Grocery retailers, wholesalers and food industry state association executives representing more than 30 states assembled in Washington, D.C., today to urge Congress to act on pro-business reforms that impact the bottom lines of supermarket retailers and wholesalers. Members of the National Grocers Association (NGA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Batenic: Future Is Bright For IGA
The annual IGA Global Rally wrapped up Tuesday in Chicago. The show, which began April 13, returned this year to The Windy City for the first time in a decade. IGA CEO Mark Batenic told The Shelby Report at the show that “attendance is off the charts.” “We had over 500 people who came and […]
Budweiser Introducing Bowtie-Shaped Can Next Month
Budweiser will introduce an original new beer can next month—a bowtie-shaped aluminum can that mirrors Budweiser’s iconic bowtie logo. The can will be available in a special 8-pack on store shelves nationwide beginning May 6. “This can is incomparable, like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” said Pat McGauley, VP of innovation for Anheuser-Busch. “The world’s […]
Pilot Flying J Raid Reportedly Stems From Unpaid Rebates
An FBI raid of the Pilot Flying J headquarter offices in Knoxville, Tenn., on Monday reportedly resulted from an issue regarding unpaid customer rebates to some truck lines. CEO Jimmy Haslam held a press conference Tuesday and said the raid stemmed from what appears to be a “very insignificant number of customers and the application […]
Fresh & Easy Confirms Exit From U.S.
U.K. retail giant Tesco has confirmed its exit from the U.S., saying earlier today that its Fresh & Easy venture is being treated as a “discontinued operation.” Philip Clarke, Tesco’s chief executive, said “the announcements made today are natural consequences of the strategic changes we first began over a year ago and which conclude today. […]
Diaz Supermarkets Owners Accused Of $35M Fraud In Miami-Dade
The owners of Diaz Supermarkets in Miami-Dade County have been accused of fraudulent transactions totaling $35 million, according to The Miami Herald. The South Florida Business Journal says John Diaz, 45, and his wife, Mercedes Avila-Diaz, 44, were arrested Friday. Diaz faces charges of money laundering, organized scheme to defraud and multiple money service business […]
City Of Hope’s ‘Angels’ Host Another Successful Fashion Show
The City of Hope’s Angels of the Southern California Food Industries Circle hosted its annual fashion show earlier this month, raising $250,000 from key industry sponsors alone. Those title sponsors for the “100 Years of Hope” fashion show and luncheon included PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, QTG-Quaker Tropicana Gatorade, Nestle Purina PetCare and Unilever. Actor and entertainer Florence […]
Nestle USA Launches ‘Balance Your Plate’ Education Campaign
Nestle USA has unveiled its “Balance Your Plate with Nestle” education campaign to help consumers build nutritious, convenient meals. The announcement was made during a luncheon presentation at the Consumer Federation of America’s 36th Annual National Food Policy Conference on Monday. The goal of “Balance Your Plate” is to help consumers enjoy the foods they […]
Shoppers’ Belts Remain Tight Despite Economic Improvement
Even as the economy improves, 94 percent of Americans indicate they will remain cautious and keep their spending for food, beverage and household goods at its current level, according to Deloitte’s 2013 American Pantry Study. More than nine in 10 (92 percent) consumers surveyed indicate they have become more resourceful, and 86 percent say they […]
Gorny To Join PMA’s Science And Technology Team
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has named Dr. Jim Gorny to the newly created position of VP of food safety and technology, starting May 1. In his role, Gorny will strengthen PMA’s initiatives to build member value in the areas of science and technology, including food safety research, biotechnology, agricultural innovations, process and packaging technology and […]
Report: Juice Market Moves Beyond An Apple A Day
For years, the sales performance of the market for fruit juices and juice drinks has been flat. Between 2007 and 2012, dollar sales of fruit and vegetable juices and juice drinks barely budged, and the volume of juice and juice drinks consumed by households hardly kept up with population growth. Yet underneath this placid topline […]
Tops Debuts Orchard Fresh Format In Western New York
Specialty food market Orchard Fresh celebrated the grand opening of its first location over the weekend. The store opened Sunday in Western New York in Orchard Park and is located at 4050 North Buffalo Rd. At nearly 30,000 s.f., Orchard Fresh is a combination of specialty, upscale and gourmet foods with a focus on natural […]
Budweiser, Music Fans ‘Band’ Together For America’s Rivers And Lakes
This summer, Budweiser is inviting consumers across the country to participate in a series of cleanup events, in select cities, aimed at preserving and protecting lakes and rivers. These efforts are part of the Budweiser America Made Better platform, which supports designated driver campaigns, military support efforts and water conservation programs. Budweiser is rewarding volunteers […]
Kraft To Hold First Volunteer Event As New Company
Kraft continues its legacy of community service as it kicks off Make an Impact 2013, its first company-wide volunteer event since becoming a newly independent company last year. Kraft employees are rolling up their sleeves to work on 200 volunteer projects that support the company’s community involvement priorities: fighting hunger and promoting healthy lifestyles. Volunteer […]
Food Workshops Scheduled In New Mexico
New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers and food processors are invited to attend one of three workshops across the state to help them better understand how new federal food safety legislation could impact their business. New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the Southwest Border Food Safety and Defense Center at New Mexico State University (NMSU) are […]
Van Helden Appointed President, COO Of Stater Bros. Markets
Peter Van Helden will become president and COO of Stater Bros. Markets when Jim Lee retires as of June 1. Van Helden is a 36-year veteran of the supermarket industry. Prior to joining Stater Bros., he was EVP of retail operations for Supervalu. Van Helden began his career in 1977, working for Rosauers in Libby, […]
Majority Of Americans See Organic Label As An Excuse To Charge More
Does an uptick in the economy give people more reason to care about Mother Earth? That is what a March 2013 Harris Poll of 2,276 U.S. adults (age 18 and older) interviewed online set to find out as Earth Day approaches. Turns out that concern for the current state, and future, of the environment is […]
Trinity Frozen Foods To Open N.C. Processing Plant
Trinity Frozen Foods, a Charlotte-based company that markets sweet potato products to foodservice and retail establishments, is preparing to open a processing plant in Robeson County, N.C. The Charlotte Business Journal reports that the 150,000-s.f. facility, slated to open in July, will employ 60 workers. That number is expected to more than double over the […]
Convenience Store Sales Topped $700B In 2012
The convenience store industry had record sales of $700.3 billion in 2012, with in-store sales increasing 2.2 percent to reach a record $199.3 billion and motor fuels sales increasing 2.9 percent to a record $501.0 billion, according to figures released today by NACS. The industry’s 2012 numbers were announced at the NACS State of the […]
Ahold’s Ruane To Speak At NJFC Event, Coke’s Sullivan Will Be Honored
John Ruane, SVP of fresh merchandising for Ahold USA, will be the featured dinner speaker during the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) Trade Relations Conference June 5-6 at The Borgata in Atlantic City. The reception and program will be held 3-6 p.m. Ruane will share his industry expertise with attendees as he discusses the current […]
