Associated Food Stores of Salt Lake City, Utah, says it is determined to help their member retailers combat the post-holiday sales slump that many businesses feel. The grocery wholesaler is partnering with Procter & Gamble to sponsor “Marvel Universe Live!”, a superhero live-action show at the Vivint Smart Home Arena, Feb. 11-14. As part of […]
Category: Grocery News
Coborn’s Cake Decorator To Appear On Food Network’s ‘Cake Wars’
Cake decorator Amanda Hansen of the Coborn’s store in Sartell, Minnesota, will appear on Food Network’s “Cake Wars” at 9 p.m. (Eastern) today, Jan. 18. According to the Cake Wars website, the episode is described as a Dr. Suess theme: “Everyone from the Cat in the Hat to Thing 1 and Thing 2 are coming […]
Glazer’s To Merge With Southern, Will Retain Malt Beverage Business
Dallas, Texas-based Glazer’s Inc. plans to separate the majority of its malt beverage distribution business prior to the closing of its combination with Southern Wine & Spirits of America Inc. As a result of the separation, the beer business within Glazer’s existing MillerCoors footprint will operate under a new company called Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, […]
Aldi Rolls Out ‘Refresh’ Offerings
To kick off the New Year, Aldi says it is giving customers more selections they can feel good about. The company now is offering increased organics and healthier options at checkout and exclusive brand food products free from ingredients customers worry about, the grocer says. “This time of year, I’m especially focused on looking for […]
NatureFresh Farms Breaks Ground For Phase II In Ohio
With the first crop of OhioRed tomatoes to be picked in late February, NatureFresh Farms says it has broken ground on Phase II of its Delta, Ohio, greenhouse facility. Like Phase I that was completed in late November 2015, Phase II will be 15.30 acres in size. It will be completed this summer. “The support […]
Blue Bell: No Listeria Discovered In Plants
To proactively communicate with customers about its efforts to keep its production facilities free of potential sources of contamination, Blue Bell sent out a press release Jan. 7 to outline what it is doing. Unfortunately, some of the company’s statements were misinterpreted by a large enough number of media outlets that Blue Bell was prompted […]
Indianapolis Among Few Markets Where New Folgers Product Available
New Folgers Perfect Measures coffee tabs are available in just three markets, and Indianapolis is one of them. Made of 100% pure ground coffee compressed into a tab that measures out a perfect scoop of coffee (one coffee tab equals 1 tbsp.-sized scoop), Folgers Perfect Measures coffee tabs take the guesswork out of brewing a […]
Campbell Pushes Hard For National And Mandatory GMO Labeling Standard
Campbell Soup Co. is supporting the enactment of federal legislation to establish a single, mandatory labeling standard for foods derived from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Campbell says it believes it is necessary for the federal government to provide a national standard for labeling requirements to better inform consumers about this issue. The company will […]
General Mills Acquires Epic Meat Snacks Company
General Mills has acquired Epic Provisions, a premium natural meat snacks company based in Austin, Texas. It will operate under General Mills’ Annie’s business, which itself has experienced strong sales growth since General Mills acquired the company more than a year ago, according to General Mills. “The acquisition of Epic positions General Mills for exciting […]
New Dietary Guidelines Released
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday released its 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). “We know that a lifetime of healthy eating helps to prevent chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Karen B. DeSalvo, acting assistant […]
Brands That Are ‘Innovating’ Appear On Instantly’s Newest Shelf Score Report
Instantly has released its latest Shelf Score report, a monthly top 10 list of the newest CPG products ranked by consumer purchase intent. The December Shelf Score shows that brands are investing heavily in innovation. Appearing on the latest top 10 are products featuring creative flavors like cheddar and sour cream potato chips as well […]
Teacher And Oregon Ducks Fan Wins Kiolbassa VIP Bowl Experience
For San Antonio, Texas, teacher, father of six and devout Oregon Duck fans Spencer Lake, Christmas came early. On Dec. 21, Kiolbassa Provision Co. named him the recipient of its online Valero Alamo Bowl VIP Package promotion. Lake and three family members attended the Jan. 2 match up between PAC 12 Oregon Ducks and the […]
‘The Soup Nazi’ Coming To Kroger Atlanta
The “Seinfeld” Soupman, also known as “The Soup Nazi” who made the phrase “No soup for you!” famous, is coming to Atlanta for several days in January to visit Kroger and ladle up soup, while sharing the secret recipes behind the soups made famous on the iconic “Seinfeld” TV show. The Soupman also will donate […]
NMSU Researchers Work To Increase Produce Sales In Grocery Stores
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor New Mexico State University College of Business marketing professors Collin Payne and Mihai Niculescu have been looking for ways to encourage shoppers to spend more of their food dollars on fresh produce. They are co-directors of NMSU’s Consumer Behavior Laboratory, which is equipped with eye-tracking software, a virtual grocery store and […]
Proposed SNAP Requirements For Retailers Expected In Early 2016
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) says that a proposed rule with new eligibility standards for retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly referred to as food stamps, is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2016. The rule will implement provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill, which require retailers […]
Supplier Spotlight: ‘Not The Wise Of Yesteryear’
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Jolie Weber has been leading Wise Foods since June, but the CPG veteran has been with the Atlanta-based company for nearly 12 years—holding executive leadership roles in areas ranging from marketing to finance. “I have always been in the consumer packaged goods industry,” Weber says. “My first job out of college […]
Pear Bureau Northwest Launches Redesigned Trade Website
On behalf of nearly 1,600 growers of Northwest pears, Pear Bureau Northwest has introduced a redesigned trade website focused on “the business of pears.” Providing pear category resources from crop information to training and marketing support, this mobile- and tablet-ready website provides a localized tool kit for growing pear category sales. “We have conducted a […]
Whole Foods Will Pay $500K To Settle NYC Overcharging Claims
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Julie Menin said Monday that a settlement agreement has been reached with Whole Foods Market. The agreement settles DCA’s investigation into the Austin, Texas-based retailer’s alleged mislabeling of pre-packaged products. Whole Foods refused DCA’s initial demand for $1.5 million and said in a statement that it […]
TGCSA Hosting Training Seminar Ahead Of Wine Coming To Food Retailers Next Year
The Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA) on Jan. 20 will host a training seminar for the state’s retailers that plan to bring wine to their shelves in July 2016. These retailers “will have to navigate a complicated set of rules and regulations,” according to TGCSA. One requirement for retailers is to certify clerks […]
Blue Bell To Begin Next Phase Of Market Re-Entry Next Month, Includes Southeast
Blue Bell Ice Cream will enter phase five of its market re-entry plan over a two-week period beginning Jan. 18. The week of Jan. 18 will include middle and eastern Tennessee, the northern sections of Alabama and Georgia and parts of Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The week of Jan. 25 will include […]
