The 2012 Southern States Holiday Food Drive collected nearly 2.5 tons of canned, boxed and other stable food items for food banks and charitable organizations in 36 cities and towns in the company’s south and mid-Atlantic regions. The drive, in its second year, was held Nov. 12 through Dec. 16. Southern States is a Richmond-based farm supply and service cooperative, founded in 1923 that now has more than 300,000 farmer-members.

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Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., of Henrico, is one of four Central Virginia companies accepted recently into the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Fifty companies currently participate in the VALET program, which provides participating companies assistance from the commonwealth and from a team of experienced international service providers to help meet their international goals. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. More than 188 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.

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Bremo Pharmacy, a locally owned and operated pharmacy in Richmond for over 30 years, and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy have joined forces to improve medication management and outcomes for seniors in Central Virginia. Seniors are at increased risk of medication adverse events, side effects, interactions, overlap in therapy and poor outcomes. Many of the symptoms that are considered a normal part of aging, such as confusion, falls, depression and incontinence, can be common side effects of the medications that seniors take. In order to reduce these risks and allow seniors to live more independently, the School of Pharmacy and Bremo will offer a variety of services, including medication checkups, special packaging, home delivery, automated refilling, reconciliation of hospital discharges and personal medication profiles for patients to keep with them at all times. For details, visit http://www.bremorx.com .

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Agents with Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer recently handled the following lease negotiations: Goodwill Industries, Inc. – renewed its lease of 6,958 square feet at 6202 W. Broad St.; Neuropsychological Services of Virginia, Inc. – renewed its lease of 3,393 square feet in Richmond Medical Park at 2000-2012 Bremo Rd.; Babystuff and Kids 2 – leased 1,609 square feet in The Shoppes at Westgate at 11759 W. Broad St.; Rocoto Chicken – leased 1,502 square feet in Gold Gym’s Plaza at West Tower at 8900 W. Broad St.; and Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities – leased 1,443 square feet in Dumbarton Oaks at 5511 Staples Mill Rd.