PLAYA VISTA, Calif. — Allen McKnight Pierce, Jr., co-founder of the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation and a driving force behind the CPG Convergence Conference, died June 18, one week before the June 25 event. He never saw it come to life, but it did, filling the room with the founders, retailers and investors he had worked […]
Category: Grocery News
Posted inBakery News, Food Service News, National, News
Europastry Acquires Highland Baking Co., Expanding U.S. Foodservice Footprint
Europastry has reached an agreement to acquire Highland Baking Co., a family-owned U.S. producer of premium breads for the foodservice channel. Highland Baking Co. will continue to operate under its current brand and management team. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, National, News
What Grocers Should Be Focusing On Post-IDDBA
The trends from IDDBA 2026 point to several opportunities for independent grocers from expanded offerings to permissible indulgence.
Posted inExecutive News, News, Northeast, Snacks Brands
The Hershey Co. Names Hoytink As President, U.S.
The Hershey Company has named Heather Hoytink as president, U.S., effective July 8. Hoytink brings more than 20 years of sales, operations and commercial leadership experience to the role, most recently serving as SVP and chief commercial officer, U.S. Away From Home Beverages at PepsiCo. “We’re thrilled to welcome Heather to Hershey,” said Kirk Tanner, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Beverage News, News, Southeast
Coca‑Cola N.A. President To Step Down; CFO To Lead On Interim Basis
The Coca‑Cola Co. announced that Jennifer Mann will step down from her role as EVP and president of the North America Operating Unit, effective Aug. 1. John Murphy, president and CFO, will assume responsibility for the North America Operating Unit on an interim basis. Mann will stay with the company through April as senior advisor […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Frozen Food, National, News
AFFI Adds Blake As SVP Of Communications
The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) has named Carol Blake as SVP of communications, effective June 15. In this role, Blake will lead AFFI’s integrated communications strategy, including public affairs, media relations, stakeholder engagement, member communications, and brand positioning. Blake brings more than 30 years of public affairs experience to the position. She previously served […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Jackson’s Chips Expands Into Publix, Adding 1.4K Stores Across Southeast
Jackson’s, the snack brand known for chips cooked in avocado oil, has launched its products in Publix stores, marking a significant milestone in the company’s national retail expansion. The rollout began June 24 across more than 1,400 Publix locations in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky. The initial assortment includes […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Video Series Earns 6 Telly Awards For Confectionery Storytelling
Two of the National Confectioners Association’s original video series, The Sweet Life: Season 3 and Sweet Land of Liberty, earned a combined six honors in the 47th Annual Telly Awards. The awards recognize excellence in video and television across all screens, judged by more than 250 experts including representatives from advertising agencies, production companies and major television […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Featured News, National, News, Online Grocery Technology
Federal Judge Strikes Down SNAP Food Restriction Waivers In 5 States
A federal judge vacated USDA approval of SNAP food restriction waivers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia, halting the pilot programs.
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Featured News, National, News, The Kroger Co.
ADUSA Joining Kroger, Hy-Vee To Host Nourishing Change In ’27
The initiative brings together leaders from across multiple organizations and industries to improve health outcomes.
Posted inBakery News, News, Northeast
Rise Baking Co. To Acquire Jimmy’s Gourmet Bakery
Rise Baking Co. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire New Jersey-based Jimmy’s Gourmet Bakery, a manufacturer of premium cookies and baked goods known for its innovative product development, eye-catching packaging and strong retail partnerships nationwide. Consummation of the acquisition is targeted for Q3 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Jimmy’s Gourmet Bakery has […]
Posted inBeverage News, Corporate Store News, News, Southeast, Walmart
Walmart, Dunkin’ Celebrate 150th In-Store Location In Oakwood, GA
Walmart has opened its 150th Dunkin’ restaurant inside a Walmart store at 3875 Mundy Mill Road in Oakwood, Georgia.
Posted inBeverage News, Featured News, Health & Wellness, National, News, Packaging News
Apple & Eve Kicks Off Summer With Soccer-Inspired Juice Boxes
New packaging celebrates summer soccer season with jersey-inspired juice boxes and trivia Apple & Eve, the Cherry Hill, New Jersey-based 100 percent juice box brand, has rolled out soccer-inspired packaging on grocery shelves across the country. The limited-edition Apple, Very Berry and Fruit Punch juice boxes are designed to tap into the excitement surrounding soccer […]
Posted inMarketing News, Health & Wellness, National, News, Packaging News, Suppliers
KinderFarms Launches ‘Kids Deserve Less’ Campaign, Brand Overhaul
KinderFarms has launched its “Kids Deserve Less” campaign to communicate the idea that modern parenting and children’s products have “lost the plot” on what actually matters. The Los Angeles-based wellness brand also has undergone a full brand redesign as part of the campaign. According to KinderFarms, the campaign and product redesign are built around one […]
Posted inBeverage News, News, Southeast
Coke Florida Opens $84M Distribution Center In Orlando
Coca‑Cola Beverages Florida LLC (Coke Florida) celebrated the grand opening of its new Orlando Distribution Center, an $84 million facility at 3095 Eunice Avenue. The 180,000‑square‑foot facility features 29 inbound and outbound docks and is capable of handling about 34 million cases annually. It supports distribution across a broad regional footprint including Orlando, Ocala, Daytona, […]
Posted inCenter Store, National, News
Kraft Heinz Restructures Into 3 Regions, Combines Procurement, Supply Chain
Kraft Heinz has announced changes to its global operating structure designed to accelerate growth, sharpen focus, and more effectively deploy resources. Effective July 1, the company will reorganize into three regions: North America, Europe and Pacific Developed Markets, and Emerging Markets. Marcel Regis will become regional president of Emerging Markets (combining Asia Emerging Markets and […]
Posted inCenter Store, News, Northeast
Campbell’s, Banza Launch First Gluten-Free Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup
This change marks the first time in the company’s 150‑year history that the classic soup is available without gluten.
Posted inBakery News, News, Southeast
Nature’s Own Taps John Cena As ‘Breaducator’ For Brand Refresh
John Cena is helping the company introduce a new simple recipe and brand refresh across its entire portfolio.
Posted inSnacks Brands, Grocery Research, National, News
Utz Survey: 62% Of Americans Snack Daily During The Summer
The survey of more than 2,500 U.S. consumers reveals the habits and occasions that define how Americans snack from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Posted inProduce News, Featured News, News, Northeast
Double Up Food Bucks Gets Boost From NY Budget
For the fifth consecutive year, Field & Fork Network has received funding in the New York state budget to run Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFBNY), a program that provides a dollar‑for‑dollar match on SNAP purchases of eligible fresh fruits and vegetables. The program helps households stretch food budgets while supporting small retailers, local farmers […]