Posted inBakery News, Executive News, Featured News, News, Southeast

Flowers Foods Promotes Lorge To Lead Simple Mills Unit

Michelle Lorge has been named president of the Simple Mills business of Thomasville, Georgia-based Flowers Foods Inc., the company announced March 2. Lorge succeeds Simple Mills founder and CEO Katlin Smith, who Flowers said “has made a personal decision to step down to spend more time with her family and on philanthropic interests, and will […]

Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National, News

NPPC, NPB Select Pork Leadership Institute Class Of 2026

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Pork Board (NPB) has announced the Class of 2026 for the Pork Leadership Institute, selecting 19 people from across the country to participate in the yearlong leadership development program. This year’s class includes: Idaho: Rick Roper Iowa: Ryan Bartachek and Macie Reeb Illinois: Emmalee Haege and […]

Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Featured News, National, News, The Kroger Co.

Kroger Expands Private Selection Brand With Ready-To-Eat Meals

The Kroger Co. has expanded its Private Selection brand with more than 20 prepared meals designed to deliver quick meal options. The meals are available across Kroger’s family of stores and include globally inspired options spanning frozen entrées, refrigerated deli meals and fresh-roasted chicken. “The new Private Selection line brings high quality and convenience without […]

Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News

FMI Research: Generational Shifts Redefine Shoppers’ Produce Purchases

Fresh produce remains a critical growth driver for food retail, with $97 billion in sales and a 2 percent increase in unit sales, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s The Power of Produce 2026 report, which debuted at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2026. The category’s future is increasingly shaped by generational […]

Posted inHealth & Wellness, Ahold Delhaize, National, News

Guiding Stars, PHA Expand Collaboration To Advance Nutrition Standard

Guiding Stars and Partnership for a Healthier America has expanded their collaboration that establishes Guiding Stars as a core nutrition standard supporting PHA’s work to advance healthier food choices nationwide. The collaboration strengthens shared efforts to advance a more nutritious and transparent food landscape, while supporting both organizations’ commitments to better-for-you choices and improved well-being for […]

Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Featured News, IGA, Independent Store News, National, News

IGA, National Pork Board Partner To Drive Pork Category Growth At Retail

The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has begun a Red Oval Partnership with the National Pork Board (NPB), reinforcing IGA’s commitment to sharing resources with independent grocers to help them better serve shoppers. Through the partnership, the National Pork Board will collaborate with IGA member stores on in-store promotions, shopper marketing initiatives and educational resources featuring […]

Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National, News

Meat Sales Hit Record $112B In 2025, Driven By Millennials, Gen Z

Meat sales reached a record high of $112 billion in 2025, with pound volume increasing 2 percent, according to the 21st annual Power of Meat report released March 2 during the Annual Meat Conference by the Meat Institute and FMI—The Food Industry Association. Millennials and Gen Z were a driving force behind the growth, according […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Dairy News, Midwest, News

Busch’s Fresh Food Market Launches 2026 Spring Milk Drive

Busch’s Fresh Food Market will hold its annual Spring Milk Drive March 9-22, with a goal of collecting 53,000 gallons for local food banks. For more than a decade, Busch’s has helped provide fresh milk to families facing food insecurity across southeast Michigan. Since the program launched in 2015 in partnership with United Dairy Industry […]