The Kroger Co. and Ocado broke ground June 12 on their first customer fulfillment center (CFC). The automated warehouse facility with digital and robotic capabilities—also known as a shed—is being constructed in Monroe, Ohio. Kroger intends to open 20 CFCs to create a seamless customer experience. Two additional sites have been selected in the Central […]
Author Archives: Lorrie Griffith
Lorrie began covering the supermarket and foodservice industries at Shelby Publishing in 1988, an English major fresh out of the University of Georgia. She started as an editorial assistant and proofreader—and, in spite of herself, she still proofreads everything, everywhere. Over more than three decades with Shelby, she held a variety of editorial roles. After a detour into business development, she rejoined Shelby in June 2024. “It’s good to be back covering the greatest industry in the world,” she says.
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Grocery News, Industry News, National, Perishables, Suppliers
NAMI Joins 950+ Groups To Urge Swift Passage Of USMCA
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) on June 11 joined more than 950 organizations representing the U.S. food and agriculture industries to urge members of Congress to swiftly ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). NAMI’s members process the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb and poultry, as well as manufacture the equipment and ingredients needed […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Grocery News, Health & Wellness, Perishables, Suppliers, West
Jensen Meat Co. Owners Acquire Before The Butcher
Gregg and Jeff Hamann, owners of San Diego ground beef producer Jensen Meat Co., have acquired controlling interest in Before the Butcher, an Irvine, California-based maker of plant-based “meats.” The acquisition closed May 23. Financial details were not disclosed. The acquisition gives Before the Butcher access to a $25 million line of credit, a 90,000-s.f. […]
Posted inShelby Content, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Industry News, Recommended Reading, Store News, West
Recommended: Workers To Vote On Strike Against 3 SoCal Chains
Members of seven Southern California food workers locals, including San Diego’s, will vote June 24 on whether to authorize a strike against three major grocery chains, it was announced Monday via social media. Potentially targeted are Albertsons, Kroger-owned Ralphs and Albertsons-owned Vons — which took major losses in the last major supermarket strike in 2003-2004. […]
Posted inGrocery News, Beverage News, Center Store, Executive News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, International Foods, Northeast, Suppliers
Foley Succeeds Leopardi As President Of Meals & Beverages At Campbell
Chris Foley has been named president of Campbell Meals & Beverages and SVP of Campbell Soup Co., the Camden, New Jersey-based company announced June 10. Foley succeeds Roberto Leopardi, former president–Meals & Beverages, who is leaving the company. Foley will lead the $4.3 billion Meals & Beverages division that includes the company’s U.S. soup, simple […]
Posted inHome Page Slider, Deli News, Food Service News, Grocery Store Layout, Independent Store News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Food City Breaks Ground On New Radford, Virginia, Store
A new Food City in Radford, Virginia, now is underway. The 49,700-plus-s.f. supermarket, located on Tyler Avenue, is expected to be completed by this fall. “We are extremely excited to be joining the Radford retail community. We look forward to constructing a state-of-the-art supermarket that will create both jobs and tax revenue for the citizens […]
Posted inGrocery News, Beverage News, Southwest, Suppliers, Wholesaler/Distributor News
21st Amendment Brewery Distributing Across Texas This Summer
San Leandro, California-based 21st Amendment Brewery, the 26th-largest craft brewery in the U.S., said in late May that it will launch its beers statewide in Texas this summer. Its craft beer line includes Brew Free! or Die IPA, El Sully Mexican-Style Lager, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer, Sparkale Sparkling Rosé Ale, and Blood Orange […]
Posted inSoutheast, Grocery News, Home Page Slider, Industry News, Marketing News, Organic Natural, Perishables, Produce News, Suppliers
Shenandoah Growers Opens ‘NextGen BioFarm’ In Jefferson, Georgia
Virginia-based Shenandoah Growers, specializing in indoor bioponic growing, has opened a new, expanded production facility in Jefferson, Georgia. The facility will pack, ship and grow fresh, certified organic herbs to meet local demand, expand Shenandoah Growers’ living organic product line and improve delivery logistics in the Southeast region. The 62,400-s.f. facility is one of Shenandoah […]
Posted inSoutheast, Center Store, Grocery News, Marketing News, Merchandising News, Packaging News, Snacks Brands, Suppliers
NC’s Hampton Farms Taps Agency To Promote Its Seasonal Peanut Line
Hampton Farms, an in-shell peanut company in Severn, North Carolina, has chosen Rivers Agency, a full-service integrated marketing firm in Chapel Hill, to “elevate its brand and launch new product-driven campaigns” following what Hampton Farms said was a “competitive pitch process.” As Hampton Farms’ agency of record, Rivers will handle branding, campaign strategy and execution, […]
Posted inGrocery News, Beverage News, Center Store, Corporate Store News, Southeast, Store News, Suppliers
Josie’s Java House Brand Now Sold In Southeastern Grocers Stores
San Diego-based Youngevity International (YGYI) announced in May that its Josie’s Java House Brand coffee, made by its CLR Roasters manufacturing division, now is available in 570 stores owned by Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers (SEG): 400 Winn-Dixie stores, 96 Bi-Lo stores, 25 Fresco y Mas stores and 50 Harvey stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, […]
Posted inHome Page Latest News, Corporate Store News, Industry News, Online Grocery Technology, Perishables, Southwest, Store News
Walmart To Launch InHome Delivery Later This Year
Marc Lore, president and CEO of Walmart eCommerce U.S., shared in a June 7 blog post that the company will launch a new service called InHome Delivery later this year. The new service will allow online shoppers to have their groceries delivered even when they can’t be at home. InHome will be kicked off this […]
Posted inGrocery News, Beverage News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, National, Suppliers, Sustainability News
Keurig Dr Pepper Reveals New Corporate Responsibility Commitments
Keurig Dr Pepper on June 3 announced unified Corporate Responsibility (CR) commitments to deliver positive impact, less than a year after the merger of Burlington, Massachusetts-based Keurig Green Mountain and Dallas, Texas-based Dr Pepper Snapple Group. KDP’s new “Drink Well. Do Good.” CR platform was developed following extensive analysis across the company’s expansive hot and […]
Posted inDairy News, Association News, Beverage News, Grocery News, International Foods, National, Perishables, Suppliers
NMPF Urges President To Discard Possible New Tariffs Against Mexico
Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) in Arlington, Virginia, in late May urged President Donald Trump to not institute new tariffs against Mexico, citing additional harm to American dairy farmers. NMPF estimates that producers had lost at least $2.3 billion in revenues through March due to higher tariffs against […]
Posted inGrocery News, Dairy News, Marketing News, Perishables, Southwest, Suppliers
Borden’s Elsie Steps Back Into Spotlight With New Look
Borden, founded more than a century and a half ago, has re-emerged with new ownership, leadership, a focus on its people and an optimistic vision. At the center of the revival is Elsie, Borden’s “spokescow,” who has been given a more modern look. First introduced by Borden in 1936, Elsie is one of America’s best-known […]
Posted inGrocery News, Food Service News, Frozen Food, Perishables, Snacks Brands, Suppliers, West
McCain Foods USA Opens Expanded Distribution Center In Burley, Idaho
Frozen potato and snack food supplier McCain Foods USA has opened its expanded distribution center in Burley, Idaho. More than 150 attendees, including elected officials, grower partners and employees, took part in the celebration, the company announced June 3. A $200 million investment, the 259,000-s.f. expansion increases the company’s capacity to meet growing product demand, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Southeast, Store News, Suppliers
TGCSA, TGEF Name New Members To Their Boards
At their annual meetings on May 9, the members of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA) and the Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation (TGEF) elected new members to the groups’ Board of Directors and Board of Trustees. New members of the TGCSA Board of Directors are Mickey Blazer, K-VA-T/Food City; Kent Gonzalez, Pepsi Beverage […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Online Grocery Technology, Suppliers, West
Hussmann Western Sales Charity Golf Event Benefits Three Organizations
The Hussmann Western Sales Division recently held its 13th Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament and Charity Fundraiser to benefit Mended Hearts, Orangewood Children’s Foundation and, this year, City of Hope Cancer Center. The golf tournament was held May 20 at Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine, California. Many regional and vertical market customers attended the […]
Posted inDeli News, C-Store News, Home Page Slider, Snacks Brands, Southwest, Store News
Buc-ee’s Opening Royse City, Texas, Store On June 17
Six a.m. is opening time for the new Buc-ee’s store in Royse City, Texas. That’s on Monday morning, June 17. The “legendary roadside refuge for travelers” will offer its Texas Round Up barbeque, beef jerky, homemade fudge and Beaver Nuggets (caramel-coated corn pops), among other items Buc-ee’s is known for. The new store is located […]
Posted inExecutive News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Southeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Breaux Resigns As Top Exec At Associated Grocers Baton Rouge
Associated Grocers Inc. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, announced May 30 that President and CEO Emile R. Breaux has resigned for personal reasons. Manard M. Lagasse Jr., AG’s SVP and general counsel, was named to succeed Breaux in those roles, effective immediately. Lagasse joined AG in 2007 and has successfully managed several different departments during his […]
Posted inGrocery News, Center Store, Executive News, Midwest, Suppliers
Kellogg Co. Names Two New Grocery VPs; Rolling Out New Cereal
Kellogg Co. has announced the promotion of two of its longstanding and experienced sales leaders. Carrie Sander has been promoted to VP-national accounts-grocery, and Shane Sgambelluri has been promoted to VP-regional accounts-grocery. Sander has a variety of experience in different sales channels and regions during her 17 years with Kellogg. She most recently served as […]