Raleigh, N.C.-based Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV), a joint venture between Suntory International and PepsiCo, has named Paul Finney its president and CEO. Finney succeeds Keith Reimer, who retired Dec. 31. Finney had served as PBV’s SVP of sales and marketing since 2006. “Paul is an immensely talented and versatile executive with proven know-how in running […]
Category: Grocery News
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National, New Products
Samuel Adams Brewers Unveil New Spring Seasonal Beer
The brewers at Boston-based Samuel Adams have crafted a new seasonal beer, Samuel Adams Alpine Spring. To create Samuel Adams Alpine Spring, the brewers sourced a German Noble hop variety called Tettnang-Tettnanger, steadily cultivated on vines dating back 100 years in hop gardens at the foothills of the Alps. The beer is brewed using only […]
Posted in, Northeast, Organic Natural, Perishables
Stonyfield’s Hirshberg Selects Walt Freese as Successor
Business leader Walt Freese will join Londonderry, N.H.-based Stonyfield as president and CEO. Co-founder Gary Hirshberg will continue as Stonyfield chairman and shareholder, while advocating for change in national food and agriculture policies, including the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Hirshberg hand-selected Freese, former CEO of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc., who will take the […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Betty White Celebrating 90th Birthday with Betty Crocker
From one Betty to another—Betty Crocker has created a birthday cake for Betty White’s 90th birthday special, which airs Monday, Jan. 16 (8-9:30 p.m. ET) on NBC. Betty Crocker will present Betty White with a triple chocolate celebration cake inspired by the legendary star. Betty Crocker also will provide each celebrity guest of the NBC […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Marketing News, National
Dr Pepper Celebrates Heritage with ‘One-of-a-Kind’ Campaign
For more than 125 years, Dr Pepper has celebrated being “one of a kind.” Today, the brand gives a nod to its heritage and celebrates the spirit of originality with the debut of its “Always One of a Kind” advertising campaign. The new commercial is a cheerful celebration of people who are confidently and proudly […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Perishables
Fungicide Fear Sparks Price Jumps in Orange Juice Market
The discovery of low levels of fungicide detected by a juice company has wreaked havoc in the orange juice market, the Tampa Bay Business Journal reports today, Jan. 11. March orange juice futures jumped 9.6 percent, or 20 cents, to $2.08 a pound on the ICE Futures Exchange, a CNN Money report said. Industry insiders […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest, Southeast
Graeter’s Ice Cream Hitting Publix, Winn-Dixie Shelves
Graeter’s ice cream makes its own pastries, chocolates and ice cream from scratch for its chain of three-dozen stores in the Cincinnati area, and now believes its loyal following will translate to a successful Tampa Bay expansion. The premium high milk-fat ice cream attracts a large mail-order business and Florida has been the top address […]
Posted in, Center Store, Southeast, Southwest
Hostess Likely to File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Hostess Brands Inc. is getting ready to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, its second such filing, sources told The Wall Street Journal. Privately held Hostess has about $860 million in debt and has been squeezed by high labor costs and rising ingredient prices, the sources said. The Irving, Texas-based company, previously called Interstate Bakeries Corp., […]
Posted in, Center Store, West
Onion Crunch Now Available at Ralphs
Onion Crunch has kicked off the New Year by announcing that Ralphs is its newest retailer in Southern California. Onion Crunch is an all-natural topping that can sprinkled on to bring out the crispiness of a roasted onion flavor on salads, sandwiches, dips, soups, spreads, baked potatoes, vegetables, steaks, pizza, hotdogs and hamburgers and more. […]
Posted in, Center Store, Southeast
Coke, Nestea End Tea Partnership in U.S.
The Coca-Cola Co. and Nestlé will dissolve their tea business partnership in the United States by the end of 2012, the companies have said in a joint statement. The two said they instead plan to focus their ready-to-drink tea joint venture, Beverage Partners Worldwide (BPW), on Europe and Canada. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, Atlanta-based […]
Posted in, Center Store, Northeast
Alexander Appointed President of Campbell North America
Camden, N.J.-based Campbell Soup Co. has appointed Mark Alexander as president—Campbell North America. Alexander, 47, will lead the division of the company that includes Campbell’s North America soup, sauces and beverages business, Campbell Canada, and Campbell’s North America foodservice business, which collectively account for approximately $4.6 billion in annual revenue. His appointment is effective Jan. […]
Posted in, New Products, West
Fresh & Easy Expands eatwell and Goodness Ranges
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market is expanding its eatwell and Goodness ranges with more than 60 new products. “Customers are always seeking more ways to improve their lifestyles and save money,” said John Burry, Fresh & Easy chief customer officer. “Our new eatwell and Goodness products provide customers with healthier eating options that don’t compromise […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Beanitos Gets Investment Boost
Beanitos brand bean chips has announced a substantial investment by 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners, and managing partners Sharon Kieffer and Andy Whitman joined the company’s board of directors. In addition, Sweet Leaf Tea founder and former CEO Clayton Christopher has invested in Beanitos Inc. and joined the board. Terms of the investments were not […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Ghirardelli Introduces New Line of Gourmet Milk Chocolate
San Francisco-based Ghirardelli has introduced a new line of milk chocolate—Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk. The line includes Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion™ with 32 percent cacao chocolate; Gourmet Milk Sea Salt Escape™ with sea salt and roasted almonds; and Gourmet Milk Coconut Rendezvous™, which features toasted coconut flakes. The Gourmet Milk line of products is available in […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National, West
flipflop wines Adds Six New Varietals to Offerings
Livermore, Calif.-based flipflop wines has extended its wine line with six new varietals. The varietals, which include Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Sweet Red, Bubbly Chardonnay, Bubbly Moscato and Bubbly Pinot Grigio, will be available in stores starting this month. In addition, flipflop will launch several of its existing varietals in the 1.5-liter size in several states […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Northeast
Pepsi Reported to be Considering 4,000 Job Cuts
PepsiCo is mulling 4,000 job cuts and eliminating its 401(k) match as a way to help earnings, reports the New York Post, citing sources close to the situation. The Memphis Business Journal says the job cuts would total just more than 1 percent of Purchase, N.Y.-based Pepsi’s 300,000 workers globally. The beverage company offers both […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, West
Melton Promoted to Winemaker at Clos Du Val Winery
John Clews, COO and head winemaker at Clos Du Val Winery, has promoted Kristy Melton from assistant winemaker to winemaker at the Napa Valley winery. Melton, who was hired by the winery in 2010 to assist John in ongoing the enological modernization of Clos Du Val winemaking techniques and wine style, is expected to bring […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Applegate Praises FDA for Action on Antibiotics in Food Animal Production
“The Food and Drug Administration did the right thing in limiting the use of cephalosporins in food animal production, and I urge them to keep moving forward so that we can save antibiotics and avert a public health crisis,” said Stephen McDonnell, founder and CEO of New Jersey-based Applegate, a producer of natural and organic […]
Posted in, Center Store, Southeast, Suppliers
Sugar Maker Banah Signs One of 2011’s Biggest Leases
Banah International, a sugar producer that plans to hire nearly 300 employees during the next three years, has leased more than 300,000 s.f. of space in Hialeah, Fla., owned by Terreno Realty Corp., reports the South Florida Business Journal. The 11-year deal, valued at between $15 and $20 million, for the facility at 3325 N.W. […]
Posted in, Beverage News, C-Store News, Center Store, Marketing News, National, Southeast
Bebida Cited in Report Forecasting Growth for Relaxation Drinks
Statesville, N.C.-based Bebida Beverage Co., a developer, manufacturer and marketer of relaxation and energy drinks, anticipates a growing marketplace in 2012 for its relaxation drink products, including Koma Unwind and the upcoming Relax 5. “Bebida Beverage Co. is perfectly positioned to meet the growing demand for relaxation drinks, which is forecast to increase in 2012 […]