Publix

Among the companies represented on the 2009 U.S. Reputation Pulse, a yearly ranking and study put out by New York-based reputation consulting firm Reputation Institute, members of the grocery industry made a strong showing.

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has elected four new members of the FMI board of directors today, in addition to a board chairman and four board vice chairmen.

Despite the surge in at-home meal preparation, the rocky economic landscape has taken its toll on food retailers: Publix posted sales Friday for the first quarter of 2009 of $6.4 billion, a 2.2 percent rise from last year’s $6.2 billion. First-quarter comps dropped 2.8 percent, however.

Two iPhone apps were developed to help consumers be a little greener this past Earth Day. The Coupon Sherpa iPhone application (www.couponsherpa.com), from the Fort Collins, Colo.-based company of the same name, allows shoppers to access in-store coupons on their iPhone or iPod Touch.

Publix Super Markets Inc., Lakeland, Fla., expanded its Teradata Active Enterprise Data Warehouse to accommodate growth and more complex analytics.

From a field of 73 entrants hailing from 40 supermarket chains, the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) has narrowed to three the number of contestants chosen to participate in its 14th annual Cake Decorating Challenge to be held at its upcoming Dairy-Deli-Bake ’09 seminar and expo in Atlanta, GA, June 7-9.

For iPhone users, information on how to go organic for Earth Day is right at their fingertips, thanks to a new application developed through a collaboration by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), Earth Day Network and MusicMatters.

Like many in the industry, the regional grocer is feeling the effects of the economy.