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..::ABOVE THE FOLD::..

... from the saibl Business Forum

The Tourist Verdict is in; South Africa is Safe… What Happens Now?
The World Cup dramatically improved South Africa’s tourism potential, and it may finally present a chance to develop a much greater and more promising South African tourism than in the past. Opportunities abound ... Read More >>>

Websites are Essential for Small Businesses; And They do Not Need to Break the Bank
A website is a necessity in modern business life. Research shows that more and more business people say that they look up companies online ... The fact is, every business from the corner shop to the large corporation needs to have a presence online purely to be seen as being serious about what they do.  Read More >>>

..::FOOD INDUSTRY NEWS::..

For Sandwiches, Size Matters
USA Today
Quickserve chains are adding inches to sandwiches, cheeseburgers and hot dogs in an effort to boost sales. Read More >>>

Now, Chefs Court Farmers for the Best Ingredients
The New York Times
Jonathan Benno is meeting farmers and examining produce for his new restaurant at Lincoln Center.  Read More >>>

Alcohol Profits Up From At-Home Consumption: Mintel
Progressive Grocer
Mintel research has found that more consumers are consuming alcoholic beverages at home instead of in bars or restaurants.  Read More >>>

Frappuccino Fans Propel Starbucks Sales Growth
Seattle Times
Sales of revamped frappuccino drinks helped Starbucks reach revenue-growth levels reminiscent of the coffee chain's heyday half a decade ago. Read More >>>

Study: Americans Are Too Literal About Expiration Dates
Supermarket News
In a survey, 76% of Americans said they consider food unsafe to eat once the expiration date has passed, even if it has not spoiled. Read More >>>

My Grocery Master iPhone Application Locates Food Products for Specialty Diet Needs
Go Dairy Free
The application, “My Grocery Master,” allows users to browse…a database of over 100,000 specialty food products….for Kosher, gluten-free and lactose-free [products]. Read more >>>

Can Honest Tea Say No to Coke, Its Biggest Investor?
The New York Times
Honest Tea makes juices and teas with natural sweeteners, including the pouch drinks Honest Kids. In early 2008, Coca-Cola took a 40 percent interest in the Bethesda, Md.-based company, which had revenue of $47 million last year.  Read More >>>

Report Sees Opportunity in Food and Drinks for Children
CandyIndustry.com
A report from Global Industry Analysts on the global food and beverage market for children predicts total sales will reach almost $90 billion by 2015. The report says the segment has been "largely shielded" from economic woes as parents seek out healthy snacks for their children. Read More >>>

..::WINE NEWS::..

South Africa: Wine Growers Feel Squeeze as Costs Rise
Business Day
The price of wine grapes rose in 2008 but last year farmers had to contend with higher input costs, putting pressure on their profit margins, according to a new industry survey. Read More >>>

Taking Advantage of the Wine Glut
The Wall Street Journal
Amid an oversupply, Cameron Hughes buys top wineries' excess and resells it for bargain prices.  Read More >>>

Blends Mixing Up the Wine World
Herald Tribune
Varietal wines, which have been dominant in the domestic wine industry since the late 1940s, are being challenged from an unlikely source ... Read More >>>

Soccer Brings South Africa's Wine History to Top of Glass
Honolulu Star Adviser
The beauty of South African wines is they are like a blend of Old World and New World styles.  Read More >>>

Wine Time: Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon
The Augusta Chronicle
The wine industry has come a long way from the days when boxes contained nothing but cheap, nondescript wine. Now you can get good wine to pair with good food, and you don't have to pay a lot for it. Read More >>>

Cork, Plastic, or Screwtop? The Cork Industry Tightens the Screws on the Wine Industry
TriplePundit
More wineries are moving towards plastic bottles and aluminum caps and away from cork stoppers. Read More >>>