Nonfoods

BOULDER, Colo. -- Natural and organic foods retailer Wild Oats Markets, Inc. here said yesterday it will celebrate the second annual Fair Trade Month in October using educational in-store materials.

ELIZABETH, N.J. -- In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, Wakefern Food Corp., based here; ShopRite of Passaic-Clifton, N.J.; and St. Mary's Hospital of Passaic will host a Health and Heritage Fair. The event, which will be held Sept. 30 at ShopRite of Passaic-Clifton from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., will promote wellness and educate adults and children alike on a variety of health issues. Registered nurses, clinical dietitians, physical therapists, and a pediatrician will be present to conduct health screenings and answer questions.

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. said Friday that Alison Gregg Corcoran had been promoted to e.v.p. of member insight and marketing. In the newly created position, Corcoran will not only continue to head BJ's member insight and new club concepts initiatives, but will also take charge of all of the company's marketing operations, among them membership acquisition and retention programs.

CHICAGO -- As retailers in coastal areas help their customers stock up in this unusually active hurricane season, purchasing patterns from pre-Hurricane Katrina sales, released last week by Information Resources, Inc., might help.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- GAIT Packaging, Ltd., has agreed to purchase the USA Reusable Plastic Container (RPC) assets from CHEP, the global leader in transport equipment pooling solutions. The agreement will be effective Oct. 15, 2005.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- New business deals for Pennsylvania companies were on the menu this week as Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell welcomed more than 300 guests to his residence here for the "Taste of Pennsylvania" reception.

BATAVIA, Ill. -- Limited assortment retailer Aldi here has added frozen dinners to its premium, yet affordable, exclusive-label program under the Grandessa brand.

FOSTER, R.I. -- Organic farming practices can reduce the risk of dangerous mycotoxin contamination in foods, particularly grain-based products, according to a report released yesterday by the Organic Center, a nonprofit organization based here. The report, "Breaking the Mold: Impacts of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems on Mycotoxins in Food and Livestock Feed," analyzes scientific studies and literature comparing the incidence of mycotoxin contamination in organic vs. conventional foods.