Center Store

WASHINGTON — A report released by the Institute of Medicine suggested that front-of-package labels don't give clear guidance about a product's healthfulness.

PLOVER, Wis. — Intevation Food Group has introduced a line of frozen crouton-coated vegetables.

Crunchtables includes sweet baby carrots, broccoli, green beans, zucchini, mushrooms and pickles, the company said.

"As Americans try to manage snacking and move toward improved nutritional choices, we must remember that food must deliver on taste — first and foremost," Intevation VP sales and marketing Dan Horan said. "We think of Crunchtables as a 'stealth health' product because it delivers great taste and better nutrition."

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Mobile retail websites have emerged as an indispensible in-store tool for consumers as they shop, according to a new survey conducted by Hipcricket, an Augme Technologies company, that was released Thursday.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi is boosting its presence in the frozen food aisle with two all-natural frozen entrées.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Carolina Beverage Corp. brand is looking to make a nationwide push, according to published reports.

Cheerwine, a soft drink that features a wild cherry flavor, will be distributed in the Atlanta, Memphis and Florida markets by PepsiCo, according to the Charlotte Observer.

"We feel it's an ideal time to expand, and we're fortunate to be doing it with a world-class partner," Cheerwine CEO Cliff Ritchie was quoted as saying.

Candles become a key general merchandise category later in the year — 35% of candle sales in the United States occur during the fourth quarter. Fall decorating, Thanksgiving and holiday gift-giving drive sales, according to a representative from the National Candle Association.

Holiday candle sales have been strong even in a tight economy, since they are a relatively inexpensive indulgence. Traditional cinnamon, berry and evergreen are key scents for the holidays; vanilla is most popular year-round.

CHICAGO — Consumers looking for healthy meal solutions on the go have a new option: GoPicnic, a line of eight convenient, shelf-stable ready-to-eat meals. The brand partners with such top-quality manufacturers as Late July Organics and Old Wisconsin to develop meals that are all-natural and contain no preservatives. All menus have fewer than 500 calories; four of the options are gluten-free.


FAIRFIELD, Calif. — Jelly Belly is slated to offer a store promotion with photo sharing website Shutterfly in spring 2012.

Jelly Belly said that consumers who purchase two specially marked bags of Jelly Belly jelly beans or Jelly Bean Chocolate Dips will receive five free photo cards that can be redeemed online to create personalized cards using their own photos or designs. The on-pack consumer promotion launches Jan. 3, 2012 and runs through July.

Jelly Belly bean promotional packages will ship to stores Dec, 15 through March 31, 2012.