Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Lucky, Maxx Value Foods and FoodMaxx stores honored Luke Houston, store manager of the Scenic and Oakdale Save Mart in Modesto, Calif., with the 2012 Nicholas J. Tocco Outstanding Store Manager of the Year Award. During the company’s annual management appreciation gala last weekend, 10 nominees for the award were presented. […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, National, Perishables
Consumers Express Increased Desire For ‘Farm-To-Table’ In 2013
Consumer demand for “farm-to-table” will continue to grow in 2013 if shopper behavior matches responses to new research conducted for Plainville Farms turkey and FreeBird chicken. Shoppers said their motivation for wanting “farm-to-table” products is based on a belief that they are “fresher” (95 percent) and “healthier/more nutritious” (90 percent). More than 80 percent of […]
Posted in, National
Produce Leader Barbra Metheny Passes Away
Produce industry leader Barbra Metheny has died following a long battle with brain cancer. Metheny passed away Jan. 11. She had a prolific career in the produce industry, working at Victoria Farms, Full Sail Produce, Pacific Provisions, JC Produce and, most recently, Fresh Connect, where she was chief sales officer. “Barb was one of the […]
Posted in, National
NGA Promotes Munster, Ott To VP Roles
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has promoted Aileen Dullaghan Munster to VP of education and research and Matthew R. Ott to VP of membership and information technology. Munster previously served as director of education and research for NGA. She is responsible for setting strategy for education initiatives as well as the development and management of […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Seneca Foods Acquires Independent Foods
Seneca Foods Corp. has completed the acquisition of Independent Foods LLC. This business, based in Sunnyside, Wash., is a processor of canned pears, apples and cherries in the United States. Its product suite is sold via branded and private label items to the retail, foodservice and industrial markets. “We believe that these operations are a […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Food City Category Manager Mike Sullivan Passes Away At Age 63
Mike Sullivan, a category food manager for KVAT-Food City, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Tennessee. He was 63. Sullivan was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 8, 1949, a son of Carla Doecher Sullivan of St. Petersburg, Fla., and the late Jack Sullivan. In addition to his parents, he […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
M&M’S Unveils New Marketing Campaign: ‘Better With M’
Mars Chocolate North America has introduced M&M’S Brand’s new integrated marketing campaign called “Better With M,” which includes a new 30-second television commercial that will air during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVII. “‘Better With M’ showcases how M&M’S irresistible chocolate makes moments more fun and delicious,” said Roy Benin, chief consumer officer for […]
Posted in, National
Flowers Foods Going After Hostess Bread Brands, Bakeries
Flowers Foods Inc. has signed two asset purchase agreements with Hostess Brands Inc. as the “stalking horse bidder” for certain Hostess assets. The announcement was made Jan. 11. One of the agreements provides for the purchase by Flowers of the Wonder, Nature’s Pride, Merita, Home Pride and Butternut bread brands; 20 bakeries; and approximately 38 […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
IGA Chooses USA International Retailers Of The Year For 2013
The 2013 IGA USA International Retailers of the Year have been announced. The three winners, who were among seven finalists to receive the recognition, will be honored during the IGA Global Rally in Chicago in April, along with International Retailers of the Year from other IGA countries. The 2013 IGA USA International Retailers of the […]
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
Natural Grocers Opening 12th Texas Location In Denton
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage is opening its newest location in Denton, Texas, on Jan. 22. The Denton store at 110 West University Dr. will be the company’s 12th Texas location, joining stores across Texas including Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, Midland and Temple. Natural Grocers, based in Denver, Colo., offers only natural and organic products: […]
Posted in, National
C.H. Robinson, AARP Unveil Tropicana Clementines Packaging To Fight Hunger
C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., one of the world’s largest produce sourcing and logistics companies, has teamed up with AARP and AARP Foundation to support the Drive to End Hunger initiative by offering specially designed packaging on Tropicana clementines at retailers nationwide. Available on three-pound bags and five-pound race CARtons, the packaging will include imagery of […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Midwest
Deschutes Brewery Beers Come To Western South Dakota
Deschutes Brewery of Bend, Ore., has expanded distribution in South Dakota to the western portion of the state, encompassing areas such as Rapid City and Chamberlain. The brewery will be working with local distributors, Eagle Sales in Chamberlain and Eagle Sales of the Black Hills, to bring its beers to the region. Initially, fans will […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Giant Eagle Holds Down Prices With New Winter Low Price Lock
Giant Eagle Inc. has implemented a Winter Low Price Lock on hundreds of popular products. Giant Eagle launched its first Low Price Lock campaign in October and the program quickly became popular with customers, accoridng to a news release. The Winter Low Price Lock provides a degree of predictability in family budgets, as the prices […]
Posted in, National, West
Pamela’s Hires New Employees, Leverages Expertise After Expansion
On the heels of its $1 million bakery expansion earlier this year, Ukiah, Calif.-based Pamela’s Products continues to grow its expertise with two new hires, Business Manager Donna Williams and Sales and Marketing Coordinator Hannah Hershey. GM Alana Rouse also assumes a larger role at the 76,000-s.f facility, leading a 64-person team to build upon […]
Posted in, Market Profile, West
Arizona Shows Signs Of Recovery With Growth In Housing, Real Estate Market
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer The housing and real estate market, which many consider the best gauge of how the economy is doing, certainly appears to be improving in Arizona. In Phoenix alone this year, home prices have risen by more than 20 percent, the highest of any city in the country, according to Tim McCabe, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
MiO Liquid Water Enhancer Scores First-Ever Super Bowl Ad
Kraft says that MiO, pioneer of the fast-growing liquid water enhancer category, will debut a new 30-second commercial during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3. “Nearly two years since we launched, MiO has already proven to be a huge hit with millions of fans,” said Doug Weekes, VP of refreshment beverages […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Western Union Signs Five-Year Agreement With Safeway
The Western Union Co., a leader in financial services, has renewed an agreement with Safeway Inc., one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America. Under the terms of the agreement, more than 1,640 Safeway store locations across the United States and Canada will continue to offer Western Union global money transfer services. […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
Lipton Marketing Campaign Features First TV Ad For Black Tea Since 1989
Lipton is putting the spotlight on its black tea to encourage consumers to “Drink Positive” in 2013. As part of this effort, the brand has unveiled a new national advertising campaign for its classic black tea, a first in more than 20 years. The multi-channel campaign includes television, digital, in store, social, public relations and […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Saffron Road Introduces First Non-GMO Verified Frozen Entrée In U.S.
Saffron Road, the packaged food brand of American Halal Co., is launching the first frozen entrée of its kind nationally at the end of January. The new gourmet, frozen entrée, Chana Saag with Cumin Rice, is the first frozen entrée in the U.S. to be Non-GMO Verified. In addition to Saffron Road’s existing 12 World […]
Posted in, Southwest
Colorado’s Grant Family Farms Files For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Colorado’s first Certified Organic Farm—Grant Family Farms—has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, The Denver Post reports. “Grant Family Farms is confident that some things are worth saving and believes that this community-supported farm is one of them,” the farm said in a statement. “The Farm is working hard and is hopeful that it will emerge […]