coca-cola

When the Vancouver Games commence next Friday, Coca-Cola is aiming for its own gold medal of sorts: its first zero-waste, carbon-neutral Olympics sponsorship. The beverage giant hopes to take sustainable event planning to a new level with drink bottles made from 30 percent plant-based materials, delivered by hybrid cars and electric carts to cafés decked out in furniture that's made from pine-beetle-salvaged wood.

Staff uniforms and welcome bags will be made out of recycled bottles, coolers will be equipped with clean technology, and the company is purchasing carbon offsets to compensate for air travel and on-site transportation. I got my first glimpse into event sustainability at last year's SF Chefs. Food. Wine., but doing so at Olympic proportions takes another level of commitment entirely. I hope other food and beverage sponsors take note. Are you surprised by Coca-Cola's commitment to sustainability?

This holiday season, Costco shoppers can breathe a collective sigh of relief: Coca-Cola products will be back on shelves Monday. Last month, after a surprisingly public pricing squabble with the world's largest soft drink maker, the wholesale club stopped ordering Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dasani, VitaminWater, Fresca, Odwalla, and all other Coca-Cola beverages from stores nationwide.

"Our sign that we had in stores everywhere basically said it all — 'Until we can provide our members with these products at competitive prices and provide our members with value, we are not prepared to sell it,'" Costco CFO Richard Galanti said. "We're now going to sell it."

Considering Costco's market influence, I knew there would be a quick resolution, and I'm glad it has come in time for most of the month's holiday parties. Are you excited to hear that Coke will be back on Costco shelves?

Source: Flickr User paulswansen

If you weren't able to locate a case of Coke on your last trip to Costco, don't worry — you aren't going crazy. Yesterday, the wholesale club confirmed that it is no longer carrying Coca-Cola products in stores nationwide.

The Washington-based wholesaler is currently in the middle of a dispute with the Coca-Cola Co. Although neither would comment on the matter further, the world's largest soft drink maker said that it was involved in "ongoing negotiations" with the store.

Considering Costco is the fifth largest general retailer in the United States, I'm predicting a resolution soon. But in the meantime, customers will simply have to shop elsewhere to get their Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dasani, VitaminWater, Fresca, Minute Maid, and Odwalla fills (among others). Will you be forced to stock up on soft drinks elsewhere?

Coca-Cola is giving consumers even more ways to manage their calories with the introduction of its new 7.5 oz. mini can. The 90-calorie can will be released in select East Coast cities this December, with a nationwide rollout set for 2010.

“As the world’s largest beverage company, we take seriously the need to help consumers balance calories consumed with calories expended,” said Sandy Douglas, president, Coca-Cola North America. “The Coca-Cola mini can innovation reinforces the Company’s support for healthy, active lifestyles.”

This announcement is coming on the heels of the company's move to put calorie information of the front of all its packaging. They've also partnered with Healthy Weight Commitment, a group of retailers and food manufacturers committed to reducing obesity in America.

By all accounts it sounds like the soda giant is becoming quite concerned over the nation's growing waistline and its contribution to it. But some argue the company is trying to skirt the impending soda tax. Don't be fooled by the small packaging, the recipe remains unchanged and is still filled with HFCS, but may be a good option for consumers who keep tabs on calories.

Coca-Cola will also be offering the mini cans in Sprite, Fanta Orange, Cherry Coca-Cola and Barq's Root Beer.

• 21 desserts that celebrate Fall. — Bon Appétit
• Why are doctors selling out to Coke?— The Atlantic
• Learn how to paint your kitchen. — The Amateur Gourmet
• Scenes from the 2009 Los Angeles Chocolate Salon. — Daily Dish
• Andrew Carmellini was crowned the Meatball King at the New York Wine and Food Festival. — Grub Street NY
• Scary or practical? Coasters that detect if a drink is spiked with date-rape drugs. — Eat Me Daily
• Ferran Adria is rumored to be opening a restaurant outside of Spain. — Eater
• Taco Bell is currently testing cupcakes and smoothies.— OC Register

Milan's 2010 Spring Fashion Week just came to a close, and in addition to revealing their latest collections, Italy's premiere fashion houses also partnered with Coca-Cola to raise funds for earthquake victims in Abruzzo, Italy.

Female designers Donatella Versace, Alberta Ferretti, Angela Missoni, Anna Molinari for Blumarine, Veronica Etro, Silvia Venturini for Fendi, Consuelo Castiglioni for Marni, and Rossella Jardini for Moschino dressed up Coca-Cola Light's trademark clear bottle for sale at an auction during Milan's "Tribute to Fashion" show.

I like them all, but my hands-down favorite is the iconic woven Missoni design, followed closely by the Moschino milk parody and Blumarine's flirty fruit pattern. To see each bottle, read more.

I'm with the majority: I love barbecue sauce. Not just any barbecue sauce, but homemade finger-licking good barbecue sauce. Every Summer, I end up making some random recipe and become totally obsessed with it. Last year I was all about Barefoot Contessa's simple sauce and the Summer before I was crazy for Everyday Food's recipe. Currently, I can't get enough of Steven Raichlen's coca-cola barbecue sauce.It's easy to make and tastes divine. Although there is no vinegar in the ingredient list, the sauce has a delightful tanginess and rich thickness. Liquid smoke provides a depth of flavor. If you're a fan of this style of slightly sweet and piquant (it's not spicy) barbecue sauce I highly recommend you make it. Seriously it only takes 10 minutes. Learn how it's done now.