Back to School

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- H.E. Butt Grocery Co. here is gearing up to launch its Read Write Connect campaign to promote literacy and learning throughout its home state.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- As fall approaches and families get back to hectic school schedules, the frozen and refrigerated foods industry will offer convenient solutions to fuel busy school days. The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) here and its partnering manufacturers will promote October "Fuel for School" Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Festival with a sweepstakes and retail merchandising contest to build excitement with consumers.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Wal-Mart bashers are at it again, this time with a concerted campaign seizing on the opportunity of the approaching back-to-school season to protest what they allege is Wal-Mart's failure to oppose child labor.

PITTSBURGH. -- Giant Eagle here has teamed up with Santa Ana, Calif.-based Dress For Success Cleaners (DFS), an operator of hundreds of dry cleaning and laundry locations exclusively in supermarkets across the country, as well as in Australia, for "Klothes For Kids," a community-based back-to-school clothes drive for needy children.

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.

BOULDER, Colo. -- With the start of a new school year just weeks away, Wild Oats Markets, based here, is seeking to offer inspiration and information on lunchbox staples, to keep kids healthy and happy.

Grocers should bone up on what's hot for back-to-school, to exploit key food and nonfoods business during the season's window of opportunity.

Progressive Grocer and SHOPA's Steve Jacober offer a handy back-to-school checklist for the college market.