Perimeter

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration yesterday issued draft guidance on what the term "whole grain" may include. The guidance will assist manufacturers with what the FDA considers appropriate for food label statements related to "whole grain" content, while also providing consumers a consistent definition.

THIBODAUX, La. -- Rouses, the largest independent supermarket chain in Louisiana, has broken ground on a new store in Slidell, which is a New Orleans suburb in St. Tammany Parish.

CARLISLE, Pa. -- With one-stop shopping quickly becoming a growing trend, Giant Food Stores here and its Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops Markets sister division are embarking on two new ways to add even greater value for customers: a new "Guaranteed Value" grocery and household product line and a new "Your Neighborhood Drugstore," concept for its heath and beauty care and sundries categories.

Cookies - trans fats + whole grains = $$

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.

McLEAN, Vir. -- Susan Nicolais has been named new e.v.p. of Retail Bakers of America. Nicolais, who assumed control on January 1, now oversees all operations of RBA. Her primary focus will be the organization's ongoing reorganization that focuses on membership development and growth.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- In yet another sign of supermarkets joining forces with foodservice companies, Publix Super Markets here said yesterday it will test an in-store Carrabba's Italian Grill takeout restaurant in one of its Sarasota stores this summer.

NEW YORK -- A handful of food retailers are among on Fortune Magazine's list of The 100 Best Companies to Work For, and the most prominent, Wegmans Food Markets, came in at No. 2, one off its lead position on last year's list.