Darden Restaurants, Inc., Orlando, Fla., recognized several refrigerated and frozen food processor suppliers among winners for its annual "William B. Darden Distinguished Supplier Awards."
Independent wholesale produce distributor Testa Produce Inc. said its new 91,000-square-foot, $21 million distribution center in Chicago is on track to become the first foodservice distribution facility to become the first foodservice distribution facility to earn a LEED® Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Consumer confidence in food safety is at its highest point in seven years, with 88 percent of shoppers “completely” or “somewhat” confident in the safety of food at the supermarket.
Refrigerated hummus processor Sabra Dipping Company LLC, White Plains, N.Y., said it plans to expand its refrigerated product line and enter several new categories.
In conjunction with a third-quarter earnings release, Sara Lee Corp., Downers Grove, Ill., said it agreed to buy premium processor Aidells Sausage Company Inc., San Leandro, Calif., for $87 million.
Private label and branded foods giant Ralcorp Holdings, Inc., St. Louis, said its board of directors unanimously determined that ConAgra Foods' unsolicited non-binding proposal of $4.9 billion "is not in the best interests of shareholders."
After it was rebuffed in private discussions, ConAgra went public to say it would like to buy Ralcorp for $86 per share in cash, or approximately $4.9 billion, plus the assumption of $2.5 billion in debt.
Supermarket retailing giant The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, said it recognized several key supplier partners for "exceptional contributions" to Kroger's private label business.