Nonfoods

Mott’s, the nation’s leading producer of branded apple sauce and apple juice, is showing its support for Susan G. Komen for the Cure with “Pink to the Core” limited-edition Mott’s Plus Apple Sauce and Mott’s Healthy Harvest Apple Sauce, which will be available on store shelves through October. In connection with the promotion, the well-known brand has pledged to donate $300,000 to the organization, the world’s largest grass-roots network of breast cancer survivors and activists.

Save Mart Supermarkets and the Save Mart stores in Northern Nevada will sponsor the 25th Annual Golf Classic benefiting the Nevada Area Council, Boy Scouts of America June 8 at the Montreux Golf and Country Club, a private membership course in Reno, Nev.

On the heels of an overview about the creation of a national industry-funded national fruit and vegetable promotion board in last month’s PG Fresh Trends Alert, Elizabeth Pivonka, president and CEO of the Wilmington, Del.-based Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), reached out to share a comprehensive update about the latest developments of the trade in a late May memo, excerpts of which follow below.

In tandem with the 20th anniversary of its central commissary, Ukrop’s Super Market has introduced a new signature line of entrees, sides, and desserts under the Ukrop’s Bakes brand. Designed to be quick solutions for everyday meal planning, Ukrop’s Bakes are “oven to table-ready” in about 30 minutes.

The October 2009 issue of Progressive Grocer will feature our editors’ picks for the BEST NEW CONSUMER PRODUCTS introduced since July 2008, providing companies the chance to nominate their new product(s).

The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry performed considerably better than the rest of the market in 2008, as measured by the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Averages, outpacing both by at least 10 points, according to a report by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). The study additionally found that CPG manufacturer median sales increased 10 percent last year, down just slightly from 2007 median sales figures.

The food industry has thrown its considerable weight behind the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 draft legislation, which is currently still in draft form. Among those publicly expressing their support for the legislation -- along with modifications that they maintain will bolster the final law -- are the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh), the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and, representing food safety advocates, the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

In an unusual move for a traditional cereal brand, Post Grape-Nuts has introduced an integrated marketing campaign created by Ogilvy New York that specifically targets men, titled “That Takes Grape Nuts.”