Content about Food

NEW YORK — A hunger relief group serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas has hired a New York-based brand and retail design consultancy to design a prototype nonprofit grocery store to address food deserts.

The agency, CBX, said the Philabundance had hired it to design the store, Fare & Square, which will open this summer in Chester, Pa.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is embarking on its third attempt to branch out from its chain of  Southern comfort food restaurants by expanding a lineup of branded food products to be offered at grocers and outside retail outlets.

"Our research shows that our guests would like to be able to purchase Cracker Barrel products in places other than just our restaurants and retail stores, and we believe that there is opportunity here to meet that desire," the company stated.

OMAHA, Neb. — A new version of ConAgra Foods' Pam cooking spray is designed to be calorie-free and leave less residue, the company said.

The food company said that the new Pam leaves up to 99% less residue and is available in three varieties: original, baking and butter.

MARYVILLE, Tenn. — DenTek has created the new Scrub Betweens dental pick to help remove plaque and food particles that get between teeth.

The new Scrub Betweens is a soft scrubbing dental pick with thousands of microbristles. The micro toothbrush-like scrubbing tip glides between teeth, even in hard to reach back teeth, making it easier to remove food particles and reduce plaque build-up, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

BRUSSELS — The Delhaize Group shakeup continues as news circulates that its Sweetbay Supermarket division will shutter 33 underperforming stores in Florida by mid-February, according to a report on Tampa Bay Online.

The closures, which are part of a broader reorganization plan, will results in the loss of about 2,000 jobs in Florida and changes for its pharmacy customers. Following the closures, Sweetbay will operate 72 locations.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi, the natural food and lifestyle company, on Wednesday announced the launch of two new flavors of its Soft 'n Chewy Bars — Berry Muffin and Apple Cobbler.

With more than one-third of each bar made from real fruits and veggie products like apple and pumpkin, the new Soft 'n Chewy Bars are a healthy and convenient snack option. Both flavors offer a good source of fiber with 4 g, 10 g of whole grains and are free of artificial preservatives and ingredients, as well as high fructose corn syrup.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — More than a dozen executives in Walmart’s merchandising organization, including several with key healthcare responsibilities, will begin the new fiscal year with different responsibilities following a restructuring announced on Thursday.

An internal announcement from Duncan Mac Naughton, Walmart’s chief merchandising and marketing officer detailed the moves involving executives with responsibilities for food, consumables, health and wellness, general merchandise, merchandise execution and private label.

NEW YORK — Snacks used to be primarily something given to children as a reward, but today, they're a major part of Americans' eating habits, according to a new report.

Bellevue, Wash.-based market research firm The Hartman Group surveyed members of HartmanSalt.com, a food information website and used data from its Eating Occasions Database to find that Americans, on average, eat 2.3 snacks per day, most frequently in the afternoon, evening and late at night.

SAN ANTONIO — H-E-B on Thursday announced that it is introducing more ways to help customers eat and live healthier in 2013, including the introduction of a nutrition labeling system and a weekly newsletter filled with healthy tips, recipes and coupons.

AUSTIN, Texas — To meet growing consumer demand for healthier choices, Whole Foods Market is introducing Engine 2 Plant-Strong products, a new line of plant-based, minimally processed snacks, breakfast items and pantry staples. Developed in collaboration with Rip Esselstyn, author and founder of The Engine 2 Diet, the products will be available exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide beginning January 2013.

NEW YORK — Convenience retailer 7-Eleven has jumped on the "fresh" bandwagon, according to a report published last week in the New York Times. And while 7-Eleven has been serving up fresh for more than a decade with its variety of hot dogs and breakfast fare, now the focus is on fresh food items that will fit within a consumer's diet plan, too. 

CAMP HILL, Pa. — The Rite Aid Foundation has announced that it is making a donation of food items valued at $15,000 to the 1199SEIU Child Care Corp.

Items including pasta, soup, sauces, instant coffee, tea and other non-perishable food items will be delivered to the union’s warehouse in North Bergen, N.J., where they will then be distributed to member families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Rite Aid and 1199SEIU officials will receive the delivery at the warehouse on Dec. 28.