Consumables

LOS ANGELES — Hi-Chew has sweetened up its fruit chews with a new flavor.

The fruit chew brand has expanded to include a peach variety. The Hi-Chew lineup currently includes strawberry, green apple, melon, mango and banana flavors. The company announced it was rolling out a grape-flavored fruit chew in late 2010.

Hi-Chew is available at convenience stores and such retailers as Ralphs grocery stores.

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Kraft said its namesake and Polly-O brands are offering families summer fun through a partnership with Six Flags.

From May 15 through Aug. 31, consumers that purchase specially marked Kraft and Polly-O string cheese or twists products can redeem the packages for discounted tickets to Six Flags.

Polly-O packages are good for one free kid's ticket (under 10 years old) with the purchase of a general admission ticket on weekdays (up to a $34.99 value) or $15 off general admission any day. Kraft packages are good for $15 off general admission any day.

EAGLE, Idaho — The American Heart Association announced that fresh Idaho potatoes meet its criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol.

One medium Idaho potato (5.3 oz.) contains 110 calories and does not contain fat or cholesterol, according to the Idaho Potato Commission.

CHICAGO — Starburst has tapped "Glee" star Mark Salling to launch the Starburst Contradictions Project, which encourages consumers to embrace differences that make us unique.

ORRVILLE, Ohio — J.M. Smucker said it has completed its acquisition of the coffee brands and business operations of Rowland Coffee Roasters, a privately owned, Miami-based company.

The company completed the $360 million transaction with cash on hand and borrowings under its existing credit facility. The transaction is expected to contribute approximately 5 cents per diluted common share to fiscal 2012 earnings, excluding one-time costs of the transaction, J.M. Smucker said.

PHOENIX — Inventure Foods is expanding its licensed line of Jamba Juice at-home offerings with a fourth flavor.

Caribbean Passion joins the roster of Jamba all-natural smoothies kits that will hit store shelves next month. Jamba's Caribbean Passion smoothie kits, which include real frozen strawberries, peaches, mangoes and passion fruit flavor, will retail for $2.99 to $3.49 per package.

The flavor joins Razzmatazz, Mango-a-go-go and Strawberries Wild smoothie varieties.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Snyder's-Lance is boosting its Lance Cracker Creations line with two new flavors.

New garden vegetable and parmesan herb varieties feature flavors that are baked into the sandwich cracker and feature a cream cheese filling, the company said.

Cracker Creations are larger than traditional Lance sandwich crackers and will be packaged in convenient twin packs with six twin packs per box.

HERSHEY, Pa. — Kevin Walling has joined confectioner Hershey's team as its SVP and chief people officer, effective June 1.

In his new role, Walling will serve as the chief architect for Hershey’s human resources, talent retention, development and recruitment, as well as total rewards strategies.

Walling, who joins Hershey from global technology and manufacturing company Kennametal, will report to Hershey president and CEO David West.