Sara Lee Frozen Bakery has appointed Peter Laport as CEO, succeeding Craig Bahner, who is stepping down from the role. Laport brings more than three decades of experience to the Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois-based frozen baked goods manufacturer, having led consumer and food businesses across North America and global markets. He is recognized for building resilient organizations, […]
Category: Bakery News
The Shelby Report covers the bakery category for grocery retailers nationwide, from in-store bakery trends and artisan bread programs to packaged baked goods, supplier announcements and merchandising strategies. Updated regularly across our five regional editions.
See more bakery coverage in Focus on Fresh: Bakery.
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Schwass Takes Helm At IDDBA As Haaf Departs
International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) CEO David Haaf has stepped down from his position effective Feb. 26, the organization’s board of directors announced. Chris Schwass, the association’s CFO, has been appointed acting CEO. Schwass, who has 28 years of experience at the Madison-Wisconsin-based organization, will lead operations while the board begins the search for […]
Posted inBakery News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
Top Baking Trends Shaping In-Store Bakeries In 2026
In 2026, in-store bakery is becoming a “solution department” more than a “nice-to-have case.” Shoppers still buy baked goods with their senses, taste and price remain the top two purchase drivers, but the bar for what counts as a good indulgence is rising. Recent consumer research continues to show that taste drives purchase decisions first, […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Rise Baking Co. Identifies 5 Trends Shaping 2026 Bakery Category
Rise Baking Co. released its outlook for the bakery sector in 2026, highlighting five consumer behaviors and market dynamics expected to influence in-store bakery and foodservice operations throughout the year. The Minneapolis-based manufacturer – which supplies cakes, cookies, muffins and pies to grocery chains, convenience stores and foodservice operators – identified indulgence, portion variety, flavor […]
Posted inBakery News, News, West
Otis Spunkmeyer Removes Artificial Dyes From All U.S. Products
Otis Spunkmeyer has removed all artificial food grade dyes from its branded baked goods, with 100 percent of products manufactured after Jan. 1 not having any Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) colors. The reformulation affects all Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, muffins and sweet baked goods sold in foodservice and retail in-store bakery channels. A small […]
Posted inBakery News, Center Store, Frozen Food, National, News
Rich Products Acquires Great Kitchens Food Co. From Brynwood Partners
Rich Products Corp. has acquired Great Kitchens Food Co. from Brynwood Partners VIII, a Greenwich, Connecticut-based private equity firm, in a transaction that recently closed. Financial terms were not disclosed. Great Kitchens manufactures pizzas, flatbreads, strombolis and calzones sold to grocery, club and mass retailers, as well as foodservice outlets nationwide. Brynwood VIII formed Great […]
Posted inBakery News, C-Store News, News
Ditsch Opens First U.S. Store As Shop-In-Shop Inside El Paso OXXO
Ditsch, a traditional German bakery, has opened its first dedicated point of sale in the United States with a shop-in-shop location inside an OXXO convenience store in El Paso, Texas. Its product range includes classics such as pretzels, pretzel sticks, pretzel croissants and Ditsch pizza, along with additions tailored to local tastes, such as Jalapeño […]
Posted inExecutive News, Bakery News, News, West
Hendrix Honored As USC’s 2026 Food Industry Executive Of The Year
The USC Marshall School of Business has named Jeffrey Hendrix, senior executive at Bimbo Bakeries USA, as its Food Industry Executive of the Year for the Food Industry Management Program’s 2026 cohort. USC has recognized an exceptional food industry leader annually for nearly six decades. The honor goes to executives whose careers reflect strategic leadership, […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, National, News
American Bakers Association Pledges To Phase Out Potassium Bromate
The American Bakers Association (ABA) has announced its new “Baked Goods Ingredient Pledge,” a voluntary industry commitment to complete the phase out of potassium bromate from baked goods across the United States. The initiative builds on the momentum of ABA’s previous voluntary commitments: the “Baked Goods in Schools Pledge” and the “Baked Goods FD&C Colors […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Northeast, Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop Celebrates National Bagel Day With Free Baked Goods
Stop & Shop is marking National Bagel Day with a weeklong promotion that gives customers a free bakery bagel at all its stores. From Jan. 9-15, shoppers can receive one free pick-your-own bagel (no purchase required) at any Stop & Shop. To redeem the offer, they must check in at the Savings Station kiosk, at […]
Posted inBakery News, Finance News, National, News
Gonnella Baking Co. Acquires Lineage Manufacturing LLC
Gonnella Baking Co. has acquired Lineage Manufacturing LLC, a producer of frozen dough products, in a move that significantly expands Gonnella’s manufacturing footprint and strengthens its national supply-chain capabilities. As part of the transaction, Gonnella will continue operating a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility located within Lineage’s cold-storage campus in Centralia, Washington. The site operates as Gonnella […]
Posted inBakery News, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Strictly From Scratch Marks 30 Years, Eyes Growth In 2026
Strictly From Scratch, a Phoenix-based commercial bakery specializing in sweet and savory breads and pastries for wholesale distribution, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025. The company is now positioning itself for expanded capacity and new product categories heading into 2026. The bakery, founded in 1995 by Rudy DePaola, has grown into the largest niche commercial […]
Posted inBakery News, Hannaford Supermarkets, News, Northeast
Hannaford Partners With Local Bakery On Holiday Bread
Hannaford Supermarkets is celebrating the holiday season by partnering with Fireking Baking Co., a Massachusetts bakery, to offer an exclusive, limited-edition specialty bread in all 188 stores. Baked by Fireking Baking Co. in Braintree, Massachusetts, the White Chocolate Cranberry Boule blends white chocolate and cranberries for a seasonal treat designed for holiday gatherings and gifts. One […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Southeast
Dave’s Killer Bread Launches Supreme Sourdough
Dave’s Killer Bread, the organic bread brand for Flowers Foods, is launching Supreme Sourdough loaf in West Coast markets to meet consumer demand. The organic loaf is made with an authentic starter and a special double-fermentation process. It is rolled in the brand’s signature Good Seed topping and sliced thick. Similar to other Dave’s Killer […]
Posted inBakery News, Albertsons, Deli News, News, West
Afresh Introduces AI-Powered Fresh Solutions In Albertsons’ Stores
Afresh has completed the nationwide rollout of its Fresh Replenishment solution across the bakery and deli departments at all Albertsons Cos. stores. This technology has been implemented in the retailer’s bakery, deli, meat, seafood and produce departments. Afresh’s technology applies patent-pending AI and data modeling to align Albertsons Cos.’ ordering, inventory and demand understanding for […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News, Packaging News, Snacks Brands
Lay’s Potato Chips Begins Brand Redesign With New Packaging, Recipes
Lay’s Potato Chips, a PepsiCo brand, has begun the largest redesign in its nearly 100-year history, aiming to showcase how its chips are made with real potatoes and announce it is removing artificial flavors and colors in the U.S. Lay’s works with more than 100 family-owned farms across North America, and PepsiCo sources crops and […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Southeast
Flowers Foods Adds High-Protein Loaf, Sourdough To Product Lineup
Flowers Foods has added a new higher-protein loaf to its Nature’s Own Life lineup and expanded its Dave’s Killer Bread portfolio to include Supreme Sourdough. The company said the additions meet growing consumer interest in higher-protein foods and better-for-you sourdough loaves. They are part of a broader rollout that also includes Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Southeast
Flowers Foods Appoints Scaglione As CFO
D. Anthony Scaglione has been named chief financial officer of Flowers Foods, effective Jan. 1, succeeding Steve Kinsey, who will retire at year-end and serve in an advisory role for a period of time to ensure a smooth transition. In his new role, Scaglione will guide the company’s financial strategy and oversee its treasury, investor relations, […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Southeast
Little Debbie Celebrates 40 Years Of Christmas Tree Cake
Collegedale, Tennessee-based McKee Foods, the maker of Little Debbie snacks, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake. Known for its signature yellow cake, creme filling and red and green sprinkles, the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake has grown from a limited holiday offering into a seasonal symbol. “For 40 years, […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Southwest
Mission Foods Adds Zero Net Carbs Spinach Tortillas To Product Lineup
Mission Foods has expanded its better-for-you product line with Zero Net Carbs Spinach Tortillas. The soft taco-sized tortillas offer flavor and nutrition for consumers seeking low-carb choices that don’t affect taste. Whether following a keto diet, supporting a GLP-1 lifestyle, looking to lower net carbs consumption or add more nutrient-dense foods to a diet, Mission […]