Center Store

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- White Toque, Inc. here, an importer of frozen specialty foods from Europe for the foodservice industry, said yesterday it plans to establish a network of retail stores and distribution centers throughout the country, starting with the Northeastern region.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Trade association leaders praised legislation introduced last week by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) to replace the mandatory country of origin labeling law with a voluntary program for produce, meat, seafood and peanuts.

Washington, D.C. -- Sixty-four percent of Americans say hamburgers and hot dogs are the foods they associate most strongly with America, topping both chicken and pizza, according to findings of a poll conducted by the American Meat Institute.

NEW YORK -- Buoyed by three straight years double-digit gains, the market for natural personal care products reached $5 billion in 2004, increasing by more than 50 percent since 2000, according to a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts.

BOULDER, Colo. -- The Natural Products Expo East/Organic Products Expo-BioFach America, which will hold its 20th anniversary show on Sept. 15 to Sept. 18 at the Washington D.C. Convention Center, is currently registering attendees, who will get the chance to meet with more than 1,100 exhibitors of natural and organic products and ingredients.

CINCINATTI -- With a strong first quarter performance still reverberating, The Kroger Co.'s chairman and c.e.o. delivered a sunny outlook on 2005 to shareholders at the chain's annual meeting yesterday.

NEW YORK CITY -- The market for women's food and beverages grew at a compound annual rate of 80 percent between 2000 and 2004, and is now a $4.6 billion industry. At its current growth, it could reach as high as $7.7 billion by 2009, according to a new study by Packaged Facts.

LANDOVER, Md. -- Giant Food LLC, this morning christened a new full-service food and pharmacy combination store at the historic Tivoli Theatre site at 1345 Park Road, N.W. in Washington, D.C.