uAmazon Now Delivering Farmers Market Produce To Your Doorr

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• Between Prime Pantry, Amazon Fresh and Seattle’s new Prime Now alcohol delivery, you never have to leave your house to restock the pantry. That is unless you want fresh produce grown by local farmers. Well, it appears that Amazon has that covered for you now, too.

  The Los Angeles Times reports that the e-commerce giant is testing what it calls Farmers Market Direct in certain areas of Southern California.

  The program – which is a partnership with Fresh Nation, a company that connects farmers and vendors with consumers – is advertised as delivering baskets of fresh produce to consumers just hours after its been harvested.

  Customers can choose either small or large deliveries of fresh vegetables, fruits, or a combination through the Farmers Market Direct page.

  However, there isn’t someone with Amazon simply walking the fields of local farms to complete deliveries. Instead, the produce is chosen by “providers who attend local farmers markets in neighborhoods each day of the week to source the freshest, tastiest, most nutritional seasonal produce.”

  Delivery of the produce isn’t instantaneous, either. The Amazon Farmers Market Direct order page says that a provider will contact the customer within one business day to confirm the purchase. The company then sends an email the day before drop-off, providing a three-hour delivery window.

  Tony Lee, the founder of Fresh Nation, came up with the idea to deliver fresh produce after managing a farmers market in Connecticut.

  “Because farmers markets are only open for a few hours a week, there wasn’t enough time for people who want fresh local food to get it,” he says. “Making fresh local food more available to more people on the one hand and on the other bringing more business to these small farmers and food producers — that’s our mission.”

  Lee created a database of farmers markets from across the country, organized a supply chain and ran small tests of deliveries before approaching Amazon about a partnership.

  “The idea is that we’re benefiting the vendors, never cannibalizing their sales,” Lee tells the L.A. Times. “We never want to take sales away from them that they would have gotten through farmers markets. When they sell to us, it’s extra sales.”

  For now deliveries are being made on a trial basis, but the L.A. Times reports the model could rollout nationwide in the near future.

  Amazon is testing farmers market produce delivery [The Los Angeles Times]

  
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by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

uNo Buzzkill Here: Legal Marijuana Not Affecting Alcohol Sales (So Far)r

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  (Ryan Dearth)

  As the first states moved toward the legalization of marijuana, some in the booze business were concerned that having easier, legal access to pot would somehow encroach on alcohol sales. But in Colorado, where marijuana has been legal since the beginning of 2014, consumers are not giving up their wine and beer in favor of weed.

  The Guardian points to the fact that Colorado’s tax revenue from alcohol has continued to grow in the year and a half since legalization. For the fiscal year 2015, alcohol excise taxes were up a total of 2.1% (the same increase as FY 2014), led by a 2.9% increase in tax revenue from distilled spirits.

  At the same time, Colorado brought in more than $102 million in taxes and fees from marijuana for the year ending in May 2015, nearly triple the $34.85 million it raked in during the first fiscal year in which pot was legalized in the state.

  Some alcohol companies have expressed concerns that consumers would choose marijuana over their alcohol of choice, and have been worried about the possible financial implications of legalization in additional states — or even nationwide.

  On the flip side of that coin is the theory that increased access to marijuana will lead to more consumption of alcohol.

  But the Colorado numbers seem to indicate that people in the state are drinking just as much as they were before legalization. One craft brewer in the state tells the Guardian that he doesn’t “think people are doubling down in one category or the other,” and that he’s seen “no demonstrable impact at all in terms of sales.”

  This all comes with the caveat that we’re talking about less than two full years of data from only one state. It will be some time before we see whether those pre-legalization concerns were unwarranted, or if consumers are indeed making a choice of pot over alcohol.

  
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by Chris Morran via Consumerist

uMcDonald’s Will Serve Pumpkin Spiced Latte In Only 38% Of Restaurantsr

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  (Eva A.)
  

  If you seek pumpkin-flavored food items in as many venues as possible, we have some bad news: only 38% of McDonald’s outlets plan to offer the chain’s pumpkin spiced latte (not to be confused with the pumpkin spice latte served elsewhere) this fall and winter, as part of a plan of rotating regional offerings and limited-time offerings.

  It might sound strange that a fast-food restaurant that built its empire by being the same everywhere hopes to save itself from falling sales by changing what it offers in different places. Their goal seems to be to create buzz for their products by offering them for limited periods and rotating them through different regions. Even the McRib didn’t appear on every menu nationwide the last time it was available.

  Some areas also get their very own products that aren’t offered in other places: New England had the McLobster this summer, for example. While you might think that New England can keep the McLobster, knowing that it’s a limited-time offering in only one region increases the novelty. Maybe people will come try it just so they can brag that they did.

  Back in 2013, the pumpkin spiced latte was available in every restaurant, but limiting its availability solves another problem for McDonald’s: franchisees are unhappy with the sprawling menu and want to pare it down. Adding more sandwiches and latte flavors is the opposite of that, so limiting the number of special menu items that any restaurant has to deal with at any given time is an improvement over throwing every limited-time item on the menu at every restaurant nationwide.

  McDonald’s Regional Strategy Means You May Not Get Pumpkin Latte [Bloomberg]

  
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by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

uCEO Of Frisch’s Big Boy Planning Expansion, New Restaurant Designs To Attract Younger Customersr

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  (Tobyotter)

  When’s the last time you went to a Frisch’s Big Boy? Can’t remember, or maybe you don’t have one nearby? The chain’s new boss wants to change that, and is pushing to expand to more franchise locations in the U.S., as well as retool the restaurants to bring in the younger set. You know the word, starts with an “m” and rhymes with “shmillennials.”

  NRD Capital took over Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants last week after shareholders approved a $175 million acquisition, marking the first time in the chain’s history that it won’t be under family ownership. NRD’s head honcho and interim Frische’s CEO Aziz Hashim says that while the brand has been profitable, it can benefit from a few changes.

  Our primary goal is to make sure our existing customer is totally taken care of,” Hashim told the Associated Press. “So, no plan to alienate our current customer base; we want to actually make it better for them. At the same time, we want to make an effort to drive some new customers.”

  Some of the changes will include adding appetizers and shareable plates to the menu, as well as possibly chili cheese fries, buffalo wings and other “classic American” items. New beverage options and things like signature drinks could also appear on the menu. New franchised restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee that will likely be smaller and be of different designs than the current Frisch’s restaurants. Right now, 26 of Frisch’s 121 Frisch’s restaurants are run by franchisees.

  There is also a special plan in the works just for the millennial set, dubbed “Frisch’s Big Boy 2.0.”

  Though lifelong fans might be apprehensive of big changes, Hashim says they have nothing to worry about.

  “We bought the brand because of what it is today,” he said.

  New boss of Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants plans expansion [Associated Press]

  
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by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

uBroadcasters Association Sues FCC Over Cable Competition Rulesr

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  (DCvision2006)

  Under federal law, a city can regulate cable TV rates for its residents if there is not “effective competition” in that market — that is, if one cable operator dominated the TV landscape in that area. But the Federal Communications Commission recently revised its way of looking at things so that it now presumes that satellite providers offer effective competition for the cable industry. This change hasn’t gone over well with broadcasters, who have petitioned a federal appeals court to challenge the FCC.

  Let’s go back to 1992, when Congress passed the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act. The law allows for cities — or any other body that authorizes local pay-TV franchises — to regulate cable TV rates if they can show that there is a lack of competition.

  In the decades since, the FCC had granted rate regulation authority to various governments and agencies around the country who had been able to demonstrate that the local cable TV company was the only game in town.

  Then in late 2014, when Congress reauthorized legislation that allows satellites to rebroadcast TV signals, it also directed the FCC “to establish a streamlined process for filing of an effective competition petition… for small cable operators, particularly those who serve primarily rural areas.”

  The FCC took that direction and truly simplified the process. A new rule [PDF] issued in July 2015, presumes that satellite TV services offer effective competition in every market. This change shifts the burden of demonstrating effective competition from the shoulders of the cable companies and onto the local franchise authorities.

  And because of this presumption of competition, the FCC determined that all existing rate-regulation jurisdictions would expire within 90 days if the affected franchise authorities did not file new requests for certification.

  On Friday, the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, and the Northern Dakota County (Minnesota) Cable Communications Commission filed a joint petition [PDF] with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, alleging that the FCC Order is “arbitrary” and “capricious.”

  The franchising authority from Minnesota is the most directly impacted of the three petitioners as it is one of the franchises whose rate-regulation certification may be terminated because of the change.

  In a blog post explaining their side of the lawsuit, the NAB contends that “By deeming the nation effectively competitive, the FCC stripped from local franchise authorities across the country their longstanding roles as cops on the beat. Without the power to protect consumers, local authorities are being pushed aside to allow for higher cable prices – especially for basic cable service – more mysterious fees, higher equipment costs, and the potential disintegration of the basic tier of service.”

  
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by Chris Morran via Consumerist

uSubway Hoping A New Look Will Help Turn Things Around In 2016r

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  (Mandy Jansen)

  Even before the public face of Subway became embroiled in a child pornography scandal, the nation’s largest fast food chain was facing sagging sales and concerns from franchisees about management. The company is now hoping a new look and refreshed menu can help put Subway back on track.
  

  Citing people close to the matter, The New York Post reports that Subway plans to reveal a rebranding effort in 2016.

  The 50-year-old Connecticut-based chain is reportedly considering redesigning the look of not only its stores and employee uniforms but its ever-changing menu.

  While a spokesperson for the company says it is taking a “multifaceted” approach to improving operations, they offered few details other than to note Subway would offer staff training and new products.

  The rebranding comes as the company has faced several setbacks in recent years.

  According to the most recent QSR 50 report, which compares growth and sales at the nation’s largest fast-food companies, Subway has some 27,000 locations (all franchisee-owned), by far the most stores of any chain.

  At the same time, its $475,000 per-store earnings were the second-worst in the report.

   

  In addition to less-than-stellar sales, the company has had to deal with its fair share of controversy.

  Most recently, longtime Subway spokesman Jared Fogel entered guilty pleas on child porn-related charges. The company had already suspended its relationship with Fogel during the criminal investigation.

  Back in 2014, Subway faced backlash after a report showed that it used Azodicarbonamide – a chemical that is used to improve elasticity in bread but that also shows up in things like yoga mats – in its breads.

  The company quickly announced it would stop using the chemical, and in June 2015 pledged to remove all artificial ingredients from its menu by 2017.

  Subway preparing ‘multifaceted’ facelift amid slumping sales [The New York Post]

  
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by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

uQuickie Las Vegas Wedding Industry Just Isn’t Pulling In Couples Like It Used Tor

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  (funny strange or funny ha ha)

  While running off to Sin City to get married by an Elvis impersonator used to evoke a certain spontaneous glamor and excitement, Las Vegas wedding chapels are more likely to be lonesome tonight than they have in the past, as those in the industry say quickie wedding customers just aren’t crowding their doors anymore.

  The number of Vegas weddings has been dropping over the last decade: In 2014 there were 128,000 Vegas weddings, while this year there were only 81,000, reports the AFP. This, despite the fact that Clark County’s marriage license office is open until midnight every day, even on holidays.

  “The wedding business here in Las Vegas has fallen off since 2004. We haven’t had ups and downs, and ups and downs — it’s just been a consistent drop every year,” says the pastor at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. “You know, people don’t have as much money anymore because the economy here isn’t that good.”

  Kitschy and quick used to be the height of cool — from Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in the 1950s to Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie, or Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman somewhat more recently. And who could forget Britney Spears’ 55-hour wedding to whatsisface? Yes, we remember those people, but nowadays, we don’t really want to get married like them. Many of those Sin City celebrity unions didn’t end up lasting long, taking the shine off a quickie, kitschy Vegas wedding even more.

  That, and movies like The Hangover — a madcap bro comedy involving multiple levels of intoxication with various substances and wildly impossible scenarios involving improbable characters and also Mike Tyson — which you might think would add to the city’s appeal for fans of Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and the gang, have given the city a wild reputation, one Clark County clerk told the AFP.

  “One of the misconceptions over the past few years is that people only come here when they are drunk and they get married last-minute, and that’s just not true. That makes great movies but that’s just not true,” says Goya.

  It’s not all bad news for you Elvis impersonators out there: Las Vegas is still the No. 1 destination for weddings in the U.S., and now that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide, it could see even more customers flocking to those quickie chapels.

  To lure couples (and their money) back to the city, Las Vegas is launching a publicity campaign to put the shine back on the apple, with a focus on tourists coming in from out of the country. It could be a tough fight though, considering to make a splash in the wedding world these days you need to plan an elaborate song-and-dance worthy of a viral video, or at the very least, get hitched in the frozen food section at Costco.

  Wedding bells growing quieter in Las Vegas [AFP]

  
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by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist