Albertsons Recalls Deli Items in Colorado Over Listeria Risk

## Albertsons Companies: Overview Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, operating over 2,200 stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under a portfolio of well-known regional banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets, and Balducci’s Food Lovers Market[7]. The company supports its vast retail network with 22 distribution centers and 19 manufacturing plants, employing approximately 285,000 associates[7]. Albertsons Companies is recognized for its focus on customer service, innovation, and a broad product offering that spans groceries, pharmacy, fuel, and digital services. ## History and Foundation The company traces its roots to 1939, when Joe Albertson, a former Safeway district manager, opened his first store in Boise, Idaho, with a $5,000 investment and an additional $7,500 borrowed from his wife’s aunt[1][4][5]. Albertson’s vision was to create a one-stop, self-service supermarket that emphasized quality, value, and customer service—innovations that included in-store bakeries, magazine racks, and fresh ice cream made on-site[2][5]. The first store was an immediate success, and Albertson quickly expanded, opening additional locations in neighboring towns and steadily growing sales[1][3]. By 1945, Albertsons was incorporated, and by the end of the decade, it operated six stores with annual sales nearing $3 million[1][3]. The company went public in 1959, fueling further expansion across the Western United States[1][2]. ## Growth and Key Achievements Albertsons pioneered several retail innovations, such as integrating pharmacies into grocery stores and

Fresh Creative Foods is a prominent refrigerated prepared foods supplier based in Vista, California, with a history dating back to 1950. The company specializes in delivering high-quality, chef-inspired food solutions that emphasize freshness and premium ingredients. Its product range includes fresh side dishes, appetizers, and meals, which are designed to appeal to foodservice and retail customers alike, reflecting a strong culinary creativity and commitment to quality[1][2]. Operating as a division of Reser’s Fine Foods, a leading North American provider of deli salads and prepared foods, Fresh Creative Foods benefits from the resources and expertise of a larger organization with nearly 4,800 employees and 16 facilities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada[3]. This relationship enhances its capability to serve families and businesses with consistently fresh and delicious products that have been enjoyed for over seven decades. Fresh Creative Foods is not only focused on product quality but also on community involvement. The company actively supports local non-profits through donations and encourages employee leadership in community service, reflecting its values beyond just food production[5]. It carefully manages product donations to ensure food safety by partnering with organizations equipped to handle perishable goods responsibly. In addition to branded products, Fresh Creative Foods offers private label development services, working collaboratively with clients to create or replicate recipes efficiently, also providing packaging design to streamline product launches[4]. The company employs approximately 361 people and generates close to $20 million in revenue, demonstrating a solid market presence in the food and beverage industry[1]. Overall, Fresh Creative Foods stands out as a trusted, innovative food supplier with a rich legacy, strong community ties, and a focus on culinary excellence, positioning it well within the competitive prepared foods sector.

The **U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)** is a major federal executive department established in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln, originally to support farmers through research and seed distribution, earning the nickname "The People’s Department"[1][2][7]. Today, it functions as a comprehensive agency overseeing food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and nutrition across the United States and globally. The USDA’s mission is to foster innovation and promote agricultural production to nourish Americans and feed the world while conserving natural resources through science-based policies. It operates with a budget of approximately $467 billion for fiscal year 2024 and employs around 100,000 people across 4,500 locations, making it one of the largest federal departments[1][5]. Organizationally, USDA is divided into 29 agencies grouped into eight mission areas: Farm Production and Conservation, Food Safety, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Natural Resources and Environment, Research, Education and Economics, Rural Development, and Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Each area is led by Senate-confirmed officials responsible for policy and program implementation[1]. Key achievements include pioneering agricultural research, establishing the Cooperative Extension Service (1914) to disseminate farming knowledge, and administering the Food Stamp Program (now Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP) which is the largest nutrition assistance program in the U.S., forming about 71% of USDA’s budget[1][4]. The USDA also manages the United States Forest Service, overseeing roughly 25% of federal lands, highlighting its critical role in conservation[4]. The department supports farmers with financial aid and subsidies, enforces food safety regulations to protect consumers, promotes rural economic development through infrastructure and home loan programs, and pursues sustainability and environmental stewardship. Its influence extends internationally by promoting agricultural trade and addressing global hunger[2][3][5]. Currently led by Secretary Brooke Rollins since February 2025, USDA continues to adapt by integrating innovation and technolog