Orange County, California-based Frieda’s Branded Produce has been acquired by Legacy Farms. Frieda’s CEO Karen Caplan, a daughter of founder Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, announced the sale Jan. 20 in a letter to the industry. “Today is a very exciting one for our company. Our 61-year-old family business has been acquired by another fantastic, thriving produce […]
Author Archives: Treva Bennett
Senior Content Creator
After 32 years in the newspaper industry, she is enjoying her new career exploring the world of groceries at The Shelby Report.
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Northeast
UNFI To Showcase Wide-Ranging, Innovative Portfolio At Orlando Selling Show
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. plans to host approximately 4,000 customers, suppliers, vendors and emerging brands at its Spring and Summer Show Feb. 7-8 in Orlando, Florida. The show, which kicks off the first of UNFI’s four major selling shows in 2023, offers attendees the opportunity to meet with experts across natural, GM/HBC, […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
E-Biz Department Leading The Way At Harris Teeter
At Harris Teeter, The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year, the E-Biz department encompasses a customer’s online opportunities to order groceries. According to Director Kevin Crainer, this includes ordering a sub in the deli or a full line of groceries for pickup or delivery. Harris Teeter has been in the online space […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Northeast
Masters Of Merchandising – Taking Pride In Displays
When it comes to point-of-sale merchandising, Tops is best in class. From sports-themed pallet displays on the store perimeter to impulse cross merchandising in center store aisles, the team continues to find creative new ways to grab shoppers’ attention. “Merchandising is one of the things we think we do better than anybody,” said Mike Patti, […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
What Are Your Business Resolutions For 2023?
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs You can tell by all the TV ads for fitness center memberships – it’s that time again when folks are making their New Year’s resolutions, with an eye toward improving their lives. And it looks like independent grocers are right in the path of where […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
AWG Brands Introduces Items, Wins Best New Product Awards
AWG Brands, the private brands owned by Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, introduced more than 130 items in 2022. New items were launched in all four AWG Brands (Always Save, Best Choice, Clearly by Best Choice and Best Choice Superior Selections) and across categories including center store, frozen, bakery, over-the-counter, health and meat. “We’re […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Network Designed To Energize, Inspire Women Grocery Executives
by Chelsea Matzen / Director, NGA Foundation Are you ready to join one of the most energizing and inspiring executive development programs in the grocery industry? The first meeting of the Executive Female Leaders Network (EXFL) offered a robust content platform focusing on leadership development, industry trends and peer networking. But it was much more […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, National
IGA CEO ‘Super Optimistic’ For Future Of Independent Grocers
Shelby Publishing is accepting nominations for its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards program, which honors the role independent grocers play in the industry. Independent grocers make up a large segment of the industry, with more than 33 percent of overall grocery sales, according to IGA CEO John Ross. That number is up nearly 25 percent compared […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, Home Page Latest News, National
Independent Grocers Are ‘Heart Of America’
Nominations open for Exceptional Independents Awards Shelby Publishing is accepting nominations for its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards program, which honors the role independent grocers play in the industry. ROFDA President and CEO Jeff Pedersen said independents are vital to the communities they serve. In many cases, independent grocers may have grown up in that community […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Northeast
BRdata President Touts Benefits Of ROFDA Membership
ROFDA associate member BRdata offers software solutions to independent grocers and wholesalers. The Melville, New York-based company has been a ROFDA member since 2014, according to John Abbene, president. “We write software solutions for the independent grocery industry, everything from back office, inventory, sales reporting…an end-to-end enterprise solution, from the wholesaler to the consumers is […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, National
RAC Chairman: ‘It’s Just Been A Blessing To Be A Part’ Of ROFDA
GVH Distribution, headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, has been an associate member of ROFDA for 13 years. Company President and CEO Sean Wright has served as chair of the ROFDA Advisory Committee for the past two-and-a-half years. GVH distributes packaging supplies for the supermarket, convenience store and food service industries. Wright said, “ROFDA is a unique […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
What Are FSMS And AMC?
by Jill Hollingsworth / VP, Food Safety and Retail Industry Relations, Ecolab Maybe you have heard the acronyms FSMS and AMC, but do you know what they stand for and why they are important to retailers? According to the FDA, they may be the most important things you can do to ensure regulatory compliance. A […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, National
ROFDA Marks 60th Anniversary, Prepares For Continued Growth
As the Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, the organization is reflecting on its past and looking forward to the future. Jeff Pedersen, president and CEO, said ROFDA was established with the purpose of trying to enhance the success of independent retailers. Today, eight cooperative wholesalers comprise its […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Association Acts As Advocate, Problem Solver For Members
While the overall economy in Maryland is looking bright, grocers in the state continue to face challenges. “Our economy consistently outperforms the country as a whole, and last year we ranked as the most improved state for business under the leadership of Gov. Larry Hogan,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, Maryland […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Charlottesville Independent Has Loyal Following In Heart Of UVA
Foods of All Nations has been in Charlottesville, Virginia, for more than 50 years. Located in the downtown area, it is next to the University of Virginia. President Geoffrey Garbaccio has been with the company about seven years. Garbaccio grew up in the food industry, working at his parents’ gourmet food store in New Jersey. […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Nominations Open For Annual NGA Awards
The National Grocers Association is now accepting nominations for three awards to be presented at the 2023 NGA Show at Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. The Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, sponsored by Mondelēz International, was created in 2009 to honor former NGA President and CEO Tom Zaucha’s legacy to the independent […]
Posted inPackaging News, Northeast
Ocean’s Halo, Smile Compostable Solutions Partner On Broth Pods
Darien, Connecticut-based Ocean’s Halo has a license to use BPI Certified Commercially Compostable pods from Smile Compostable Solutions for its vegan quick-cup broths. This move augments Ocean Halo’s cause to reduce the use of plastic in its products, protecting oceans for future generations. Last year, the brand led the category by removing plastic tray packaging from its […]
Posted inCenter Store, West
Fresh Cravings Launches New Hummus Flavors
Fresh Cravings, the family-owned, Arizona-based snacking brand, has expanded its line of chilled dips with the addition of three new hummus flavors: Jalapeño Cilantro, Lemon Garlic and Mediterranean. These new flavors are now available at Walmart nationwide, in the deli section, and join the Fresh Cravings Hummus lineup of Honey Jalapeño, Everything Bagel, Roasted Red Pepper, […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest
Progresso, Chef Hall Partner To Spice Up Soup Season
As the weather cools and consumers warm up to soup season, Minneapolis-based Progresso is partnering with Carla Hall – trained chef, television personality, author and restaurateur – to inspire new soup pairings for fall days. Hall is curating pairings for the brand’s fall favorite soups. “With such a great range of soups available, there really […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Grant Street Grocery Offers Experience Of ‘Curated Shopping’
Grant Street Grocery in Casper, Wyoming, is 104 years old. But the historic business may not have made it to the century mark if not for the intervention of some residents in the city’s Big Tree neighborhood, where it is located. Lindsey Grant, who co-owns the specialty grocery store with her partner Susan Holmes, said […]