Trading Partners

WASHINGTON -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) here said yesterday that e.v.p. Mark Baum will resign from the trade association to join consulting firm DiamondCluster International as partner in January 2006.

SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- Tyson Foods Inc. based here said it will not realize a significant benefit until sometime next year from Japan's decision to ease a ban on U.S. beef imports.

SALISBURY, N.C. -- In a move to add more high-quality, convenient items to its product mix, Food Lion here has begun offering Bertagni fresh filled pastas from Italy in more than 400 of its stores, via an exclusive partnership with Sterling Foods, Inc.

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club here recently unveiled the solar energy system that the retailer has installed on the rooftop of its Saratoga, N.Y. location. Launched last spring, the system, which employs solar panels from Evergreen Solar, Inc., a Marlborough, Mass.-based developer, manufacturer, and marketer of solar power products using the company's proprietary low-cost manufacturing technologies, is BJ's largest North American solar installation.

LONDON, United Kingdom -- A holiday nightmare befell supermarket chain Waitrose, when it was forced to suspend its chip-and-PIN credit card processing system last week because of technical problems. While it is now operating a temporary card payment authorization system, it may be liable for any fraudulent transactions it processes in the meantime.

WILMINGTON, Del. -- Leaders from the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) here are hailing a new report released this week by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM), which claimed food and beverage marketing aimed at kids points them to high-calorie, low-nutrient products.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Leading super-natural retailer Whole Foods Market here yesterday opened a new 55,000-square-foot unit in Belmar, Colo., which, in typical Whole Foods fashion, includes a focus on local and regional foods.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Country Choice Organic, a manufacturer of organic cookies, hot cereal, and oatmeal squares here, has tapped natural/organic industry veteran Jocelyne Greg as East Cost regional manager.