Content about Agriculture

NEW YORK — Two Hy-Vee stores in Iowa will start composting food waste, produce and floral trimmings, according to published reports.

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gazette reported that Hy-Vee stores in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids had partnered with Des Moines, Iowa-based organics recycler Green RU, which will pick up the waste from the stores and haul it to nearby compost centers. The newspaper reported that the company was considering whether to expand the pilot program throughout the chain.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Stop & Shop is marking Earth Day on Monday by emphasizing the measures it has taken to reduce its effects on the environment, the Ahold USA-owned supermarket banner said.

Stop & Shop highlighted its efforts to sell sustainably sourced seafood, reducing the environmental effects of its store operations — including adding environmentally friendly design features to stores — and helping customers reduce waste. The chain reiterated its intention to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% by 2015.

WASHINGTON — A study conducted in mid-January by the Organic Trade Association shows U.S. families are increasingly embracing organic products when they shop. The study also showed increased trust in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic seal to properly label organic products.

"More and more parents choose organic foods primarily because of their desire to provide healthful options for their children," said Christine Bushway, OTA's CEO and executive director.

WASHINGTON — The Washington Post this week took an in-depth look at the health benefits of tea and how consumers are taking notice. And that's a good thing for specialty tea shops and supermarket chains.

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — New Chapter on Wednesday voluntarily recalled a limited number of packages of its 90-count Probiotic Elderberry dietary supplement because it may contain an undeclared allergen - soy. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product, the company stated.  

The one lot of affected New Chapter Probiotic Elderberry was distributed nationwide. It reached consumers through retail stores, mail order and direct delivery.

MINNEAPOLIS — MOM Brands today announced new additions to its brand portfolio with Spooners ready-to-eat cereals. The cereals come packaged in stand-up gusseted bags, which sit on the shelf like a box, yet contain 75% less consumer packaging waste than comparably sized bag-in-box, ready-to-eat cereals.

WINNEPEG, Manitoba — Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods on Wednesday named John Durkin VP sales. Durkin will lead the sales team in expanding sales of Manitoba Harvest’s award-winning Hemp Hearts raw shelled hemp seeds, and the newly rebranded line up of hemp protein powders.   

“We are thrilled to have a seasoned professional like John join our dynamic team,” stated Mike Fata, Manitoba Harvest CEO. “John brings an abundance of experience and expertise that will boost Manitoba Harvest’s rapid growth.” 

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — For years, toddlers have started their mornings watching Elmo and Cookie Monster on "Sesame Street." Now they can also enjoy these characters' friendly faces at breakfast and snack times throughout the day. Post Foods has introduced Post Sesame Street cereal, a wholesome, whole grain, oat-based cereal for children.

ST. LOUIS — Budweiser launched its first Twitter account on Jan. 27, and made a splash with its first tweet: an image of a newborn member of the "Budweiser Clydesdales Class of 2013."

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever-owned tea company Lipton is looking to breathe new life into a brand more than 130 years old.

Lipton announced Thursday its "Uplift Your Day" campaign surrounding its flagship black tea brand, introduced by Sir Thomas Lipton in 1879. The campaign will include television, digital, in-store, social networking and public relations, as well as a worldwide contest on Instagram.

BALTIMORE — The head of Lupin Pharmaceuticals has received an award from accounting firm Ernst & Young.

Ernst & Young announced Thursday that it had named Lupin CEO Vinita Gupta the inaugural Ernst & Young U.S. 2012 Family Business Award of Excellence winner at its 2012 Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, Calif.

MIDDLEBORO-LAKEVILLE, Mass. — Ocean Spray has expanded its line of cranberry cocktail products to include the new Low Tart Cranberry Juice Cocktail and 2/3 Less Sugar Cranberry Juice Cocktail.