The raisin harvest is moving quickly and furiously in the San Joaquin Valley of California, as growers reap the benefits of a near-perfect growing season. And while the corn crop, slashed by the searing summer drought, may be the lowest in six years and the soybean crop is the lowest in nine years, government forecasts indicate that there could be more corn than expected.

“Bakery and Snacks–Market Assessment 2012,”, a report released in August by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), details current bakery and snack trends impacting original equipment manufacturers and their customers.

The three UN food agencies urged governments to take quick action to curb the rising prices of corn, wheat and soybeans and avoid a repeat of the 2007-2008 food crises. The sharp rise in food prices in recent months could make life even more difficult for tens of millions of people, especially those in poor countries, warn the heads of the UN World Food Program, FAO and International Fund for Agriculture Development. A prolonged drought in the U.S., the top exporter of corn, wheat and soybeans, has helped drive up commodity prices.

Though the movement has been slow, in the last few years, Mexico has begrudgingly earned the respect of Italy or France as a destination for the world's foodies. It’s a great model for the new global trend to cook ‘paleo,’ and eat local.

The food and beverage industry had about 135 companies represented on this year's Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing, privately-held U.S. companies according to percentage revenue growth from 2008 to 2011.

Snack maker Bachman Co. says it has sold its brands and certain assets to Utz Quality Foods Inc., Hanover, Pa. Also part of the sale are distribution rights to the Bachman, Jax, Thin'n Right and Chipitos brands and a plant in Ephrata, Pa.

Wind Point partners with former Sara Lee–North America CEO to acquire the largest producer of private-label salty snacks in North America.

Tiger Group analysts point to trends that impact values in manufacturing, retailing and foodservice sectors in a new article for commercial finance magazine.

Much of the Midwestern U.S. is still suffering from one of the worst droughts in decades. Serious damage has been inflicted upon the corn and soybean crops, producing record-high prices for corn and soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade.