General Mills plans to remove certified colors from all its U.S. cereals and all kindergarten-12th grade school foods by summer 2026. In addition, the company will work to remove certified colors from its full U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027. This change impacts a small portion of General Mills’ K-12 school portfolio, as […]
Category: Center Store
Center store news for grocery retailers: dry grocery, pantry staples, merchandising and category trends in the aisles.
See more center store coverage in Aisle Watch.
Kraft Heinz Commits To Remove FD&C Colors By 2027
The Kraft Heinz Co. announced it will not launch any new products in the U.S. with Food, Drug & Cosmetic colors, effective immediately, and will remove the remaining FD&C colors from its U.S. product portfolio before the end of 2027. To date, nearly 90 percent of Kraft Heinz’s U.S. products are free of FD&C colors (by […]
Deoleo Report Highlights Sustainability Progress
Deoleo, an olive oil producer and maker of brands such as Bertolli, has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, reinforcing its commitment to environmental, social and governance excellence across the global olive oil sector. Deoleo is the first company in the olive oil industry to publish a report aligned with the European Union’s new Corporate Sustainability […]
Natural Grocers Expands Standards For Household Cleaning Products
Natural Grocers is expanding its product standards to reflect the latest research and the company’s commitment to human and environmental health. The grocer introduced its household cleaning standards in 2016, offering alternatives to conventional products. The company’s updates reflect growing scientific understanding about the impact that certain common ingredients can have on indoor air quality, […]
Save A Lot Donates More Than $27.7K In Pet Food To Shelters
Save A Lot donated more than $27,700 worth of Oliver & Scout private brand pet food to help local animal shelters and charities feed homeless pets during National Pet Month in May. Participating stores and each of Save A Lot’s seven distribution centers partnered with shelters to donate pallets of the pet food totaling more […]
Conagra, Hometown Food Co. Strike Deal For Chef Boyardee
Conagra Brands Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement with Hometown Food Co., a portfolio company of Brynwood Partners, to divest its line of Chef Boyardee brand shelf-stable products including its classic, ready-to-eat pasta meals. The transaction includes a manufacturing facility in Milton, Pennsylvania, as well as all assets and operations dedicated to the Chef […]
Kroger Introduces Private Selection Cherry Harvest Collection
With cherry blossoming as a standout trend across food, beauty and fashion this year, The Kroger Co. has introduced its Private Selection Cherry Harvest product line. “Private Selection’s Cherry Harvest collection truly captures the essence and craveability of the season’s must-try, highly sought-after flavor,” said Mike Murphy, group VP of center store merchandising at Kroger. […]
AWG Brands Introduces Hello World By Best Choice Product Line
In response to the growing demand for budget-friendly baby care solutions, AWG Brands, the private brands program of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG), has introduced Hello World by Best Choice. A line of baby products, Hello World by Best Choice features everything from diapers and wipes to health and wellness essentials. “Hello World by Best Choice […]
AWG Brands Introduces Pure Wonder By Best Choice
AWG Brands, the private brands program of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG), has launched Pure Wonder by Best Choice, a new brand dedicated to pets. Available this month, the brand offers a comprehensive range of pet products, including food and essentials for dogs, cats and birds. The decision to introduce Pure Wonder by Best Choice […]
Catania Oils’ Basile Named To Dealmaker Hall Of Famers
Catania Oils, one of Massachusetts’ largest manufacturers, recently announced that CEO Anthony Basile was named to Smart Business Network’s 2025 Boston Class of Dealmaker Hall of Famers. The Boston Dealmakers Conference was held March 20 at The Westin Copley Place. Catania Oils, a family-owned business for 125 years, has grown into the Northeast’s leading processor […]
T. Marzetti Co. Names Berman Retail President
T. Marzetti Company, a subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corp., has appointed Tanya Berman as president of its retail business unit, effective April 21. In this role, Berman will lead sales, marketing and innovation for T. Marzetti’s portfolio of retail brands and licensed products. Berman has 25 years of experience in general management and marketing, with […]
Hidden Valley Ranch Introduces 7 New Flavors
Hidden Valley Ranch has added seven new flavors to its ranch product lineup – Blue Cheese Ranch, Kickin’ Cajun Blackened Ranch, Cilantro Lime Ranch, Cracked Pepper Ranch, Sweet Barbecue Ranch, Garlic Ranch Seasoning and Creamy Jalapeño Ranch Seasoning. “As the creators of ranch, Hidden Valley Ranch is uniquely positioned to continue to take ranch to […]
In Remembrance: Designer Greetings Co-Founder
Funeral services were held March 19 at Congregation B’nai Jeshuran in West Brighton, New York, for Bernice “Vickie” Gimbelman, co-founder of Designer Greetings. Mrs. Gimbelman, 91, died March 15 at her home in the Manor Heights neighborhood of Staten Island, New York. A native of the Bronx, New York, Mrs. Gimbelman entered the work force […]
The Giant Co. Names Allison As VP, Center Store Merchandising
The Giant Co. has named Steve Allison VP of center store merchandising, effective immediately. Allison will report to Rebecca Lupfer, SVP and chief merchant for The Giant Co. “With his years of merchandising experience, Steve brings a proven track record of building both strategic and mutually beneficial supplier relationships to best serve our customers’ needs,” […]
Heritage Grocers Group Names Cates As VP, Center Store
Heritage Grocers Group has named Kim Cates as VP of center store. Reporting directly to CMO Eric Stover, Cates will oversee center store merchandising initiatives for Heritage Grocers Group. “Kim brings extensive wholesale and grocery industry experience to her new role,” Stover said. “She will play a vital role in advancing the company’s center store […]
‘One Quality-One Team’ Approach Has Catania Oils Poised For 2025, Future Growth
The Griffin Report caught up with Mark Coleman, SVP of global sales for Ayer, Massachusetts-based Catania Oils, following the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s 2024 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago. A processor and packager of plant-based oils, Catania’s products are used in the bulk ingredient, foodservice, retail and private label markets in New England and […]
McCormick Shares 2025 Flavor Of The Year
McCormick has released the 25th edition of the Flavor Forecast, its annual report on the latest culinary trends, naming Aji Amarillo as the 2025 Flavor of the Year. Aji Amarillo, which translates to “yellow chile pepper” in English, is native to South America, where it is a staple ingredient in Peruvian cuisine. The pepper has fruity, […]
Natural Grocers Introduces Private Label Wheat Pasta, Sauces
Natural Grocers has introduced six organic wheat pastas and five flavors of organic pasta sauces to its collection of house brand products. All six styles of Natural Grocers Brand Organic Pasta begin with organic durum wheat semolina. They are certified organic, vegan, non-GMO and crafted with plant-based and dairy-free ingredients. The line of pasta sauces […]
Natural Grocers Introduces Private Label Organic Soups
Natural Grocers has introduced six new varieties of soups to its collection of Natural Grocers’ brand products. All six varieties are certified organic, non-GMO and crafted with plant-based, gluten- and dairy-free ingredients. Sustainability, premium quality and affordability are principles behind every Natural Grocers’ brand product, including these varieties of organic soups. Each is packaged in BPA-free pouches designed with […]
Shareholders Approve The Campbell’s Co. Name Change
On Nov. 19, shareholders of the Campbell Soup Company approved the change of its official name to The Campbell’s Company. The change reflects the company’s broad portfolio of leadership brands, from Campbell’s soup to Goldfish crackers and Rao’s pasta sauce. The new name will take effect after an amendment to the company’s certificate of incorporation […]
