Oikos, the Danone-owned high-protein yogurt brand, is expanding its ready-to-drink protein shake lineup with two new flavors: Strawberry and Mocha Latte. The additions bring the shelf-stable shake line to five varieties, joining Chocolate, Vanilla and Salted Caramel. Each shake delivers 30 grams of complete protein, 5 grams of prebiotic fiber and vitamins A and D, […]
Category: Grocery News
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, News, Southwest
Texas AG Settles With Chain Over Pesticides On Organic Produce
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a settlement with Albertsons Safeway LLC over the unauthorized use of synthetic pesticides on organic produce in its Texas stores. The agreement, formalized as an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, centers on ProduceMaxx, an EPA-registered antimicrobial pesticide containing hypochlorous acid, a chlorine‑based compound. According to the investigation, which launched […]
Posted inDairy News, National, News
Kraft Natural Cheese Adds Lactose‑Free Line With Three Varieties
Kraft Natural Cheese has launched a Lactose‑Free product line, expanding its portfolio to meet growing demand for dairy options that support a range of dietary needs. Available in three varieties – Mild Cheddar Shredded Cheese, Mozzarella Shredded Cheese, and Mozzarella String Cheese – each product is made with real dairy and delivers Kraft flavor with […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, News, Northeast, ShopRite, Wakefern
Wakefern Expands Domestic Kosher Beef Program In ShopRite Stores
Wakefern Food Corp. is expanding and enhancing its fresh domestic kosher beef offering for ShopRite stores with kosher meat departments under rabbinical supervision. Through a new direct‑sourcing program, select ShopRite locations will have expanded access to a wider variety of fresh, high‑quality domestic kosher beef – including bone‑in and boneless cuts, steaks, roasts and offals. […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Featured News, News, Northeast, The Giant Company
The Giant Co. Garners Blue Zones Project Approval
Six The Giant Co. stores have become Blue Zones Project Approved, making the grocer the first in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley to receive the distinction and marking a step toward improving community well-being in the region. The approved stores are located at: 3300 Lehigh St., Allentown; 3070 Tilghman St., Allentown; 3926 Linden St., Bethlehem; 2174 West […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, News
2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo Wraps Vegas Debut With Record Innovation Field
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo wrapped its first run in Las Vegas, drawing 17,500 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center for four days of new product launches, education and category-level dealmaking. Hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the show ran May 18-21, with the Supplier Showcase serving as a […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
State Of Treating 2026: What’s Driving Confectionery Consumers
Nearly every American household still reaches for chocolate, candy, gum or mints at some point in the year — but how, where and why they buy is shifting in ways independent grocers can lean into. That was the core message from Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, who presented the National Confectioners Association’s seventh annual […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, New Products, News
Mars Snacking Maps Category Playbook For Grocers At Sweets & Snacks
Halloween is no longer a six-week season, the meal is increasingly being replaced by the snack, and roughly two-thirds of in-store confectionery purchases still ride on impulse. Those were among the headline messages Mike Gilroy, VP of industry engagement at Mars Snacking, shared with The Shelby Report at this week’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Snacks Brands, West
NCSA Recognizes Candy Execs At Sweets & Snacks Expo
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) presented Anton Vincent, president of Mars Snacking North America and Global Ice Cream at Mars Inc., with the 2026 Kettle Award May 19 during the awards’ 80th anniversary celebration during the Sweets & Snacks Expo. The NCSA also recognized Elaine Wu, co-founder of Amos Sweets and SVP of Amos […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Northeast, Wegmans
Wegmans’ Bakery Department Free Of Artificial Colors, Flavors, Preservatives
Wegmans Food Markets has shared that every product found within its in-store bakeries meets its “Food You Feel Good About” standard, meaning all bakery items are made without artificial colors, dyes, flavors or unnecessary preservatives. The milestone caps an effort that began in 2016, when Wegmans first removed trans fats and high fructose corn syrup […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, News, Snacks Brands, West
Billie-Ann Plastics Wins Ruby Award For Sustainable Packaging Innovation
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named Billie-Ann Plastics Packaging Corp. as the winner of the 2026 Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation for its RPET Clear Cylinder with Optional Snap In/Snap On Top and Printing. The award was presented during the Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony May 18 in Las Vegas. Created in 2018, […]
Posted inSoutheast, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Organic Natural
New Sprouts Opens Along Southwest FL Coast
Sprouts Farmers Market opened a new store May 15 in Naples, Florida. The store sits at 5351 Airport Road North in Naples, along Florida’s southwest coast. According to Sprouts’ website, it operates 63 stores in the Sunshine State. Sprouts noted on its Facebook page that it held “coast to coast” grand openings on May 15, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
From Mashups To Mochi: Most Innovative Sweets, Snacks Revealed
The Sweets & Snacks Expo announced the winners of the 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards on May 18, recognizing the most innovative candy and snack products shaping the future of the industry. With nearly 500 products entered this year – the largest field in program history – the awards spotlight breakthrough innovation, emerging trends […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Bimbo Bakeries USA Tops Forbes Best Employers List
Bimbo Bakeries USA has been named the No. 1 company in the food and beverage category on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2026, presented in collaboration with Statista. Bimbo also ranked among the top 50 employers overall. America’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2026 were identified through an independent survey of […]
Posted inBeverage News, Association News, National, News
Bottled Water Names No. 1 Packaged Beverage For 10th Straight Year
For the 10th consecutive year, bottled water was the nation’s No. 1 packaged beverage by volume in 2025, according to data released May 13 by the Beverage Marketing Corporation on behalf of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA). Bottled water outsold all other packaged beverages as health-conscious and price-aware consumers continued switching from other drinks. […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Grupo Bimbo’s Bakery Portfolio Meets ‘Positive Nutrition’ Standards
Grupo Bimbo has shared that 98 percent of its everyday consumption products – including breads, sweet baked goods, English muffins and bagels – now offer Positive Nutrition, meeting nutritional profiles within their categories. The achievement was detailed in the company’s Integrated Annual Report “Celebrating What Unites Us,” outlining progress of its sustainability strategy through 2025. […]
Posted inBeverage News, Midwest, News
Coca-Cola Consolidated To Invest $35M In Indianapolis Plant
Coca-Cola Consolidated is investing $35 million to add a new production line to its Indianapolis facility, specifically for bottling beverages in glass bottles. The project is anticipated to begin in late 2026. The expansion is expected to create 15 to 20 full-time jobs and initiate additional economic activity through construction, suppliers and local services. The […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National, News
New Products Debuting At Sweets & Snacks Expo
From May 19-21, the Sweets & Snacks Expo returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing together thousands of candy and snack manufacturers, distributors and retail buyers from across the country. For independent grocers looking to capture impulse sales and differentiate their front-end offerings, more than 3,000 exhibitors will be showcasing the latest innovations in […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
Sweets & Snacks Expo Expects Record Attendance In Las Vegas
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo is shaping up to be a landmark event as the candy and snack industry gathers for the first time in Las Vegas, with attendance trending toward an all-time high, according to show organizer National Confectioners Association (NCA). The expo runs May 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More […]
Posted inInternational Foods, Executive News, News, West
Ajinomoto Foods North America Names Gardner President, CEO
Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. (AFNA), a specialty frozen food manufacturer, has appointed Dave Gardner president and CEO. Gardner, who joined AFNA in 2022 as chief supply chain officer, succeeds Hiroshi Kaho, who has been promoted to executive officer and EVP, chief human resources officer for Tokyo-based parent company Ajinomoto Co. Inc. Kaho led AFNA […]