KROGER

CINCINNATI — Kroger has kicked off a two-week campaign that is expected to generate $5 million dollars in cash and food donations to assist 80 local food banks in communities where Kroger's customers and associates live and work.

Kroger said that its annual Bringing Hope to the Table campaign, which runs through June 11, will assist food banks that are members of Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization. Since 2006, Kroger's family of stores has generated contributions of $25 million in food and funds through the campaign.

SEVERN, N.C. — Hampton Farms is offering fans of in-shell peanuts a new snack.

New Hickory SmokeHouse-flavored in-shell peanuts unite the taste of dry roasted peanuts with a "straight from the smokehouse" taste, the company said.

Available in 10-oz. packages, Hickory SmokeHouse peanuts will be available at such supermarkets as Food Lion, Giant, Kroger, Publix, Ralphs, Stop & Shop and Wegmans for a suggested retail price of $1.99.

CINCINNATI — Kroger said that its family of stores is offering new ways for its customers to save on gas.

The retailer said that customers can earn fuel discounts when they purchase select gift cards, and also when they fill certain eligible prescriptions.

Kroger noted that the discounts vary by state and that its prescription fuel savings promotion is not being offered to Arkansas pharmacy customers.

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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.

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:

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.