GrubMarket, an AI-powered technology and digital transformation company in the food supply chain, has acquired Coast Citrus Distributors. GrubMarket‘s largest acquisition to date, the move enhances the company’s national produce distribution capabilities, particularly for high-demand tropical fruits and specialty root vegetables. Founded in 1950 by Roberto Alvarez, Coast Citrus Distributors has a 75-year legacy of […]
Category: Grocery News
Posted inBakery News, News, Packaging News, West
King’s Hawaiian Highlights Brand Refresh For 75th Anniversary
King’s Hawaiian is marking its 75th anniversary with a brand refresh, followed with new retail packaging in July. This strategic evolution aims to reinforce its market leadership and connect with a new generation of consumers, offering grocers a fresh opportunity for category growth. Since Robert Taira opened his first bakery in Hilo, Hawaii, in 1950, […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News, Specialty
Specialty Food Association Names Fancy Food Rising Stars
The Specialty Food Association has selected the inaugural roster of its Fancy Food Rising Stars program for buyers and investors. Recognizing emerging leaders in the specialty food industry age 35 and younger, the Rising Star initiative sought nominations from across the buying and business-financing communities, with SFA making the final selections. They receive complimentary badges […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, Walmart
Walmart Debuts Case-Ready Beef Facility In Olathe, KS
Walmart’s first owned and operated case-ready beef facility has opened in Olathe, Kansas, packaging and distributing Angus cuts sourced from Sustainable Beef LLC to stores across the Midwest. “The opening of our new facility in Olathe, Kansas, is centered on delivering more of what our customers want – affordable food and quality they can trust,” […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Wins 9 Blue Ribbons At Pie Championships
Publix Super Markets is celebrating its freshly-made in-store pies, which won nine blue ribbons at the recent 2025 American Pie Council Pie Championships in Orlando, Florida. The grocer’s bakery competed in the commercial division in the mini, small and large categories. The mini pie winner was the key lime pie, while the large pie winners […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, National, News
Study: Consumers Purchase Private Label Products Without Knowing
First Insight has released findings from its latest study, “The Quiet Takeover of Private Label,” revealing that the traditional distinctions between private and national brands have become so subtle that most consumers can’t tell the difference. Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of consumers surveyed believed they could recognize a private label when making a purchase, yet […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Market Profile, News, West
ASMI Helps Build Trust, Loyalty In Alaska’s Sustainably Caught Seafood
The Shelby Report recently caught up with Amy Dukes, head of retail marketing for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, to discuss Alaska’s seafood and how grocers can build sales in the category. What key trends should grocers be aware of with Alaska seafood? According to Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute’s Retail Consumer Research Report, 80 […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, News, The Kroger Co., West
Divert Expands Organics Recycling Program To All Fred Meyer Stores
Divert Inc. and Fred Meyer Stores, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., have expanded their organics recycling program to support all 105 of the grocer’s locations in Oregon and Washington. “Fred Meyer and Kroger have been valued customers of Divert for many years, and we are proud to expand our collaboration to further advance the […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
HC Private Investments Establishes Artisan Bakery
HC Private Investments, a Chicago-based family office, has established Artisan Bakery, a premium baked goods and snack manufacturer, through the acquisitions of Snackwerks and Specialty Bakers. With a combined heritage dating back to 1901 and a national manufacturing footprint, Artisan Bakery is positioned to deliver premium, indulgent bakery products across retail and co-manufacturing channels. Terms […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Foundation For Fresh Produce Appoints Gligorijević Chief Medical Officer
The Foundation for Fresh Produce has named Jelena Gligorijević as chief medical officer, a new position created to expand the influence of the produce industry within the global health and medical communities. Gligorijević is a practicing medical doctor and nutrition specialist with more than three decades of experience in clinical practice, academic instruction and public […]
Posted inCenter Store, National, News
General Mills To Remove Certified Colors From Portfolio By 2026
General Mills plans to remove certified colors from all its U.S. cereals and all kindergarten-12th grade school foods by summer 2026. In addition, the company will work to remove certified colors from its full U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027. This change impacts a small portion of General Mills’ K-12 school portfolio, as […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News
Ehlers Receives Spirit Of Ohana Honor From Dole Food Co.
Dole Food Co. has named the recipient of its inaugural “Spirit of ‘Ohana” honor: Evan Ehlers, the founder and CEO of Sharing Excess. This recognition is bestowed upon those who embody the hospitality and community-service themes of the Hawaiian concept of extended family. Dole’s “Spirit of ‘Ohana” initiative aims to encourage others to acknowledge those […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, National, News
Report: Shoppers Ditch Name Brands For Private Label As Prices Increase
A new national survey by RDSolutions reveals that 86 percent of U.S. shoppers have switched to private label products for at least some of the items they regularly purchase – underscoring growing price sensitivity amid inflation and looming global tariffs. Conducted in May among 250 verified U.S. consumers, the survey found that price is the dominant […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest, News
Busch’s Fresh Food Market Offers Summer Produce From Local Farms
Busch’s Fresh Food Market, a family-owned supermarket chain in southeastern Michigan, has begun offering hyperlocal produce that will vary throughout the fall and summer months and come from farms near its stores. Among the company’s 16 stores, participating locations include Ann Arbor, Brighton, Canton, Dexter, Novi, Plymouth, Saline, South Lyon and West Bloomfield. “Michigan is such […]
Posted inInternational Foods, National, Nonfood Items
Packaged Facts: Multicultural Diversity Shaping Today’s Pet Ownership
More than two-thirds (71 percent) of American households have a pet, reports the American Pet Products Association (APPA) in its 2025 Industry Report, as cited by the World Animal Foundation. The market research firm estimates that households with pets total 94 million in 2025, a significant rise from 67 million in 2019. The two most […]
Posted inProduce News, Hugo's Family Marketplace, Midwest, News
Hugo’s Family Marketplace, Empower Fresh Add Smart AI Produce Ordering
Hugo’s Family Marketplace, an independent grocer based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, has partnered with Empower Fresh to launch smarter, fresher produce ordering in five of its 15 stores, marking the start of a rollout designed to reduce waste and promote quality. The partnership brings together Hugo’s commitment to local and Empower Fresh’s AI-powered produce […]
Posted inCenter Store, National, News
Kraft Heinz Commits To Remove FD&C Colors By 2027
The Kraft Heinz Co. announced it will not launch any new products in the U.S. with Food, Drug & Cosmetic colors, effective immediately, and will remove the remaining FD&C colors from its U.S. product portfolio before the end of 2027. To date, nearly 90 percent of Kraft Heinz’s U.S. products are free of FD&C colors (by […]
Expert Article
Celebrating Sweetest Star Of Summer Season – Watermelon
As the summer sun reaches its peak, few things say “summer” more than watermelon. Sweet, refreshing and packed with hydration, watermelon is truly the superstar of June produce. Whether whole or pre-cut, it’s a must-have for summer gatherings and a natural way to boost the produce department’s basket size. Why watermelon? Watermelon is not only […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News
High Liner Foods Acquires Mrs. Paul’s, Van de Kamp Brands From Conagra
High Liner Foods Inc., a North American frozen seafood company, entered into a purchase agreement June 6 to acquire the Mrs. Paul’s and Van de Kamp’s brands of frozen breaded and battered fish products from Conagra Brands for $55 million, inclusive of about $36 million in inventory. The purchase price is subject to a customary inventory […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Frozen Food, National, News
2 Leaders To Be Inducted Into 2025 NFRA Refrigerated Food Hall Of Fame
Two industry leaders will be inducted into the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association’s (NFRA) Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame during the 2025 NFRA Convention on Oct. 20 at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. The hall of fame was established in 2010 to recognize those whose passion and leadership have advanced the refrigerated […]