The number of consumers using private-label food and beverage products continues to rise, but U.S. consumers are losing their enthusiasm for these value-oriented options.

Generation X men are surprisingly involved in shopping for food and cooking, according to a University of Michigan report.

The U.S. organic industry grew by 9.5% overall in 2011 to reach $31.5 billion in sales, and organic food sales now represent 4.2% of all U.S. food sales, up from 4% in 2010.

Presenting at the 2012 National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Leadership Forum, the NACS vice president of research Dae Kim delved into the importance snack sales play to this retail market. Kim noted the per-store sales of snacks (candy, salty, sweet and alternative snacks) stood at roughly $2,500 in 1975 but were a stalwart $13,500 in 2010. And, “while snacks draw about 10% of c-store trips, snackers dominate impulse sales (accounting for about 35%).”

SymphonyIRI Group announced the most successful food and beverage and non-foods consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands in its 2011 New Product Pacesetters report.

Despite a shopping list being a tool to stay on budget and eliminate unnecessary purchases, research shows that nine out of 10 shoppers still buy items not on their list.

Below are some of the highlights from the 2012 Natural Products Expo West, which again saw a sizable number of gluten-free introductions, as well as a number of notable introductions focusing on other trends.

In this second edition, “Food for Thought” talks with Dr. Jennifer Garrett, global nutrition director for McCain Foods Limited, a global frozen food leader that employs more than 20,000 people at 57 production facilities on six continents.

Convenience store sales, both at the pump and inside the store, set new records in 2011.

BzzAgent and SymphonyIRI Group announced social marketing, when used to build widespread consumer advocacy, generates an average sales lift of 6.7% for CPG brands.