Center Store

NEW YORK — A gourmet pizza chain is bringing its gluten-free pizza line to the frozen food aisle of stores nationwide.

Garlic Jim’s, a restaurant chain based in Washington, initially began rolling out its 12-in. frozen pizzas in supermarkets in the Puget Sound, Wash., area this spring.

Garlic Jim's frozen gluten-free pizza is available in the following varieties: "The King of Pizza Toppings" pepperoni pizza, gourmet garlic pizza, "Don't Have a Cow Literally" veggie pizza and "The Big Cheese" three-cheese pizza.

To Drug Store News and the industry at large:

As the year comes to a close, ECRM would like to express our collective gratitude for the industry’s support over the past year. I personally want to thank the many retailers, suppliers and brokers for their overwhelming expressions of encouragement, sympathy, and compassion directed to me personally and to all of us at ECRM during this difficult period.  At a time of inexplicable tragedy for me, your collective support  helped to keep our vision alive and I am forever grateful.

NEW YORK — A survey of registered dietitians released by Pollock Communications Wednesday identified a "diet trifecta" of vitamins, minerals and fibers as the No. 2 nutrition trend that will play out in 2012.

SMYRNA, Ga. — Bubba Brands has introduced its Envy tumblers.

The tumblers, which are made of Eastman Tritan material, safeguard hot contents for 3 hours and conserves cold contents for up to 5 hours, the company said.

Bubba Envy tumblers are available in 17-oz. and 24-oz. sizes at Publix stores and on ShopBubba.com.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate North America has expanded its M&M's portfolio with the introduction of new snack mixes.

M&M's snack mixes, which will be available in three varieties (milk chocolate, peanut chocolate and dark chocolate), offer a sweet and salty treat by featuring M&M's candies, mini cookies, golden pretzel twists, raisins, almonds and more.

M&M's snack mixes will be packaged in 8-oz. resealable stand-up pouches and hit store shelves in May 2012 for a suggested retail price of $3.39 per bag.

NORWICH, N.Y. — Chobani announced that it broke ground on a new state-of-the-art, high capacity production facility.

The domestic manufacturing plant, based in Twin Falls, Idaho, will span 940,000 sq. ft. This facility, Chobani said, will create more than 400 jobs and allow the company to bring product innovations to market.

Production at the new plant is anticipated to start in the second half of 2012.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — 2012 may shape up to be a big year for Kraft Foods as the company prepares to launch more than 70 new products.

The lineup of products includes items across the following categories:

• Easy meal solutions, such as Kraft Sizzling Salads, Kraft Fresh Take and Velveeta Cheesy Skillets dinner kits;

• Beverages with energy benefits, including new MiO water enhancer flavors and Crystal Light energy powdered drink mix;

BILLUND, Denmark — Lego has introduced a new line of construction toys that caters to girls ages 5 years and older.

Lego Friends, the company said, is a collection that will consist of 23 products that tailor the Lego construction experience to the demographic, the company said. The sets now will roll out through summer 2012.