Trading Partners

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) yesterday drew attention to three private-sector initiatives aimed at improving the safety and security of the U.S. food supply.

DemandTec, Inc., a provider of on-demand optimization solutions for retailers and consumer products manufacturers, released the latest update to its software-as-a-service suite, which has been deployed and is in use by DemandTec customers.

Topco Associates LLC, a private label purchasing consortium serving food retailers and wholesalers, is deploying a new sourcing solution to increase and accelerate the savings it delivers to retailers.

Natural and organic grocer Sunflower Farmers Market plans to open its ninth Colorado location May 27 in Colorado Springs -- its first in the city and 24th overall.

German food retailer Edeka plans to install 600 reverse vending machines in its stores to be used for the return of one-way and refillable containers, in addition to deploying several other self-service automation systems.

A souped-up, online version of the Campbell Soup Co.’s venerable “Labels for Education” (LFE) program, which bowed in Kroger stores, has earned the manufacturer and MARS Advertising a Gold REGGIE Award for shopper marketing from PMA, the Association for Integrated Marketing.

C.H. Robinson, one of the largest logistics and produce-sourcing companies in the world, has teamed up with Columbus, Ohio-based Glory Foods, Inc., the current category leader in Southern-style produce, to expand the Glory Foods Fresh Produce program across the United States.

The Hershey Co. is pulling out the stops as an official sponsor of “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” the Twentieth Century Fox summer movie (and sequel to the 2006 smash) slated to hit theaters May 22.