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NATICK, Mass. - Food and other grocery-related product segments were the clear leaders in sales growth for BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. in September, the company said yesterday.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Raley's, based here, has received the Food Marketing Institute's 2004 Maximizing People Potential Award in recognition of the company's comprehensive "Store Director Readiness Program." The award is given annually to a retailer or wholesaler that develops an initiative that enhances employee performance or results in the achievement of a key business goal.

WASHINGTON - A comprehensive national response is needed to address childhood obesity in the United States, members of Congress were told on Tuesday during a hearing by the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee.

LOS ANGELES - As part of its strategy to become the nation's leading supplier of low-carb foods and beverages, Sunset Brands, Inc. yesterday announced it has completed the acquisition of Vancouver, Wash.-based Low Carb Creations, Inc., one of the nation's premier low-carb food manufacturers.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market, known for its selection of organics and other healthy fare, yesterday announced the opening of the Whole Foods Market Gluten-Free Bakehouse, the company's first dedicated gluten-free baking facility.

OAKLAND, Calif. - TransFair USA, an independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products, Friday kicked off its first annual Fair Trade Month celebration, a month-long event that includes participation by hundreds of supermarkets.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Don't mistake U.S. consumers' willingness to try something new as a trend, because Americans are slow to make lasting change, said Harry Balzer, v.p. of NPD Group, during a keynote address to attendees of last week's American Meat Institute's 2004 Annual Convention & Innovation Showcase, held here.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Fresh Del Monte Produce, one of the world's biggest producers and marketers of fresh fruit and vegetables, said Friday it had completed its $340 million cash purchase of Del Monte Foods Europe.