Baking Buzz
Baking Buzz keeps you updated on the latest news in the baking industry.  Updated every Friday, the stories work with our member publication, Beyond Baking, to bring you the latest industry news.  Clicking on the underlined type in navy throughout this page will take you to various links!

 

If you have news you want to share or have any questions about 'the Buzz,' please email bakingbuzz@wibakers.com.

 

 

 

 

JULY 23, 2010

 

 

WBA & MEMBER HEADLINES
2010 Robert W. Hiller Scholarship recipient named
The 2010 Robert W. Hiller Scholarship recipient has been chosen.  This year’s recipient is Sandra Bierlein!  She’s from Frankenmuth, Mich. and is attending The French Pastry School in Chicago.  Watch for a full story on Sandy in the September issue of “Beyond Baking.”  Congratulations!

 

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BakeMark plans seminar in Madison Aug. 18
BakeMark will be holding a Bakery Seminar in Madison, Wis. Aug. 18 from 1-5 p.m.  The event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel. 
Click here for a flyer with all the details!

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Bakers Forums return in the Fall
Thanks to all our hosts of our Bakers Forums for the first part of 2010.  We will be taking the summer off from Forums and will hold two more this fall.  Below are the remaining dates for 2010 and the dates we have booked for 2011.  Watch the Baking Buzz and "Beyond Baking" for details on the events as they develop.

 

Remaining 2010 Bakers Forums
Oct. 19: 
Manderfield's Home Bakery, Appleton, Wis.
Nov. 2:  Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee

 

Looking ahead:  2011 Bakers Forums
Feb. 8:  Madison Area Technical College, Madison, Wis.
Oct. 11:  Valley Bakers Cooperative Association, Greenville, Wis.

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INDUSTRY HEADLINES (and other news you can use)
Ag secretary Nilsestuen drowns in Lake Superior
As reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:  Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, died Wednesday, the governor's office announced in a news release. 
(More)

American Bakers Association sponsors National Press Club 5K
As reported by the American Bakers Association (ABA):  "Participating in the National Press Club's 5K event was a great opportunity for visibility with key members of the Washington press corps," said Senior Vice President Government Relations & Public Affairs Lee Sanders.  (More)

American Bakers Association members sponsor 2010 Congressional Hot Dog Luncheon
As reported by the American Bakers Association (ABA):  Each year the American Meat Institute holds a "Hot Dog Lunch" on Capitol Hill. It's a perfect combination with the American Bakers Association as you can't have a hot dog without a bun.  (More)

Cell Phones – corporate blessing or nightmare
As reported by the BeneCo of Wisconsin HR Source newsletter July 21 Everyone knows that driving and using a cell phone distracts you as a driver.  (More)

Health law could penalize small businesses with part-timers
As reported by the BeneCo of Wisconsin HR Source newsletter July 21 The new health law is supposed to encourage employers to provide health insurance to their workers.  (More)

Information on the 2011 What’s in Store
As reported by the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) in the June-July 2010 edition of the Dairy-Deli-Bake Digest:  Plans are underway to release the 2011 WHAT'S IN STORE (More)

Today’s “in-store” deli & bakery consumer
As reported by the
International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) in the June-July 2010 edition of the Dairy-Deli-Bake Digest:  IDDBA has been tracking deli and bakery consumer trends for almost 20 years.  (More)

American Bakers Association announces three new board members
As reported by the American Bakers Association (ABA) July 12:  ABA announces three new members to its 2010-2012 Board of Directors.  (More)

New rules on changes to benefits
As reported in the
BeneCo of Wisconsin HR Source newsletter June 30:  The White House on Monday will issue new rules that strongly discourage employers from cutting health insurance benefits or increasing the costs of coverage to employees, administration officials say.  (More)

UPCOMING EVENTS
Registration is open for IBIE
This Sept. 26-29, the industry is coming together for the largest baking event of the year.  (More)

Retail Bakers of America provides upcoming certification test locations
Are you looking to get certified?  RBA has provided their list of certification testing locations.  (More)

FULL STORIES
Ag secretary Nilsestuen drowns in Lake Superior
As reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:  Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, died Wednesday, the governor's office announced in a news release.

Click here for the full story.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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American Bakers Association sponsors National Press Club 5K
As reported by the American Bakers Association (ABA):  "Participating in the National Press Club's 5K event was a great opportunity for visibility with key members of the Washington press corps," said Senior Vice President Government Relations & Public Affairs Lee Sanders.  "Showing our support to an organization such as the National Press Club is a great opportunity for ABA and the Grain Foods Foundation to raise visibility and share our health messages on bread and grain foods."

Click here for the full story and photos.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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American Bakers Association members sponsor 2010 Congressional Hot Dog Luncheon
As reported by the American Bakers Association (ABA):  Each year the American Meat Institute holds a "Hot Dog Lunch" on Capitol Hill. It's a perfect combination with the American Bakers Association as you can't have a hot dog without a bun. Today's event was well attended, drawing many members of Congress and their staffs.

Click here for the full story.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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Cell Phones – corporate blessing or nightmare
As reported by the BeneCo of Wisconsin HR Source newsletter July 21 Everyone knows that driving and using a cell phone distracts you as a driver.  In fact many states have instituted laws that prohibit use of cell phones while driving.  But what does that mean to you or your business?

Click here for more information on this topic.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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Health law could penalize small businesses with part-timers
As reported by the BeneCo of Wisconsin HR Source newsletter July 21 The new health law is supposed to encourage employers to provide health insurance to their workers.  But when it comes to health coverage for part-time workers, there's no penalty on companies that skip it.  But that doesn't mean the bosses of part-timers can rest easy. Small companies will need to keep a close eye on how many part-timers they employ or may face hassles they hadn't bargained for.  Here’s why.

Click here for more information on this topic.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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Information on the 2011 What’s in Store
As reported by the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) in the June-July 2010 edition of the Dairy-Deli-Bake Digest:  Plans are underway to release the 2011 WHAT'S IN STORE.  This is the 25th Anniversary Edition of this amazing book and it is the best yet, according to IDDBA. The depth of coverage, the number of tables, the statistical data, and the sheer volume of information makes this book an important addition to your library.

If you've ever needed data on food trends, store growth, category development, sales, or consumer trends, then this book is for you.  One copy of this book is given to every single company that is a member of the IDDBA.  It's included as part of the dues.  In addition, members are invited to purchase additional copies at substantial discounts.  The more you buy, the lower the price. Additional copies start at $99 each and go down, based on volume.  Non-members can also take advantage of this incredible book and buy it for just $399.  Shipping & handling is extra.  A special cake celebrating the 25th anniversary edition was created for IDDBA by Elizabeth Riggs, Bakery Crafts, and others.  It was displayed in the IDDBA Education Booth at the show and will grace the cover of the 2011 report.

No matter what segment of the business you're in, there are times when you need hard data for a presentation, a sales pitch, a marketing plan, or to track trends.  This book is the one you need.  Not surprisingly, this book is so good that some folks have hidden it from their bosses or colleagues so that they can distribute the info and be a star.  So, whether you want to buy books for colleagues, for customers, or for your boss, now is the time to do it.  If you order extra copies before IDDBA goes to press, we'll include them with our order and pass the savings on to you.  Call Jeremy at (608) 310-5000 to pre-order or to get info on pricing. The book will be printed in September.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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Today’s “in-store” deli & bakery consumer
As reported by the
International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) in the June-July 2010 edition of the Dairy-Deli-Bake Digest:  IDDBA has been tracking deli and bakery consumer trends for almost 20 years.  Approximately every five years, we do an in-depth study to benchmark how their buying habits have changed, how their eating patterns have shifted, and how the economy has impacted their lives.  Preliminary results of the newest study were presented by Dr. Rosita Thomas at the IDDBA show in Houston on June 6. The final reports are being edited and will be printed later this summer. Here are a few highlights:

bullet In 2009, only 17 percent of consumers said they had more money to spend than 2 years ago.  Today, that percentage has jumped to 31 percent.
bullet In 2009, 45 percent said it was very difficult to make ends meet.  Today, that has dropped to 31 percent.
bullet In 2009, 27 percent said they expect their financial situation to worsen.  Today, that has dropped to 20 percent.

In spite of these positive changes, the majority of consumers still feel financially challenged.

The top 3 deli purchase drivers are 1) Freshness; 2) Food safety; and 3) Price.  The top bakery drivers (other than price) are availability of samples, fresher breads and sweet goods, and whether their children wanted something.  The top 10 most-consumed deli products are:  Cheddar cheese; processed cheese slices; domestic cheese; hot vegetables; ham; lunch meats (sliced to order); pre-sliced packaged deli meats; pre-sliced packaged deli cheeses; chicken breast, and hot meat entrees.

In bakery, 52 percent are eating less baked goods than a year ago.  The favorite dessert when eating out is cheesecake (26 percent) followed by chocolate cake.  Thirty-eight percent eating less bread than a year ago.  Consumption of complex carbohydrate breads has increased since 2004; 37 percent say their consumption of whole grain breads has increased and 28 percent say their consumption of value-added breads has increased. To pre-order one of the studies, contact Jeremy at (608) 310-5000.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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American Bakers Association announces three new board members
As reported by the American Bakers Association (ABA) July 12:  ABA announces three new members to its 2010-2012 Board of Directors.  Click here for the full press release.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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New rules on changes to benefits
As reported in the
BeneCo of Wisconsin HR Source newsletter June 30:  The White House on Monday will issue new rules that strongly discourage employers from cutting health insurance benefits or increasing the costs of coverage to employees, administration officials say.

Click here for more information on this topic.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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UPCOMING EVENTS
Registration is open for IBIE
This Sept. 26-29, the industry is coming together for the largest baking event of the year.  Back in Las Vegas for 2010, the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) will offer an exciting new showcase of everything fresh and new.  Get ready for more technology and product innovations; thousands of new resources from around the world; the most robust education program in the industry; new trends and critical industry information; and exciting competitions and demonstrations.  Click here to register for the event.

Have you ever wondered about the history of IBIE?  Click here for a fact sheet about the event.

Did you know that more international participants are expected for IBIE 2010. 
Click here for the full press release on this topic from IBIE's PR team.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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Retail Bakers of America provides upcoming certification test locations
Are you looking to get certified?  RBA has provided their list of certification testing locations.  Some of the opportunities have passed, but there are still a few upcoming.  Contact RBA for all the details!

Click here for the handout.

(Back to Industry Headlines)

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