International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) CEO Cathy Burns testified March 11 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, urging lawmakers to expand federal produce incentives, modernize nutrition programs and increase investment in U.S. growers. Burns argued that closing America’s fruit and vegetable consumption gap is a public health and economic imperative. Nine […]
Category: Featured News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Natural Grocers, News, West
Natural Grocers Plans New Store In Walla Walla, WA
Natural Grocers has begun preparations for a new store in downtown Walla Walla, Washington, marking the family-operated chain’s sixth location in the state and first in the Walla Walla Valley. Ahead of the spring opening, the company is hosting a community meet-and-greet March 24 and a two-day hiring event March 25-26 at the Courtyard by […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News, Nonfood Items
AI Experts Urge Retailers To Move Beyond Simple Automation
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help retailers unlock hidden revenue in underperforming inventory, improve customer targeting and streamline operations — but only if companies stop treating it as a time-saving shortcut and start using it as a strategic tool. That was the message from two digital commerce experts during a keynote at The Inspired Home Show […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NCA Launches Candy Campaign Ahead Of U.S. 250th Anniversary
The National Confectioners Association has launched Sweet Land of Liberty, a yearlong advocacy and marketing campaign timed to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence that frames the U.S. chocolate and candy industry as a major American manufacturing story. The campaign features activations in Washington, D.C., and nationwide, including a presence at Sweets & […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Food City, Health & Wellness, News, Southeast
Food City Expands NationsBenefit Flex Card Access For Members
NationsBenefits has integrated its Flex Card network with Food City, allowing eligible health plan members to use prepaid benefit cards at all of the grocer’s participating locations in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. Using the NationsBenefits Mastercard Prepaid Flex Card, they will be able to buy approved food as medicine items, over-the-counter (OTC) health […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Aldi, Featured News, News, Northeast
Aldi Prepping For Entrance Into 40th State
Aldi will open its first Maine location on March 26 at 1100 Brighton Ave. in Portland, marking the German discount grocer’s entry into its 40th state. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 8:45 a.m., followed by grand opening festivities. To mark the opening, Aldi will donate $10,000 to the Good Shepherd Food Bank to support […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Redner’s Bringing ‘Fresh Market 2.0’ To Wilmington, Creating Foodservice Destination
Walk into most grocery stores and the experience is largely transactional: Grab a cart, work your way down the aisles and check out. Redner’s Markets wants to change that, and its newest store in Wilmington, Delaware, is the place where it’s making moves toward that next-generation grocery shopping experience. The Reading, Pennsylvania-based grocer broke ground […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southeast, Southwest
Sprouts Farmers Market Opens 3 New Stores In FL, TX
Sprouts Farmers Market opened three new stores in late February and early March, adding two Florida locations and one in Texas. The first store opened Feb. 27 at 1591 N. Williamson Blvd. in Daytona Beach, Florida. That was followed by two locations on March 6 – one at 3420 South U.S. Hwy. 27 in Clermont, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Executive News, Featured News, Finance News, News, Southeast
ECRS Names Rosner Chief Revenue Officer
ECRS, a Boone, North Carolina-based retail technology company, has named Merrick Rosner chief revenue officer. Rosner brings more than a decade of executive experience in retail technology and previously served on the National Retailer Advisory Board of the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA). In his new role, Rosner will oversee customer experience, sales operations and strategic […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NPPC Elects New Officers, Board Members For 2026-27 Term
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) elected new officers and board members to lead the organization through the 2026-27 term, tapping a mix of multi-generational family farmers and large-scale production executives to guide its national advocacy agenda. Rob Brenneman of Washington, Iowa, was elected president. Brenneman owns and operates Brenneman Pork and has served on […]
Posted inC-Store News, Featured News, Grocery Store Equipment, Midwest, News
Huck’s Market Becomes First C-Store To Deploy AI-Native POS Chainwide
Huck’s Market has gone live with an artificial intelligence-native point-of-sale system at its flagship location in Carmi, Illinois, becoming the first c-store chain to deploy the technology in-store. The employee-owned 135-store Midwest chain partnered with Tote, an AI-native POS platform built for fuel and convenience retail, with a chainwide rollout planned for completion by the […]
Posted inProduce News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Opens Applications For Local Produce Supplier Summit
Wakefern Food Corp. is accepting applications from growers to participate in its annual Local Produce Supplier Summit on July 15 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, New Jersey. Qualified applicants will be invited to present to Wakefern’s procurement teams, participate in panels and explore retail partnerships across the cooperative’s eight supermarket […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, News, West
Oliver’s Market Plans Fifth Store In Santa Rosa, CA
Oliver’s Market, an employee-owned independent grocer, is under contract to purchase Farmer’s Lane Plaza at 1501-1591 Farmer’s Lane in Santa Rosa, California, where it will open a fifth location in a 35,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by Rite Aid. The deal is expected to close April 1, with construction beginning immediately and a 2027 opening targeted. […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NCA Report: U.S. Confectionery Sales Climb To $55B In 2025
Americans spent a record $55 billion on chocolate, candy, gum and mints in 2025, and the category shows no signs of slowing down, according to the National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) 2026 State of Treating report. Sales are projected to grow an additional $7.3 billion over the next five years, reaching $62.2 billion across all outlets […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News
AWG’s Save-A-Label Program Directs $106K To Nonprofits In 2025
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc.’s (AWG) Save-A-Label program contributed $106,508 to nonprofits and schools in 2025, supporting 997 organizations across a 17-state footprint. The program, which has run since 1987, converts UPC labels from AWG’s Best Choice Family of Brands into direct cash donations for qualifying organizations. How the program works Shoppers collect UPC labels from […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest
The United Family, Mrs Baird’s Honor 12 TX Teachers
The United Family and Mrs Baird’s Bread named 12 educators across Texas as December and January winners of their Teachers on the Rise programs, recognizing outstanding educators in the South Plains and North Texas regions. South Plains: United Supermarkets’ 15th Year The Lubbock-area program, now in its 15th year, has received more than 800 nominations […]
Posted inBeverage News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Royal Cup To Acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee
Royal Cup Coffee & Tea has signed an agreement to acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee Co. (NASDAQ: FARM) for $1.29 per share in an all-cash transaction, combining two B2B coffee suppliers with nearly 250 years of combined industry experience. The transaction is expected to close during Farmer Brothers’ fiscal fourth quarter ending June 30, pending approval […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, News, West
Jackson’s Debuts First Avocado Oil Variety Pack At Expo West 2026
Jackson’s launched its first 30-count Avocado Oil Variety Snack Pack during Natural Products Expo West, marking the brand’s entry into the club and bulk retail format with a multipack designed for family-sized purchasing occasions. The variety pack combines three of the company’s snack formats – Sweet Potato Chips, Kettle Potato Chips and Super Veggie Straws […]
Posted inProduce News, Featured News, News, Southeast
Healthy Family Project Raised $348K In 2025 For Food Security
Healthy Family Project gathered more than 200 produce industry professionals Feb. 27 for its annual Thank You Reception during the Southeast Produce Council’s 2026 Southern Exposure event in Orlando, celebrating a year of cause marketing campaigns that raised more than $348,000 for charitable partners. The funds benefited Feeding America food banks, the Foundation for Fresh […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NPPC Honors Parker For Four Decades Of Pork Industry Leadership
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recognized John Parker with the Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award during the National Pork Industry Forum, honoring his 40-plus years as executive secretary of the Virginia Pork Council. The award was presented in partnership with the National Pork Board (NPB). Parker’s tenure shaped Virginia’s agricultural community, producer-funded promotion and research […]