Renfro Foods, maker of Mrs. Renfro’s salsas and other specialty foods, recently received non-GMO verification for many of its top-selling salsas. The nine Mrs. Renfro’s salsas that will be updated shortly with non-GMO verification labels are: Habanero, Green, Mango Habanero, Ghost Pepper, Peach, Medium, Mild, Hot and Raspberry Chipotle. “The number of consumers who want […]
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.
Armaly Sponge Co. Buys Natural Sponge Distributor Acme Sponge Co.
Armaly Sponge Co., home to the Brillo brand and Armaly ProPlus brand, has acquired Acme Sponge Co. Acme, located in Tarpon Springs, Florida, is the No. 1 distributor of natural sponges globally and in the U.S, says Armaly, and traces its roots back four generations to sea sponge merchants and divers in Greece. In addition to natural sponges, […]
Uncle Ben’s, Retailers Donate More Than $24,000 To Schools Nationwide
The Uncle Ben’s brand is teaming up with local retailers across the country to donate more than $24,000 to schools as part of its annual Ben’s Beginners program. As part of the program, retailers select local schools to receive a donation to encourage healthy eating in their communities. Donations from Albertsons, Hannaford, Raleys and Stater Bros. will […]
L Catterton To Acquire Hot Sauce Producer Cholula
L Catterton, a global consumer-focused private equity firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, is acquiring Cholula, a producer and distributor of hot sauce. The acquisition will allow Cholula to become a standalone enterprise. The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Cholula hot sauce was introduced into the U.S. in 1989. It is created from a generations-old recipe featuring […]
Francesco Rinaldi Uses Augmented Reality To Bring Labels To Life
Francesco Rinaldi, a pasta sauce brand, has debuted an augmented reality app called “Francesco Rinaldi AR APP” that enables the brand’s icon, Mrs. Rinaldi, to speak directly with shoppers from the jar. “The iconic Mrs. Rinaldi has graced the Francesco Rinaldi label for nearly forty years, and now at long last she speaks,” said Mary […]
San Antonio’s ArchPoint Group Acquires Watusee Foods
San Antonio, Texas-based ArchPoint Group, a global products and professional services company, has acquired Watusee Foods, which produces clean-label, limited-ingredient snack foods. According to ArchPoint, this acquisition aligns with its new business strategy of investing in “in small brands with great opportunity and bringing them to market with strong cross-functional expertise in sourcing, sales, warehousing, […]
Mars Wrigley: Lead With Chocolate & Gum To Increase Confectionery Shopability
At Mars Wrigley, the fundamental belief is that by growing the confectionery category, everyone wins. Shaf Lalani, VP of customer experience, said the company did an extensive survey over the last year and a half, looking at consumers’ behaviors, usage and attitude toward the category as well as their shopping behaviors. “It’s been a rich […]
Pez Candy Appoints Jordan Greenstein Marketing Director
Pez Candy Inc. appointed Jordan Greenstein director of marketing, effective Nov. 12. Greenstein is responsible for continuing to strengthen and evolve brand affinity, drive innovation and accelerate revenue growth overseeing marketing, licensing and product development functions. “We are pleased to welcome Jordan to the Pez Candy organization,” Christian Jegen, president and CEO, said. “Jordan brings […]
Teddie Peanut Butter Recognized As Manufacturer Of The Year
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Caucus has named Teddie Peanut Butter a 2018 Manufacturer of the Year. In a ceremony at the State House, Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy and Sen. Eric P. Lesser recognized the company’s contributions to the community as a local manufacturing business. “We are honored to receive this award,” said Mark Hintlian, president […]
Raley’s Moving Sugary Cereals To The Bottom Shelf
Raley’s continues to reimagine its grocery aisles with another move in the name of health and wellness. The retailer is changing the layout of its cold cereal aisles by giving prime placement to cereals with less added sugar, taking into account the amount of added sugar respective to the calorie count and serving size. Cereals […]
Camellia Brand Products Gain Distribution To Food Lion Stores
L.H. Hayward & Co., the 95-year-old packager of New Orleans-based Camellia Brand of beans, peas and lentils, is widening the distribution of three types of beans to Food Lion stores this fall. A selection of the company’s non-GMO certified, 100 percent U.S.-farmed beans will arrive on shelves in more than 1,000 Food Lion stores at […]
Albertsons Cos.’ Signature Reserve Line Enters New Categories
Albertsons Cos. has expanded Signature Reserve, its exclusive new top-shelf label, into a host of new categories. “Signature Reserve inspires delicious discovery with extraordinary and expertly sourced flavors and ingredients,” said Geoff White, president of Albertsons Cos. Own Brands. “I personally experienced this with our Tomato, Porcini and Black Truffle Pasta Sauce. It instantly became […]
L.H. Hayward & Co. Acquires New Orleans-Based Gulf Coast Blenders
L.H. Hayward & Co., the 95-year-old packager of Camellia Brand beans, peas and lentils, has acquired Gulf Coast Blenders, a New Orleans-based company that produces dry ingredient blends and mixes. L.H. Hayward will take over operations for Gulf Coast Blenders effective immediately. The acquisition of Gulf Coast Blenders is part of L.H. Hayward’s ongoing efforts […]
Casa M Spice Co. Joins The Go Texan Coalition
Casa M Spice Co., the Dallas-based spice company known for its low-sodium line of spices and rubs, was accepted into the Go Texan coalition by the state of Texas Department of Agriculture. Go Texan is a group of Texas businesses producing products within the state of Texas. The Casa M spices, geared toward specific types […]
McCormick & Co. Opens Its New Global Headquarters
McCormick & Co. Inc. has opened its new global headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The state-of-the-art headquarters brings together 1,000 employees previously located in four different office buildings. McCormick Chairman, President and CEO Lawrence Kurzius was joined by employees, retired company executives, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Jr., Baltimore County Executive Don Mohler and local government […]
Flowers Foods Gains Rights To Produce, Market Sun-Maid Raisin Bread
Sun-Maid Growers of California, a producer and processor of raisins and other dried fruits, has entered into an agreement giving Flowers Foods, producer of Nature’s Own, Wonder, Tastykake, Dave’s Killer Bread, and other bakery foods, license to produce and distribute Sun-Maid Raisin bread to approximately 80 percent of the U.S. population. “Sun-Maid is intent on […]
Peatos Maker Expects To ‘Unjunk’ More Snack Food Categories
A couple of years ago, World Peas Brand took on the daunting task of creating a healthy crunchy cheese snack—a clean-label alternative to the national brand. The company’s creation, Peatos, are made with a base of non-GMO peas and lentils (pulses) instead of corn, and the seasoning used contains no artificial flavors, colors or MSG. After […]
Nissin Foods Welcomes Soong As New VP Of Sales
Nissin Foods, the inventor of instant ramen, named Kalei Soong VP of sales effective Sept. 10. He succeeds Michael Price, now president and CEO. Nissin says the appointment underscores its continued effort to “maximize growth and strategically drive momentum with a unique product portfolio based on consumer preferences.” With more than 19 years of experience […]
De Wafelbakkers Expanding Georgia Production Center
De Wafelbakkers, a pancake manufacturer, will invest $15 million to expand its production facility in Henry County, Georgia, reports Area Development News. The project is expected to create 83 jobs. According to state officials, this investment and job creation represents the first part of a planned two-phase expansion. De Wafelbakkers opened its Henry County facility in […]
Campbell Appoints Slavtcheff Head Of Research & Development
Campbell Soup Co. has appointed Craig Slavtcheff, 51, as VP and head of research and development (R&D). Slavtcheff will lead Campbell’s entire R&D organization, including strategy, innovation and product development for the company’s divisions, as well as its science and technology, regulatory, nutrition and culinary teams. He will report to Campbell’s Chief Operating Officer Luca […]
