Europe shares down, led by oil ahead ECB, U.S. data

* FTSEurofirst 300 down 1.0 pct; losses almost across board

* Food & beverages buck trend; Diageo top blue-chip gainer

* Markets waiting for U.S. jobs data, ECB

By Peter Starck

FRANKFURT, July 2 (Reuters) - European shares fell on a broad front by midday on Thursday, with food and beverage stocks the key exception, led by Diageo (DGE.L: Quote, Profile, Research), as investors awaited U.S. jobs data and policy news from the European Central Bank.

The ECB's rate decision is due at 1145 GMT and bank President Jean-Claude Trichet's news conference starts at 1230 GMT. All but one of 82 economists polled by Reuters believe the ECB's key refi rate will stay at 1.0 percent. [ID:nL2512532]

By 1100 GMT, the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index was down 1.0 percent at 856.92 points, having risen 1.8 percent on Wednesday.

After a steep rise since early March, the European benchmark index has traded choppily in a narrow range since mid-June, as has the U.S. S&P 500 index .SPX.

"New impulses will come to the market once more evidence on the strength and durability of the economic recovery is visible, which may take some time before it will be convincing for investors," UniCredit said in an equity strategy note.