Nonfoods

NEW YORK - Tasty Baking Co., maker of Tastykake doughnuts, fruit pies and cookies, has named as its new CFO David S. Marberger, the former VP of finance for Campbell Soup Co.'s food and beverage division.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association will launch a new internet-based government advocacy program -- the United Produce Industry Grassroots Action Network -- at its Annual Produce Business Conference and Expo, Feb. 21-24, 2003, in Long Beach, Calif.

NASHVILLE - The Kroger Co. revealed plans this week to spend $120 million over the next two years opening new stores or remodeling and expanding existing locations in Middle Tennessee, the The Tennessean reports.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Natural food retailer Earth Fare Inc. has purchased RetailSuite foundation enterprise solutions from Tucson, Ariz.-based TCI Solutions Inc.

WASHINGTON - The backers of the 5 A Day for Better Health program, which advocates produce consumption, is at odds with the dairy industry over a new 3-A-Day for Stronger Bones campaign the diary group is launching this month, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution reports.

DALLAS - Dean Foods' Morningstar Foods division has received aseptic approval from the FDA for beverages produced on the company's Stork filler line in Mt. Crawford, Va. The Stork bottle filling technology extends the shelf life of dairy-based beverages processed on this line to 180 days and allows these products to be stored and shipped at ambient temperatures.

LONDON - Wal-Mart-owned Asda said Friday that it had an "excellent" Christmas with its biggest-ever trading day on Dec. 23.

AUSTIN, Minn. - Hormel Foods Corp. closed Monday on its purchase of Diamond Crystal Brands special food products from Imperial Sugar Co. for $115 million.