Frozen Foods

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 - 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.

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

Consumers are turning to the deli for healthy protein-rich meats, cheeses, and meals, sparking what some hope is the start of the department's day in the sun.

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Associated Grocers of New England (AGNE) reduced mis-picks, increased throughput, and cut training time in half at its Manchester distribution center by implementing a voice-directed distribution system that integrated directly with its warehouse management system.

ST. LOUIS - As Schnuck Markets, Inc. continues seeking out ways to expand its variety and value-added customer services, the family-held chain is bringing a dozen cuts of bison (or buffalo) meat to St. Louis-area customers.

TYLER, Texas - Brookshire Grocery Co. will open a second unit under the Olé Foods Store banner, in Corsicana, Texas, next week.

WASHINGTON - While the CITAC/ASDA Shrimp Task Force blasted the U.S. Department of Commerce's preliminary decision to impose a food tax on imported shrimp from Brazil, Ecuador, India, and Thailand, saying it would continue its fight against dumping duties on shrimp imports, the 2,000-member Southern Shrimp Alliance welcomed the move.