The Food Marking Institute (FMI) is mourning the death of one of its beloved leaders. Mrs. Catherine Mary Jelinski “Cathy” Polley, 56, died Nov. 2. She was nationally known as a passionate leader in improving the health and wellness of everyday Americans. Importantly, she was a courageous and loving wife, mother, sister and friend to […]
Category: National
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National
Coca-Cola Partners With Musician/Author To Promote Book During Homeless Youth Awareness Month
Country music artist and New York Times bestselling author Jimmy Wayne is joining forces with Coca-Cola to make a positive difference during National Homeless Youth Awareness Month in November. Wayne’s latest book, “Walk To Beautiful” (HarperCollins Christian Publishing), the critically acclaimed memoir that recounts Wayne’s transition from homeless teen to becoming a country music star with a No. 1 song, was […]
Posted in, Executive News, Marketing News, National
Acosta Makes Executive Appointments As Two Leaders Set To Retire
Acosta Sales & Marketing has made two executive appointments as two of the company’s leaders are set to retire at the end of the month. David Johnson has been named president of the Acosta Military Division and Frank Cohenour has been appointed president of ADW Acosta, a division focused solely on Costco Wholesale. Johnson is […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
TreeHouse Foods To Acquire ConAgra’s Private Brands Biz For $2.7B
After it announced it May that it planned to “exit the private brands operations,” ConAgra Foods has signed a definitive agreement with TreeHouse Foods to sell that portion of its business for $2.7 billion. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016. The acquisition of ConAgra’s private brands operations will meaningfully […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National, Women In The News
NGA Presents Great American Award To Wakefern’s Mottese
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has recognized Wakefern Food Corp.’s Lorelei Mottese with NGA’s highest award for government relations, the Clarence G. Adamy Great American Award. The award was presented to Mottese by NGA President and CEO Peter J. Larkin and NGA VP of Public Affairs Greg Ferrara at Wakefern’s annual shareholders’ meeting, held Thursday […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National, Store News
Sprouts Slated To Unveil A Dozen New Stores Early Next Year
Sprouts Farmers Market plans to add 12 locations to its roster of grocery stores in early 2016. Sprouts stores scheduled to open in next year’s first quarter include: • Alhambra, California: 150 E. Main Street, Suite 150 • Atlanta, Georgia: 1853 Piedmont Avenue NE • Clovis, California: 850 Herndon Avenue, Suite 103 • Colorado Springs, […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Southeastern Grocers, Walmart Join Others To Launch GEDWorks
GED Testing Service has partnered with some of the nation’s largest employers and most recognizable brands—including Southeastern Grocers, Walmart, KFC and Taco Bell—to create GEDWorks, a comprehensive program free for employees who want to earn their GED credential. The GEDWorks program includes everything an employee needs to successfully prepare for and pass the GED test. Students […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National, Produce News, Store News
Pear Bureau Northwest Honors Wegmans As Pear Retailer Of The Year
On behalf of the 1,600 fresh pear growers of Washington and Oregon, Pear Bureau Northwest has named Wegmans Food Markets the 2015 Pear Retailer of the Year for its merchandising performance and sales increase in the pear category. The award was presented at the Pear Bureau’s booth at PMA Fresh Summit in Atlanta over the […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, National
Survey: ‘Local’ Food No Longer Just A Trend To Drive Sales But Critical For Growth
The third annual A.T. Kearney survey of U.S. shoppers’ local food-buying habits finds that local food has made the leap from a “hot” consumer trend to a central growth driver for grocery retailers and restaurants. Two years ago, when A.T. Kearney conducted its first study of local food-buying habits, merely offering local food was a […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
PMA Fresh Summit Sets Attendance Record, Marks Other Milestones
Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit Convention and Expo, the annual homecoming of the fresh produce and floral industry, drew record-breaking attendance from the global supply chain attracting 19,332 attendees from 63 countries, Oct. 23-25 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. In its 66th year, the event surpassed the previous East Coast attendance […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Produce News
PMA Teams With Group To Get Fresh Produce On Screen
In support of the produce industry’s efforts to drive demand for more fresh produce, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) on Friday during its Fresh Summit conference in Atlanta announced a strategic alliance with the Entertainment Resource & Marketing Association (ERMA)—the association of entertainment marketing professionals—to bring fresh produce center stage through television shows, movies and […]
Posted in, Center Store, Marketing News, National, Suppliers
Foods Dominate As Kids’ Favorite Brands
Oreo, America’s “wonderfilled” classic cookie, has topped this year’s list of Kids’ Most Loved Brands, according to findings from the 2015 Young Love study of more than 7,000 children and their parents. In fact, food brands dominate this year’s list, taking 14 of the 25 spots on the list. Oreo beats out last year’s No. […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National, Store News
Supervalu Reports 2Q Fiscal 2016 Results
Minneapolis-based Supervalu on Wednesday reported second quarter fiscal 2016 net sales of $4.06 billion and net earnings from continuing operations of $31 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, which included $6 million in after-tax costs related to the potential separation of Save-A-Lot and severance costs. When adjusted for these items, second quarter fiscal 2016 net […]
Posted in, Executive News, Independent Store News, Industry News, National
AWG Makes Organizational Changes
A day after it announced the promotion of Jeff Pedersen to EVP of division operations, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), based in Kansas City, Kansas, is making several organizational changes. Effective Dec. 7, Steve Arnold, EVP of merchandising, will transfer to the Oklahoma City Division to the position of SVP and division manager, reporting to Pedersen. […]
Posted in, Industry News, National, Store News
FMI Launches Crowd-Sourced Campaign To Correct Grocery Misconceptions
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has launched a campaign aimed at correcting misconceptions in the food retail environment. Supermarket Myths. . . Busted is an online destination designed to help food retailers mitigate untruths that ultimately confuse shoppers or get perpetuated online. Sue Borra, SVP of communications and strategic planning for FMI, said of the […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National, New Products
Van Holten’s Introduces Pickle Flavored Freeze Pops Called Pickle-Ice
Van Holten’s has taken the pickle out of the pouch but left the juice. Pickle-Ice is a 2-oz. freeze pop made with Van Holten’s pickle juice and enhanced with electrolytes. This refresher can be consumed frozen or un-frozen and is a sugar-free alternative to sports drinks, according to Waterloo, Wisconsin-based Van Holten’s. “Pickle-Ice is real […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
SABMiller Agrees To Merge With AB In-Bev
The fourth time is apparently the charm, as SABMiller has agreed “in principle” to merge with Anheuser-Busch InBev. AB InBev on Monday confirmed another offer to buy SABMiller for about 67.4 billion pounds, or $103.6 billion. The bid is more than a pound more per share (43.50) than its previous offer of GBP 42.15, which […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
A-B InBev Ups Bid, Again, For SAB Miller
Anheuser-Busch InBev really wants to merge with SABMiller in order to make a global beer giant. The company today confirmed another offer to buy SABMiller for about 67.4 billion pounds, or $103.6 billion. The bid is more than a pound more per share (43.50) than its previous offer of 42.15, which SABMiller rejected less than […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Marketing News, National, Suppliers
Facts Up Front Featured On Lifetime
A Lifetime show airing this month features Facts Up Front and how this innovative front-of-pack labeling can help people shop for food and prepare balanced and healthier meals, according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). The Balancing Act segment first aired Oct. 8 and will be broadcast again on Oct. 15, in addition to being […]
Posted in, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, National
IDDBA Elects 2015-16 Officers, Board Of Directors
The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) recently elected its 2015-16 officers and board of directors at its annual business meeting in Chicago. John Cheesman, VP of business development, Clyde’s Delicious Donuts, was elected as the association’s chairman of the board. He has served on the board of directors since 2006 and has been actively involved in […]