Frozen Foods

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The nation's food banks increasingly rely on food retailer contributions to address growing hunger needs, according to a new study from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI).

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Continuing to seek the silver lining among the dark clouds of natural disasters this past season, Wal-Mart said yesterday it will open its first "Wal-Mart Express" store in Waveland, Miss. this weekend, to serve shoppers who live near the site of its damaged supercenter. Wal-Mart called the 57,000-square-foot concept a "prototype," implying that there are more to come.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- As part of its push to up the quality of its offerings, Wal-Mart has begun to carry certified Wild American Shrimp in nearly 900 locations.

READING, Pa. -- Redner's yesterday opened a 52,000-square-foot Warehouse Market at the Whitehall Square Shopping Center in Whitehall, Pa. The new site marks the Mid-Atlantic Grocer's fourth location in Lehigh County.

LAUREL, Md. -- Shoppers Food & Pharmacy will open its newest store here on Dec. 4. The 67,800-square-foot location will be the grocery retailer's 15th location in Prince George's County and 62nd location in the mid-Atlantic area, as well as the grocer's second store in Laurel this year.

Want the skinny on the changing face of category management in the field? Ask a food broker.

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Aiming to help families -- especially those who are culinary- or time-challenged -- gather at home and share a festive meal, Food Lion here is offering store-cooked dinners, including turkey, dressing and all of the fixings.

CHICAGO --It looks like consumers are demanding even more robust convenience-based products than ever, with attributes such as better nutritional benefits, according to a study released yesterday by Information Resources, Inc. (IRI).