Organic Products

The maker of organic food and beverages was raised to "outperform" from "sector perform" at RBC Capital Markets, with a 12-month price estimate of $37 a share. The company, based in Melville, N.Y., is a natural and organic products company with numerous brands, including Celestial Seasonings.

The maker of organic food and beverages was raised to "outperform" from "sector perform" at RBC Capital Markets, with a 12-month price estimate of $37 a share. The company, based in Melville, N.Y., is a natural and organic products company with numerous brands, including Celestial Seasonings.

Savin Hill Supply is a cute-as-a-button food shop that fills a definite neighborhood need. Owner Kristine Hoag, a Savin Hill resident since 1988, was tired of traveling to the South End or Beacon Hill for good bread, New England cheeses, and other local and organic products. Her solution was to set up shop in this tiny storefront and offer those goods to her neighbors. The small but well-curated collection includes Maple’s gelato from Maine, bread from Roslindale’s Fornax Bread Co., spreadable fruit from Deborah’s Kitchen in Littleton, and a really nice selection of cheeses, pickles, condiments,...

Savin Hill Supply is a cute-as-a-button food shop that fills a definite neighborhood need. Owner Kristine Hoag, a Savin Hill resident since 1988, was tired of traveling to the South End or Beacon Hill for good bread, New England cheeses, and other local and organic products. Her solution was to set up shop in this tiny storefront and offer those goods to her neighbors. The small but well-curated collection includes Maple’s gelato from Maine, bread from Roslindale’s Fornax Bread Co., spreadable fruit from Deborah’s Kitchen in Littleton, and a really nice selection of cheeses, pickles, condiments,...

CHICAGO - The rotten economy is eating into sales of organic foods. Sales figures show that shoppers are having second thoughts about the value of often costly organic foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and meats. Overall sales of organic food are still rising, though the industry's robust growth of recent decades is tapering off, analysts said. Cassie Green, owner of Green Grocer Chicago, says her sales have been flat recently, following a period of steady growth when the store opened in January.

QUINCY -- Tara Withington, with her two young sons in tow, combs the aisles of Hannaford Bros. Co. supermarket for what she deems healthy enough to feed her family. Besides reading ingredients and studying her fruit for bruises, Withington says she needs a guarantee the organic foods she buys are kept far, far away from the store's conventional products. "I need to know it's natural and I'm not giving them chemicals," said Withington, 33, of Milton. "I'm trying to keep them healthy, and this reassures me that they are not coming into contact with anything I don't want them to. "...

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The neighborhood in New York known as DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is dense with warehouses and industrial buildings converted into artist lofts, luxury condos, upscale boutiques, furniture and accessory stores, funky bars, and mix-priced restaurants. On a recent evening we discovered Superfine, an affordable and lively bar and restaurant located directly below Brooklyn’s entrance ramp to the bridge. The interior is industrial crossed with hipster-chic, with exposed brick walls, a sunken bar illuminated by dangling strands...

The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund has received a $231,000 grant to help create jobs. The grant is from the Create Jobs for USA Fund, which is a collaboration between Starbucks and the Opportunity Finance Network, a group of lenders. The Create Jobs campaign has helped small businesses in the past like Rustic Crust in Pittsfield. Owner Brad Sterl needed financing to expand his business but was turned down by traditional lenders. A loan helped Sterl get his organic pizza products into more stores and create nearly 20 new jobs.

NEW YORK - Investors ate up shares of pasta maker Annie's Inc., which on Wednesday had the biggest opening day gain for an IPO this year. It's the latest sign of the popularity of natural and organic foods. The shares soared 89 percent to close at $35.92. Best known for its macaroni and cheese with pasta shaped like rabbits, Annie's makes about 125 organic and natural food products. Its focus is catering to "gatekeeper moms," who are willing to spend 25 to 30 percent more for a healthier alternative to staples.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. - Five minutes into a tour of his flagship grocery store, Danny Wegman has already wolfed down a berry tart, cherry walnut sourdough bread topped with havarti cheese, white frosted cake, and cauliflower curry. Wegman, whose namesake supermarket company has won a pile of customer service and best-workplace honors, is known to have a weakness for the product samples his stores feature. His appetite for competition is similarly voracious. The New York chain, with 78 stores in five states, will open its first market next Sunday in Massachusetts, a food...

CHICAGO - The rotten economy is eating into sales of organic foods. Sales figures show that shoppers are having second thoughts about the value of often costly organic foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and meats. Overall sales of organic food are still rising, though the industry's robust growth of recent decades is tapering off, analysts said. Cassie Green, owner of Green Grocer Chicago, says her sales have been flat recently, following a period of steady growth when the store opened in January.

QUINCY -- Tara Withington, with her two young sons in tow, combs the aisles of Hannaford Bros. Co. supermarket for what she deems healthy enough to feed her family. Besides reading ingredients and studying her fruit for bruises, Withington says she needs a guarantee the organic foods she buys are kept far, far away from the store's conventional products. "I need to know it's natural and I'm not giving them chemicals," said Withington, 33, of Milton. "I'm trying to keep them healthy, and this reassures me that they are not coming into contact with anything I don't want them to. "...

RUTLAND, Vt. -- Dairy farmers across Vermont are preparing for what is expected to be a steep drop in prices this summer. A previous federal price-support system designed to help farmers cushion the blow of low prices has expired, and the new system isn't as generous. Farmers are also being hit by high prices for fuel and fertilizer at a time when milk supplies are swelling. Specialists expect the number of dairy farms in Vermont will continue to decline as more farmers are unable to make ends meet.

EAST FALMOUTH - We've all heard stories about family farms turned into housing subdivisions. Here's a twist: In 1985 some 20 acres on Hatchville Road were slated for 27 homes. Ron and Roxanna Smolowitz bought the property and instead of houses established working farm. They opened it to the public in 1989. Coonamessett Farm is a popular stop for local families and summer tourists. Visitors can select garden plants, pick their own vegetables and berries, see farm animals up close, canoe or kayak on the farm's pond, and participate in activities such as vegetarian buffets and...