The United Fresh Produce Association is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. This program recognizes 25 outstanding retail produce managers for their innovative merchandising, produce-related community outreach, increased store sales and recognition among company peers. The program, sponsored by Dole Food Co. and in it’s 13th year, pays special recognition […]
Category: National
2017’s Top 10 Food Trends Revealed
Sterling-Rice Group (SRG) has identified its top 10 culinary trends that it says will stand out on restaurant menus, expand onto grocery shelves and attract consumer attention across the U.S. in 2017. Broad and growing interest in wellness and the environment, as well as a strong desire to connect with international cultures, continue to be […]
Tobacco Giant Becomes Significant Shareholder In AB InBev After $100B SABMiller Merger
In connection with this week’s official $100 billion merger of Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller, Altria Group Inc. received 185,115,417 restricted shares of the combined company, AB InBev, representing a 9.6 percent economic and voting interest in AB InBev, and approximately $5.3 billion in pre-tax cash. In addition, Marty Barrington, Altria’s chairman, CEO and president, and […]
Albertsons Cos. Adopts ReposiTrak Food Safety Solution
Albertsons Cos. has chosen ReposiTrak to manage regulatory and business documentation compliance within its supply chain. ReposiTrak is a provider of Compliance Management and Track & Trace solutions for food, pharma and dietary supplement safety. “At Albertsons, the health and safety of our customers is of the highest priority,” said Jim Seiple, CFS, group VP, product development, […]
Walmart’s Plan To ‘Win’ Includes Boosting E-Commerce, Slowing New-Store Openings
At its 2016 Investment Community Meeting last week Walmart Stores outlined the company’s strategic framework to grow by serving customers across all channels, creating a seamless shopping experience. Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon outlined four key areas of focus to drive continued success: • Make every day easier for busy families; • Operate with […]
New IDDBA Officers And Board Of Directors Elected
The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) in Madison, Wisconsin, elected its 2016-17 officers and board of directors at its annual business meeting recently held in Chicago. Jewel Hunt, group VP-bakery for Albertsons Cos., was elected chair. Hunt has served on the board of directors since 2010 and has been involved in many committees. John Cheesman, VP […]
NGA Show Moving To New City In 2019
The National Grocers Association (NGA) says that it will move its 2019 and 2020 shows in order to accommodate growth. The show has been held in Las Vegas for the past several years and will be held there in 2017 and 2018. The 2019 and 2020 NGA Shows will be held in San Diego, California, […]
Jell-O Brand Launches Simply Good Product Line
Inspired by kids and their unfiltered honesty, the Jell-O brand is introducing a new product line to the family: Jell-O Simply Good. Jell-O Simply Good pudding mixes are made with real ingredients like banana, cocoa and vanilla bean, and the gelatin mixes are flavored with real fruit juices. Jell-O Simply Good contains no artificial flavors, […]
Most Consumers Say They Lack Access To Information About Food, Research Shows
More of today’s consumers crave information about food and how it’s produced—but the latest consumer trust research from The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) shows that most are hungry for more. Only 28 percent—or slightly more than one in four—strongly agree with the following statement: “I have access to all the information I want about […]
Sprouts To Open 36 Stores In 2017, Including First Fla. And N.C. Units
Sprouts Farmers Market has revealed eight new locations to open in the first quarter of 2017. The list includes the Phoenix, Arizona-based chain’s first stores in Florida and North Carolina, marking continued growth in the Southeast. Sprouts will open a total of 36 stores in 2017. The eight new stores that Sprouts announced today will […]
FDA Will Redefine ‘Healthy’ Claim For Food Labeling
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has started a public process to redefine the “healthy” nutrient content claim for food labeling. Redefining “healthy” is part of an overall plan to provide consumers with information and tools to enable them to easily and quickly make food choices consistent with public health recommendations and to encourage the […]
Egg, Dairy, Chicken And Beef Prices Decline
Lower retail prices for several foods, including eggs, whole milk, cheddar cheese, chicken breast, sirloin tip roast and ground chuck, resulted in a decrease in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Fall Harvest Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals […]
Boulder Canyon Introduces Riced Vegetable Line To The Frozen Aisle
Boulder Canyon Authentic Foods is rolling out a new line of grain-free rice made from just one primary ingredient—100 percent real vegetables. The ready-to-eat vegetables are designed as a low-carbohydrate alternative to traditional grain rice. Boulder Canyon Riced Vegetables are pre-washed, pre-cut and ready to heat with the ability to go from package to plate […]
Most Americans Value Produce’s Appearance, But Price Is More Important
About eight in 10 Americans (81 percent) confirm that appearance (i.e., not blemished or misshapen in any way) is at least somewhat important to them when shopping for fresh produce (i.e., fruits and vegetables), with 43 percent saying it is very or extremely important. That’s according to a recent Harris Poll. When listed alongside other […]
Retailers File Suit To Block New Overtime Rule
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has filed suit in U.S. District Court on behalf of the millions of employers and employees who it says will be drastically affected if the Labor Department’s changes to the federal overtime rules go into effect on Dec. 1. “The Labor Department’s extreme and reckless changes to the overtime rules will hobble […]
Beef Checkoff’s 30-Day Challenge Aims To Reduce Food Waste
In the U.S. alone, nearly 40 percent of the food supply is wasted—that’s enough to fill a 90,000-seat Rose Bowl stadium every day. While beef is one of the least wasted commodities, if its waste was cut in half, full supply-chain sustainability would increase by 10 percent. That’s why the Beef Checkoff has introduced “The […]
Popularity Of The Grocerant Translates To Growing Food Safety Concerns
Although the majority of U.S. consumers feel that foods in supermarkets are safe, the percentage who feel this way has decreased over the last 10 years as grocery stores have increased prepared food offerings, according to The NPD Group, a leading global information company. NPD Group, which has tracked food safety concerns in the U.S. since […]
Love’s Adding Godfather’s Pizza Express Units To Stores In 16 States
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is adding 64 new Godfather’s Pizza Express locations across 16 states this year and into early 2017. Godfather’s Pizza VP of Development Dave Gartlan said Love’s is adding the Grab N’ Go program in 46 existing locations within six states, with a majority in Oklahoma. The rest will be […]
USDA Seeks Retailer Volunteers For SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot
The USDA is seeking retailer volunteers for a two-year nationwide pilot to enable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase their groceries online. The 2014 Farm Bill mandated a pilot be conducted to test the possibility of allowing retail food stores to accept SNAP benefits through online transactions. Up to five retailers in three […]
Dollar General Hiring 10K Over Next Month
Within the next month, Dollar General plans to to hire 10,000 new employees to support planned store openings and fill current vacancies. The Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based company will host approximately 600 localized hiring events through Sept. 24. “Dollar General remains focused on our strategy to invest in our employees as a competitive advantage,” said Dollar General […]
