Center Store

PITTSBURGH - Giant Eagle, Inc. is in the process of introducing an expanded line of branded products in additional categories, including specialty Mediterranean and natural and organic foods, and a new Valu Time line of products storewide.

PITTSBURGH - Federal investigators say there is no "smoking gun" in their ongoing search for the cause of a salmonellosis outbreak linked to Roma tomatoes that were served at Sheetz convenience stores, according to published reports.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Taking another step in its asset rationalization plan, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. has sold its Dixie Packers manufacturing facility in Madison County, Fla., to The Smithfield Packing Co., Inc. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. ¿ Farm Fresh Supermarkets, a Supervalu food retailer with 37 stores, will whoop it up during a three-day consumer food festival and entertainment event called the 25th annual Farm Fresh Extravaganza.

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. ¿ Supermarket and consumer goods marketing veteran Steve Michaelson told Progressive Grocer yesterday that he is set to apply the best practices from brick-and-mortar stars Wegmans and Weis Markets in his new role as president of FreshDirect, one of the nation's leading online fresh food manufacturing and delivery services.

PITTSBURGH - H.J. Heinz Co. will open an international research and technical facility in mid-2005 that will be home to the food maker's research and development operations and its quality assurance laboratories.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The sale of Ahold USA's Bruno's and Bi-Lo chains seems to be inching closer, according to published reports.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Save-A-Lot, a discount grocery chain based in St. Louis, opened its first store here today.