The Walmart Foundation has awarded a number of grants to nonprofits across Arizona. A portion of the monies were awarded to the Valley of the Sun YMCA, with a $50,000 grant to support its i-Learn Drop-Out Recovery Program, which has helped more than 800 high school dropouts attain school credits and receive their high school […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, Midwest
ConAgra, General Mills Optimistic for New Year
Omaha, Neb.-based ConAgra Foods Inc. and Minneapolis-based General Mills Inc. both are banking on earnings growth in the second half of their fiscal years, following muted first-half results with margins down from higher costs and sales volume crimped by rising prices, reports The Wall Street Journal. On Dec. 20, “the two packaged-food giants posted double-digit […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Top Five Forecasted Diet Trends for 2012
Looking for the hot new diet trends to follow in 2012? Who better to ask for help than the nation’s top nutrition experts? In a survey by Pollock Communications, a full-service public relations agency with long-standing relationships in the food and wellness industry, responses from more than 200 registered dieticians (RDs) in its network were […]
Posted in, Midwest
Kroger Workers in Mid-Michigan Ratify New Contract
Michigan Kroger workers represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 have voted to approve a new three-year contract by a vote of 84 percent “yes” to 16 percent “no.” “The proposal had the full recommendation of the bargaining committee as it preserved members’ health benefits and pension, and provided top-rate wage […]
Posted in, National
New Senior Leadership at Land O’Lakes Takes Helm Jan. 1
Land O’Lakes Inc. has announced changes to its executive leadership team in order to facilitate the company’s strategy to significantly accelerate growth in its core and emerging businesses, according to the company. Land O’Lakes President and CEO Chris Policinski reports Land O’Lakes has made substantial progress over the last several years in strengthening financial performance, […]
Posted in, Midwest, National, New Products
Kraft Debuting 70 Products for New Year
Kraft Foods Inc. knows its consumers well and is feeding their hunger for bold flavors, easy meal solutions and better-for-you offerings with more than 70 new product innovations, according to a company news release. “Americans are having more interactive experiences with food and want the opportunity to do some of the cooking themselves,” says Barry […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
Cargill Ground Turkey Production Resumes in Springdale, Ark.
Ground turkey production has resumed at Cargill’s meat processing facility in Springdale, Ark., after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved an enhanced food safety plan. The company suspended ground turkey production after voluntary recalls in August and September. Due to the resumption of ground turkey production, Cargill has brought back approximately 50 employees who were […]
Posted in, West
Seattle Plastic Bag Ban One Step Closer to Reality
The Seattle City Council voted unanimously Monday for a broad band on plastic shopping bags for businesses ranging from farmers markets to department stores. The bill would require stores to charge a 5-cent fee to shoppers if they want paper bags to hold their purchases. The bill now goes to Mayor Mike McGinn for his […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
NCGA To Celebrate ‘International Year of Cooperatives’
With the United Nations declaring 2012 the “International Year of Cooperatives,” the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) will officially kick off its year of celebrations with a “virtual” premiere of an online video series hosted by Kevin Gillespie, co-owner and executive chef at the Woodfire Grill Restaurant in Atlanta and sixth season finalist of the […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
2012 Food Trends Reflective of Economy, Digital Age
What do a plankton-feeding fish from Australia, Curry Powder’s golden ingredient, and explosive corn have in common? They may play a starring role in 2012’s American food trends, according to food and nutrition forecasters at Publicis Consultants USA. “Economic circumstances are prompting more than the usual degree of change in the highly adaptable food and […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Kraft Foods’ Limited Edition Holiday Treats Available
Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods, the world’s largest chocolate maker and biscuit baker, is making the holidays around the world even sweeter this year with seasonal biscuits and chocolates, in addition to annual favorites. “People around the world eagerly await the special chocolates, cookies, crackers and other products we make only for the Christmas and New […]
Posted in, National
Retail Trade Group Ups Holiday Sales Forecast, Expects Record Spending
The National Retail Federation has raised its holiday sales forecast, saying it now expects holiday sales to increase 3.8 percent this season to a record $469.1 billion. The NRF had previously forecast on Oct. 6 that holiday sales would increase just 2.8 percent, according to the San Francisco Business Times. The increase would come after […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Kroger To Merge Four Pension Funds
In a move expected to reduce Kroger Co.’s annual pension contribution expense and secure pension benefits for more than 65,000 employees, the Cincinnati-based grocer will merge four of the UFCW/multi-employer pension funds into a new fund Jan. 1, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal. Kroger expects to contribute about $650 million to the new […]
Posted in, Southeast
Miller Takes Helm at AG of Florida
by Ashley Bates/staff writer Chris Miller, who was tapped as the president of Associated Grocers of Florida on Nov. 15, said he plans to run the organization on the principles that his father, Calvin Miller, instilled in him throughout his life. “I believe in straight, honest business. Don’t ever deviate from honesty. That is the […]
Posted in, Feature, National, Nonfood Items
Technology Is the Key for the Future of General Merchandise
by Ashley Bates/staff writer Dave McConnell, president and CEO of the Global Market and Development Center (GMDC), says the future of general merchandise and health and beauty care centers on technology and focusing on sales throughout the food channel. In the recent study released by the organization, “Consumer Shopping Habits for Wellness and Environmentally Conscious […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Cold-EEZE Launches Oral Spray
ProPhase Labs, makers of Cold-EEZE, a leader in over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic cold remedies, has launched their first-ever Cold-EEZE Oral Spray. The new Oral Spray is formulated with zinc gluconate, the same effective active ingredient found in the best-selling, clinically proven Cold-EEZE lozenges. The effective proprietary formula reduces the severity and duration of the common cold. Two […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Southeast
Local Kangaroo Express Stores to get $3.2M in Upgrades
The convenience store chain The Pantry Inc. announced plans today to spend $3.2 million to revamp its Birmingham and Tuscaloosa Kangaroo Express stores. As part of its “Fresh Initiative,” the Cary, N.C.-based chain will begin serving new Bean Street Coffee and offering additional food and beverage options at its 36 stores in the two cities, […]
Posted in, National
Kroger Concludes National Seafood Month with Sustainability Progress Update
The Kroger Co. concluded its celebration of National Seafood Month—October—with an update on the company’s work to source sustainable seafood. “Today’s seafood supplies are not unlimited, so Kroger is taking steps to require our suppliers to follow sustainable practices,” said Mark Van Buskirk, Kroger’s VP for meat and seafood, in a press release. “We have […]
Posted in, Southwest
International Market Opening Second Location in Downtown Houston
Family-owned and operated Phoenicia Specialty Foods, a Houston-based international food market, will open the doors to its new downtown location in November 2011. Phoenicia Specialty Foods downtown is located at 1001 Austin Street in the One Park Place luxury high-rise, next to Discovery Green Park. According to a company press release, state-of-the-art food market featuring […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Angry Birds Fruit Snacks and Gummies Introduced by Healthy Food Brands
Healthy Food Brands introduces new Angry Birds™ Fruit Snacks and Gummies based on the worldwide puzzle Internet game sensation. These new snacks feature a variety of characters from the Angry Birds mega hit gaming app which has achieved more than 100 million downloads on the world’s most popular mobile and computer gaming systems including Android™, […]