General Mills has appointed Jeffrey L. Harmening president and COO, effective July 1. Harmening will be responsible for all company operations, including U.S. retail, international, the convenience store and foodservice segments, sales and channel development, as well as global supply chain, and innovation, technology and quality functions. Harmening will continue to report to chairman and […]
Category: Suppliers
Senate Leaders Reach Agreement On National GMO Labeling
One week before Vermont’s mandatory GMO (genetically modified organism) labeling law is scheduled to go into effect, Senate legislators have reached a bipartisan agreement on a national labeling standard spearheaded by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). While this deal still requires packaged foods containing GMOs to be labeled, […]
FMI’s Sarasin On FMI Connect: ‘We’re Committed To Boldness And Agility’
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin offered the following statement today on the trajectory of FMI Connect, which was held this week in Chicago: “The competitive landscape of food retail is undergoing an unprecedented time of change, which substantiates the need for a venue that allows the entire industry to do […]
FMI Report: Fresh Produce Growth Driven By Mega Trends
Fresh produce is in demand. At $61 billion in annual sales, fresh produce is big, growing (+4 percent) and lucrative, with a grocery basket with fresh produce averaging nearly $30 more than one without. The consumer trends in Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) second annual Power of Produce report substantiate the growth opportunities for fresh produce […]
FMI’s Sarasin: It’s Time To Expand Our Shopper Vocabulary
“It’s a brave new world of grocery shoppers with nearly everyone getting in on the act of shopping for food,” said Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin. Sarasin shared insights on the impact the shifting shopper paradigm is having on the purchasing behavior of more than half of U.S. shoppers on […]
CMI Releases Behind-The-Scenes Video Of Rainier Cherry Harvest
The Rainier cherry harvest reached its seasonal harvest peak in mid-June, and Columbia Marketing International (CMI) expects its cherries to be 85 percent harvested by June 26. Because few retailers or consumers will ever have an opportunity to see the harvest in person, CMI has released a video highlighting one of its growers, offering a […]
SEPC-Led Initiative Gathers Produce For Appalachian County
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC), along with several produce companies, collected more than 95,000 pounds of produce for Rockin’ Appalachian Mom Project (RAMP) to benefit Martin County, Kentucky. Rural Appalachia is home to some of the most impoverished people in the United States, and access to healthy food and economic opportunity in Martin County is scarce. […]
Pillsbury Introduces Girl Scout Cookie Flavored Baking Mixes
Pillsbury is launching its new licensing relationship with Girl Scouts of the USA by bringing two of America’s favorite Girl Scout Cookie flavors to the kitchen with new Pillsbury Girl Scouts Thin Mints and Caramel & Coconut Flavored Baking Mixes. “We are very pleased about our licensing relationship with Girl Scouts of the USA, as […]
Western Family’s Oregon HQ To Close With Topco Deal
On June 13, Western Family Foods Inc. and Topco Associates LLC reached an agreement that authorizes Topco to source three of Western Family’s brands that are sold through independent grocery retailers across the U.S. The brands are Western Family, Shurfine and Natural Directions. According to a statement from Western Family, “Under this arrangement, Topco will […]
Southeastern Grocers Commits To Southeast Produce Growers
Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores, on June 14 announced a new local sourcing policy, committing to only source produce from local farms and orchards in the Southeast whenever possible. Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers says this policy should help grow Southeastern agriculture as well as provide customers with the freshest local […]
Wrigley Adds Skittles Line, Jobs To Factory In Illinois
On June 14, Wrigley’s Mars Inc. subsidiary opened a state-of-the-art addition to its Yorkville, Illinois, factory. The Yorkville expansion is the result of a $50 million investment by Mars that adds 145,000 s.f., a new Skittles line and 75 new jobs—a 25 percent increase in the workforce at the facility. “Mars has a long-standing history […]
Texas-Based NaturalShrimp Will Expand In Three States
NaturalShrimp Inc. has announced its domestic expansion plans for three regional shrimp production systems in Texas, Nevada and New York. The regional facilities will include sales, packaging and shrimp plant management along with its patented water treatment systems and technology for growing shrimp in an indoor environment. Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, will remain the […]
More Than Half Of U.S. Households Purchase Fresh Mushrooms
The Mushroom Council recently released a study analyzing the latest mushroom shopper purchase trends. The Fresh Mushroom Fast Facts study provides key insights into the shopping behaviors that are driving fresh mushroom category growth. According to the study, more than half of U.S. households purchased mushrooms in 2015. Nearly four out of five purchasing households […]
General Mills Partners With Cooperative To Increase Organic Dairy Supply
General Mills has formed a sourcing partnership with the largest organic cooperative in the U.S. that will help about 20 dairy farms add around 3,000 acres to organic dairy production over the next three years. The program with Wisconsin-based Organic Valley will drive more acres in the U.S. into the organic certification process and builds […]
Evans Brewing Co. Bolsters Distribution To Washington
Craft beer maker Evans Brewing Co. has expanded its product distribution to Washington with the signing of an agreement with Browar Polska Inc. to distribute the company’s core year-round packaged beers to retailers in the state. Evans Brewing 22-oz. bottles are landing on shelves in the Washington market now. Washington has traditionally been a key […]
Second Mushroom Council, Beef Checkoff Veal Summer Grilling Promotion Under Way
The Beef Checkoff and the Mushroom Council have teamed up for a second Veal Mushroom Summer Grilling Promotion. A new Veal and Portobello Mushroom Blend Burger recipe has been introduced through labels placed on specially marked packages of veal. The promotion is supported with a consumer sweepstakes featuring a $500 grand prize and two $50 […]
Grocery Outlet Sets Cage-Free Egg Goal
Extreme-value grocery retailer Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is working with suppliers to source 100 percent cage-free eggs for all of its locations by 2025, based on available supply. “Many Grocery Outlet stores serve underserved populations who regularly experience food insecurity. Our first obligation is to these customers, and we are committed to providing them wholesome, quality […]
General Mills Launches First All-New Cereal Brand In 15 Years
For the first time in more than 15 years, General Mills is introducing an all-new cereal brand—Tiny Toast—that arrives on store shelves across America this week. Available in strawberry and blueberry flavors, whole grain is the first ingredient in Tiny Toast, which also has no artificial flavors or colors from artificial sources and no high […]
Former PepsiCo Chief Enrico Dies At 71
Roger Enrico, who spent 30 years with PepsiCo before retiring in 2003, died June 1. He was 71. According to the Dallas Morning News, Enrico was snorkeling near his home in the Cayman Islands when he died. A major part of Enrico’s legacy is his leadership at Pepsi during the “Cola Wars” of the 1980s, […]
Wisconsin Grandmother Wins Chicken Of The Sea Contest
Chicken of the Sea has awarded a 75-year-old grandmother of five in Appleton, Wisconsin, for taking up Tae Kwon Do after receiving a black belt in mixed martial arts. Barb Estabrook was honored for “making a commitment to live a more adventurous, happier and healthier life” as part of the seafood company’s “Sea the Possibilities” […]
