After 42 years with the Kroger Co., Reggie Griffin, the retailer’s top produce executive, will be retiring on Oct. 29.

“We have been planning this for a while,” said Mr. Griffin, who will retire as vice president of produce and floral merchandising and procurement for the nation’s second-leading retailer, which has more than 3,600 stores. “We bought our retirement home in Hilton Head, South Carolina, about four years ago.”

A custom-built, one-of-a-kind strawberry-themed “Musical Harvest” guitar will be auctioned on Facebook by Colorful Harvest to raise awareness of childhood food allergies.

The unique guitar has been signed by country music superstar Trace Adkins, whose daughter suffers from severe food allergies. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network to support its programs and services in food-allergy awareness, advocacy, education and research.

FoodLink, an on-line network for fresh food retailers, wholesalers and suppliers, announced its status as a certified partner to Giant Eagle Inc. and its produce team.

With 228 supermarket locations, Giant Eagle is one of the larger produce buyers in the country, offering selections from regional growers to global suppliers with a focus on the highest quality and freshness standards.

The Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League presented Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer of Chiquita Brands International, with the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award for 2011 during the team’s game Sept. 25.

The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation have partnered to launch the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards during the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The awards honor notable Hispanics in each NFL market who have distinguished themselves and made an impact on America and globally.

The Walt Disney Co. and Ocean Spray — two iconic American brands that have captured families’ imaginations and appetites for more than 80 years each — announced the debut of the first cranberry bog exhibit at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL, during the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which is being held Sept. 30 to Nov. 13.

Reidsville, GA-based Shuman Produce has partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure this October by donating $20,000 to the fight against breast cancer. Now in its second year of partnership, Shuman’s “RealSweet” packaging will bear the familiar pink ribbon and colors of the campaign on newly designed consumer bags, bins, 40-pound cartons and PLU stickers.