Posted inCenter Store, Association News, National

IHA Occasions Report Examines Consumers’ Purchasing Plans

Consumers are embracing key life moments after the COVID-19 pandemic and are planning to continue doing so in the year ahead and beyond, according to the International Housewares Association’s 2023 Occasions Report. Results from the survey suggest that housewares retailers and suppliers should consider their role as gift providers for not only major life events but for […]

Posted inInternational Foods, Albertsons, Southwest

505 Southwestern Launches Hatch Valley Green Chile Queso Line

Albuquerque, New Mexico-based 505 Southwestern has introduced its new line of queso with Hatch Valley Green Chile. “For 25 years, 505 Southwestern has been committed to creating the highest quality products using the best and most simple ingredients from the Hatch Valley, New Mexico. Now we are excited to bring this level of quality to our queso,” said Sam […]

Posted inDairy News, Midwest

Ferrero Group To Acquire Wells Enterprises

The Ferrero Group has announced an agreement for Ferrero to acquire Le Mars, Iowa-based Wells Enterprises, its operations and its ice cream brands, which include Blue Bunny, Blue Ribbon Classics, Bomb Pop and Halo Top. The acquisition is part of Ferrero’s strategic growth ambitions for the ice cream category and Wells’ vision for accelerated growth. […]

Posted inProduce News, West

FirstFruit Farms Celebrates National Opal Apples Day

Prescott, Washington-based FruitFirst Farms is celebrating the inaugural National Opal Apples Day on Dec. 9, officially recognized on NationalToday.com. Opal apples are a cross between a Golden Delicious apple and a Topaz apple, but beyond its flavor and hue, the apple has natural non-browning properties, an attribute allowing this fruit to remain fresh after cutting. Opal […]

Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest

Wright Brand Celebrates 100th Anniversary With Bacon Cake

As Wright Brand’s 100th anniversary year nears conclusion, the Vernon, Texas-based brand has created a cake featuring its thick-cut, wood-smoked bacon. The Bacon Cake features four pounds of bacon with layers of cheddar scallion cornbread and a sweet corn bacon filling. The cake is topped with a salted hot honey cream cheese bacon spread and […]

Posted inProduce News, Southeast

Mancini Foods Acquired By Third-Generation Family Member

A full century after beginning operations in 1922, Zolfo Springs, Florida-based Mancini Foods has been acquired by family member Alan Mancini and his wife, Debbi Mancini. The new company will be called Mancini Foods LLC. Mancini, who immediately assumes the title of president and CEO, was past president of the company, having worked at Mancini Packing from 1996-08. The new […]

Posted inThe Kroger Co., Dairy News, Midwest

Murray’s Cheese Opens 1,000th Shop In Kroger Banner Stores

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger Co. has announced the opening of the 1,000th Murray’s Cheese shop in its banner stores, bringing the shops to more than 30 states across the U.S. In 2008, Murray’s began opening cheese counters in Kroger stores to expand beyond its flagship Greenwich Village store in New York City. Each shop offers a curated […]