Nonfoods

With consumer confidence seemingly stuck in neutral, The Nielsen Company forecasts a modest increase in dollar sales on back-to-school items, up 1.7 percent to $2.6 billion, although unit sales are projected to drop.

U.S. Foodservice broke ground Friday to expand its Port Orange, Fla., division’s food distribution center to 409,000 square feet, which should facilitate the ongoing growth of the company’s central Florida distribution business.

As gluten-free foods continue to gain in consumer popularity and store-shelf prominence, manufacturers are offering a wider range of products to appeal to those suffering from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, and their families, as well as to shoppers who wish simply to reduce or eliminate their gluten intake. Following are some recently introduced offerings:

Consumer interest in food and beverages that offer health benefits is greater than, or similar to, interest in vitamins and supplements that provide the same health-and-wellness benefits, according to a new global study conducted by New York-based Ipsos Marketing, Consumer Goods.

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) expressed support for the U.S. Senate’s passage last week of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which, according to the Arlington, Va.-based trade organization, “ensure[s] low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals through the federal food program.”

Brookshire Grocery Co.-owned and Super 1 Foods & Discount Pharmacy stores is looking to make packing a healthy school lunch easy with its “Super Fun Lunch” box value meals that are prepared and sold in the deli and are based mainly on NuVal scores.

Iconic ice cream brand Breyers is searching for more entries to add to the Ice Cream Sundae Hall of Fame through the Sundae Scoop-Off Contest.

Experts at Hiller’s Markets will help parents navigate the store to find the appropriate cereals to give babies, and the best fruits and vegetables to introduce, as well as how to prepare them.