Produce / Floral

THIBODAUX, La. -- Rouses, the largest independent supermarket chain in Louisiana, has broken ground on a new store in Slidell, which is a New Orleans suburb in St. Tammany Parish.

WILMINGTON, Del. -- The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) here expects that kids and their families will go ape over the Feb. 11 retailtainment event at Wal-Mart Supercenters featuring Curious George sharing the message of healthy eating.

DALLAS -- Leading convenience store chain 7-Eleven, Inc. here said last week it is rolling out the next generation of its fresh food program with the national launch of Pick Smart, a selection of sandwiches, grilled items, and packaged baked goods with lower fat and calorie content.

FORT LEE, Va. -- The Defense Commissary Agency here is introducing a series of shelf signs featuring dietary tips, in time to meet shoppers New Year's resolutions to lose weight and eat healthier.

BOULDER, Colo. -- National organic and natural foods chain Wild Oats, Inc. here is taking a positive spin on new-year weight loss goals, with a diet plan focused on nutrient-dense "superfoods" such as nuts, green leafy veggies, kiwifruit, and pomegranates.

A solid connection to health, as well as an increased emphasis on specialty fruit, should help citrus turn in a strong peak season.

LONDON -- It's not just U.S. supermarkets that are being affected by growing waistlines and consumers' desires to eat healthier. Sales of popular brands of traditional snack foods and sweets in Britain are suffering from a slump, according to a new study by The Grocer, a British trade publication, based on ACNielsen sales data.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -- Note to grocers courting Hispanics: Try to gauge how long your target market's been absorbing American culture. As they acculturate, Hispanics living in the United States develop progressively more Americanized eating habits, a study by the NPD Group here found.