Around Business

NEW YORK -- Parents of preemies often complain of the difficulties in finding products to meet the special needs of their children, ranging from small-sized clothes that can accommodate wires from life-support machines to tiny bottles to fortified formula. \nBut as the number of premature children in the United States continues to rise, businesses including hospitals, magazines and clothing manufacturers are stepping up with products and services to fill the demand.\nThe number of children born premature-- before the 37th week of pregnancy -- has been rising annually since 1981 in all but two years, according to the March of Dimes. In 2003, the most recent numbers available, 12.3 percent of children -- 499,008 infants -- were born prematurely.\nPreemies often require medical care such as feeding tubes, ventilators and oxygen monitors that mean staying in the hospital in special neonatal intensive care units. Many hospitals are either adding or expanding such units to satisfy the need.\nDeb Discenza had no idea where to turn for products and advice when her daughter Becky arrived 10 weeks early in 2003 with numerous health problems that required her to spend 38 days in the NICU. That's why she started Preemie Magazine, a publication dedicated to providing information on children who arrive early. It debuted over the summer and a second issue came out this fall.\nOther businesses that are venturing into the preemie market aren't starting from scratch. Some clothing lines have expanded into the preemie market because they have had requests from clients. Kushies Baby Inc. of Stoney Creek, Canada started a preemie clothing line this fall after seeing demand from the retailers it serves -- mostly specialty boutiques and better department stores.\n

McDonald's to sell organic coffee in New England

\nMONTPELIER, Vt. -- McDonald's Corp. will begin selling organic coffee at its New England restaurants next month, an arrangement that could propel growth for the Vermont-based roaster and help the fast-food chain compete for customers who avoid the Golden Arches in favor of a better cup of joe.\nThe deal calls for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., based in Waterbury, Vt., to supply Newman's Own Organics blend coffee to more than 650 McDonald's restaurants in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and in the Albany, N.Y., region.\nGreen Mountain Coffee earlier entered a separate deal to purchase beans, roast them and package them for Newman's Own. The coffee is certified as Fair Trade, a moniker that assures the beans are produced by farmers who are guaranteed a minimum wage for their harvests and are encouraged to practice organic and sustainable cultivation.