FEDERAL MANDATES FOR ethanol production resulted in higher corn and animal feed costs this year. When combined with increased petroleum costs and rising global demand for certain commodities, the result was higher wholesale prices for meat, dairy...

CONCENTRATED laundry detergents led the charge toward greater supply chain efficiency and made the most of more limited shelf space in 2007. Packaged in a smaller vessel but still packing the same punch, the category became the darling of Wal-Mart...

Over the past several years, Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh, has distinguished itself as one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally minded food retailers in the U.S. Evidence for this comes from the 158-store chain's participation in...

The local food movement is one of the most exciting trends to hit supermarket produce departments in recent memory. Organics initially satisfied consumer demand for food grown, raised and produced free of chemical pesticides and all things...

With fuel prices at record highs and consumers becoming more aware of the need to protect the environment, energy-saving products are becoming an increasingly important part of retailers' product mixes. In responding to this trend, retailers will...

Harris Teeter became the latest food retailer to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership, which was officially launched last week in a ceremony at EPA headquarters. The other retail...

Publix Super Markets has found a unique, interactive way to promote its new GreenWise Market format, which opened in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., this fall. The Lakeland, Fla.-based chain has just launched an interactive, educational website...

TransFair USA has begun rolling out Fair Trade Certified flowers into U.S. florists and supermarkets, and shoppers appear to be accepting the program well. We've only had it since the beginning of October, and when we rolled it out, we sold about...

Washington The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will officially launch the GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership next week as it hopes to build on a growing relationship with the food retail industry aimed at curbing the effect of...

Consumer attitudes about natural and organic products, as well as the environment, are decidedly mixed, according to Parade magazine's 2007 What America Eats Survey, which was released last week. Only 8% of respondents said it was very important...