Frozen Foods

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Scott Poole, v.p./division merchandise manager for Wal-Mart Supercenters, was recently elected chairman of the board for the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) during the trade group's annual membership meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Leveraging its expertise in small-box retailing, produce procurement, and private label marketing, retailer/distributor Supervalu here is bursting onto the growing retail natural and organic foods scene with Sunflower Market, a new value-priced retail concept. The first Sunflower Market is scheduled to open in Indianapolis in January 2006, the company said yesterday at its investor conference.

Wholesalers are using creativity and market-specific touches to help their independents outdesign the chain competition.

PITTSBURGH -- In an ongoing effort to keep the Rollback Man and tactics of other large format retailers at bay, Giant Eagle based here yesterday launched its third round of price cuts, slashing roughly 10 percent off the prices of nearly 3,000 items.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Dole Food Co. based here promoted Javier H. Idrovo to president, Dole Worldwide Packaged Foods, succeeding Peter M. Nolan, who earlier announced his retirement after 13 years with the fresh produce and floral producer and marketer.

CHICAGO -- With gasoline costs soaring and projected to only rise higher, the average U.S. consumer is reconsidering purchasing decisions. So far, some of them are purchasing more CPG products, which bodes well for grocers.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning consumers to avoid eating certain pre-packaged salads made by Dole Food Co., because 11 people here were sickened by a serious food-borne illness linked to the products.

Ephrata, Pa. --- After a series of setbacks and construction-related challenges, Redner's Warehouse Markets will finally proclaim the remodeling of its store here complete this weekend.