Nonfoods

NEWARK, Del. -- Former Produce Marketing Association (PMA) board chairmen Steve Junqueiro of Save Mart Supermarkets and Tim York of Markon Corp. have been selected to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.

HAMDEN, Conn. -- Slightly more than half of New York City residents would like a Wal-Mart in their neighborhood, according to a new poll of 1,072 registered voters conducted by Quinnipiac University here. The survey found that 51 percent of New Yorkers in favor, 37 percent against, and 11 percent undecided.

LOS ANGELES -- Nearly 300 retail industry executives, store owners, law enforcement personnel, lawmakers, and prosecutors met here yesterday in a united effort to curb the $34 billion problem of organized retail theft, also known as ORT.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- To demonstrate its commitment to fighting heart disease, the Kellogg Co. said yesterday that it will launch a major heart health initiative in 2006, which includes providing national support for the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement.

NATICK, Mass. -- Thanks in part to higher food sales, BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. said yesterday that its January 2006 sales rose 5.6 percent to $524 million, compared with $496 million last year. Comparable-club sales grew 2.0 percent for the month, including a contribution of 2.1 percent from gas sales.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Whole Foods here introduced an online program this week offering cooking tips to consumers, and soliciting the same from its online audience.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Southeastern organic/natural supermarket chain Earth Fare here is gearing up to roll out its kid-focused healthy eating program chainwide, the retailer told Progressive Grocer yesterday. The initiative includes cooking classes for children, shelf tags that designate "healthy" items, and a membership club that rewards kids with good-for-you treats like fresh fruit.

Cookies - trans fats + whole grains = $$