Brenda C. Barnes is stepping down as chairman and chief executive officer of Sara Lee Corp. so she can focus on improving her health. In addition, Barnes has resigned from Sara Lee’s board of directors. The board initiated a process to select a new chief executive officer. During the process, Marcel Smits will continue as interim chief executive officer, and Mark Garvey will continue as interim chief financial officer.
Unilever signed a binding agreement for the sale (€805 million) of its Italian frozen foods business, Findus, to a company in which Birds Eye Iglo has a significant stake.
ConAgra Foods was recognized with the Institute of Food Technologists Industrial Achievement Award for its Healthy Choice Café Steamers product platform. The judges described Café Steamers as “a significant improvement in frozen meal preparation and quality.”
Kellogg Company elected John A. Bryant, executive vice president and chief operating officer, to its board of directors. Bryant has been executive vice president since 2002 and chief operating officer since 2008.
Craft Brewers acquired Hawaii-based brewer Kona Brewing Company. Kona will operate as a subsidiary of Craft Brewers Alliance.