Sustainability

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for its 2003 Energy Star Awards, which recognize organizations that demonstrate leadership in energy management.

CAIRO, Egypt - Under fire from activists, The Coca-Cola Co. announced Thursday it was joining with its bottlers in Africa to extend AIDS health care coverage, including access to expensive drugs, to tens of thousands of workers, The Associated Press reports.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Lowes Foods has been honored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts to reduce energy consumption.

SAN FRANCISCO - About 200 restaurants, grocers and seafood distributors pledged Wednesday not to buy, serve or sell fish created by biotechnology, joining some environmental groups and fishermen in opposing genetically engineered seafood, The Associated Press reports.

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Enerwise Global Technologies announced that Food Lion has expanded its existing agreement with Enerwise to include the implementation of advanced energy management products and services at 20 additional Food Lion stores

PORTLAND, Ore. - Kroger division Fred Meyer and Green Mountain Coffee have joined forces to offer customers what they claim is the largest selection of Fair Trade and organic certified coffees of any major grocery retailer in the United States.

ATLANTA - As consumer concern grows about how food-producing animals are treated, retailers are looking for ways to show they're interested, too. A new certification logo from Atlanta-based United Egg Producers may help.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. on Wednesday announced it has been named "National Retailer of the Year" by America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization.