The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) is replacing its former Texas Produce Convention with a new event next year—the VIVA Fresh Conference and Expo, showcasing produce grown in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The expo is planned for March 26-28, 2015, at the Hilton Austin in Austin, Texas. “We’re incredibly excited to debut this new […]
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 in, National
FMI Future Connect: Retail Food Industry Outlook: Personal, Digital And Virtual
“Food Retailing 2013: Tomorrow’s Trends Delivered Today,” unveiled by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today, is an analytical expression of the future of the supermarket experience through the lenses of grocery demand; consumer trends; merchandising and marketing innovation; and technology. Companies providing retail analytics and consumer insights—Booz and Co., Catalina, Crossmark and Nielsen—convened a “think […]
Posted in, West
Edwards Adds CEO Title At Safeway
Robert L. Edwards will succeed Steve Burd as CEO when Burd retires on May 14 from Safeway Inc. in Pleasanton, Calif. Edwards, who is president, also will join the company’s board of directors at that time. Burd also holds the chairman’s title. T. Gary Rogers, currently lead independent director on the board, will become non-executive […]
Posted in, Perishables, Southeast
Belle Foods’ New Meat Case Labels Help Consumers Get Information
Belle Foods is offering smartphone users the opportunity to get meat information while shopping the case. The new pork and beef labels encourage customers to use their smartphone to scan the Quick Response (QR) code to learn more about cooking methods for various cuts of meat. With the help of the Beef Checkoff and Pork […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest
Newell Rubbermaid Plans State-Of-The-Art Design Center In Kalamazoo
Newell Rubbermaid has announced a state-of-the-art Design Center to help accelerate product design and innovation. The new center is expected to open by early 2014 in Kalamazoo, Mich., located in a region known for its talent pool of designers from around the world. “Great design and creativity is the difference between a standard product and […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Pinnacle Foods Celebrates First Day On NYSE
Parsippany, N.J.-based Pinnacle Foods Inc., manufacturer and distributor of major food brands such as Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Vlasic and Mrs. Butterworth’s, opened for trading on Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “PF” after its initial public offering (IPO). “We’re excited to welcome Pinnacle Foods and its family of […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Dale Jr. Foods Formed By NASCAR Racer, KLN
KLN Family Brands has teamed up with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to form Dale Jr. Foods. The partnership that was formed in January has launched four flavors of potato chips in three sizes. The flavors are Crispy Original, Zesty Jalapeno, Creole & Green Onion and Carolina Barbeque. “At KLN Family Brands, we always put family and […]
Posted in, National
NGA Responds to Obama’s Proposed Tax Increase
Peter Larkin, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (NGA), released a statement today in response to a move by President Obama that calls for increased taxes on entrepreneurs. Larkin disagreed with the measure: “Independent retail grocers and wholesalers have continued to innovate and invest in their local communities by opening new stores, renovating […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Campbell Soup Co. to Acquire Bolthouse Farms
Campbell Soup Co. is set to acquire Bolthouse Farms for $1.55 billion in short- and long-term borrowings by Campbell. The company expects to finalize the acquisition by late summer. Campbell said in a press release that it remains on track to deliver results consistent with fiscal 2012 sales growth, up to 2 percent. Bolthouse markets […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Fresh Swordfish Available for Limited Time at Whole Foods
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified harpoon-caught swordfish from Nova Scotia will be available for two months beginning in July at Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods says it is the only national retailer to carry this fresh, never frozen summer grilling specialty. To harvest the swordfish, fishermen harpoon mature fish one at a time, virtually eliminating […]
Posted in, Southeast
Lake Worth Store Becomes Publix Sabor
The first Publix Sabor in Palm Beach County has been quietly opened by Publix Super Markets, according to a July 6 article in the Palm Beach Post. The store is in Lake Worth in a shopping center that has undergone . The chain’s Sabor stores are full-service supermarkets that feature not only items found in […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Nonfood Items
Non-Foods Marketing Fall Expo Set For Atlantic City
The Non-Foods Marketing (NFM) Fall Expo 2012 Merchandise Show is coming up Oct. 15-16 at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. NFM is a direct, one-stop source for today’s top general merchandise items, including housewares, seasonal items and pet supplies from more than 200 manufacturers serving the grocery, drug and convenience store […]
Posted in, Perishables, West
Fresh & Easy’s ‘Kitchen To Go’ Caters to Busy Customers
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has launched its new “Kitchen To Go” products, including more than 150 chef-created appetizers, side dishes and entrees, including meal bowls. The “Kitchen To Go” items, ready to heat and serve, are made for one or two people. Fresh & Easy’s chefs came up with meals based on seasonal flavors. […]
Posted in, West
Calif. Cantaloupe Board Prepares for New Food Safety Program
Since the unanimous approval for the state’s first mandatory food safety program under a commodity board structure, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board held its first meeting June 6. During the meeting, members discussed how to begin immediately taking steps to comply with government audits, voting to adopt specific food safety guidance for California cantaloupes. In […]
Posted in, Northeast, Perishables
‘Old Croc’ Australian Aged Cheddar Adds Bold Flavor to Cheese Case
A new line of vintage Australian cheddar cheeses has been launched in the U.S. under the Old Croc brand name. The cheeses, featuring the playful warning, “Careful. It Bites!”, are being introduced by Millburn, N.J.-based Trugman-Nash, an affiliate of MCT Dairies, a supplier of cheese and dairy ingredients that also is based in Millburn. The […]
Posted in, Southeast
Publix Launching CMN Balloon Campaign for 21st Year
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a charity that raises life-saving funds for its member hospitals, announced May 24 that Publix Super Markets will host its spring “Miracle Balloon” campaign, starting May 26 and running through June 15. The annual fundraiser will help improve the lives of sick and injured children in the five Southeastern states in […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
MyWebGrocer Launches Facebook Circular App
MyWebGrocer has launched a new Facebook Circular App that allows retailers to share their weekly ad circulars with the 179 million Americans who use Facebook each month. Some of the early retail partners include Weis Markets, Brookshire’s and Piggly Wiggly Midwest. These stores’ customers can now do their grocery planning on Facebook, where many shoppers […]
Posted in, New Products, West
Mann Packing Adds ‘New and Improved’ Sweet Potato Products
Fresh-cut sweet potato sales are lagging behind the spike seen in frozen sweet potato sales, so Mann Packing conducted consumer research to find out how the situation could be remedied. The consumers surveyed told Mann they eat sweet potatoes at home and in restaurants, but they weren’t aware that fresh-cut sweet potatoes existed, were preservative […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
A&P Announces Comprehensive Store Investment Strategy
A&P unveiled its unveiled its newly remodeled Food Emporium store on Third Avenue in New York City on May 18 as part of its comprehensive store investment strategy. A&P says its plan to upgrade its store footprint over the next five years reinforces the company’s commitment to being the best neighborhood food and drug store […]
Posted in, Northeast, Organic Natural
Giant Store Nutritionist Helps Customer Lose 100+ Pounds
Mary Ann Moylan, RD, LDN, CDE, an in-store nutritionist at the Giant Super Food Store in Willow Grove, Pa., has assisted hundreds of customers make healthier choices since the store opened four years ago. Helen Johnson, a shopper at the Willow Grove Giant, recently reached a milestone with the help of Moylan and her individualized […]