Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin offered the following statement today on the trajectory of FMI Connect, which was held this week in Chicago: “The competitive landscape of food retail is undergoing an unprecedented time of change, which substantiates the need for a venue that allows the entire industry to do […]
Category: Grocery News
Posted in, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, National, Produce News
United Fresh Names McEntire VP, Food Safety And Technology
United Fresh Produce Association has named Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., as its new VP, food safety and technology. She succeeds Dr. David Gombas, who retired from the association June 1 after 11 years leading its food safety program. “I’m absolutely thrilled that Dr. McEntire is joining our team to begin a new era in food safety […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Produce News, Suppliers
FMI Report: Fresh Produce Growth Driven By Mega Trends
Fresh produce is in demand. At $61 billion in annual sales, fresh produce is big, growing (+4 percent) and lucrative, with a grocery basket with fresh produce averaging nearly $30 more than one without. The consumer trends in Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) second annual Power of Produce report substantiate the growth opportunities for fresh produce […]
Posted in, Deli News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Perishables
FMI’s New Power Of Fresh Prepared/Deli Study To Be Released This Fall
As the number of meals prepared away from home grows and consumers seek new methods of convenience, the supermarket industry will continue to identify improved ways to track consumer dynamics, convenience and household trends that have had a profound impact on meal preparation and shopping behaviors regarding fresh prepared foods. The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Suppliers
FMI’s Sarasin: It’s Time To Expand Our Shopper Vocabulary
“It’s a brave new world of grocery shoppers with nearly everyone getting in on the act of shopping for food,” said Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin. Sarasin shared insights on the impact the shifting shopper paradigm is having on the purchasing behavior of more than half of U.S. shoppers on […]
Posted in, Aldi, Grocery News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, Organic Natural
Aldi Launches New Free-From Meat Line
Aldi is expanding on its healthier initiatives by introducing a new “free-from” meat line. The launch comes on the heels of the Aldi Healthier Checklanes rollout and the decision to remove added MSG, partially hydrogenated oils and certified synthetic coloring from all Aldi-exclusive food products. “We believe every shopper should have access to food they feel […]
Posted in, Center Store, Home Page Latest News, International Foods, Private Label Brands, Southeast
Teasdale Foods Acquires Mesa Foods
Teasdale Foods has acquired Louisville, Kentucky-based Mesa Foods. Teasdale, which is majority owned by private equity firm Snow Phipps Group, is a national provider of private label and branded Hispanic foods to the retail, foodservice and wholesale channels. Founded in 1984, Mesa is a producer of private label tortillas, flat breads, taco shells, taco kits […]
Posted in, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, Nonfood Items, West
Raley’s Donates Thousands Of Kitchen Utensils To Local Charities
Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, in partnership with Bradshaw International, has donated more than $80,000 worth of kitchen utensils to various organizations within the community. In January, Raley’s underwent a chainwide conversion from Chef Style brand kitchen gadgets to Good Cook kitchen utensils. The distributor, Bradshaw International, donated the remaining Chef Style products, which amounted […]
Posted in, Grocery Store Equipment, Home Page Latest News, Merchandising News, National, Produce News
Five Ways To Maximize Banana Sales
With bananas at the top of most supermarkets’ register rings, it pays for distributors and produce managers to keep their banana inventories and displays in top-notch form. “The banana category is historically the largest retail produce category. Since bananas are available year-round, an effective prominent display draws customers into your produce department,” said Kevin Frye, […]
Posted in, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Produce News, Suppliers, Supply Chain News, West
CMI Releases Behind-The-Scenes Video Of Rainier Cherry Harvest
The Rainier cherry harvest reached its seasonal harvest peak in mid-June, and Columbia Marketing International (CMI) expects its cherries to be 85 percent harvested by June 26. Because few retailers or consumers will ever have an opportunity to see the harvest in person, CMI has released a video highlighting one of its growers, offering a […]
Posted in, Home Page Latest News, Perishables, Produce News, Southeast, Suppliers
SEPC-Led Initiative Gathers Produce For Appalachian County
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC), along with several produce companies, collected more than 95,000 pounds of produce for Rockin’ Appalachian Mom Project (RAMP) to benefit Martin County, Kentucky. Rural Appalachia is home to some of the most impoverished people in the United States, and access to healthy food and economic opportunity in Martin County is scarce. […]
Posted in, Center Store, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, Suppliers
Pillsbury Introduces Girl Scout Cookie Flavored Baking Mixes
Pillsbury is launching its new licensing relationship with Girl Scouts of the USA by bringing two of America’s favorite Girl Scout Cookie flavors to the kitchen with new Pillsbury Girl Scouts Thin Mints and Caramel & Coconut Flavored Baking Mixes. “We are very pleased about our licensing relationship with Girl Scouts of the USA, as […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Industry News, National, Private Label Brands, Suppliers, Supply Chain News
Western Family’s Oregon HQ To Close With Topco Deal
On June 13, Western Family Foods Inc. and Topco Associates LLC reached an agreement that authorizes Topco to source three of Western Family’s brands that are sold through independent grocery retailers across the U.S. The brands are Western Family, Shurfine and Natural Directions. According to a statement from Western Family, “Under this arrangement, Topco will […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Organic Natural, Produce News, Southeast, Suppliers
Southeastern Grocers Commits To Southeast Produce Growers
Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores, on June 14 announced a new local sourcing policy, committing to only source produce from local farms and orchards in the Southeast whenever possible. Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers says this policy should help grow Southeastern agriculture as well as provide customers with the freshest local […]
Posted in, Center Store, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Midwest, Snacks Brands, Suppliers
Wrigley Adds Skittles Line, Jobs To Factory In Illinois
On June 14, Wrigley’s Mars Inc. subsidiary opened a state-of-the-art addition to its Yorkville, Illinois, factory. The Yorkville expansion is the result of a $50 million investment by Mars that adds 145,000 s.f., a new Skittles line and 75 new jobs—a 25 percent increase in the workforce at the facility. “Mars has a long-standing history […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Perishables, Southwest, Suppliers, Supply Chain News
Texas-Based NaturalShrimp Will Expand In Three States
NaturalShrimp Inc. has announced its domestic expansion plans for three regional shrimp production systems in Texas, Nevada and New York. The regional facilities will include sales, packaging and shrimp plant management along with its patented water treatment systems and technology for growing shrimp in an indoor environment. Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, will remain the […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Perishables, Produce News, Suppliers
More Than Half Of U.S. Households Purchase Fresh Mushrooms
The Mushroom Council recently released a study analyzing the latest mushroom shopper purchase trends. The Fresh Mushroom Fast Facts study provides key insights into the shopping behaviors that are driving fresh mushroom category growth. According to the study, more than half of U.S. households purchased mushrooms in 2015. Nearly four out of five purchasing households […]
Posted in, Dairy News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Midwest, Organic Natural, Perishables, Suppliers
General Mills Partners With Cooperative To Increase Organic Dairy Supply
General Mills has formed a sourcing partnership with the largest organic cooperative in the U.S. that will help about 20 dairy farms add around 3,000 acres to organic dairy production over the next three years. The program with Wisconsin-based Organic Valley will drive more acres in the U.S. into the organic certification process and builds […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Home Page Latest News, Suppliers, West
Evans Brewing Co. Bolsters Distribution To Washington
Craft beer maker Evans Brewing Co. has expanded its product distribution to Washington with the signing of an agreement with Browar Polska Inc. to distribute the company’s core year-round packaged beers to retailers in the state. Evans Brewing 22-oz. bottles are landing on shelves in the Washington market now. Washington has traditionally been a key […]
Posted in, Dairy News, Grocery News, Northeast
Big Y, HP Hood Expand Partnership, Promote Local Farmers, And More…
Grocery News In Brief… Big Y Foods has launched an expanded partnership with local milk processor HP Hood as well as an in-store campaign designed to support local farmers from the Berkshires to the Pioneer Valley region. Big Y shoppers can support the farmers by purchasing milk at participating Big Y stores. This announcement comes […]