VENDING: USA Technologies Issues Letter to Shareholders

Yahoo! News (press release) - USA
USA Technologies issued a very promising letter to its shareholders yesterday. The full content is in this release.

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GENERAL: JUAN WINS!; In the Race for 'Favorite Icon,' Coffee Lovers Savor Jaun and Conchita...

Yahoo! News - USA
Juan Valdez received the most votes of the 26 icons up for election, making the win the icing on a sweet week for the Federation as it also celebrates the first anniversary of the first Juan Valdez Café in the United States (at 140 East 57th Street in New York City) and unveils a giant billboard of Juan and his trusty mule Conchita in Times Square.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Congratulations, Jaun! We reported (and voted) in this election on Friday, Sept. 9 and urged fellow coffee lovers to help Jaun win. We all helped; thanks all!

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VENDING: The $10 Bill Gets a Colorful Makeover

peoplepc.com - news - USA
The color of money is getting more varied. A newly designed $10 bill was unveiled Wednesday featuring splashes of orange, yellow and red to go with the traditional green.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: That sounds like the color of leaves in the fall! We only hope that a lot of them fall our way.

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FOODSERVICE: National Restaurant Association, Other Associations to Hold Joint Press Conference on Hurricane Relief Efforts

U.S. Newswire (press release) - Washington, DC, USA
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the association community has acted swiftly to deliver support and services to those affected by the Gulf Coast hurricanes. The National Restaurant Association will highlight Dine for America, a nationwide, industry-wide fundraiser on Oct. 5 to benefit those impacted. The press conference is organized by the American Society of Association Executives.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Vend Buzz is not a foodservice operation, but we plan to participate in the Oct. 5th "Dine for America" event at a participating restaurant. We urge others to join in this fundraiser, even if you have already contributed to hurricane relief. It won't cost more than the meal(s) selected and a portion of the price goes to the Red Cross.

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GENERAL: China Expected to Boost World Coffee Consumption

People's Daily Online - Beijing, China
Though the consumption of coffee in China is small, it already has reported an annual 15-percent increase, well above the 2-percent growth in the world.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: China, as well as Japan, are traditionally tea consuming nations, but coffee is on the rise in both nations. See the next two articles for a long-term solution to the coffee production crisis.

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GENERAL: Falling Coffee Stocks Hide Bitter Surprise for Consumers

Middle East Times - Cairo, Egypt
World coffee stocks have reached a critically low level because of a collapse in Brazilian reserves, the head of the International Coffee Organization (ICO) said on Monday.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: For a long-term solution to this crisis, see the article just below this one. In the meantime, perhaps we will just have to endure the higher cost per cup.

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GENERAL: World Coffee Production is Theme of Conference in Bahia

Agencia Brasil - Brazil
One of the major issues discussed had to do with plant cloning. Coffee plant cloning has shown itself to be an excellent option to accelerate the production of high quality hybrid coffee varieties with resistance to pests and diseases.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: There probably will be some opposition to the cloning of coffee, as there is for cloning humans. But if it can enhance the economical efficiency, increase the amount of coffee produced, and maintain or improve its quality, we welcome the new science's application to our industry. With its global popularity continuing to increase, coffee production needs some help to maintain an affordable price.

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VENDING: A New Idea Now in Very Early Stages

The Casper Star Tribune - Casper, WY, USA
While the technology is in its infant stages in the United States, it has flourished in other parts of the world. More than 3 million wireless subscribers in Japan are using a mobile wallet service to purchase items at 20,000 stores and vending machines, and as many as 100 new m-commerce companies launch in Europe every month, according to Time Europe magazine. Nearly 350,000 users (2,000 new subscribers each day) spread across Europe are using Internet-ready cellular phones to make purchases with m-cash.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: That's convenience at its ultimate! Already the most convenient method of retailing, vending is being made more convenient in Japan and Europe with a step up in high technology. Ready or not, cell phone vending is on its way to America.

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COFFEE SERVICE: PODhead.com's Coffee and Espresso Pods Thrill Pod Coffee Loving Drinkers

Emediawire (press release) - Ferndale, WA, USA
Today more and more single-serve coffee pod makers are entering the market and PODhead.com has been on top of the situation, offering the best selection of coffee and espresso pods in the market. PODhead.com has become the leader in providing alternative coffee pods to the ever growing single serve coffee pod movement.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Please note that this article is a press release by the manufacturer. However, it offers good information and is indicative of the trend to pods in the coffee service market.

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VENDING: Dairy Industry Association Claims School Milk Opportunity Growing

AMonline.com - Fort Atkinson, WI, USA
With the American Beverage Association's guidelines limiting the variety and availability of soft drinks in elementary, middle and high schools, vending operators are now in a position to expand their milk offerings in place of other less nutritious beverages to fill the void created by the changes, the IDFA claims.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: The opportunity is there; the colorful, newly- shaped milk containers please the consumer; many varieties of milk are available; milk is refreshing and nutritious; now is the time to move with milk.

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VENDING: Vending Machines Dispense Hard Lessons

Bremerton Sun - WA, United States
Selections at schools will soon be healthier, but will it affect obesity? "When they're located inside cafeterias, it bothers people because some students will eat from the machines instead," Blazer said. "But it's not vending machines that are the problem. It's students making poor food decisions. We have to set good examples and provide healthy options, but we also have to teach them to make smart selections. This is not a simple problem with simple solutions."

Dan Blazer, director of food and nutritional services at North Kitsap schools, said candy bars and chips are not the culprits — it's hard candy and gum that will be off the rack next fall.

Short registration required to view article, but for a vend operator serving schools, it is worth it.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: No additional comment needed. Mr. Blazer says it all.

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VENDING: School Snack Menu: Pass or Fail?

WebMD - USA
Students can buy healthy snacks at school, but they could also easily blow their snack money on junk food, a new CDC study shows

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: This article makes the point that parents can help students select the right-for-them choices with good advice and by setting right-choice examples themselves..

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VENDING: Des Moines Students Complain About Soft Drinks Ban

DesMoinesRegister.com - Des Moines, IA, USA
Students continue to buy soda and snacks off-campus. Questions still loom about revenue losses and extra-curricular functions.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: At least the students get some exercise walking to the c-store. It takes more than banning vending to change people's attitudes and habits. Health education and good example from parents and school courses can help toward healthier diets.

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VENDING: Coffee Day Launches Revolutionary Fiter Coffee Vending Machine

agencyfaqs.com - New Delhi, India
Coffee Day Beverages Division, a part of Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading Co. Ltd., India's largest vertically integrated coffee conglomerate, has introduced "Bean2Cup", a revolutionary filter coffee vending machine that serves the freshest, authentic filter coffee on demand.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: It sounds interesting, but is it better than America's "bean grinders?" Does it realy immediately grind the bean for the cup being produced and dispensed? Or is there a one-cup delay?

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GENERAL: Giant New Orleans Coffee Plant Has First Production Run after Katrina

Reuters AlertNet - London, England, UK
The first 39-ounce cans of Procter and Gamble's Folgers coffee rolled off the assembly line on a steamy day in this U.S. Gulf port city, but the plant will not be running at full bore until late next month.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: It takes employees to run a coffee plant. The company has provideed 150 trailers on-site as quarters for those employees whose home were demolished by the hurricane. This demonstrates two things: the company's dedication to its employees and its determination to get back into full production as soon as possible.

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VENDING: State School Chief, Advocates Praise New Local School Vending

PR Newswire - New York, NY, USA
Elected officials and advocacy groups today announced their support of the Georgia Beverage Association's new voluntary policy that will make available nutritious and lower-calorie beverages in school vending machines.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: The new voluntary school vending policy, a major step in addressing the student obesity problem, is being enacted without legislation in Georgia. We congratulate the Georgia Beverage Association and all the organizations involved in this sound, voluntary policy. This proves that it is not necessary to take legislative action on vending to have the approval of so many health groups and legislators favoring the new voluntary policy.

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FOODSERVICE: Heinz Considers Selling Various Brands

peoplepc.com - News - USA
H.J. Heinz Co. said Tuesday it is considering trimming European operations and may sell off a host of brands for about $1 billion in a move to focus operations on its ketchup and other core products.

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GENEERAL: Coffee Roaster Invents Healthy Coffee Beans and a Way into Multibillion Dollar Industry

Canada NewsWire (Press Release) - Canada
Entrepreneur develops way to infuse coffee beans with "healthy" herbal extracts that can make the coffee habit a healthy one. Building on research touting the anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidantand physical benefits of coffee, Fusion has taken it further through it's all natural infusion process. Four organic blends provide a gourmet cup of organiccoffee with a healthy kick.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Why not let coffee's health benefits stand on their own. We have no idea if Fusion's herb-enhanced coffees actually work or if they have been tested for possible harmful side effects. We can appreciate the entrepreneuer's ingenuity and the firm's desire to make money, but we question it's claims.

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VENDING: PSL Officer Shoots, Wounds Suspect of Vending Machine Robbery

Palm Beach Post.com - FL, USA
A career criminal caught burglarizing vending machines at Centennial High School early Saturday was shot in the shoulder when he allegedly tried to bash a St. Lucie sheriff's deputy with a crowbar, according to Sheriff Ken Mascara.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: It seems as if a vending machine burglar can be dangerous. While the burgler couldn't believe that he was shot for robbing a vending machine, it goes to prove that it can be even more dangerous to burglarize vending machines.

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GENERAL: Starbucks CEO Says Surge in Health Costs an Urgent Issue

Indianapolis Star - United States
Starbucks Corp. will spend more on health insurance for its employees this year than on raw materials needed to brew its coffee, the company's chairman said last week.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: We are not surprised. A recent unofficial poll of vending and OCS operators across the U.S. asked respondants what was their greaest problem during this year. A sizeable number reported the rising costs of health care and fuel. Others gave the same answer that is almost universal every year: employee turnover and replacement.

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VENDING: Schwarzenegger Signs Ban on Sodas in High Schools

Reuters - USA
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation on Thursday to ban carbonated soda in state high schools as part of an effort to stem teen obesity.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: The State of California aleady has a law for replacing sodas in elementary schools where children are childen and cannot always be trusted to make an educated choice. Is the governor saying that high school students are not to be trusted to make an educated choice?

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General: Coffee in the United States: 2005 Market Analysis

Business Wire (press release) - San Francisco, CA, USA
The U.S. is still the largest coffee-consuming nation in the world, but the amount of coffee people are drinking at home has generally declined over the period 1998-2003.

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VENDING: Pittsburgh, Pa. Vending Operators Raise Prices And Cut Commissions

AMonline.com - Fort Atkinson, WI, USA
Ballooning gasoline prices are forcing vending machine operators to raise prices, or even cut commissions to businesses they service in hopes of offsetting increased fuel costs, price hikes of products and continuing costs of health insurance.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Mr. Maras, in his "Editor's Insight" at the conclusion of the article, is completely correct. Prices must be raised and/or commissions reduced. Our only addition is that it may help in adjusting prices to emphasize that the convenience of vending is unmatched by any other method of retailing. Vending is worth the new price to the consumer and to the client, compared with c-stores or fast food outlets.

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GENERAL: Folgers Coffee Supplies Short after Katrina: Plant damage won't boost price.

Cincinnati Enquirer - Cincinnati, OH, USA
Consumers will see shortages of Folgers coffee on store shelves for several weeks but shouldn't see higher prices due to damage from Hurricane Katrina to Procter & Gamble Co.'s Folgers plant in New Orleans, the company said Wednesday.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Well, this is from the "horse's mouth." Shortages, yes, as the previoue article in Houston Chronicle (see below) indicated, but no price increase by Folger's. That's good news! Thanks, P & G!

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GENERAL: Seafood, Sugar, Coffee Getting Harder to Find in Houston

Houston Chronicle - United States
That is just the beginning of Katrina's impact on the food supply, including poultry, sugar and coffee. Consumers can expect selective shortages of food items and price increases, some of which are already visible locally

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: There is not much to add. Although this is about the Houston, Texas, marketplace, the entire nation will no doubt be impacted. Again, as we commented a day or so ago, buy wisely, watch for gouging, and don't get caught with an empty bag.

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GENERAL: Grinding to a halt: Katrina slams coffee distribution

Chicago Sun-Times - United States
Hurricane Katrina's ill winds blew nobody any good and it's likely to rain on your grocery bill, particularly if you enjoy coffee, tropical fruit and seafood.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: This article is not only about coffee; foodservice operators should read it, too. Not only are supplies of coffee affected, but also those of bananas, shrimp and other seafood. Watch carefully for gouging and buy wisely.

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GENERAL: P&G Plans New Orleans' Folgers Coffee Pant Restart

Reuters - USA
Procter & Gamble Co. said on Tuesday it has been able to gain access to its Folgers brand coffee plant in New Orleans and plans to begin restarting operations in the next several days, contingent on restoration of utilities.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: The article states, also, that P & G is committed to staying in New Orleans, for which we are glad.

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VENDING: JCM Reveals Revolutionary Optipay BV at AMOA Tradeshow

PR Newswire - New York, NY, USA
JCM VP of Commercial Sales Dave Elich said, "When we first introduced Optipay, it immediately began transforming the vending and amusement industries, giving customers more choice of payments.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: While this announcement is about the AMOA (amusements and games), it also impacts vending machines. It's something that vendors should know.

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COFFEE SERVICE: Sam's Club Launches Brazilian Fair Trade Certified(TM) Gourmet Coffee

PR Newswire - New York, NY, USA
Marques de Paiva Brand Gourmet French Roast will hit warehouse clubs in time for 'Fair Trade Month' in October.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: There are some operators that may find this interesting. No doubt it will have a price that is above what they usually pay for coffee.

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VENDING: Investology Initiates Coverage of USA Technologies with a Positive Rating and 24-month Price Target of $0.61

PR Newswire - New York, NY, USA
The firm also noted in the report "that we expect USTT to strengthen its market share of the cashless vending and energy saver machine markets.

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FOODSERVICE: Compass Group Lends Its Foodservice and Logistics Expertise in the Gulf Coastal Areas

Baltimore Business Journal - Baltimore, MD, USA
CHARLOTTE, N.C./PRNewswire/ -- Compass Group and its operating companies are lending their expertise to feed and rebuild the Gulf coast inthe wake of Hurricane Katrina.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: It is commendable that Compass is doing what it does best in this emergency situation. On behalf of the refugees and the relief organizations, we thank the entire Compass Group.

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FOODSERVICE: Campbell Soup 4Q Profit Soars 63 Percent

peoplepc.com - USA
CAMDEN, N.J. - Campbell Soup Co., whose brands include Pepperidge Farm, V8, Godiva, and its namesake soups, on Monday reported fourth-quarter profit climbed 63 percent, driven by lower marketing, higher selling prices, and productivity improvements.

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VENDING: More Balanced for Life Toolbox Materials Are on the Way!

NAMA Web Site - USA
"Snack Smart!" and "Be A Smart Snacker!" posters and brochures are being sent to help members locally.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: This program is well on the way to battle obesity, the most serious concern of the vending industry today. What it does is offer a complete program for healthy eating, especially among students, that emphasizes diet education, exercise and healthy foods. It minimizes the school's and vending operator's loss of revenue. Available to NAMA members, so if you are not yet a member, now is a good time to join. The annual NAMA National Expo is coming up shortly (in Atlanta on Oct. 27 - 29) and you need to be there for the full story . . . and more!

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GENERAL: No Damage to Stored Coffee in New Orleans Warehouse

Canada East - Canada
NEW YORK (AP) - The 700,000 bags of coffee stored in New Orleans warehouses operated by Port Cargo Service Inc. weren't damaged by hurricane Katrina, the company said this week.

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FOODSERVICE: Rising Fuel Prices Have Ripple Effect on SW Virginia Economy

Roanoke Times - Roanoke, VA, USA
As business and household costs climb in response to rising gas and diesel prices and other ripple effects from Katrina, the financial pain seems destined to increase and spread for truckers, then retailers, then to the ultimate consumers.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: This article is not just about Southwest Virginia; it's all over America. First, the big decision hits the truckers (the deliverers of all products from the source to the retailers). Can they afford to absorb the fuel costs or should they pass them on? Next, if passed on to the retailers, their decision is the same: do they pass the extra costs on to their customers? The consumers decision becomes one of no choice: do I buy or do I do without?

• As for the vend/foodservice retailer, what decision do we face? Do we raise our vend prices? Are our consumers willing to pay more for the convenience that we offer? What if we raise our prices moderately enough to cover our increased costs? If we do that and emphasize the fact that the convenience we offer is actually a savings over brown bags or going out for food, will the majority of our consumers stay with us? Is there any other choice?

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GENERAL: Coffee Lovers Can Help Jaun Valdez to Win over the Battery-operated Bunny

PR Newswire (press release) - New York,NY,USA
In the hotly contested race for favorite advertising icon, coffee lovers are betting that their mustached man and his mule will trump a trio of animated elves, a battery-operated bunny or a handful of dancing raisins.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: We can help Juan to win over a host of popular TV and print logos by casting our votes for him and his donkey. Visit www.juanvaldez.com to vote. Deadline is Sept. 23.

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VENDING: Healthy Eating Has Never Been So Easy

Canada NewsWire - Canada
Compass Group Canada, the country's largest foodservice management company, today announced the launch of Balanced Choices, a program aimed to assist Canadians in making healthier food choices in outlets operated by Compass Group, including vending. The program will guide consumers to more than 500 healthy food choices through a food symbol identification.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Compass Group in Canada is tackling obesity and overweight among adults, a step ahead of us. We wonder if the program will carry across the border to the U.S.

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VENDING: Teens, Draw Your Straws! It's Pep-Up Time!

Chicago Tribune - United States
Coke amd Pepsi slug it out with teen lounges in different malls. Both feature their vending machines and products. Teens think they are cool; mall employees want more changes (they tire of the same music over and over).

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: We've watched the competition between the two huge beverage firms for nearly 60 years. Back then, Coke had a 6.5-ounce glass bottle; Pepsi had a 12-ounce. "Twice as much for a nickel, too; Pepsi is the drink for you." Coke has had "The Real Thing" for years. They both have the same size containers now. And they are still just as competitive. Read which lounge is announced as the winner.

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FOODSERVICE: Sodexho USA Will Remove Trans Fats From Foodservice Operations

AMonline.com - Fort Atkinson, WI, USA
The fact that many of the major food processors are removing trans fats makes it easier for foodservice providers to follow suit.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Not only will it enhance the vend/foodservice operator's image, the use of products free of trans fats will benefit their consumers' health.

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COFFEE SERVICE: Gourmet Coffee Prices May Follow Gas Prices Upward Due to Flooding in New Orleans

PR Newswire - New York, NY, USA
The condition of 1.6 million 60-kg (132-pound) bags of green coffee stored in New Orleans warehouses is unknown following flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina. However, it is expected that the price of gourmet coffees will rise rapidly when it determined.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Seemingly, the price of specialty coffees is already high enough; however, no doubt supply and demand will push it even higher. If it does, coffee service operators offering gourmet coffees should be alert and raise their prices accordingly.

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VENDING: Vistar to Buy Arizona Food Distributor

Phoenix Business Journal - Phoenix, AZ, USA
Vistar Corp., a food-service distributor to the vending-related and independent restaurant market segments, has entered into an agreement to purchase the stock of Vend Source.

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VENDING: Coke to Sell Virtual Stuff with the 'Real Thing' in Ireland

Register - London, England, UK
Ireland will be the first European market to see a new generation of Coke-vending machines, which will also sell mobile phone top-ups, ringtones and music.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: What will Coke come up with next? Having begun the first 16 years of our career with the organization, we can vouch that this new development is not a spur of the moment undertaking. The company's research and development extends many years into the future. And not only with soft drinks, either.

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Community Coffee Pledges Over Five Million Cups of Coffee to the Relief Effort

PR Newswire (press release) - New York, NY, USA
In the first four days following the catastrophe along the Gulf coast, Community Coffee employees, working with numerous volunteers and relief organizations,including the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Second Harvest, the U.S. military,and local police, provided over 3,000 pounds of Louisiana's favorite coffee to 140 shelters throughout the Gulf Coast Region.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Community Coffee and its employees are doing a wonderful job in trying to assist the agencies and the survivors directly. On behalf of the relief organizations and the survivors, we offer their sinceest thanks.

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COFFEE: UPDATE 1-Caribou Coffee Sets IPO at 5.36 mln Shares

Reuters - USA
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - Caribou Coffee Co. Inc., whose US coffeehouses number a distant second to Starbucks, set its planned initial public offering at 5.36 million shares at an estimated price of $13 to $15 each.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: We have watched this young coffehouse company over the past couple of years and have seen it continue to grow. Congratulations, Caribou!

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GENERAL: Coffee Glut Brews Crisis For Farmers, Wildlife

National Geographic.com - USA
The glut is causing unemployment and economic jitters among coffee farmers, and increased threats to the land and wildlife where coffee is grown, according to conservationists and industry analysts.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Usually we favor the laws of "supply and demand;" however, sometimes it is beneficial to look beyond the obvious. Obviously, (according to supply and demand) price gouging when the supply of gasoline is temporarily disrupted is justified; yet, it is not condoned by the consumer and its long-term effect may be disastrous to that station. Similiarly, the extremely low price of coffee when it is plentiful may cause plantations to go out of business leading to a scaricity in years ahead. This article may cause one to "think outside the 'bean.'"

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VENDING: New Lunch, Vending Policies 'Not That Big a Deal'

Huntsville Times - Huntsville,AL,USA
Because vending machines help schools financially, the state is not insisting they be taken out but rather that schools develop plans to introduce healthier snacks, drinks and foods gradually.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: This is a sensible program. There is no reason to panic over the high student obesity in the state. It didn't happen overnight; it won't go away suddenly, even if all students went on 100% health foods while at school. It takes health education at home and at school. It takes good examples at home and at school. It takes frequent exercise at home and at school. It takes less TV time at home and more bike time. In time, students will begin to realize the value of being fit (instead of fat) and will make healthier choices at home and at school. And, hopefully, throughout life.

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GENERAL: Expect Higher Prices on Almost Everything from Coffee to Bananas amd More

DetNews.com - Detroit, MI, USA
Unlike other disasters, Katrina struck a major port for incoming and outgoing shipping, not only for oil and natural-gas and petrochemical products, but for all manner of goods, wherever they're manufactured or grown.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: It is going to be a difficult time for manufacturers, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers until shipping normalizes. Route operations have survived numerous recessions, but this may be the worst period of all. However, prudent planning, adjusting and patience may ease the financial burden. We'll all be tightening our belts another notch or two.

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GENERAL: Hurricane Katrina Helps Coffee Growers

MSN Money - USA
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Hurricane Katrina may have destroyed about 1.5 million sacks of coffee stored at warehouses in New Orleans, raising the global price of coffee and benefiting coffee growers across the world, officials said Friday.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: We like to think that some good can come from any disaster, but, in this case, we feel that the loss of lives and properties far outweighs any benefits that may accrue to any industry. We hope that the concept of supply and demand will be tempered by the recognition that this is a long-lasting, but still temporary situation. Alternate ports are possible in the interim until New Orleans can get back to normalcy.

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VENDING: American Beverage Association Statement Rejects California Legislation on Vending in High Schools

PR Newswire (press release) - New York, NY, USA
Susan K. Neely, president of American Beverage Association(ABA) said, "While well-intentioned, the California Assembly's passage today of SB 965 is unfortunate. Unlike younger children who may need the guidance of an adult to help them make choices, parents tell us they believe high school-aged children have the ability to make informed choices, and should have a wide rrange of beverage choices available to them.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: In a recent nationwide poll of 800 adults, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies on behalf of the American Beverage Association, 77 percent of those surveyed favored following ABA's guidelines, which permit high school students to have a choice. Vend Buzz agrees with the majority of parents polled.

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GENERAL: Coffee Prices Moving Up Due to Katrina

New York Daily News - New York,NY,USA
Warehouses in New Orleans hold one quarter of the raw coffee in the US. The New York Board of Trade, which has 16% of its certified stockpiles of coffee in the port of New Orleans, said that deliveries are being suspended..

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: Coupled with the price increases in fuel, the increased cost of coffee beans will impact the retail market for a cup of anyone's favorite brew. Don't get caught short holding an empty bag.

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VENDING: Vending Machines Dispensing iPods, Cameras, DVDs Are Now Appearing in America

Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Pittsburgh, PA,USA
Vending machines, long purveyors of pretzels, soda and other munchie mainstays, are starting to satisfy cravings for iPods, digital cameras and DVD movies. High-end automated retailing is commonplace in Japan and other countries where consumers can readily purchase everything from fresh bags of rice to cellphone accessories via vending machines.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: If we traditional vendors don't do it, someone else will. It seems as if someone else already has a head start.

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GENERAL: Community Coffee Company Responds to Employees, Customers and Citizens

Yahoo! Finance - USA
BATON ROUGE, La., RNewswire -- Community Coffee Company's primary concern today is the health and well-being of our employees, customers and citizens affected by Hurricane Katrina.

• VEND BUZZ COMMENT: The Baton Rouge Company is responding to Katrina victims and rescuers by donating coffee to the overall effort. Fortunately, the company's facilities in Baton Rouge were not seriously affected by the hurricane. On behalf of the recipients, we say "Thank you, Community Coffee!"

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Assistance to Vend/OCS Suppliers that are Katrina Victims

Realizing the anguish of Katrina victims, including vend/OCS suppliers to the industry, Vend Buzz offers our sympathy and more. There are at least a dozen suppliers headquartered in the stricken areas. To those whose computer systems may be down, Vend Buzz will be glad to make announcements to the vend/coffee service/foodservice body that you are still in business, but that there may be a delay of (days, weeks, whatever) until normal processing is again functioning. You may wish to tell the extent of the damage to your operation.

This, of course, is a free service. Contact dan@vendbuzz.com with your announcement.

Again, we sympathize with you and wish that we could do even more as a voluntary industry Web site.