Trading Partners

CINCINNATI -- The Kroger Co. yesterday said it honored 81 outstanding minority-owned and women-owned vendors for 2004, as part of its supplier diversity program.

PITTSBURGH -- Regional independent Giant Eagle plans an addition to its supply chain systems aimed at improving product, merchandising, and replenishment management operations across its 138 corporate and 81 independently owned and operated stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The corrugated packaging industry has ratified a new, voluntary standard establishing repulpability and recyclability requirements for containers that have been treated for water and water vapor protection, such as wax alternatives.

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Food Lion here is up and running with the One Network Retail grid, joining other top retailers from around the nation including Kroger, Safeway, Publix and Hannaford.

WASHINGTON -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) yesterday endorsed legislation that will increase charitable donations to such hunger relief organizations as America's Second Harvest.

NEW YORK -- Online food retailer FreshDirect tapped Creekstone Farms as the exclusive supplier of its 100 percent source-verified, Black Angus beef.

NAPLES, Fla. -- The submission deadline for GEM Award -- which will be presented by Retail Systems Consulting at its conference this month -- is October 5.

CHESHIRE, Conn. -- Wholesale distributor Bozzuto's, Inc., based here, said Friday Donna Maglio and Sharon Delaney had been promoted to the positions of v.p., supply chain and director of procurement, respectively, while Gary Spinozze has joined the company in the newly created role of director of corporate programs and trade relations.