Trading Partners

PLEASANTON -- Safeway, Inc., based here, yesterday launched a companywide back-to-school program with the involvement of over 40 food companies, to help customers raise money for their local schools.

PITTSBURGH -- H.J. Heinz Co., based here, has agreed to purchase privately held Nancy's Specialty Foods, Inc. -- producers of the Nancy's brand of premium appetizers, quiche entrees, and desserts -- from affiliates of Kohlberg & Co., LLC. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

CINCINNATI -- Chiquita Brands International, Inc. has named Tanios E. Viviani president of Fresh Express, the Salinas, Calif.-based bagged-salad maker it acquired last month for $855 million.

WASHINGTON -- Several retailers participating in the food stamp program have recently been targeted by a string of EBT (electronic benefit transfer) scams, according to an advisory recently sent out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

GAHANNA, Ohio -- Kahiki Foods, Inc., a supplier of such products as appetizers, egg rolls, and sauces to large supermarket chains and club stores as well as foodservice operations in the United States and abroad, is officially opening both a new plant and retail outlet store today here. The plant, at 119,000 square feet over 14 acres, is one of the biggest Asian frozen food facilities in the United States.

WASHINGTON -- Self-regulation remains the best way to ensure marketing that fosters healthy children's lifestyles, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) said on Friday during the second day of the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Health and Human Services Public Workshop on Marketing, Self Regulation, and Childhood Obesity. However, the trade group issued several recommendations to the National Advertising Review Council and the Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) to make self-regulation an "even more effective tool."

LAFAYETTE, La. -- WellnessGrocer.com, an e-commerce company here, is extending its new direct-to-consumer service to independent retailers. The Web site, which went live in June, will seek to supply retailers with hard-to-find orders of organic, natural, and gourmet products that aren't always available in large distribution houses.

NEW YORK -- Stop & Shop, Publix, Meijer, and Kroger are among the supermarket operators conjuring up special events to promote tonight's release of the latest book in the hugely successful Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," by J.K. Rowling.