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CINCINNATI — Fashion designer Kimora Lee Simmons is adding "fabulosity" to Bounty's "We Love Our School" Week.

As part of the paper towel brand's "We Love Our School" Week, which kicked off on Valentine's Day, Kimora Lee Simmons announced Friday the launch of the Make a Clean Difference Pledge, hosted at Bounty's Facebook page. The pledge allows parents and teachers to submit their schools to support clean, creative learning environments for children.

Rising commodity costs and brutal competition have been squeezing profits from the ready-to-eat cereal category. Dollar sales for the 52-week period ended Dec. 26, 2010, were down 3%, according to SymphonyIRI Group. Sue Viamari, editor of SymphonyIRI’s Times and Trends, said the category has been in decline during the past several quarters, and there was a 0.7% decline in price per volume during the same period.


FAIRFIELD, Calif. — Jelly Belly’s new Peas & Carrots mellowcreme mix is a whimsical, retro product that has been revived right from the company’s antique candy molds. The “baby carrots” in the mix are orange sherbet mellowcreme, while the “peas” are green apple flavor — a sweet version of a classic veggie combination.


NORWICH, N.Y. — Greek yogurt brand Chobani has launched its Real Love Stories multifaceted campaign.

The campaign, which underscores the love Chobani fans have for the brand, marks the company's first national advertising push, which includes two national television commercials, along with digital and out-of-home ads. Outreach also will continue on the brand’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hallmark has partnered with the U.S. Postal Service to make sending greeting cards hassle-free.

New postage-paid greetings, which will range in price from $2.69 to $3.99, feature the U.S. Postal Service's Intelligent Mail bar code on the front of the envelope. Acting as a first-class stamp, Hallmark's postage-paid greetings have an added convenience so consumers can sign, seal and send cards without worrying about adding a stamp to the envelope.

CHICAGO — While some ethnic cuisines have become mainstream, such as Italian and Chinese food, some lesser-known ethnic food products are enjoying growth in the marketplace, according to new research by Mintel.

According to Mintel's Global New Products Database, new food items that contained "Caribbean" in the product description realized a 150% increase from 2009 to 2010. In addition, Asian cuisine products, including Japanese and Thai, respectively rose 230% and 68%.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Kellogg's is emphasizing its fiber-rich cereals, following the release of a study that examined the link between dietary fiber from grains and the lower risk of death from certain diseases in both men and women.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — It seems that Facebook users love Oreo.