodities leadership team that is ready to grow the business,” Morris added. “They know the importance of this moment: consumers are demanding more of the healthy ingredients that Specialty Commodities can provide, and they’re demanding those ingredients in increasingly varied forms and applications. This is the right time for this business, and we are well-positioned to take advantage of the many opportunities ahead.”

About ADM
For more than a century, the people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) have transformed crops into products that serve the vital needs of a growing world. Today, we’re one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers, with more than 33,000 employees serving customers in more than 140 countries. With a global value chain that includes more than 470 crop procurement locations, 285 ingredient manufacturing facilities, 40 innovation centers and the world’s premier crop transportation network, we connect the harvest to the home, making products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses. Learn more at www.adm.com.

WASHINGTON, – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service has awarded funding to more than 60 U.S. agricultural organizations to help expand commercial export markets for American products.

“The Market Access and Foreign Market Development Programs help agricultural organizations representing thousands of producers and businesses open and grow markets for American products around the world,” Vilsack said. “Exports create jobs and foster growth that is critically important for rural communities and our entire nation’s economy.”

Through the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Agricultural Service partners with U.S. agricultural trade associations, cooperatives, state regional trade groups and small businesses to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities that help build commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products and commodities. The program, which focuses on consumer promotion, including brand promotion for small companies and cooperatives, is used extensively by organizations promoting fruits, vegetables, nuts, processed products, and bulk and intermediate commodities. Through MAP, the Foreign Agricultural Service will provide $173.2 million to 62 nonprofit organizations and cooperatives. Participants contribute an average 214 percent match for generic marketing and promotion activities and a dollar-for-dollar match for promotion of branded products by small businesses and cooperatives.

The Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program focuses on trade servicing and trade capacity building by helping to create, expand and maintain long-term export markets for U.S. agricultural products. Under FMD, also known as the Cooperator Program, the Foreign Agricultural Service will allocate $26.7 million to 22 trade organizations that represent U.S. agricultural producers. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service partners with U.S. agricultural producers and processors, who are represented by non-profit commodity or trade associations called cooperators. The organizations, which on average contribute nearly triple the amount they receive in federal resources, will conduct activities that help maintain or increase the demand for U.S. agricultural commodities overseas.

USDA’s international market development programs have had a significant and positive impact on U.S. agricultural exports. An independent study released in 2010 found that trade promotion programs like MAP and FMD provide $35 in economic benefits for every dollar spent by government and industry on market development.

The past six years represent the strongest period for U.S. agricultural exports in the history of the United States. Farm exports in fiscal year 2014 reached a record $152.5 billion and supported 1 million jobs in the United States.

Visit www.fas.usda.gov to learn more about the MAP Funding Allocations – FY2015, the FMD Funding Allocations – FY2015 and other Foreign Agricultural Service programs.

ATLANTA, – The Coca-Cola Company today announced actions to reinvigorate growth. These actions support the previously announced five strategic priorities to restore momentum and the Company’s long-term growth target of high single-digit comparable currency neutral EPS.

“We are taking decisive action to position The Coca-Cola Company to continue delivering long-term value for our shareowners,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company. “We have taken a hard look at our progress to date and realize that while the strategies we laid out at the beginning of the year are on the right track, the scope and pace of our actions must increase. In addition to announcing an expanded productivity program, we are streamlining our operations and further aligning our incentive plans to deliver against our growth objectives. We are also evolving our 2020 Vision to reflect these changes. Within this
context, we are maintaining our long-term high single-digit EPS growth target, while changing our operating income metric to profit before tax and adjusting our net revenue target to mid single-digit growth.

“While we expect the macroeconomic environment to remain challenging through 2015, we are confident in our ability to return to sustainable growth over the long term. This confidence is supported by the attractive long-term dynamics of our industry and the unparalleled reach of our brands and our global system. We are fully dedicated to strengthening our position as the world’s leading beverage company.”

KEY INITIATIVES

The Company introduced the following initiatives to reinvigorate growth:

Streamlining and simplifying its operating model to speed decision making and enhance local market focus. These organizational changes, along with the previously announced changes being made to long-term incentive metrics, will empower employees and link line-of-sight accountability to business results.

Expanding its current successful productivity program by targeting annualized savings of $3 billion per year by 2019. This productivity program will focus on four key areas:

• Restructuring the Company’s global supply chain, including manufacturing in North America;
• Implementing zero-based budgeting across the organization;
• Streamlining and simplifying its operating model; and
• Driving increased discipline and efficiency in direct marketing investments.

As a result of these productivity initiatives, the Company expects to fund the marketing initiatives and innovation required to deliver sustainable net revenue growth. These savings will also support margin expansion and increased returns on invested capital over time.

Refocusing on its core business model of building the world’s greatest beverage brands and leading an unmatched global system of strong local bottling partners. This will include refranchising the majority of Company-owned North American bottling territories by the end of 2017 and a substantial portion of the remaining territories no later than 2020.

Strategically targeting brand and growth investments that leverage its global strengths. This includes previously announced plans to improve the quantity and quality of marketing, as well as making future investments that will target markets and categories where brands remain underfunded relative to the opportunity. The Company has a disciplined strategy for incremental investments, prioritizing spending in markets where the Coca-Cola system has the right price/package architecture and execution capabilities in place. We will also continue to grow investments in our still beverages while leveraging our new partnership model.

Focusing on driving revenue and profit growth across markets while providing local operations with a clear line of sight and aligned compensation targets. Beginning in 2015, revenue growth will be added as a metric in the Company’s incentive plans. The Company will adjust the relative importance of volume and price/mix in each market in order to drive the right behavior for each market type.

LONG-TERM GROWTH TARGETS AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

As described above, the Company is maintaining its long-term high single-digit EPS growth target, adjusting its net revenue target to mid single-digit growth, and targeting profit before tax in place of operating income to account for increased equity income growth from its new partnership model. Going forward, the Company will have a profit before tax target of 6% to 8%.

“While investments made in recent months are yielding early signs of progress, we recognize that our five strategic priorities and the initiatives announced today will take time to produce results,” Kent added. “We remain confident in the vibrancy of the nonalcoholic ready-todrink beverage industry and are determined to make the necessary changes to sustainably meet or exceed our long-term growth targets. At the same time, we are cautious in our near-term outlook given challenging macroeconomic conditions. In this context, our 2020 Vision will remain focused on delivering value growth ahead of the industry for our system.”

The Company expects to be below its long-term EPS growth target in 2014 and, based on the current outlook, does not expect comparable currency neutral EPS growth in 2015 to be significantly different from 2014. Further, the Company expects fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates to have an unfavorable impact on its results in 2015. Based on current spot rates, existing hedge positions, and the cycling of 2014 rates, the Company expects a mid single-digit headwind on profit before tax in 2015. Longer term, the Company intends to return to
delivering against its stated growth targets.

Supplemental materials that support the prepared remarks for the Company’s conference call with investors and analysts today, Oct. 21, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. EDT, will be available for download on the Company’s website, http://www.coca-colacompany.com in the “Investors” section.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 17 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

São Paulo, – Cargill and ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE:CAG) are pleased to announce a partnership to bring the Hunt’s® line of condiments and ACT II® microwave popcorn to Brazil. Reinforcing its commitment of delivering products and brands of the highest quality to consumers, Cargill will now distribute Hunt’s condiments and ACT II popcorn in the country, which both belong to ConAgra Foods®, one of the largest food companies in North America, with brands found in 99 percent of homes in the United States.

Under the partnership, Cargill will distribute Hunt’s products produced at ConAgra Foods plants in the United States, specifically tomato ketchup in two packages (383g bottle and 567g squeeze bottle); yellow mustard in 340g bottles; and barbecue sauce in 510g bottles in three flavors – Original, Hickory and Mustard and Honey.

ACT II microwave popcorn will be produced and distributed locally for the first time, in the following flavors and packaging: Regular (85g bag), Butter (85g bag), Light Butter (80.8g bag), Extra Butter (85g bag), and the promotional packs (Pay Three, Take Four) in the Regular and Butter flavors. ACT II is the best selling microwave popcorn brand worldwide.

In the past three years the condiments market has grown 4.5 percent a year; the main product in this category is tomato ketchup, which accounts for about 93 percent of this market. In Brazil, the microwave popcorn market has considerable growth potential as a result of strong sales of microwave ovens to the country’s new middle class in recent decades.

According to Haroldo Rego, leader of Cargill’s Dressing & Oils segment, these products will represent new high-quality alternatives for Brazilian consumers. “This partnership combines ConAgra Foods market expertise with Cargill’s sales, distribution, and merchandising strength to serve increasingly demanding consumers, in terms of the quality of the products they buy. In Brazil, the microwave popcorn category has considerable room for growth when compared to sales in other countries; additionally, everyone loves ketchup in Brazil. Our consumers look for more quality and flavor, and they will find this in the Hunt’s and ACT II brands, which are leaders in these segments,” he said.

Starting in October, Hunt’s line of condiments will be available in supermarkets and other food retailers nationwide, and ACT II microwave popcorn will be distributed through supermarkets in the state of São Paulo. Cargill and ConAgra Foods are preparing a series of promotion and tasting initiatives for end consumers, to strengthen these brands locally.

NORCO, La., – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new partnership between USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) that will provide additional support for restoration of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in response to impacts that occurred as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill.

“The health of the Gulf ecosystem will be decided by how well we treat the private lands that make up most of this region,” Secretary Vilsack said. “This new partnership with NFWF leverages significant funding for restoration in these Gulf States. In addition to our many Farm Bill conservation programs, partnering with NFWF and private landowners will enable us to continue to make progress in this region and achieve our goals for a healthy Gulf ecosystem.”

The new partnership will significantly expand conservation efforts with private landowners and operators who might not otherwise be eligible to participate in existing recovery programs. The partnership will begin with a $20 million investment from NFWF, matched by a $20 million investment from NRCS. Additional commitments of up to $30 million from each partner are possible over the next four years.

NFWF, NRCS and other partners will focus on working on private lands to implement conservation projects that will enhance the existing recovery efforts in Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Texas.

Potential projects include:

Wetlands conservation;
Stream and riparian buffer restoration;
Farm and ranch land protection, including the practices that go along with protection, such as improving soil health, implementing no-till farming and enhancing wildlife habitat.
More information on these projects will be available through NRCS offices in the five Gulf states.

In early 2013, a U.S. District Court approved two plea agreements resolving certain criminal cases against BP and Transocean which arose from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. The agreements direct a total of $2.544 billion to NFWF to fund projects benefiting the natural resources of the Gulf Coast that were impacted by the spill.

This agreement builds on investments that NFWF and NRCS are making in the region. NRCS works side-by-side with farmers, ranchers and private landowners to make improvements to their land, helping clean water and air, enhance habitat and enrich soil. This past year, NRCS worked with farmers, ranchers, and forestland managers in the five Gulf states to improve the health of more than 3 million acres.

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About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: NFWF protects and restores our nation’s wildlife and habitats. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF directs public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private contributions. NFWF works with government, nonprofit and corporate partners to find solutions for the most intractable conservation challenges. Over the last three decades, NFWF has funded more than 4,000 organizations and committed more than $2.3 billion to conservation projects. To learn more about NFWF’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, please visit www.nfwf.org/gulfThis is an external link or third-party site outside of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website..

About USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service: NRCS provides America’s farmers and ranchers with technical and financial assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too. To learn about NRCS’ Gulf restoration efforts, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/Gulf. For more on technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or a local USDA service center.