Center Store

INDIANAPOLIS -- Marsh Supermarkets will host the Lighten Up, Indiana! Campaign's next round of weight-management classes this month at nine supermarkets.

DAYVILLE, Conn. -- United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) here said yesterday that Rick Puckett has resigned as e.v.p., c.f.o., and treasurer, effective Jan. 27, to become e.v.p. and c.f.o. at a publicly traded food and beverage company that doesn't compete with UNFI.

HOUSTON, Texas -- Upscale food retailer Rice Epicurean Markets here said yesterday it will upgrade its online home and office food shopping service, now in its fourth year, beginning Jan. 24. The retailer plans to make all in-store products available on the enhanced Web site, http://www.riceepicurean.com.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Whole Foods Market here is recalling a store brand smoked trout product because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. As of Friday, no illnesses related to the product had been reported.

SAN ANTONIO -- H.E. Butt Grocery Co. has implemented new food and beverage solutions at its Tortilla Plant and Bakery in Corpus Christi, Texas and its Floral Processing Center here, bringing the total number of operating plants to four.

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Goya Foods, Inc., the nation's largest Hispanic-owned food company, noted yesterday it has added more than 400 new products in recent years, reaching a milestone of 1,500-plus high-quality offerings during its 70th year of operations. The manufacturer also laid out its business plans for 2006, which include launching a Goya eStore and expanding its current facilities in high-growth Hispanic areas around the world.

WILMINGTON, Del. -- The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) here expects that kids and their families will go ape over the Feb. 11 retailtainment event at Wal-Mart Supercenters featuring Curious George sharing the message of healthy eating.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Aiming to take a bite out of the growing market for organic foods, Supervalu cut the ribbon on its first Sunflower Market here. The 12,000-square-foot, value-priced natural and organic foods retail outlet carries 8,000 to 12,000 SKUs, and will serve as the prototype for a Supervalu expansion plan that includes opening 50 Sunflower Market stores in five years.