Food & Drinks
Wal-Mart Pledges Commitment to Cage-Free Eggs by 2025
NEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart Stores Inc., nation’s largest food retailer, is pledging to sell only cage-free eggs by 2025, joining a growing list of retailers and food makers making the switch.
The pace picked up when McDonald’s announced in September that it will phase out the use of eggs laid by caged hens over the next 10 years. Since then, Target and Costco have been among major retailers to offer specific pledges.
But with Wal-Mart garnering 25 percent of total grocery sales in the U.S., it will have outsized influence on suppliers’ practices.
Photo courtesy of Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images
Wal-Mart said Tuesday it will require egg suppliers to be certified and fully compliant with the United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines or an equivalent standard. It will monitor their compliance through a third party. The cage-free standard will apply to eggs sold at more than 5,000 stores including Sam’s Club locations.
The move comes as the food industry has been pressed by animal rights groups to eliminate using confined egg-laying hens, as well as other practices.
Last year, Wal-Mart urged thousands of U.S. suppliers to curb the use of antibiotics in farm animals as part of a set of principles it laid out to improve animal welfare. It has offered customers the option of cage-free eggs in its U.S. stores since 2001.
“The era of confining hens in cages in America’s food system is officially sunsetting,” wrote Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, in a blog published after Wal-Mart’s announcement.
Pacelle said that his group has been working with Wal-Mart for the past decade and has traveled frequently to Wal-Mart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, to “make our case” to key Wal-Mart personnel.
Given that Wal-Mart likely buys more eggs than any other food retailer and that cage-free egg production in the U.S. is limited, it wasn’t a decision that it could make “precipitously,” Pacelle wrote in his blog.
Food & Drinks
ICON Park Celebrates Florida Residents with Exclusive Dining, Drink, and Attraction Deals
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – ICON Park is showing love to Florida residents this fall with an array of exclusive savings across its restaurants, bars, and attractions — and Florida National News is spotlighting this vibrant International Drive destination for our foodies and drink lovers. From family outings to date nights, Floridians can savor great food, fun, and entertainment for less — all in one place.
Exclusive Florida Resident Offers
Participating ICON Park venues are offering limited-time perks for residents who present valid Florida identification. From meal specials and drink discounts to attraction savings, the deals vary by location — with some running through November 2025 and others extending into early 2026.
Dining and Drink Highlights
Brother Jimmy’s BBQ – Florida Resident Lunch Special: choose one of five dishes and a beverage for $15, Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m., through Nov. 30.
Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips – Enjoy 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages with a valid Florida ID. Valid all day, every day.
I Café De Paris – Take 15% off all items through Dec. 31, 2025.
Juan Valdez Café – Mix and Match Combo: 16 oz latte or chai with marble cake or cheese bun for $8.45, through Dec. 31, 2025.
Ole Red Orlando – Florida residents receive 20% off food and non-alcoholic beverages daily.
Uncle Julio’s Orlando – Get $5 off your meal with a $20+ purchase, valid daily through Feb. 2026.
The Winery and Tasting Room by Brewlando – Enjoy $5 Tosso Rosé and $5 pints (select choices) Monday–Friday, 3–7 p.m., with valid Florida ID.
Attraction Savings
Museum of Illusions Orlando – Admission $17.99 per person, Monday–Thursday through Nov. 20, 2025.
The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando & SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium – Get $5 off admission for Florida Resident Tickets purchased online 24 hours in advance.
Orlando Slingshot – Receive $5 off ride admission through Nov. 20, 2025.
A Destination for Locals
“These offers are our way of saying thank you to the community that supports ICON Park year-round,” said Chris Jaskiewicz, CEO of ICON Park. “We’re proud to be a place where locals can relax, celebrate, and make memories — whether it’s grabbing a bite, catching live entertainment, or taking in the view from The Orlando Eye.”
ICON Park continues to be a favorite gathering spot for both locals and visitors, offering free parking, free admission, and endless options for food, fun, and relaxation in a walkable setting.
For a full list of participating venues and offer details, visit:
ICONParkOrlando.com/deals-tag/florida-resident
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FNN Good News & Reviews | News@FloridaNationalNews.com
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FNN Good News & Reviews
FNN Good News & Reviews: Mandola’s Italian Kitchen Opens Third Florida Location in Oldsmar
Modeled after an Italian marketplace, Mandola’s Italian Kitchen brings its quick service concept to Oldsmar. Named after famed restaurateur Damian Mandola, who founded Carrabba’s with his nephew Johnny Carrabba, the restaurant’s third Florida location is also co-owned by Paul Avery, the former Chief Operating Officer of Outback Steakhouse.
“While in New York or in the North End of Boston or Providence, Rhode Island, I would go to the Italian areas,” Mandola said. “You have the bakery or you have the gelateria or the cafe, or the deli with all the food products and the cheeses and olive oil and things like that.”
Mandola, who admits his passion lies in the cooking process and fresh ingredients, while Avery is the business mastermind, felt the need to put all of those Italian staples under one roof, so he and his wife opened their first Mandola’s in Austin, TX in 2006. The concept grew rapidly and quickly moved into Florida with its first location in Riverview in 2001 and Carrollwood shortly thereafter.
Guests enter Mandola’s and walk right up to the counter to order where they are greeted by friendly staff who are ready to take them on a culinary journey their taste buds won’t forget. Food is cooked fresh in an open kitchen using the best ingredients and pasta al dente just like Mama Mandola would have prepared it.
The vibrant dining room adorned with red and green chairs, flags from the ceiling, and walls adorned with family photos is a welcome calling. Moments after we were seated, fresh focaccia bread with olive oil and spices for dipping arrived at the table.
Our table ordered the fried mozzarella for the antipasti course. Golden brown triangles with oodles of gooey mozzarella and the best tomato sauce I’ve ever had.
For dinner, we feasted on traditional favorites: eggplant parmigiana with spaghetti and marinara sauce and chicken parmesan served with fettuccine Alfredo. Equally delicious and the portion size left us with barely any room for dessert!
“A lot of these are Mama Mandola’s recipes,” he said. “Chicken parmesan is our favorite and our biggest seller. For me, my favorite is my mom’s spaghetti and meatballs. It reminds me of Sundays at my mom’s and we had all the family together.”
No matter what you are in the mood for, the menu features a plethora of salads (with homemade dressing) antipasti, pizza, pasta, and chicken dishes like chicken marsala with a wine reduction from the Lombardi Family in Sicily, as well as daily specials like linguine with clam sauce, and brasato, beef short rib, slow-braised with red wine, aromatic vegetables, and fresh herbs.
Thirsty? No worries. In addition to traditional Italian sodas, sparkling waters, and soft drinks, Mandola’s also offers beer, wine on tap, and specialty drinks such as sangria, bellinis, frose, mimosas, and spritz from the bar.
If we could offer one very valuable piece of advice, it is to save room for dessert! The bakery is a can’t-miss at Mandola’s, with fresh pastries made daily including Italian cookies like lemon ricotta, famous cannolis, specialty cakes, tiramisu, and who could forget sorbetto and gelato?
My guest and I couldn’t decide on one flavor each, so we went with a combo of lemon and raspberry, and almond with cookies and cream. Let’s just say we both agreed it was as good as the ones we enjoyed in Italy.
Mandola’s Italian Kitchen is located at 3138 Tampa Rd, Oldsmar, FL, and is open for lunch and dinner and plans to open future locations in nearby Odessa, Orlando, and Jacksonville as well.
The restaurant is perfect for a family dinner, or date night, or if you want to stop in and grab a coffee and dessert that’s an excellent idea as well!
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