Most Americans are trying to lose (53 percent) or maintain their weight (25 percent), by changing the amount of food they eat (71 percent); changing the types of foods they eat (65 percent); engaging in physical activity (62 percent); changing how often they eat (44 percent); and counting calories (19 percent).

In a series about ice cream on AARPMagazine.com, Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert has been conducting a survey (still open) on America's favorite flavors and varieties of the cool summertime (or anytime!) treat.

When it comes to all natural and organic foods, consumers are wiser to the differences than most marketers might think and eager to purchase them if the price is right, according to a recent survey conducted by Harrisburg, Pa.-based marketing agency Pavone. More than three-quarters of respondents said they would prefer to purchase organic and all natural goods if comparably priced with other leading brands.

Despite more organic food and beverage products on grocery store shelves, all is not healthy in the world of pesticide-free, additive-free edibles. In fact, Chicago-based Mintel predicts that market growth rates for organic food and drink will decline, especially as the economy struggles.

An incessant desire to eat sweets by children has entrenched biological roots, with new research explaining their preference for sugary foods could be linked to actual physical growth, reports Confectionery News.

If you are as big a fan of AMC’s Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama “Mad Men” as I am, you’ll enjoy participating in Eight O’Clock Coffee’s viral marketing and social media applications.

The third season of the fascinating dark series about advertising in the 60’s will premiere this Sunday. Actual ad campaigns, many of them popular foods and beverages at that time, are incorporated into the crisp writing.

Americans have many choices when it comes to supermarket purchases: store brand, commercial brand, organic, etc. – but what is the cost difference and does it vary across the nation? Industry research firm, IBISWorld, investigated grocery costs in Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago to gauge consumer spending across the U.S. for the average grocery cart.

Private label food products are providing more than just cheap alternatives to national brands, attracting shoppers with premium ingredients, portability, and health benefits, reports Mintel GNDP.

So far in 2009, Mintel GNPD has seen nearly 1,800 new U.S. private label foods appear on retail store shelves, accounting for 27 percent of all food products introduced this year, compared to 13 percent in 2005.

It costs $291,570 to raise a child by the time he or she finishes high school, according to a USDA estimate. It’s no wonder everyone is worried about saving for their college education.

The breakdown is as follows: 32 percent for housing; 16 percent for food (unless you have a ravenous teenage boy); 16 percent for childcare and education and 14 percent for transportation, reports ABC Nightly News.

One day after it failed to achieve a two-thirds majority vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, the Food Safety Enhancement Act (H.R. 2749) was passed on Thursday by a vote of 283-142.