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ORLANDO, Fla. -- The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) honored Bob Lachky, Anheuser-Busch e.v.p., global industry development, this week for his efforts to promote beer and the important role distributors play in the marketplace. Lachky was presented with the association's annual Industry Service Award at its annual meeting here.

NEW YORK -- Celebrity cook Paula Deen is joining forces with meat producer Smithfield Foods in an exclusive partnership aimed at promoting meals at home, the two parties said yesterday at a "taste conference" here.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. said yesterday it has reached a multimedia agreement with ESPN to promote its HDTV offerings on ESPN's Monday Night Football and surround programming and content for the 2006-07 season. The pact will facilitate the transformation of the traditional three-hour primetime football game telecast into a 24-hour multimedia event.

DES MOINES, Iowa - The National Pork Board based here said it is poised to continue expanding its promotions in the booming Hispanic market throughout the United States, while developing programs to fit specific retailers' needs.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. -- Sara Lee Food & Beverage based here is celebrating "The Joy of Eating" with a multi-media advertising campaign introduced this week. The effort marks the first time the company has advertised its signature Sara Lee brand of breads, deli meats, cheeses and desserts under one comprehensive platform.

SAN DIEGO -- Imagenetix, Inc. here has launched a comprehensive nationwide retail-branding program for its proprietary products. The first products to be branded under the program will be the company's Celadrin-based joint health formulas.

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Bloom, the experimental banner introduced by Food Lion in 2003, is the latest supermarket to launch a consumer lifestyle publication. Unlike other in-house supermarket magazines, however, Bloom's new publication goes way beyond food.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. -- Sara Lee Deli here is kicking off its second annual Sensational Sandwich Search geared toward giving aspiring home chefs a simple way to compete for a top cooking prize, and be transformed into a celebrity chef.