Wisconsin dairy artisans claimed 135 awards during the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest, including 44 best-of-class honors, outpacing every other state and country in the competition and outperforming the next five highest-recognized competitors combined. The contest drew more than 3,000 entries from 34 U.S. states and territories and 25 countries, with international judges evaluating products […]
Category: Grocery News
Posted inBeverage News, Grocery Research, National, News
EY Survey: Ingredient Scrutiny, Wellness Reshaping Beverage Purchases
A new survey from EY finds that health awareness, generational differences and digital tools are fundamentally changing what consumers want from beverages – with implications for retailers and CPG brands across the category. The study surveyed more than 2,500 adults in the U.S. and Brazil between Nov. 20-Dec. 11. Wellness is baseline expectation Health-driven behavior […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NPPC Elects New Officers, Board Members For 2026-27 Term
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) elected new officers and board members to lead the organization through the 2026-27 term, tapping a mix of multi-generational family farmers and large-scale production executives to guide its national advocacy agenda. Rob Brenneman of Washington, Iowa, was elected president. Brenneman owns and operates Brenneman Pork and has served on […]
Posted inProduce News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Opens Applications For Local Produce Supplier Summit
Wakefern Food Corp. is accepting applications from growers to participate in its annual Local Produce Supplier Summit on July 15 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, New Jersey. Qualified applicants will be invited to present to Wakefern’s procurement teams, participate in panels and explore retail partnerships across the cooperative’s eight supermarket […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National, News
Edible Arrangements Partners With Mars On Limited-Time Candy Fruit Bouquets
Edible Arrangements, an e-commerce retail hub and gift destination under the Edible Brands portfolio, has partnered with Mars on a limited-time spring and summer collection featuring M&M’S and Skittles candies. Available exclusively at Edible stores across the U.S. and Canada, the new candy arrangements pair Edible’s fruit bouquets with pastel-colored M&M’S milk chocolate candies and […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NCA Report: U.S. Confectionery Sales Climb To $55B In 2025
Americans spent a record $55 billion on chocolate, candy, gum and mints in 2025, and the category shows no signs of slowing down, according to the National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) 2026 State of Treating report. Sales are projected to grow an additional $7.3 billion over the next five years, reaching $62.2 billion across all outlets […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News
AWG’s Save-A-Label Program Directs $106K To Nonprofits In 2025
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc.’s (AWG) Save-A-Label program contributed $106,508 to nonprofits and schools in 2025, supporting 997 organizations across a 17-state footprint. The program, which has run since 1987, converts UPC labels from AWG’s Best Choice Family of Brands into direct cash donations for qualifying organizations. How the program works Shoppers collect UPC labels from […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, National, News
ABA, Retail Bakers Of America, Baking Association Of Canada Announce Strategic Partnership
The American Bakers Association (ABA), Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and Baking Association of Canada (BAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the formation of a strategic relationship. The arrangement will allow the three organizations to identify opportunities to enhance their collective service to the baking industry across North America. The cooperation […]
Posted inBeverage News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Royal Cup To Acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee
Royal Cup Coffee & Tea has signed an agreement to acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee Co. (NASDAQ: FARM) for $1.29 per share in an all-cash transaction, combining two B2B coffee suppliers with nearly 250 years of combined industry experience. The transaction is expected to close during Farmer Brothers’ fiscal fourth quarter ending June 30, pending approval […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Finance News, News, Snacks Brands, West
Morinaga To Acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, Expanding U.S. Snack Portfolio
Morinaga & Co., a leading global confectionery manufacturer, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, the largest mochi ice cream brand in the United States. The acquisition unites two businesses with strong brand heritage and complementary capabilities. My/Mochi will join Morinaga’s portfolio of brands, including HI-CHEW, HI-SOFT and Chargel. “In welcoming […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, News, West
Jackson’s Debuts First Avocado Oil Variety Pack At Expo West 2026
Jackson’s launched its first 30-count Avocado Oil Variety Snack Pack during Natural Products Expo West, marking the brand’s entry into the club and bulk retail format with a multipack designed for family-sized purchasing occasions. The variety pack combines three of the company’s snack formats – Sweet Potato Chips, Kettle Potato Chips and Super Veggie Straws […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Relaunches Website With New Data Tools Amid Nutrition Policy Push
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has unveiled a redesigned AlwaysATreat.com, expanding the site’s resources for consumers, policymakers and media as the confectionery industry faces heightened scrutiny in state and federal nutrition policy debates. What’s new The updated site features improved navigation, expanded resources and new tools that make it easier to explore facts about chocolate […]
Posted inProduce News, Featured News, News, Southeast
Healthy Family Project Raised $348K In 2025 For Food Security
Healthy Family Project gathered more than 200 produce industry professionals Feb. 27 for its annual Thank You Reception during the Southeast Produce Council’s 2026 Southern Exposure event in Orlando, celebrating a year of cause marketing campaigns that raised more than $348,000 for charitable partners. The funds benefited Feeding America food banks, the Foundation for Fresh […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NPPC Honors Parker For Four Decades Of Pork Industry Leadership
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recognized John Parker with the Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award during the National Pork Industry Forum, honoring his 40-plus years as executive secretary of the Virginia Pork Council. The award was presented in partnership with the National Pork Board (NPB). Parker’s tenure shaped Virginia’s agricultural community, producer-funded promotion and research […]
Posted inDairy News, Featured News, National, News
UNFI, Whole Foods Partner On Organic Dairy Emissions Program
Four companies across the organic dairy supply chain are working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the farm level. Organic Valley, Stonyfield Organic, UNFI and Whole Foods Market are collaborating to launch Verified Impact Units, or VIUs, derived from carbon insetting across the U.S. organic dairy supply chain. The initiative, built around Organic Valley’s […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NPPC Praises House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Passage
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) praised House Agriculture Committee passage of Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s (R-PA) bipartisan Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026. Commonly referred to as Farm Bill 2.0, the legislation includes relief for pork producers facing a patchwork of state animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12, which they […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NFRA Highlights Innovation, Flexibility During March Frozen Food Month
American eating habits are changing, with meals becoming less structured, snacking on the rise and consumers seeking foods that offer flexibility, variety and value, the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) said. The frozen food aisle is meeting that demand with innovation including globally inspired flavors, air-fryer-ready formats and portion-smart options. During March Frozen […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Shelby Exclusive: FMI’s Harig Discusses Key Factors Impacting Food Prices
Shelby Publishing’s Maggie Kaeppel recently visited with Andy Harig, FMI – The Food Industry Association’s VP of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development, to add additional economic context on the state of the industry following the Annual Meat Conference, which was held March 2-4 in Baltimore, Maryland. What forces are having the greatest impact on […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National
Seafood Expo To Cover Consumer Trends, Traceability, Sustainability
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America has announced its 2026 conference program, featuring some 40 sessions with more than 125 industry speakers. The three-day event runs March 15-17 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, with speakers from companies including Ahold Delhaize USA, Circana, NOAA Fisheries and Whole Foods Market. The conference […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, Northeast
Utz Brands Showcases New Products At Expo West
Utz Brands showcased new products from its Boulder Canyon and Utz brands during the 2026 Natural Products Expo West, held March 4-6 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Boulder Canyon featured its full lineup at the show, including classic kettle style chips, tortilla chips and the new Boulder Batch Agave Sriracha kettle style […]