In Short

Microsoft founder Bill Gates is throwing his considerable financial clout behind efforts to develop rust-resistant varieties of wheat. Gates and his wife, Melinda, have given Cornell University in the US a grant of $26.6 million (£13m) to screen for rust at facilities in Kenya and Ethiopia and help track the spread of new variants of rust. The UG99 strain, which originated in Uganda in 1999, has now spread as far as Iran.

Hain gets Daily Bread

The New York-based Hain Celestial Group has acquired Daily Bread, the UK-based producer of branded freshly prepared products for foodservice. Daily Bread, which generated sales of around £12 million last year, is an accredited supplier to Buckingham Palace, museums and sporting venues.

Hiestand on the up

Hiestand, the Swiss baker in which IAWS holds a 32% stake, has revealed a 31% increase in profits and sales growth of 44% in 2007. The company's results were boosted by the operations of German baguette maker Fricopan, which it bought in 2006.

Greggs expands

Greggs has invested £150,000 and created 10 new jobs in opening a new shop on the Fieldhead Business Park at Listerhills in Bradford. It will provide nearby businesses with a range of food and drink. The company now has a network of seven shops around the city.

Myers takes flight

Myers Bakery, a family-owned business in Lincolnshire, has landed a one-year contract to supply 600 of its fruity plum loaves to inflight caterer Gate Gourmet, which provides food served on British Airways flights. Cabin crews will be briefed on the origins and ingredients of the plum loaf.

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