MEDIA RELEASES
RBA Heritage Road Tour - Your Bakery May Be Selected
August 16, 2009
Join two, fourth generation bakery boys as they travel across the southern US, representing the Retail Bakers of America (RBA), visiting member and non-member bakeries, and raising awareness of the local, retail bakery. Gregory and Thomas Reinwald, sons of RBA President, Richard Reinwald, CMB, will attempt to trace the heritage of baking, visiting start-up and older bakeries. Join them as they discover how the baking business has changed - or stayed the same. [full story]
RBA Announces Joe Gibbs as General Session Speaker at 2009 American Retail Bakery Exposition (ARBE)
May 4, 2009
The Retail Bakers of America (RBA) will welcome Joe Gibbs as its ARBE General Session speaker. Gibbs is to speak on Perseverance, Teamwork and Excellence – a fitting topic for the baking industry as it has encountered many obstacles in the last year including a sour economy forcing bakeries in business for hundreds of years to close their doors; explosive price increases on ingredients leading bakeries to raise product prices in an attempt to sell their way out of difficult times; the opening of specialty shops and the convenience of supermarket bakeries creating a great deal of competition within the industry; and generational bakeries seeing an end in sight to the “family owned and operated” business as younger generations seek out new occupations...[full story]
RBA Stimulus Package: Recruit and Earn Cash
May 2, 2009
Current RBA Retail, Allied and Student members are invited to recruit new members to RBA and earn cash prizes for each new member! [full story]
RBA Bakery Member Shows Supports in Red River, North Dakota Flood
March 29, 2009
Peter Fendt, CMB, owner of Quality Pastry Shop in Fargo, ND, has been riding airboats on the Red River, ND helping his community where needed as a result of the recent flood and snow storms. Pete is part of the Valley Water Rescue, who, along with the Coast Guard has assisted the evacuation of people and carried supplies in.... [full story]
Retail Bakers of America Becomes a Partner of the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE)
March 4, 2009
The Retail Bakers of America (RBA) has entered into an agreement with the American Bakers Association (ABA) and the Bakery Equipment Manufacturers Association (BEMA) to support the production of a joint show – the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE). This will bring together three major industry associations and combine their two largest tradeshow events in Las Vegas, September 26-29, 2010...[full story]
Retail Bakers of America Library Finds New Home at Johnson & Wales University
February 16, 2009
The Retail Bakers of America ( RBA ) announces the permanent loan of the RBA Library to Johnson & Wales University Culinary Arts Museum in Providence Library, R.I. The Collection shall be referenced as the Retail Bakers of America Special Collection at the Culinary Arts Museum, Johnson & Wales University...[full story]
Retail Bakers of America Announces 2009 Class of Emeritus Members
February 5, 2009
The Retail Bakers of America (RBA) Board of Directors established the Emeritus Member honor in 2007. The emeritus membership is designed to honor those in the industry who have influenced the association and the industry...[full story]
Retail Bakers, Decorators to Assemble at 2009 American Retail Bakery Exposition
January 15, 2009
Bakers and decorators, along with industry students and educators, will converge October 18-20 for the 2009 American Retail Bakery Exposition at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event will be sponsored by the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and will provide a combination of competitions, demonstrations, business sessions, and trade show. To learn more, visit www.rbanet.com/ARBE2009 or read the [full story].
Retail Bakers Association's National Election Cookie Poll Correctly Projects Sen. Barack Obama as Next U.S. President - Bakeries Accurately Predict Presidential Winner in a Second Consecutive Election Year
November 6, 2008
The Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and participating retail bakeries have concluded the 2008 Presidential Election Cookie Poll, which allowed bakery customers to “vote” for their next President. Voting took place at local bakeries across the country, and weekly totals were submitted to RBA for tallying. National and state totals, along with cookie photos and news articles, were posted to www.rbanet.com/2008cookiepoll.htm...[full story]
Retail Bakers Association National Election Cookie Poll Offers Absentee Voting through Online Ordering
October 12, 2008
The Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and participating retail bakeries are in Week 5 of their 2008 Presidential Election Cookie Poll, representing 24 states and 52 retail bakeries... [full story]
Retail Bakers Association Launches New Online Job Service
September 16, 2008
On September 22, the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) will launch its interactive job board – the RBA Job Center – offering its members and the baking industry at large an easy-to-use and highly targeted resource for online employment connections. The launch will take place at RBA's annual convention, the American Bakery Expo in Atlantic City... [full story]
Retail Bakers Association Begins Its National Election Cookie Poll - Democrats are Ahead in Cookie Sales
September 11, 2008
The Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and participating retail bakeries have begun selling 2008 election cookies as part of their national cookie poll campaign. Cookies in the shape of American flags and decorated with the names and cartoon faces of the presidential candidates have started to sell... [full story]
Retail Bakers Association Launches National Election Cookie Poll - Weekly Cookie Sales Could Determine Winner of Presidential Election
September 3, 2008
Retail bakeries through the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) will be participating in a national cookie poll campaign, beginning September 6, to increase community involvement in the United States presidential election... [full story]
Affordable Association Health Insurance Brings More Value and Added Benefits to Members of the Retail Bakers of America
May 29, 2008
RBA is proud to introduce a new partnership with Association Health Programs (RBA/AHP) to help reduce the rising cost of health insurance. The following benefits are nationwide and are offered to RBA members. The programs include health insurance, life insurance, long-term care insurance, cancer coverage, accident insurance, disability income, critical illness, dental insurance, vision, and more... [full story]
Retail Bakers, Decorators to Convene at 2008 American Bakery Expo
May 1, 2008
Atlantic City event includes Cake & Bread Extravaganza, American Bakery Expo;
Phil Lembert scheduled to speak at General Session
Bakers and decorators, along with industry students and educators, will converge September 21-23 at the 2008 American Bakery Expo at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The event will be sponsored by the Retail Bakers of America (RBA), New Jersey Bakers Board of Trade (NJBBT) and the New York State Association of Manufacturing Retail Bakers (NYSAMRB), and will provide a combination of live competitions, demonstrations, sessions and trade show... [full story]
Explosive Price Increases on Commodities Could Determine Future of Retail Bakers
April 30, 2008
RBA Testifies at Joint Economic Committee Hearing Discussing Economic Impact of Increased Food Prices on Retail Bakeries
The Retail Bakers of America testified before the Joint Economic Committee on May 1, 2008, stating that the impact of high food prices has taken a toll on bakery owners, leading them to wonder if they will be able to stay in business or if they will be forced to close their doors... [full story]
Click here for the RBA Testimony, presented by Richard Reinwald, Owner, Reinwald's Bakery and RBA's First Vice President, on "How Are High Food Prices Impacting American Families?" RBA Testimony
Retail Bakers Association Names New President
April 13, 2008
Lynn Schurman, Certified Decorator, Owner Cold Spring Bakery
Lynn Schurman, CD, co-owner of the 62-year-old Cold Spring Bakery in Cold Spring, MN, was appointed President of the Retail Bakers of America at a special installation banquet in St. Paul, Saturday, April 5... [full story]
RBA Partners with CANAINPA
February 27, 2008
The Retail Bakers of America (RBA) has formed a partnership with CANAINPA, the National Chamber of the Bread Industry of Mexico, in an effort to reach more Spanish-speaking bakers in the U.S. RBA’s board of directors approved the proposal at the September board meeting in Las Vegas... [full story]
The Retail Bakers of America’s 8th Annual Creative Decorating Competition Opens its Doors to All RBA Members
February 8, 2008
For the second year in a row, the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) is accepting applications from decorators who do not belong to a RBA affiliate for its annual Creative Decorating Competition. [full release]
INDUSTRY NEWS
Peanut Corporation of America Expands Nationwide Recall of Peanut Products
Lynchburg, Va. (January 28, 2009) – Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) is voluntarily recalling all peanuts and peanut products processed in its Blakely, Georgia facility since Jan. 1, 2007. Previously, PCA announced a recall of peanut butter and peanut paste. PCA sells its products to institutional and industrial users for service in large institutions or for sale and further processing by other companies. PCA does not sell peanuts or peanut products directly to consumers in stores. Click here to read more.
Explosive Price Increases on Commodities Could Determine Future of Retail Bakeries
The Retail Bakers of America testified before the Joint Economic Committee May 1, 2008, stating that the impact of high food prices has taken a toll on bakery owners, leading them to wonder if they will be able to stay in business or if they will be forced to close their doors. Click here to read more.
Read RBA's Testimony, presented by Richard Reinwald, Owner, Reinwald's Bakery and RBA's First Vice President, on "How Are High Food Prices Impacting American Families?"
Read the Newsday article covered prior to RBA's testimony to the Senate.
Bakers Band Together to March on Washington
Last month, the “Band of Bakers,” which included representatives from RBA, met with the newly confirmed Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and senior White House officials. Meetings with key Senators and Representatives were arranged, allowing bakers the opportunity to stress the urgency of the current wheat situation, as well as to ask Congress to realistically reassess the recent infatuation with ethanol production. The recently passed Energy Act calls for even higher ethanol production targets in coming years.
Please click here for a sample letter to write your local congressperson or senator.
RBA Message to Bakery Customers
Many of you have experienced the rising costs in bakery products and the Retail Bakers of America would like to address the reasons behind this. As many of you know from your trips to the supermarket, prices of products in general are rising. Click here for a letter to share with your customers from RBA about the rapidly rising prices increases in commodities.
MEMBER NEWS
Carlo's Bakery, Buddy Valastro, Jr., Hoboken, NJ
March 31, 2009
Buddy competed in the Food Network Challenge "Battle of the Brides" on March 22 and presented a cake to Rachael Ray, March 25, on Good Morning America in honor of her 500th episode. His show, "Cake Boss" will premiere on TLC Sunday, April 19, 9pm EST.
Edibles Incredible Desserts, Alan Furman and Robyn Hanna, Reston, Va.
March 31, 2009
The dessert shop was featured in the magazine, Costco Connection (page 64), a distribution of 7.3 million. One hundred responses were received within 10 days of the article being published!
Lubeley's Bakery Wins Makeover from Pillsbury
Ch. 2 (FOX), St. Louis
February 1, 2009
A St. Louis bakery wins a nation-wide honor and the prize is a make-over and a visit from an American icon. After 70 years in business, Lubeley's Bakery at 7815 Watson Road in Marlborough celebrated the honor and 70 years in business Saturday.
72-year-Old Mom-and-Pop Bakery Wins National Makeover Contest
KSDK.com (NBC), St. Louis
February 1, 2009
The Pillsbury Doughboy may have attracted people initially to Lubeley's Bakery and Deli on Watson, but it's what they bake that keeps customers coming back.
RBA Merchandising Makeover Winner Revealed
KBJR-TV, Ch. 6 (NBC), Duluth, Minn.
September 16, 2008
Johnson's Bakery, Duluth, Minn. wins $5,000 in the Retail Bakers of America's Merchandising Makeover Competition.
A Dozen Hot Tops for Starting a Bakery
TheStreet.com
September 2, 2008
Your cakes win raves from friends. Your pies garner their share of awards. So you're thinking of opening a bakery. Before you risk all to see whether your dream will rise or fall, here are 12 important tips to keep in mind...Mike Kalupa, a 30-year veteran of the baking industry and owner of Kalupa's Bakery in Tampa, Fla., recommends that before printing your label, be sure to have enough funds to carry you through 18-24 months...Edibles Incredible Desserts started with a little kiosk at the local mall selling fudge made from a secret recipe and toffee.
REGULATORY AFFAIRS
Maine Snack Tax
The state of Maine is currently looking at legislative efforts to reinstate a regressive tax on food, similar to the tax that was repealed back in 2000. This food tax is currently being considered as part of the state Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Taxations' tax reform initiative. Specifically targeted are "snack foods" that include pastries, bread sticks, croissants, cakes and pies.
The Retail Bakers of America has joined the Don't Tax Food Coalition of Maine in standing against this tax as the structure of the tax will lead to retailer confusion. Enclosed, please find more information about the Coalition and what it is doing to try and prevent this tax from being passed into law.
The coalition is specifically looking for retailers to join them in Augusta on the morning of Wednesday, April 11th for a grassroots lobbying effort. If you are interested in participating or are looking for more information, please contact the Coalition directly 207-622-1365.
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State Health Departments
