RPE has introduced a new name to its family of brands—Old Oak Farms. This will be the core commodity brand for the company moving forward and will be widely available this year. Encompassing all standard varieties of potatoes and onions, Old Oak Farms is a comprehensive brand. The line includes russet, gold, red, jumbo russet […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, Executive News, Midwest
Spartan Stores Promotes Jerry Jones
Spartan Stores has promoted Jerry Jones to SVP of human resources. Jones has served as VP of human resources at Spartan Stores since June 1, 2009, and is responsible for administering the policies and practices for 8,700 employees throughout Michigan. “Jerry’s leadership of the human resources team has made a direct impact in the growth, […]
Posted in, National
Top Customer Experience Trends To Watch In 2013
Temkin Group, a leading market research and consulting firm that helps organizations improve their customer experience, has released its forecast of 13 customer experience trends to watch in 2013. In a previous research report, The Future of Customer Experience, Temkin Group identified that the practice of customer experience had entered into what it calls The […]
Posted in, National
NCA Opens Registration For 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo
Registration has opened for the 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo, to be held May 21-23, at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, the 2013 expo is poised to be the most successful in the event’s 17-year history with exhibit space sales nearly at capacity five months in advance. A number of big-name […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Snacking In America
Make no mistake—we’re living in the Great Age of Snacking. One doesn’t have to look too long or hard to find headlines about Americans’ snacking behaviors and the promise of opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers and food retailers. The rise of snacking occasions can be culturally intertwined with the growth of eating-alone occasions and […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
C.H. Robinson Helps Timberwolves Foundation Tip Off Initiative
Through WolvesCare Month, presented by C.H. Robinson, the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation will turn its attention this January to some of the Wolves’ smallest fans, but those with the biggest hearts: children suffering chronic illnesses. Throughout the month at each Timberwolves game and at events across the community, the FastBreak Foundation’s WolvesCare initiative will work […]
Posted in, National
Industry Reacts To FDA’s Release of Proposed Food Safety Regs
Industry leaders from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh are reacting to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) release of proposed food safety regulations. FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin “The proposed rules—Preventative Controls for Human Food and Produce Safety—are important components to […]
Posted in, Midwest, Perishables
Coleman Markets Fresh Dairy Products Under Hiland Dairy Foods Name
Coleman Dairy Foods will begin marketing its fresh, local, high-quality milk and dairy products under the Hiland Dairy Foods label, beginning this month. The move will solidify the synergy between two of the country’s finest family-owned and -operated dairy farms, under one fresh name, according to a news release. “This will be a great match […]
Posted in, National
La. Ag Commissioner Responds To Congress’ Farm Bill Extension
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM, has responded to Congress’ Farm Bill extension: “While Congress worked on passing the fiscal cliff bill over the New Year holiday, those in the agriculture industry eagerly anticipated movement on the expired Farm Bill. A short-term extension of the bill blocks milk and bread prices […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Hormel Foods Buys Skippy Peanut Butter Brand For $700M
Hormel Foods, the maker of Spam luncheon meat, is paying $700 million to buy the Skippy peanut butter brand from consumer products maker Unilever, the companies announced today. CNNMoney reports that Hormel said Skippy has annual sales of $370 million, nearly $100 million of which comes from outside the U.S. Skippy, which was first introduced […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Southwest
7-Eleven Acquires 143 New Locations In South Texas From C.L. Thomas
7-Eleven Inc. continues its expansion in the Lone Star state with today’s announcement that the company has acquired 143 Speedy Stop and Tigermarket retail locations from C.L. Thomas Inc. of Victoria, Texas. The acquisition, which closed Dec. 31, increases 7-Eleven stores’ footprint in San Antonio, where recently the country’s largest convenience retailer purchased 25 stores […]
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
Market Street Hosting ‘Healthy New You’ Expo This Weekend
To inspire guests to focus on total health and wellness in 2013, Market Street will hold its annual “Healthy New You” Expo on Jan. 5-6. During this free event, guests will receive easy-to-make healthy recipe ideas, samples of fresh produce and packaged food, as well as health screenings from Market Street pharmacists. The Healthy New […]
Posted in, National
NGA President Lauds Passage Of Taxpayer Relief Act
Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (NGA), has released the following statement regarding the passage of the Taxpayer Relief Act: “NGA applauds Congress and the president for averting an economic disaster, albeit at the 13th hour, with the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act (House Resolution 8). The bill, […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Tough Times On Horizon For 2013 Grocery Biz
Stater Bros.’ Jack Brown: Year ahead will be one of the most competitive by Kristen Cloud/staff writer If you thought the past few years were tough for business, just wait until 2013 runs its course—at least according to Jack H. Brown, chairman and CEO of San Bernardino-based Stater Bros. Markets, which operates 167 stores in […]
Posted in, National
Nominations Due Jan. 4 For WGA Woman Of The Year Award
The deadline is Jan. 4 to submit nominations for the 2013 Woman of the Year Award to be presented at the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show, which will be held Feb. 10-13 in Las Vegas. The Women Grocers of America (WGA) board of directors is soliciting nominations for the 2013 Woman of the Year Award. […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Hain Celestial Acquires BluePrint Brand
The Hain Celestial Group Inc., a leading natural and organic products company, has closed on the acquisition of BluePrint brand, a nationally recognized leader in the raw juice category based in New York City. The BluePrint brand generated approximately $20 million in sales in calendar year 2012 and is expected to be accretive to Hain […]
Posted in, National
Festive Facts From Mintel
As the final countdown begins, Mintel gets into the holiday spirit with a variety of festive stats and figures covering food and drink, health, alcohol, shopping, household goods and personal care. Food, spirits and baking habits • More than nine in 10 (91 percent) Americans made some sort of festive-related purchase last year (2011), whether […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Walmart’s Karen Roberts Promoted to EVP, General Counsel
Walmart Stores Inc. has promoted 17-year company veteran Karen Roberts, 42, to EVP and general counsel for the Bentonville, Ark.-based company, reporting to EVP and Corporate Secretary Jeff Gearhart, 48. The appointment is effective Feb. 1, 2013. In her new role, Roberts will manage the legal department, which is responsible for handling all legal matters […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Middle Eastern Supermarket Sabzee Mediterranean Opens In Encino
Sabzee Mediterranean Market celebrated a grand opening today in Encino, Calif. The Middle Eastern grocery and supermarket takes its name from the Farsi word for greens and is located on Ventura Boulevard between White Oak and Balboa boulevards. The store offers healthy selections as well as a variety of kosher and halal meats and groceries. […]
Posted in, National
Four Promoted At Financial Supermarkets Inc.
Roy Bell, president and CEO of Financial Supermarkets Inc. (FSI), has announced the promotion of four associates within the company: Joseph A. (Beau) Wingate Jr. to the position of EVP, director of sales; Lisa Harper to the position of CFO; Kelly Franklin to the position of controller; and Tina Coleman to the position of SVP-director […]