Briefs 2009-01-01

Mike Buzalka

Pilgrim's Pride Corp. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing feed prices and debt load, much of it from the $1.3 billion deal for Gold Kist, Inc., in 2007. A spokesperson stressed that the company was reorganizing, not liquidating its assets, and will keep operating through the reorganization process.

The board of directors of the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) has selected Legge Executive Group for full service association management and administration for its 1,500-member foodservice consulting professional organization.

Hobart will be representing the Baxter brand of baking equipment products starting January 1, 2009. Baxter will continue to do its own manufacturing but they products will be brought to market through the Hobart sales organization and dealers.

SCA Tissue North America has taken an equity position in American Fiber Services, an Atlanta-based recovered fiber supply chain specialist. The deal gives SCA enhanced access to recycled paper for use in its tissue manufacturing.

Darin Harris, at one time the national sales and marketing manager for Tyson Foods School Foodservice Division, has joined educational child care services provider Primrose Schools as COO.

Organic Alliance, Inc., has named former Fresh Express Foodservice VP Parker Booth president. Booth most recently was president of Ace Tomato and Delta PrePack.

Manitowoc Foodservice has named Rick Showers director of product management for its walk-in division.

Cargill Value-Added Meats is acquiring Carneco Foods LLC from Lopez Foods. Carneco makes processed beef products for the retail and foodservice industries in its Columbus, GA, plant.