Education

CHICAGO — Sara Lee Foodservice, a division of the Hillshire Brands Company, has introduced a line of products aimed at the kindergarten-12th grade education sector, focusing on turkey items for both breakfast and lunch.

Additionally, Sara Lee Foodservice will be participating in the United States Department of Agriculture Commodity Food Distribution Program that enables schools to purchase items at reduced prices.

Hollywood, Fla. -- A.R.E. (Association for Retail Environments) has appointed Todd Dittman executive director, succeeding Klein Merriman, who will retire in August. In this role, Dittman, a marketing and finance executive with more than 20 years of experience, will lead A.R.E. and manage Pave, the industry educational foundation, and the Retail Design Institute, working with each organization’s volunteer officers and boards of directors. The appointment is effective Aug. 1.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples is taking a page from retailers like Macy’s and turning to social media as it gears up for the back-to-school shopping season as it encourages students to follow Staples on Facebook and Twitter with hashtag #StaplesHasIt.

ATLANTA — Lowe’s has donated $1 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America so the organization can refurbish clubs across the country. Lowe's grants of up to $50,000 will fund repairs and renovations at 20 Boys & Girls Clubs, from northern Washington State to South Florida.

LOS ANGELES — Virtual Piggy has integrated its youth-friendly payment system with Claire’s Stores’ e-commerce website at www.claires.com.

Olympia, Wash. -- Total Wine & More will open its 96th wine and spirits superstore in Olympia, Wash., on July 18. With over 21,000 sq. ft., the store will offer more than 8,000 wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 beers.

The store also houses iPad stations stocked with tasting notes and food pairings, flat screen televisions running programs about winemakers, distillers and brewers and a walk-in humidor. In addition, a classroom provides space for tastings, classes and community meetings.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s wants to keep its Wild Theater program at the Milwaukee County Zoo alive and well, so it plans continued support through a $1.5 million donation throughout a three-year period to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble CEO and director William Lynch has resigned, effective immediately, and the company has restructured its leadership team as a result.