Content about Sustainability

LANDOVER, Md. — Giant Food of Landover, Md., is one of several retailers promoting environmental awareness as part of Earth Day Monday, the Ahold USA-owned retailer said.

NEW YORK — A majority of surveyed adults in the United States regards organic as an excuse to charge more for food, according to a new study.

The March Harris Poll of 2,276 adults found that those expressing concern for the environment grew from 31% last year to 38% this year, but 59% of respondents saw labeling foods and other products as organic was an excuse to charge more.

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.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi, the natural food and lifestyle company, has introduced two USDA Certified organic cereals — Kashi Berry Fruitful and Kashi Blackberry Hills, both of which combine real organic fruit and whole grains.

Berry Fruitful features shredded wheat biscuits with a berry filling made with real, organic fruit, including Concord grapes, apples, raspberries and strawberries. Blackberry Hills pairs organic whole grain rice and wheat flakes with tangy organic blackberries.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The company behind Soap.com has debuted an online shopping destination for natural, organic and sustainable products.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble has announced that former EPA assistant administrator Steve Owens is the newest member of the company's U.S. sustainability expert advisory panel.

Owens, who joined his first SEAP meeting earlier this month in Cincinnati, brings a strong background in environmental, safety and health issues to the panel, P&G said.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer is launching a program that it said was designed to ensure that its seafood suppliers follow sustainability guidelines, the company said.

The mass merchandise retail chain announced that it would require suppliers to follow guidelines for farmed and wild-caught seafood; most of the seafood the chain sells comes from farms, as is the case with most of the industry, the company said.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Supermarket-pharmacy chain Hy-Vee is launching two initiatives designed to promote sustainability, in recognition of Earth Day.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it has named Suzanne Lindsay as its director of sustainability.

In the newly created position, Lindsay — who previously created and led sustainability initiatives at PetSmart — will lead Kroger's internal sustainability initiatives and will lead the company's sustainability leadership team.

Portable power is the growth area of the battery category. While sales of alkaline batteries remain challenged, rechargeable batteries and chargers are becoming a bigger part of the category.

“This year, we expect overall revenue for primary alkaline batteries to decline about 3% as fierce competition among manufacturers continues to pressure pricing for round cells,” said Tim Doyle, a Consumer Electronics Association spokesman.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday will unveil its first electric vehicle charging station in Orlando, Fla., at its International Drive and Sand Lake Road location with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., as City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer makes the inaugural charge.

NEW YORK, and KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Duane Reade has added Smith Electric Vehicles' Newton zero-emission, all-electric commercial trucks to its delivery fleet.

With the addition of these medium-duty trucks, Duane Reade is the first retail pharmacy in the United States to choose fleet electrification through a pilot program with Smith Electric Vehicles, a global leader in zero-emission, all-electric commercial vehicles.