Trading Partners

Whole Foods Market late Friday afternoon issued a multi-state recall of fresh ground beef it had sold between June 2 and August 6, because of a concern that it might have been contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria.

Kroger and Dorothy Lane last week issued alerts asking customers to check for ground beef they may have recently purchased that is part of a recall announced by Nebraska Beef that also impacted Whole Foods Market.

The Southern grocer is the latest supermarket operator to pledge not to buy Canadian seafood until the government-sanctioned seal hunt ends.

This contrasts with traditional supermarkets, which have seen sluggish growth in the category.

Not just lower- and middle-income consumers are shopping for bargains at the megaretailer, as gas prices soar.

Kraft Foods executives discuss new and expanding grocery industry initiatives designed to grow a grocer's business while deepening the manufacturer's commitment to sustainability, energy cost reductions, distribution imperatives, new product development, the price-value equation, and retail partnerships.

Kraft Foods' Denny Belcastro, vice president of customer development and industry affairs, and Diane Harper, vice president of shopper insights discuss the changing retail landscape.

Clorox was awarded for bringing green cleaners to mainstream retail, and Kettle Foods for its grass-roots marketing.

This greater interest in food ingredients presents a marketing opportunity for food manufacturers.