Frozen Foods

While snacks, beer, and soft drinks score biggest for Super Bowl, retailers can gain yardage with many nontraditional products, too.

MCLEAN, Va. -- The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), based here, yesterday issued a heartfelt tribute to one of its own -- Gerald E. "Gerry" Thomas, inventor of the TV dinner, who died in Paradise Valley, Ariz. this week of cancer at the age of 83.

CONCORD, Calif. -- San Francisco-based Del Monte Foods has tapped Pacer International, Inc., a logistics and freight transportation provider here, to provide comprehensive logistics services for the producer, distributor, and marketer of branded and private label food and pet products.

PITTSBURGH -- H.J. Heinz Co., based here, has agreed to purchase privately held Nancy's Specialty Foods, Inc. -- producers of the Nancy's brand of premium appetizers, quiche entrees, and desserts -- from affiliates of Kohlberg & Co., LLC. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

GAHANNA, Ohio -- Kahiki Foods, Inc., a supplier of such products as appetizers, egg rolls, and sauces to large supermarket chains and club stores as well as foodservice operations in the United States and abroad, is officially opening both a new plant and retail outlet store today here. The plant, at 119,000 square feet over 14 acres, is one of the biggest Asian frozen food facilities in the United States.

LAFAYETTE, La. -- WellnessGrocer.com, an e-commerce company here, is extending its new direct-to-consumer service to independent retailers. The Web site, which went live in June, will seek to supply retailers with hard-to-find orders of organic, natural, and gourmet products that aren't always available in large distribution houses.

MILL VALLEY, Calif. -- Readers of "J The Jewish News Weekly" chose Mollie Stone's Markets as best grocery store with a kosher section, in a recent reader's poll.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- It's a good thing for Wal-Mart that people have to eat. The latest figures from ACNielsen's Wal-Mart Channel Service for the 52-weeks ended May 14, show that growth in food and beverage sales more than offset an actual decline in sales of UPC-coded general merchandise at Wal-Mart supercenters and discount stores over the past year.