Funeral services were held March 19 at Congregation B’nai Jeshuran in West Brighton, New York, for Bernice “Vickie” Gimbelman, co-founder of Designer Greetings. Mrs. Gimbelman, 91, died March 15 at her home in the Manor Heights neighborhood of Staten Island, New York. A native of the Bronx, New York, Mrs. Gimbelman entered the work force […]
Category: Grocery News
The Giant Co. Names Allison As VP, Center Store Merchandising
The Giant Co. has named Steve Allison VP of center store merchandising, effective immediately. Allison will report to Rebecca Lupfer, SVP and chief merchant for The Giant Co. “With his years of merchandising experience, Steve brings a proven track record of building both strategic and mutually beneficial supplier relationships to best serve our customers’ needs,” […]
Report Reveals Opportunities For Private Label, Branded Product Growth
NielsenIQ has released “Finding Harmony on the Shelf: 2025 Global Outlook on Private Label & Branded Products,” a new report that offers an analysis of shifting global consumer attitudes around private label and branded products, catalysts driving these trends and insights for retailers to reach consumers within a fast-moving macroeconomic environment. According to NIQ’s report, […]
PepsiCo’s Watershed Projects Aim To Replenish Millions Of Gallons Of Water
PepsiCo’s more than $1.8 million investment in four watershed replenishment programs in the U.S. last year aims to provide multi-pronged benefits to land and communities in high water-risk areas. Replenishing water in high water-risk areas is integral to PepsiCo’s broader pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) ambition of becoming Net Water Positive by 2030. The projects take specialized approaches […]
Fresh Del Monte Acquires Majority Stake In Avolio
In line with its initiative to expand into high-value specialty ingredients, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has acquired a majority stake in Avolio, an Ugandan supplier of bulk crude and edible avocado oil. Avocados are one of the few fruits from which oil can be extracted from the pulp. Avolio leverages this to create value […]
FMI Report: Meat Sales High As Americans View Meat As Part Of Healthy Lifestyle
Meat sales hit a record high of $104.6 billion in 2024, pounds sold increased 2.3 percent compared to 2023, and consumers on average buy meat more than once per week (Circana) – keeping meat the largest fresh department in grocery, according to the 20th annual “Power of Meat” report released March 24 at the Annual […]
Colombian Avocados On Track For Record 2025 Season
Colombia is set to deliver 130 million pounds of avocados during the 2025 spring-summer traviesa season. Maturing orchards, strategic investments in region-specific rootstock and a growing shift toward East Coast ports are driving Colombia’s role as a year-round supply partner for the expanding U.S. market. Year-round harvest Main season (September-February): Recently concluded with a 50 […]
Celebrate Earth Day With Sustainable Organic Produce
Earth Day (April 22) is the perfect time to highlight the benefits of organic produce and how it plays a crucial role in sustainability. With growing consumer interest in environmentally friendly choices, organic produce presents a great opportunity to meet demand while also supporting sustainable agriculture. Why organic matters Organic farming works hand in hand […]
Wonder Expands Product Line With New Snack Cakes
Wonder has expanded its product line by introducing several snacks cakes and other items. “For generations, Wonder bread has been a staple in American households, bringing families together over meals and memories,” said Ashley Hornsby, director of brand management. “With the launch of our new treats, we’re excited to bring that same sense of nostalgia and […]
USDA Accepts Pasturebird’s Petition To Update Pasture-Raised Definition
Pasturebird has successfully petitioned the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update its definition of “pasture-raised” meat and poultry. After years of advocating for a clear and common-sense definition, Pasturebird and Perdue Farms helped shoppers distinguish “free range” from “pasture-raised” chicken. The new animal-raising labeling guidelines require that “pasture-raised” animals must be on pasture […]
FDA Extends Date For FSMA 204 Compliance
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shared its intention to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) by 30 months. The FDA will extend the compliance date using appropriate procedures at a later time, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register. The FDA stated that it is […]
Beyond Organic: CEO On Redefining Health, Industry Honesty
Karen Howard has served as CEO and executive director of Organic & Natural Health Association in Washington, D.C., since its inception in 2014. She has championed causes such as defining the term “natural,” promoting quality manufacturing, ensuring traceable sourcing, advancing regenerative farming, advocating for sustainable practices, addressing nutrient deficiencies and propelling vitamin D research and […]
FMI Committees Doing Important Work On Private Brands, AI, Asset Protection
Doug Baker, VP of industry relations for FMI – The Food Industry Association, spoke to The Shelby Report during the association’s recent Midwinter Executive Conference on Marco Island, Florida. Baker touched on three topics that are of interest to FMI’s membership and the food industry as a whole – private brands, technology advancements and asset […]
Market 32/Price Chopper Expands Fresh Produce Access Through DUFBNY Program
Market 32/Price Chopper is extending a partnership with Field & Fork Network to add its nutrition incentive program, Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFBNY), to select locations in New York’s Schenectady and Onondaga counties. Field & Fork Network is a nonprofit that works to alleviate food insecurity across the state. “Our collaboration with Field & […]
FMI Report: Seafood Sales Struggle Despite Perception As Healthy Option
FMI – The Food Industry Association released its Power of Seafood 2025 report during Seafood Expo North America, which runs March 16-18 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The seventh edition of the report explores shifting consumer attitudes, purchasing behaviors and untapped opportunities for the seafood department despite lackluster category performance. The reasons for the […]
PepsiCo To Acquire Prebiotic Soda Brand Poppi
PepsiCo has entered into an agreement to acquire poppi, a fast-growing prebiotic soda brand, for $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits, for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion. The transaction also includes an additional potential earn-out consideration subject to the achievement of certain performance milestones within a specified period after closing of […]
Utz Brands Adds New Sour Cream, Onion Flavor To Mixed Minis Pretzels
Inspired by the brand’s top-selling flavored potato chip, Utz has introduced a sour cream and onion flavor to its Mixed Minis Pretzel line. Available in 12-ounce pretzel packages, Utz’s Sour Cream and Onion Mixed Minis join two other flavors – Garlic Butter and Mike’s Hot Honey. “At Utz, we are always looking for ways to […]
The Hershey Co. Names Taffet As Chief Growth Officer
The Hershey Co. has named Stacy Taffet as its chief growth officer, effective April 14. In this role, she will be responsible for driving transformative growth strategies across the company’s expanding snacks portfolio. Taffet is a seasoned marketing executive with 20 years of leadership experience, including 15 years in consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and a PepsiCo […]
Natural Grocers Debuts Private-Label Organic Mussels
Natural Grocers is expanding its frozen seafood offerings with a new private label product – Natural Grocers Brand Organic Mussels. Sustainably rope-grown in Chile’s waters, the whole-shell mussels are fully cooked, containing protein and other nutrients. They are the latest addition to the Natural Grocers Brand Frozen Seafood line, joining wild-caught cod and shrimp selections. […]
Blount Fine Foods Donates More Than 1M Food Servings In 2024
Blount Fine Foods donated more than 1 million servings of its products – including chowder, mac and cheese and soups – to communities throughout 2024. “Giving back to our community is a crucial part of the work we do at Blount,” said William Bigelow, chief operating officer. “Our employees not only take great pride in […]
