Deli / Prepared Foods

NAPLES, N.Y. -- Energy drinks have become a global craze, according to Datamonitor's Productscan Online database of new products. Datamonitor here reported yesterday that 623 new energy drinks hit worldwide markets in 2005, a 46 percent increase from 2004's count and a near tripling of new launches since 2000.

NEW YORK -- Recognizing American's growing interest in eating healthier and the demand for products that deliver, Health magazine named 25 products the winners of its second "Best of Food" awards.

WASHINGTON -- Family health and nutrition concerns are increasingly driving household food purchases in the United States, according to "Shopping for Health 2005: Meeting the Needs of Family Health and Wellness," a new report from the Food Marketing Institute and Prevention magazine.

MODESTO, Calif. -- The Almond Board of California here has named the winners of its 4th Annual Almond Innovations Contest, which drew students from some of the most prestigious food science and culinology programs in the United States.

Wawa, Pa. -- Convenience store pioneer Wawa, Inc. based here, selected Merrychef USA to be its supplier of choice for accelerated cooking ovens.

LANDOVER, Md. -- After a five-month overhaul, Giant Food, LLC here reopened a new replacement store in the Van Ness shopping center in Washington, D.C. late last week. The retailer enlarged the store from 18,345 square feet to 33,576 square feet, expanding the produce, meat, seafood, flower, bakery, and deli departments.

MONROVIA, Calif. -- The checkout line snaked around most of the perimeter, and scores of curious and enthusiastic shoppers swarmed the aisles last Friday, the opening day of Trader Joe's first New York City store.

BOULDER, Colo. -- Natural and organic foods chain Wild Oats Markets, Inc. here is gearing up to enter the Tampa, Fla. market with its latest prototype, which offers its signature perishables, an extensive organic and natural product selection, and energy-conserving equipment. The 37,000-square-foot store, located in Walters Crossing at 1548 N. Dale Mabry Highway (Dale Mabry at I-275), above a Target store, will open April 5.