ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. — The Food Institute’s new “Food Business Mergers & Acquisitions 2009” report highlights the most significant transactions of the previous year and forecasts what 2010 may bring with regard to merger and acquisitions activity.

The report offers details and analysis of more than 250 transactions and is organized into 25 categories, including retailers, restaurants and investment banks, among other organizations. Categories highlighted within the report include agricultural cooperatives, brokers, food processors, investment firms and banks, packaging and equipment suppliers, raw product and ingredient suppliers, restaurants, food service distributors and institutional/vending.

In a year that saw enormous acquisitions by the likes of Kraft Foods Inc., Northfield, Ill., and PepsiCo, Inc., Purchase, N.Y., the report analyzes the issues that separated the more aggressive firms from those that adopted a wait-and-see approach.

“Food Business Mergers & Acquisitions 2009” is available from The Food Institute in print or as a PDF download. Contact Sue Antista at (201) 791-5570 or [email protected].