Quality Food Centers, Bellevue, Wash., last week opened its first store in the western suburbs of Portland, Ore., with an emphasis on produce, deli sandwiches and meals-to-go. As reported in SN, QFC will open a second unit in the market later this month, and plans to open 10 to 15 additional units there in coming years.
a vegetarian activist did not violate so-called "veggie libel laws" during a 1996 episode of Oprah concerning mad cow disease.
NASH FINCH CO., Minneapolis, said last week it intends to raise $150 million through the sale of senior subordinated notes due 2008. Nash Finch said net proceeds from the sale will be applied to reduce borrowings under the company's revolving credit facility and give the wholesaler greater operating flexibility. The offering is expected to close late this month.
UNITED GROCERS, Portland, Ore., said last week it will sell its Grocers Insurance Group subsidiary to Orion Capital Corp. Terms of the proposed sale were not disclosed. UG had previously announced its intention to divest non-core assets. Most recently, it agreed to sell its chain of warehouse stores, Cash & Carry, to Smart & Final.
THE FIRST COSTCO in Manhattan will be one of three superstores to anchor a new 555,000-square-foot mall in East Harlem.
THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION last week approved the use of sucralose, the first no-calorie sweetener made from sugar, in 15 food and beverage categories, including baked goods and baking mixes, beverages, dairy products and processed fruits and fruit juices.
