Contract feeder Delaware North Cos. has awarded a fresh produce contract to PRO*ACT. Also this week, Cvent, Golden State Foods, Unilever Food Solutions, Dining Alliance, MARS Foodservices, and Bryan Steam LLC.
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Delaware North Cos., the hospitality and foodservice provider based here, said PRO*ACT, which has its headquarters in Monterey, Calif., will supply all of its U.S. operations with fresh produce. Although terms of the contract were not disclosed, PRO*ACT is expected to supply Delaware North with an estimated 500,000 or more cases of fresh produce annually. Delaware North operates more than 150 locations at U.S. sports venues, entertainment destinations, national and state parks, and hotels and airports. PRO*ACT has 70 distribution centers across the nation.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Gaylord Hotels, based here, has established a strategic partnership with Cvent, the provider of online event management software, site selection and event planning. According to the agreement, Cvent, which is based in McLean, Va., will help Gaylord promote a new program for meeting planners.
IRVINE, Calif. -- Golden State Foods, the diversified supplier to the foodservice industry, said it has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the freight industry. The partnership was designed to increase energy efficiency while reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution. Golden State is expected to contribute to the Partnership's target of cutting between 33 million and 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide by 2012.
LISLE, Ill. -- Unilever Foodsolutions said its corporate executive chef, Steve Jilleba, will serve as the manager of the American Culinary Federation's Team USA for the 2009-2012 term. The team is the official representative of the United States at major national and international culinary competitions. Jilleba is one of only 61 ACF-certified master chefs in the world.
WASHINGTON -- Dining Alliance, a national 1,900-member buying group, has expanded into the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area. The group has a combined national buying power of $500 million, which enables it to negotiate cost-plus savings programs with foodservice vendors. Dining Alliance forms a local advisory board of restaurateurs in each market that is responsible for contract negotiation and quality control.
RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, Calif. -- MARS Foodservices, a division of Mars Inc., honored its 2008 National Broker of the Year, Foodservice Solutions & Ideas, which serves Texas restaurant operators. In addition, MARS honored regional Brokers of the Year: Food Service Associates in the West division, Grant Hanson & Assoc. in the Northeast division, Innovative Concept Group in the Southeast division, and Venture Marketing in the Central division.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Wendy's FourCrown, the 60-unit Wendy's franchisee based here, installed a climate controlled WAND 46-inch Digital Outdoor Presale board at the drive-thru at its Chanhassan, Minn., restaurant. This marks the latest Presale board to the company's locations in Minnesota.
PERU, Ind. -- Bryan Steam LLC, the commercial boiler supplier based here, said its national sales and marketing manager, Dick Holmquist, will be retiring June 30. He has served in sales capacities in the industry heating industry for more than four decades. He will be succeeded by Ron Guth.