Supermarket/Grocery

WASHINGTON — First Lady Michelle Obama on Wednesday afternoon will be joined by corporate chiefs from Walmart, Walgreens and Supervalu and smaller regional market chains as she announces a new initiative to support the Let's Move! campaign, according to a Monday posting on the blog site Obama Foodorama.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and WASHINGTON — When given a choice, American consumers prefer to purchase organic foods, according to the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll. The survey found that 58% of Americans say they choose organic over conventionally produced foods when they have the opportunity, a number that spikes higher among both young and highly educated respondents. Sixty-three percent of respondents under the age of 35 prefer organic foods, as do 64% of those with a bachelor's degree or more.

New York City -- First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America on Wednesday announced that that several national and regional food retailers have pledged to open or expand stores in low-income markets where finding nutritious food options can be difficult. The chains participating in the partnership include Walmart, Walgreens and Supervalu, which, in total, agreed to open or expand hundreds of locations as part of the effort to eliminate what the Department of Agriculture calls “food deserts” throughout the country.

Houston -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased 8,600 sq. ft. of retail space in Houston to four new tenants.

In The Woodlands, Zoës Kitchen leased 3,018 sq. ft. at Sterling Ridge Village Center, bringing the center to 100% occupancy.  The restaurant is slated to open in December. Optometry office Woodland’s Eye Center leased 2,019 sq. ft. for an October opening at Indian Springs Center, bringing the center to full occupancy.

Austin, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased 15,000 sq. ft. of retail space in Austin, Texas, to six new tenants.

Pure Barre opened a 1,750-sq.-ft. studio at North Hills Town Center, bringing the center to 100% occupancy.

Huntington, N.Y. -- Oak Brook, Ill.-based Inland Private Capital Corp. announced Wednesday the $40.2 million sale of Huntington Square Plaza, a grocery-anchored shopping center located in Huntington, N.Y., on Long Island.

Toronto-based RioCan Holdings purchased the 116,221-sq.-ft. center, which Inland Private Capital Corp. offered to a group of private tenant-in-common investors in 2004.

By Karen VanBrunt, [email protected]

MONTVALE, N.J. — Grocer A&P announced on Monday the launch of a new program, Live Better Baby Club, which is designed to help customers save on their baby-related purchases.

Members of the Live Better Baby Club will receive an automatic 10% discount on baby products every time they shop at A&P, Pathmark, Superfresh, Waldbaum's and The Food Emporium stores.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion stores located along the coasts of North Carolina and South Carolina raised more than $100,000 during the retailer's "Thriller on the Griller at the Beach" events.

The events, which took place from June 17 to July 3 at 14 stores, raised $101,149, Food Lion said. The company said that the funds raised surpassed the retailer's goal by nearly $15,000.

NEW YORK — Rising food prices and shrinking package sizes is a top concern for consumers, according to Deloitte's "2011 Consumer Food and Product Insight Survey."