Nonfoods

A representative from Publix Super Markets testifying on behalf of the Food Marketing Institute, along with the head of the United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh), told a Senate Committee Thursday that high-profile food safety outbreaks revealed weaknesses in the existing food safety system and highlighted the need to update the laws and culture necessary to adequately protect the U.S. food supply.

Natural and organic foods retailer Sprouts Farmers Market will debut its ninth Dallas location, in Cedar Hill, Oct. 23. The new store will join existing locations in Coppell, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, Murphy, Plano, Richardson, and Southlake.

The latest report from the Hartman Group, “Private Label 2010: Redefining Meaning of Brand, shows that a lot of store brands are currently giving familiar national brands a real run for their money.

Chefs, bakers and food enthusiasts now have an easier squeeze of it with seedless lemons from Los Angeles-based specialty produce and foods distributor Melissa’s Produce, which imports exotic fruits and vegetables from around the world.

In tandem with a pledge to continue pursuing aggressive growth, leveraging global scale and expenses, and improving the returns of each operating segment to further enhance shareholder value during the 16th annual Meeting for the Investment Community, top leaders from Walmart yesterday announced a plan to offer deep-savings events and new everyday low prices weekly on thousands of items, effective immediately through the holiday period.

According to the “Beverage Trends: Culinary Trend Mapping Report” from the San Francisco-based Center for Culinary Development and Rockville, Md.-based Packaged Facts, the sweet spot in the U.S. beverage market, long dominated by a handful of major brand lines, is shifting to niche products that target a diverse set of consumer needs driven by healthy attributes.

Ninety World War II veterans from the northwest Arkansas region visited the World War II Memorial in Washington this past weekend as part of a trip Tyson Foods, Inc. helped fund and organize with the support of contributions by the Walmart Foundation.

Male consumers are continuing to invest in their personal hygiene, according to recent research.