KROGER

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Purdue University, the University of Missouri and the University of North Carolina were the beneficiaries of a $1.5 million grant program designed to expand community pharmacy residency programs for recent school graduates.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation announced on Thursday that the academic institutions were the first three beneficiaries of the Community Pharmacy Residency Expansion Project (Community PREP) grant program.

For this first round of awards, the recipients were:

LOS ANGELES — Kroger banners Ralphs and Food 4 Less have commenced their Honoring Our Heroes fundraising campaign to benefit the United Service Organizations.

The checkstand fundraising, which will run through Aug. 13, is in conjunction with the USO's 70th anniversary.

All monies collected through the Ralphs/Food 4 Less Honoring Our Heroes fundraising program will be donated directly to the USO to support its programs, entertainment and other services for our service men and women.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Supermarket chain Publix has confirmed the termination of the lease arrangements with The Little Clinic within select store locations in Florida and Georgia.

The move marks the end of Publix’s five-year partnership with The Little Clinic, which is part of Solera Capital’s portfolio. Solera Capital had acquired The Little Clinic’s predecessor in 2005.

In 2010, private investment fund Solera Capital sold the remainder of its Little Clinic business to Kroger. Those Kroger-owned Little Clinic locations are not closing.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Wolfgang Puck's iced coffee is making its way to Fresh Market and Kroger stores.

WPIC, an organic, kosher and 120-calorie beverage, will arrive in Fresh Market and Kroger banner stores this June. The brand, which was developed by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and Woodway Beverage Partners, initially launched in 2009.

WPIC is available in single-serve bottles and four packs, the companies said.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Mike Jackson was named to the board of directors of iControl Systems USA, where he also will serve in the capacity of senior adviser to iControl president and CEO Tal Zlotnitsky.

Jackson is a 30-year veteran of Supervalu who retired from the company in late 2009 as president and COO.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble has teamed up with Kroger to support the United Services Organization.

In line with Kroger's USO support campaign called Honoring Our Heroes, P&G will launch a Mega Event sales promotion through which customers at participating Kroger banner stores receive $5 instantly at checkout when they purchase 10 participating P&G Mega Event items.

CINCINNATI — Kroger is committing $250,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to assist storm and flood relief efforts in communities across several Southeastern states.

NEW YORK — In the wake of the tornadoes and flooding that struck many southeastern states, several leading chains have stepped up to offer support for communities impacted by the tragedy, including CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, <a target="_blank" href="http://drugs