Project FIT is an initiative in the Grand Rapids, Mich., area to improve the health and nutrition of schoolchildren. The program is headed up by Denise Holmes, associate dean for government relations and outreach at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine. It's sponsored by Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan and the investigators are working with local community groups and government to increase access to and education about healthy foods and increase the activity level of school-aged children. The goal is to create a "culture" of healthy living that children will learn and carry throughout their lives.

The video provides a glimpse of what the program is doing in one school that is located in a Hispanic area of Grand Rapids.

On Feb. 21, U.S. Foodservice announced it had acquired Indianapolis-based Midway Produce Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Midway served restaurants, schools, health care and other business and industry customers in central Indiana. The acquisition will complement U.S. Foodservice's Indianapolis operation, allowing for more delivery options, and current Midway customers will have access to U.S. Foodservice's national product lines, according to a statement from the companies.

Sysco announced it has sought out strategic acquisitions to bolster its supply network, and in February purchased Toronto fresh-cut processor Martha's Garden. The company had been a supplier to Sysco, and will now be known as Sysco Fresh Cuts of Toronto. The company will be operating out a new 120,000 square foot facility by this summer.

Sysco sales in the second fiscal quarter of 2011 surpassed the same period in 2010, with an increase in sales of almost 6 percent - to $9.4 billion. For the first half of the 2011 fiscal year, Sysco sales were up almost 7 percent over 2010, totaling $19.1 billion. The increase of sales was the result of food cost inflation, especially in meat, dairy and seafood, according to the company's quarterly earnings report.

Engineered to produce continuous precision slices with extensive detail given to key elements throughout the machine, the new E TranSlicer Cutter joins the production-proven TranSlicer series in the Urschel line-up.

The E TranSlicer uses the same 20-inch wheel and delivers the same types of cuts as its predecessor, the TranSlicer 2000 Cutter. The machine also accepts the same size infeed of 4-inch diameter firm products, more compressible products up to 6-inch diameter, and offers the same production-proven operating principle. In addition, the E TranSlicer provides a newly designed cutting wheel mount/holder assembly that simplifies cutting wheel changeovers. Hinged/sliding access panels offer full access to all key areas of the machine. To further ease washdowns, surfaces are sloped. Sanitary design ensures that all mechanical components are separated from the food zone. Electrical cables are slightly raised off of the machine frame to simplify washdowns and alleviate trapped food particulates. The E TranSlicer is available with across-the-line start or with a variable frequency drive. Other options include a prep table to assist operators and a remote operator stop button. The integrated electrical box uses circuit breakers instead of fuses and incorporates a brake motor button to easily release the brake when needed. Durable stainless steel guardlocks and sensors offer indicator lights that illuminate when guardlocks are properly engaged. The machine features continuous operation for uninterrupted production.

To learn more about the E TranSlicer, please contact Urschel Laboratories Inc., at info@urschel.com, 219-464-4811, http://www.urschel.com or P.O. Box 2200, 2503 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, IN 46384-2200.