The changing economy has spurred many consumers to change their spending habits with more than half of consumers saying they are buying less in the deli and prepared food areas.

Families aren't eating out so why not take fine restaurant dining to them -- in a retail form?

Diversified bakery, meat and prepared foods giant Sara Lee Corp., Downers Grove, Ill., said it hired Marcel H.M. Smits as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Oct. 1.

The toughest challenges in getting dinner ready? Here are the top five, according to supermarket retailer Wegmans Food Markets Inc.

United Supermarkets LLC, Lubbock, Texas, said it acquired local refrigerated foods processor Praters Foods Inc. to strengthen its prepared food capabilities.

Foodservice product sales were strong in 2008 and helped contribute both sales and profit to the nation's convenience store operators.

Meat industry media reported that Daniel Feinberg has assumed the posts of president and CEO at Dakota Beef LLC, an organic beef processor in Howard, S.D.

Although the majority of U.S. consumers believe that foods in supermarkets are safe, the percentage who feel this way has decreased during the past five years.

Fresh, further prepared foods will star in "Simply Good Meals," a national ready meals merchandising program rolling out from SuperValu Inc., Minneapolis.

The Lufkin (Texas) Daily News reported that Pilgrim's Pride Corp., Pittsburg, Texas, will eliminate 450 of 1,650 positions at its Nacoghoches, Texas, plant.