Hormel Foods Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Applegate Farms, LLC (“Applegate”), owner of the Applegate® brand, a natural and organic value-added prepared meats category. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the United States, and is expected to close within 60 days.

The report titled "Frozen Food Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2013 - 2019" states that this market was valued at $ 224.74 billion in 2012, and will register a CAGR of 3.9% between 2013 and 2019.

Village Tea Company Distribution, Inc., a division of Accel Brands, Inc. announced that it has re-launched its premium loose leaf tea brand at select Whole Foods Markets® in the SW Region.

The results for the participants who consumed the 60 percent cacao chocolate showed that the brain was more alert and attentive after consumption.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an organization of food and nutrition professionals, commends the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee for drafting a strong, evidence-based Scientific Report outlining recommendations and rational for the forthcoming 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The Innovation Center will focus on development of food products, applications and systems.

Native to Ecuador and famous for its complex flavor profile, Nacional cacao was considered by many of Europe's earliest chocolatiers to be the world's most prized cacao in the 1800s.

Panera Bread Company named Drew Madsen president effective May 11. He will report to Ron Shaich, chairman and CEO. Madsen will oversee the core café business, while Shaich focuses on strategy, growth initiatives and innovation across the company.

ROHA USA announced its recent hire of Byron Madkins as VP of Global Color Application and R&D. Byron comes to ROHA with more than 27 years of experience having worked with numerous food color companies globally in the development and formulation of color solutions for their applications across all of the industries, including confectionery, beverage, dairy and prepared foods.

United Sugars Corporation, leading marketer of sugar, today announced a key hire and a promotion at its Bloomington, Minnesota headquarters. Matt Wineinger will join United Sugars in June as President, succeeding retiring John Doxsie, and Dirk Swart was named Executive Vice President of Industrial Sales and Marketing.