The J.M. Smucker Co. has elected Katie Williams as CMO, effective March 9, bringing more than 20 years of brand-building experience to the Orrville, Ohio-based food company. Williams most recently served as U.S. chief marketing officer for Haleon, a multinational consumer health company, where she led commercial and brand strategy for a portfolio that includes […]
Category: Grocery News
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, News, Nonfood Items, West
Albertsons Cos. Launches Celebrations Digital Hub For Party Planning
Albertsons Companies launched Celebrations, a digital destination designed to simplify planning special moments by consolidating custom cakes, floral arrangements, catering trays, themed décor and recipes in one location. Available across Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. websites and apps – including Albertsons, Safeway, ACME, Shaw’s, Jewel-Osco, Randalls, Vons and Tom Thumb – Celebrations brings together products and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Finance News, International Foods, News, West
Tokyo Central Opens 15th U.S. Store In Emeryville, California
Tokyo Central, operated by Marukai Corporation, has opened its 15th U.S. location in Emeryville, California. The new store spans 40,635 square feet and includes a 1,625-square-foot sushi bar called Handroll Factory. It is Tokyo Central’s second Northern California location, adding to its network of 12 stores in California and two in Hawaii. Situated between Oakland […]
Posted inBeverage News, News, Southeast
Milo’s Expands Beverage Portfolio With 3 New Products
Milo’s Tea Company has launched three new refrigerated beverages, including Zero Sugar Lemonade, Limited Edition Blackberry Sweet Tea and Fruit Punch, marking the Bessemer, Ala.-based brand’s entry into another beverage category. “Our fans choose Milo’s because they can taste the real ingredient difference, and that brand preference has driven us to become the No. 1 […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, Health & Wellness, National, News
FMI Applauds Congressional Passage Of Landmark PBM Reforms
FMI – The Food Industry Association applauded final passage of HR 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, by a 217-214 vote Feb. 3, securing the most consequential pharmacy benefit manager reforms to date and representing a major step forward for patients, pharmacies, employers and the communities they serve. “These bipartisan reforms represent a major step […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National, News
PepsiCo Lowers Suggested Snack Prices Ahead Of Big Game
PepsiCo has reduced the suggested retail prices on many of its snack brands by up to nearly 15 percent, including Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos and Tostitos, with the new pricing rolling out in the U.S. this week. The change comes as households prepare for one of the year’s biggest snacking occasions, spanning winter gatherings and the […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News, Nonfood Items
Inspired Home Show 2026 Set For March 10-12 In Chicago
The Inspired Home Show 2026 will take place March 10-12 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, bringing together more than 2,000 brands and 300,000 products for North America’s largest home and housewares industry event. The show, organized annually by the Rosemont, Illinois-based International Housewares Association (IHA), will feature key retailers and brands from around the globe. Major […]
Posted inExecutive News, Finance News, National, News, Snacks Brands
Rise Baking Co. Names McNeil As CEO
Rise Baking Co. has appointed Mark McNeil as CEO, succeeding Brian Zellmer, who led the Minneapolis-based manufacturer over the past five years. McNeil is a seasoned food and beverage executive with more than 30 years of cross-functional leadership experience across retail, foodservice and manufacturing. He most recently served as CEO of Shearer’s Foods, the largest […]
Expert Article
How Independent Retailers Can Maximize Refrigeration Performance, Profitability
Independent retailers face tight budgets and rising operational costs. These pressures are felt even stronger these days as consumers remain hyper-focused on grocery prices and affordability. Refrigeration equipment – critical for merchandising fresh and frozen products – represents a significant investment for retailers. Getting the most out of that investment starts with investing in the […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News
NFRA Penguin Pitch Spotlights Emerging Frozen, Refrigerated Brands
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association’s (NFRA) Penguin Pitch: Emerging Brand Contest is returning for its third year, recognizing innovative frozen and refrigerated food brands redefining their categories through product development, creative packaging and strategic market execution. Launched Jan. 1, Penguin Pitch provides emerging brands with an opportunity to gain visibility among retailers, distributors […]
Expert Article
Commercial Ripening 2026: An Interview With David Byrne
Commercial ripening has come a long way over the past 30 years. From air-stacking boxes in temperature-controlled holding rooms to today’s ultra-advanced, digitally controlled ripening room systems that can uniformly ripen multiple truckloads of palletized fruit to the exact same color at the exact same time. As the global leader in commercial ripening room design […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, Produce News, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Markets Launches 2026 Produce Winter Olympic Games
Tops Markets has launched its 2026 Produce Winter Olympic Games, a four-week, company-wide competition Feb. 1-28 that challenges store teams to showcase produce displays, innovative merchandising and strong sales performance. Throughout the competition, stores participate in weekly themed events designed to highlight freshness, presentation and promotional creativity within the produce department. Teams compete for thousands […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, National, News, Walmart
Walmart Raises Pharmacy Technician Pay, Creates 3K Leadership Roles
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has elevated 3,000 pharmacy technician positions to pharmacy operations team lead roles with increased pay and created expanded earning potential for techs across nearly 4,600 locations nationwide. The pharmacy operations team lead positions pay an average of $28 per hour, with the possibility to earn up to $42 per hour plus bonus […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News
NFRA Announces Second Class Of First Penguin Leadership Program
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has announced the 30 participants for its 2026 First Penguin Leadership Program. The year-long offering aims to address a growing industry need for structured, cross-sector leadership development that builds strategic perspective, strengthens collaboration and accelerates readiness among rising talent in dairy and frozen foods. It recognizes those […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
The Wonderful Company Awards $1.5M In Grants To Central Valley Nonprofits
The Wonderful Company has announced the latest recipients of its Central Valley Community Grants program, awarding more than $1.5 million in funding to 43 organizations across California’s Central Valley. The grants support initiatives focused on health and wellness, education, recreation, community beautification, art and social services in communities where more than 3,000 Wonderful employees live […]
Posted inCenter Store, Finance News, National, News
Violet Foods Acquires Muir Glen Organic Tomato Brand From General Mills
Violet Foods, a portfolio company of Amphora Equity Partners, has acquired the Muir Glen brand of organic tomato products from General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition marks a significant expansion for Williamstown, New Jersey-based Violet Foods, which owns a portfolio of brands, including Sclafani, Fattoria Fresca […]
Posted inBakery News, News, West
Otis Spunkmeyer Removes Artificial Dyes From All U.S. Products
Otis Spunkmeyer has removed all artificial food grade dyes from its branded baked goods, with 100 percent of products manufactured after Jan. 1 not having any Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) colors. The reformulation affects all Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, muffins and sweet baked goods sold in foodservice and retail in-store bakery channels. A small […]
Posted inBakery News, Center Store, Frozen Food, National, News
Rich Products Acquires Great Kitchens Food Co. From Brynwood Partners
Rich Products Corp. has acquired Great Kitchens Food Co. from Brynwood Partners VIII, a Greenwich, Connecticut-based private equity firm, in a transaction that recently closed. Financial terms were not disclosed. Great Kitchens manufactures pizzas, flatbreads, strombolis and calzones sold to grocery, club and mass retailers, as well as foodservice outlets nationwide. Brynwood VIII formed Great […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Beverage News, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks To Hold St. Louis Food & Wine Event Feb. 6-7
Schnuck Markets Inc. will hold its annual St. Louis Food & Wine event Feb. 6-7 at Union Station, with the event benefiting Operation Food Search and the Repertory Theater of St. Louis. This year’s festivities will feature hundreds of wines, a selection of craft beers and culinary offerings. Attendees can purchase wine as they taste […]
Posted inProduce News, Marketing News, News, Northeast
Keystone Fruit Marketing Promotes Gideon To Director Of Sales
Greencastle, Pennsylvania-based Keystone Fruit Marketing, a division of Progressive Produce, has promoted Matthew Gideon to director of sales. Gideon has been with Keystone since 2009, playing a key role in supporting the division’s growth and strengthening its year-round sweet onion program. In his new role, Gideon will be responsible for all aspects of sales for […]