Cynthia “Cie” Nicholsonhas resigned as chief marketing officer ofPepsi-Cola North America, ending an 11-year career with the company. A statement said she resigned to pursue personal interests.

Del Monte Foodsis about to complete construction of a distribution center adjacent to its 400,000-square-foot pet food manufacturing plant in Topeka, Kansas. Completion is scheduled for early fall.

The Sholl Group II, marketer of selected Green Giant Fresh produce products, has namedCheryl Rinnanas business development analyst. Rinnan will be responsible for managing the Wal-Mart account to support growth via analytical and financial reporting, as well as supporting additional retail accounts.

J.M. Smucker Co.has purchased the Folgers coffee business fromProcter & Gamble. The $2.95 billion stock deal won approval from federal antitrust authorities in July. Smucker previously has bought P&G’s Jif peanut butter and Crisco shortening brands.

Nearly half of consumers in aNielsen survey said the declining economy has made no difference in their spending on alcoholic beverages. Less than 20% indicated a significant impact.

Poultry processorPilgrim’s Pridehas announced plans to move tray-pack chicken operations out of its facility in El Dorado, Ark. The operation will be consolidated into six other case-ready facilities.

Sales of frozen novelties grew 7.2% from 2002 to 2007, while conventional ice cream sales fell 3.9% in that time period, according to a report fromMintel. However, ice cream constituted 60% of the frozen dessert market, compared with 36% for novelties.

Sales of “health and wellness” consumer packaged goods, including organic and natural foods, reached $102.75 billion in 2007, according to theNatural Marketing Institute. This constituted a 15% rise over 2006.

PepsiCo has reduced the plastic in some of its half-liter bottles for non-carbonated beverages by 20%. The change includesPepsiCo brands Lipton Iced Tea, Tropicana juice drinks, Aquafina FlavorSplash and Aquafina Alive.