Manitowoc, Wisconsin-based Lakeside Foods has appointed Laurie Neff as SVP of sales. Neff brings 25 years of progressive sales leadership experience in the food industry, spanning private label and branded lines, channel and category development and joint venture management. “We’re excited to have Laurie on board to lead our sales function,” said Kevin Lien, chief […]
Category: Midwest
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Midwest
Strong Executive Team Ready To Lead AWG To Future Success
When AWG President and CEO David Smith retires at the end of the year, his successor will step into the leadership role well prepared to steer the company into the future. Dan Funk, incoming president, has been working with Smith for several months preparing for the transition. Even before being named as Smith’s successor, the […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Midwest
AWG, Circana Partnership Launches Portal For Integrated Collaboration
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. and Circana (formerly IRI) teamed up in January 2022 to launch AWG Partner Gateway, a portal to enable integrated collaboration between members and their vendor partners using Circana’s Liquid Data technology. The gateway is part of AWG’s Convergence initiative. Convergence is AWG’s long-term strategy to operate as a $23 billion cooperative […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest
Pure Prairie Poultry Launches New Retail Brand
Pure Prairie Poultry has purchased a chicken processing facility in Charles City, Iowa, that showcases its air-chilled technology. Offered at more than 50 locations across Coborn’s, Cashwise and Marketplace stores in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin, the company has big plans to grow throughout the Midwest and beyond. “Our premium quality offerings start with a smaller chicken, which […]
Posted inCenter Store, Executive News, Midwest
General Mills Shares Changes To Senior Leadership Team
General Mills Inc. has announced several changes to its senior leadership team to advance the company’s enterprise strategy, Accelerate. Jon Nudi has been appointed to a new role as group president, pet and international, where he will be accountable for the two largest growth areas for the company. Since 2016, Nudi served as group president, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Midwest
AWG Working To Increase Efficiencies With Convergence
Technology is the top strategic investment for AWG, according to its annual report. Part of that technology investment has been in the co-op’s Convergence initiative, which is the alignment of AWG, its member stores and supply partners. Convergence brings the co-op and its members together to work on areas to scale its more than $24 […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Corporate Store News, Midwest, Southeast
BJ’s To Open New Clubs Dec. 15 In Ohio, Tennessee
BJ’s Wholesale Club will open two new clubs Dec. 15: one at 8425 Orange Centre Dr. in Lewis Center, Ohio, and another at 181 Adams Lane in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Both clubs have a BJ’s gas location on-site, offering regular, premium and diesel fuels. The locations have partnered with nonprofit organizations in the local communities […]
Posted inAssociation News, Hugo's Family Marketplace, Midwest
7 Minnesota Grocers Named Retailer Of Year Recipients
Seven grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have been named a 2024 Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association. This year’s winners include: Northwest: Hugo’s Family Marketplace, East Grand Forks; Northeast: Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone; West Central: Elden’s Fresh Foods, […]