Glanbia is a wholesale food 'solutions' provider, ranging from dairy to whey products that are sold primarily in Ireland, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The company was founded in 1964, is headquartered in Kilkenny, Ireland, and is capatialised just below US$2B. The CEO and chairman have both held their positions for the past decade, while the board together are industry veterans.

The company's recent 2011 half year results make for good reading:

* Excellent results; adjusted EPS up 55%

* Strong organic growth in Global Nutritionals

* First time contribution by BSN (Performance Nutrition), acquired in January

* Positive global dairy market environment; up further on 2010

* Good performance by Dairy Ingredients Ireland

* Strong results across all key financial metrics

Total Group revenue, including Glanbia's share of the revenue of Joint Ventures & Associates, was E1.6 billion for the half year. One such JV, for example, is the 50:50 venture with The Greater South West Agency, producing American style cheese or whey protein for sale in the US & global nutritional markets. Glanbia truly are a globally diversified business having shifted 1.5 billion litres of milk and almost a quarter million tonnes of dairy ingredients to more than 50 countries last year.

The real growth opportunities however come from their large scale dairy business, where the intention is to address a billion new consumers in Asia/Latin America. From my perspective the ever increasing global need for food supplies, especially dairy products in countries unsuited for raring healthy livestock, is compelling. Now, consider this, lifted straight from Wiki (for convenience sake): EU market reform is creating new opportunities for growing milk supply and Ireland has a natural grassland advantage that can be exploited. The abolition of the quota system in April 2015 is the first opportunity to expand milk output since 1984. Expansion is underpinned by growing global demand for dairy products supported by demographics and emerging economies.

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1. Zipcar (NYSE: ZIP): as it was last month, a great recession-friendly business model.

2. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (Nasdaq: CBRL): again, my favourite young activist super-investor, Sardar Biglari has placed his cross-hair on Cracker Barrel. Considering his track history I'm confident he'll unlock shareholder value.

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4. Retail Opportunity Investments (NYSE: ROIC): acquires distressed commercial real estate and turns the properties around, offering industry diversification and strong cash flows.

5. Glanbia (GLAPF.PK): see above.