Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

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.

WASHINGTON -- In a true "dog-eat-dog" contest, New York City and Chicago ran neck and neck for the title of "City Offering the Best Hot Dogs," according to new poll data from the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (NHDSC).

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- For the second straight year, the cost of unsaleable products has declined for CPG manufacturers, according to the 2005 Unsaleables Benchmark Report, which was released yesterday at the Joint Unsaleables Management Conference here, which is produced by GMA in conjunction with FMI, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.

PLEASANTON -- Safeway, Inc., based here, yesterday launched a companywide back-to-school program with the involvement of over 40 food companies, to help customers raise money for their local schools.

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.

WASHINGTON -- Several retailers participating in the food stamp program have recently been targeted by a string of EBT (electronic benefit transfer) scams, according to an advisory recently sent out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

CINCINNATI -- Chiquita Brands International, Inc. has named Tanios E. Viviani president of Fresh Express, the Salinas, Calif.-based bagged-salad maker it acquired last month for $855 million.

WASHINGTON -- Self-regulation remains the best way to ensure marketing that fosters healthy children's lifestyles, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) said on Friday during the second day of the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Health and Human Services Public Workshop on Marketing, Self Regulation, and Childhood Obesity. However, the trade group issued several recommendations to the National Advertising Review Council and the Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) to make self-regulation an "even more effective tool."