Retail & FoodService

The nation’s premier organization of professional chefs recently honored Executive Chef William Reardon and Hartford’s own VIVO Seasonal Trattoria with the 2012 Achievement of Excellence Award during the American Culinary Federation’s 2012 National Convention held in Orlando, FL. VIVO, which is located at the Marriott Hartford Downtown in Hartford, CT, was one of only 11 restaurants nationwide honored with the award. …

Reinhart Foodservice Louisiana, L.L.C., announced that it has entered into an agreement with P.A. Menard, Inc. to acquire certain assets of P.A. Menard's business in New Orleans, Louisiana. The transaction is expected to close on August 13, 2012, and P.A. Menard's operations will be subsequently integrated into Reinhart's New Orleans distribution facility. …

The Bay Area is becoming a magnet for grocers that want to expand existing operations or launch new ventures. Safeway, Walmart, Foods Co., Whole Foods and Grocery Outlet are among those seeking to muscle up in the region. Sprouts Farmers Market is attempting to beef up its efforts though acquisitions of rival grocers Henry's Farmers Market and Sunflower Farmer's Market. …

The Kroger Co. has begun cutting prices, in some instances by more than half, on more than 10,000 items in its seven local supermarkets, an executive said. That represents more than one-third of the 28,000 items in Kroger's grocery, drug and general merchandise sections, said Carl York, the advertising and public affairs manager for Kroger Mid-Atlantic. …

Discount supermarket chain Aldi’s plan to build an 821,000-square-foot distribution center and regional headquarters on State Road 7 continues to sail smoothly, with a village panel’s approval of a preliminary site plan for the $50 million project. …