Dairy Packaging

Demand for dairy packaging is projected to grow 4.1% annually to $4.3 billion in 2010 according to Dairy Packaging, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. The group says growth will be fueled by increased nutritional awareness among consumers and heightened demand for fresh foods as part of a healthier diet.

Ice Cream Idols

Nestle and Dreyer’s are the first of six new off-air promotional partners with the hit television program American Idol. All off-air partners will pay undisclosed fees for the right to launch marketing campaigns tied to “Idol.”

Bye Bye Eskimo Pie

CoolBrands has continued selling assets to meet demands of a debt restructuring plan. Last month it parted ways with its Eskimo Pie and Chipwich Brands selling them to Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc., for just under $19 million.

So Long Cream of Wheat

Kraft Foods Inc. has agreed to sell its hot cereals business, including the Cream of Wheat brand to a subsidiary of B&G Foods, Inc., for approximately $200 million. Cream of Wheat had net revenues of approximately $60 million in 2006.

Glanbia Divests

Glanbia has sold its 25% interest in the Cheese Company, UK, to majority shareholder Milk Link for around $91 million.