Frozen Foods

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Big Y Foods, Inc. here said yesterday that that Michael P. D'Amour has been appointed fresh foods director, a position created to allow the New England grocer to further stress high-quality fresh items.

HOUSTON, Texas -- Upscale food retailer Rice Epicurean Markets here said yesterday it will upgrade its online home and office food shopping service, now in its fourth year, beginning Jan. 24. The retailer plans to make all in-store products available on the enhanced Web site, http://www.riceepicurean.com.

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Goya Foods, Inc., the nation's largest Hispanic-owned food company, noted yesterday it has added more than 400 new products in recent years, reaching a milestone of 1,500-plus high-quality offerings during its 70th year of operations. The manufacturer also laid out its business plans for 2006, which include launching a Goya eStore and expanding its current facilities in high-growth Hispanic areas around the world.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Aiming to take a bite out of the growing market for organic foods, Supervalu cut the ribbon on its first Sunflower Market here. The 12,000-square-foot, value-priced natural and organic foods retail outlet carries 8,000 to 12,000 SKUs, and will serve as the prototype for a Supervalu expansion plan that includes opening 50 Sunflower Market stores in five years.

JACKSON, Mich. -- Dawn Food Products, Inc. here has appointed Carrie Jones-Barber as its new c.e.o.

FORT LEE, Va. -- The Defense Commissary Agency here is introducing a series of shelf signs featuring dietary tips, in time to meet shoppers New Year's resolutions to lose weight and eat healthier.

Some are painfully obvious, others will blindside you. But nontraditional competition means much more than Wal-Mart, and each grocer must decide which suspects most bear watching.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Let the 2006 mergers begin. Spartan Stores, Inc. here said it plans to acquire D&W Food Centers, Inc., also based here, in a deal that could add $200 million a year to Spartan's sales revenue.