Gallant Brands Inc. (GBI) has acquired the assets of Soupman Inc. from bankruptcy, eliminating more than $11 million in debt and trade liabilities. Soupman Inc., owner of The Original Soupman brand, now has a clean balance sheet and a new management team, according to the Sept. 28 announcement. GBI was founded for the specific purpose of […]
Category: Grocery News
Posted inOrganic Natural, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, National
Kroger Hosts Natural Foods Summit, Launches Marketing Platform
The Kroger Co. on Oct. 12 hosted its first Natural Foods Innovation Summit in partnership with 84.51° (see story below), in Cincinnati, Ohio, with keynote speaker Joy Bauer, MS, RD, CDN. “Kroger is proud of the role we’ve played in making natural and organic products more affordable and accessible to America,” said Jill McIntosh, Kroger’s […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, Produce News, West
Pear Bureau Northwest Hires Communications Specialist
Neil Ferguson has joined Pear Bureau Northwest as communications specialist. Ferguson brings a range of experience in communications, social media management, content strategy and journalism to the Pear Bureau Northwest team, the organization says. Most recently, he handled editorial and marketing responsibilities as media content developer for Coroflot, a site aimed at connecting creatives with […]
Posted inAssociation News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, National
CHPA Offers Education Materials As States Ban Sale Of DXM To Minors
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has launched a new initiative to support retailers in states that have adopted laws prohibiting the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors. The announcement comes on the heels of Nevada’s enactment of a DXM age-restriction law last week. While millions of Americans […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, National, Produce News
2018 Retail Produce Manager Award Nominations Now Being Accepted
United Fresh now is accepting nominations for the 2018 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program, which recognizes 25 outstanding retail produce managers for their innovative merchandising, produce-related community outreach, increased store sales and recognition among company peers. The Retail Produce Manager Awards Program sponsored by Dole Food Co. and now in its 14th year, pays special […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Home Page Latest News, Southwest
Temptee Specialty Foods & Johnson Chili Merge, Begin National Rollout
Temptee Specialty Foods has merged with Johnson Food Products, the longtime manufacturer of Johnson Chili. Temptee is launching the Johnson Chili Original and Hot-N-Spicy Chili with meat brands to the Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions as it begins a countrywide rollout. The company says it is actively recruiting Johnson Chili distribution partners, retailers and restaurateurs nationwide to further build its distribution network while […]
Posted inNortheast, Deli News, Specialty, Suppliers
Blount Fine Foods Reveals Chef, Biz Development Appointments
Blount Fine Foods, a manufacturer of handcrafted soups, entrées and side dishes for retail and foodservice, has promoted and added culinary team members. Jeff Wirtz has been promoted from corporate executive chef to senior director of culinary development, and Clayton Burrows has been promoted to research and development chef. Joining the company are Mike Maher, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Beverage News, Grocery News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, Midwest, Suppliers
Cook County, Illinois, Beverage Tax Ordinance Repealed
The penny-per-ounce tax on sugar sweetened beverage in Cook County, Illinois, will be repealed following a 15-1 vote to do so by the Cook County Commissioners on Oct. 11. The tax had only gone into effect Aug. 2, but the county’s Finance Committee recently said that it has become “increasingly clear” that the Sweetened Beverage […]
Posted inBeverage News, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Midwest, New Products, Suppliers
Argo Tea Launches Line Of Cold Brew Teas At Whole Foods
Chicago-based Argo Tea, maker of all-natural, tea-based drinks and loose-leaf teas, is partnering with Whole Foods Market to launch what it says is the world’s first line of ready-to-drink (RTD), cold brew, single-estate bottled teas into the retailer’s stores nationally. According to Argo, the release of the RTD line follows a successful test of the teas in […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, National, Organic Natural
Probiotic Foods, Beverages Trending With Millennials, Natural Grocery Shoppers
Roughly a quarter of U.S. adults specially seek out foods and beverages with high amounts of probiotics or prebiotics. That finding comes from a 2017 National Consumer Survey conducted by market research firm Packaged Facts, published in the company’s new report “Probiotics and Prebiotics: Food and Beverage New Product Trends.” With the increased focus on their […]
Posted inBeverage News, Home Page Latest News, Marketing News, National, Suppliers
Coca-Cola Takes Top Spot, Pepsi Falls Behind In TotalSocial Rankings
Engagement Labs, a data and technology solutions provider, has released its TotalSocial rankings of the top-performing non-alcoholic beverage brands in the U.S. with respect to consumer conversations. The report is intended to “help brand marketers better understand the consumer conversations taking place about today’s top beverage brands both online and offline,” the company says. It […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Industry News, Midwest, Supply Chain News
Hy-Vee Expands Fair Trade Seafood Offering
Hy-Vee will begin offering Fair Trade Certified fresh and frozen scallops in all 245 of its stores, making it the first Midwest retailer to do so, according to the grocer. The domestically sourced, Fair Trade seafood will begin hitting Hy-Vee shelves this month in conjunction with National Seafood Month, “a time to highlight smart seafood choices, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, Marketing News, Produce News, West
CAC To Preview 2018 Marketing Programs At Fresh Summit
With the 2017 California avocado harvest wrapped up, the California Avocado Commission (CAC) is setting its sights on next season and introducing new plans at the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit in New Orleans. The Commission will have a booth during the expo on Oct. 20 and 21. “The California Avocado Commission invites retailers […]
Posted inBeverage News, Home Page Latest News, Southwest
Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water Joins Coca-Cola’s Portfolio
Coca-Cola North America has acquired Topo Chico, a zero-sugar, zero-calorie, sparkling mineral water brand. The company’s Venturing & Emerging Brands (VEB) unit will bring Topo Chico into its portfolio to “nurture its storied history and century-old brand values, and bring the popular brand to more people across the U.S.” Topo Chico will continue to be imported […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National
Pork Board: Responsible Antibiotic Use Commitment Making A Difference
Nine months after the full implementation of FDA Guidance 209 and 213, the National Pork Board (NPB) says America’s pig farmers “continue to demonstrate their awareness and commitment to doing what’s right on the farm.” FDA guidance 209 and 213 ends the use of medically important antibiotics for growth promotion and increases veterinarian oversight for […]
Posted inSpecialty, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, International Foods, West
Cardenas Markets Acquiring Los Altos Ranch Market
The collective owners of CNG Ranch LLC, including managing partner Northgate Gonzalez Market, have reached an agreement that allows Cardenas Markets to acquire the seven Los Altos Ranch Market stores in Arizona. The sale is expected to close within 45 days pending final approvals. “Acquisitions and new strategic store locations are a key component of […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Home Page Latest News, National, Store News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Certified Angus Beef Honors Retail, Distributor ‘Stars’
As consumer demand for beef continues to grow, retailers play an important role in satisfying their needs. The Certified Angus Beef brand recognized retailers and distributors for their leadership in product quality, marketing and sales at the group’s annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee, Sept. 27-29. “Quality and integrity unite their focus on delivering the finest […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Association News, Dairy News, Deli News, Executive News, Food Service News, Home Page Latest News, National
IDDBA Elects 2017-18 Officers, Board Of Directors
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) recently elected its 2017-18 officers and board of directors at its annual business meeting in Rosemont, Illinois. Erik Waterkotte, senior director of sales for Columbus Craft Meats, assumes the role of chairman of the board. He has served on the board of directors since 2010 and has been […]
Posted inSpecialty, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Industry News, West
Central Co-op Returns More Than Half Its Revenue To Local Economy
In celebration of National Co-op Month, Seattle-based Central Co-op has released the results of an economic impact report conducted by Civic Economics, a financial analysis agency, showing the cooperative returns more than 52 percent of its revenue back to the local economy. By comparison, the average U.S. cooperative grocery recirculates 36 percent of its revenue […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, National, Specialty, Store News
Sprouts To Enter Maryland During Next Round Of Store Openings
Natural and organic grocer Sprouts Farmers Market plans to open nine new locations in the first quarter of 2018, including its first store in Maryland at 9150 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. The new Maryland store represents the company’s first opening in the mid-Atlantic region of the country and brings the total number of […]