Forty-six members of the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) board of directors, representing the entire breadth of the food wholesale and retail industry, have called on the U.S. Congress to complete work on e-fairness legislation this year. The letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) says, “We urge […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, Store News
Trader Joe’s Pioneer Dies At 82
Mr. John V. Shields Jr., a retail executive who transformed Trader Joe’s from a quirky Southern California grocery store chain into a billion-dollar enterprise with dozens of still-quirky but uniformly organized grocery stores across the country, died Oct. 31 in Thousand Oaks, California, the New York Times reports. He was 82. His death was announced […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Coca-Cola Reunites Famed POW Group As Part Of Its Veterans Day Recognition
They were Navy and Air Force pilots captured in North Vietnam. They were the most uncooperative, influential and subversive POWs during the Vietnam War. These men survived for up to six years in captivity at an infamous POW camp called Alcatraz. Much of their time was spent in solitary confinement. They are the “Alcatraz 11.” […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National, Southeast
Fleet Advantage’s Growth Continues, Adds To Executive Team
Fleet Advantage, a leading innovator in truck fleet business analytics, equipment financing and lifecycle cost management, continues to grow its clean diesel initiative, highlighted by improvements in key business metrics, on-boarding of new clients, additional business from existing clients, new Class-8 orders in excess of 1,800 tractors and lease origination volume exceeding $200 million for […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Suppliers
Americans Going Out Less, Getting More Meals From Home
Americans are sourcing more meals from home than they have in years, according to The NPD Group, a leading global information company that just released its 29th annual “Eating Patterns in America” report. The report finds that a decline in restaurant usage and an increase in meals from home is one of the single biggest […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Produce News, Southwest
NatureSweet Tomatoes Sponsoring Santa Selfie Hashtag Contest
NatureSweet Tomatoes wants to spread holiday cheer by giving customers a chance to win some extra spending money. Today through Dec. 5 customers are encouraged to find the NatureSweet Tomatoes displays that feature Santa Timmy in retail and grocery stores. Snap a selfie with the little tomato in a Santa hat, then upload and share […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural, Suppliers
Organic Trade Association Moves To Tighten Organic Standards
Acting on extensive feedback and input from its members, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) last week filed two petitions with the National Organic Program to amend the national list of substances that can be used in organic production and processing—in one case strengthening the requirement for organic ingredients and, in the other, removing a non-organic […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
Sunset Kumato Named Best Tomato For Men
The Kumato could be called the king of tomatoes, as Men’s Health Magazine recently dubbed the Sunset tomato the best for men. Introduced in 2010, Sunset says its Kumato brand tomatoes have gained a following for their unique color, perfect size and well-balanced flavor. These non-GMO verified tomatoes naturally turn a reddish-brown color at their […]
Posted in, National, New Products, Produce News
Wonderful Sweet Scarletts Roll Out Nationwide
The maker of Wonderful Pistachios, POM Wonderful and Wonderful Halos is bringing its newest product—Wonderful Sweet Scarletts Texas Red Grapefruits—to produce aisles nationwide. Sweet Scarletts are grown, packed and shipped in Texas by Paramount Citrus, North America’s largest citrus grower. The warm Texas climate—sunny days with cool nights—yields the sweetest premium red grapefruits around, according […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Perishables
Unilever U.S. Revamping Buttery Spreads Portfolio
Unilever U.S. says it is transforming its current buttery spreads portfolio, beginning with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, into new recipes made with real, simple ingredients like a blend of plant-based oils, purified water and a pinch of salt—and no artificial preservatives. The transformation of the spreads portfolio is part of what Unilever calls its […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural, Suppliers
Snyder’s-Lance Creates ‘Better For You’ Division
Snyder’s-Lance Inc. has created a new “better for you” division as well as increased in its investment in Late July Snacks LLC—a leader in organic and non-GMO snacks. The moves support the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company’s goal of creating a stronger presence in a healthier, more sustainable food industry. “We see our company growing and […]
Posted in, National, New Products, Perishables
Fazoli’s Launches New Retail Product Line
Fazoli’s, the Italian quick-service restaurant chain, is rolling out five new snacks and appetizers at retail. The line includes Mozzarella Stuffed Mini Breadsticks, Parmesan Boneless Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Alfredo Flatbread, Lasagna Fritta and Six Cheese Toasted Ravioli. Sizes range from 8.5-11 oz. The products are available now in the frozen food sections of participating grocers. […]
Posted in, National, New Products, Produce News
Sun Pacific Introduces Mighties Kiwi
Sun Pacific, grower of Cuties Clementines, has introduced a new brand name for its kiwi. Sun Pacific, the largest kiwi grower in the U.S., is rebranding its Ripe and Easy Kiwi as Mighties Kiwi, a new name the company says it developed to promote the little fruit’s powerful nutritious profile and delicious taste. “Kiwi is […]
Posted in, Feature, Grocery News, National, Shelby Signature Content
The Art Of Pricing—Is Walmart’s Price First Smart?
Some experts claim the U.S. economy has nearly recovered. Now if someone could convince American consumers the economy is better, retailers across all sectors would jump for joy. Unfortunately, that doesn’t look promising. Today, nearly half the U.S. population thinks the United States is still in recession, according to a recent Wall Street Journal poll. […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Organic Natural
BrandStorm Launching New Natierra Superfoods Brand
BrandStorm Inc. is unveiling a new umbrella brand for its lines of superfoods, gourmet salts and on-the-go snacks. Inspired by CEO Thierry Olliver’s decade of world travels, Natierra not only harmonizes Himalania and Nature’s All Foods product lines, it fuses the spirit of adventure and the celebration of health and community to bring conscious consumers […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
Specialty Fruits, Veggies Provide For Spooky Yet Healthy Halloween Offering
Frieda’s Produce says Halloween is the perfect time to feature specialty produce at retail, since shoppers will be receptive to creepy looking fruits and vegetables to add to their healthy Halloween snacks and meal plans. “The scary looking produce provides fresh inspiration for shoppers to keep up with their healthy lifestyle during the candy-centric holiday,” […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Cutrale-Safra Reaches Agreement To Buy Chiquita For $1.3B
Chiquita Brands International Inc. and the Cutrale-Safra group have reached a definitive merger agreement valued at approximately $1.3 billion. The agreement has been unanimously approved by Chiquita’s board of directors and includes Cutrale-Safra acquiring all outstanding common shares of Chiquita for $14.50 per share in cash. The companies say the transaction combines Chiquita, one of […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
M&M’S Brand Adds Baking Bits To Lineup
M&M’S Brand says it is introducing two ways to add colorful fun to cookies, brownies and other baked goods: M&M’S Brand Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bits and M&M’S Brand Minis Milk Chocolate Baking Bits. The new products come in display-ready cases, and the 10-oz. laydown bags include recipes on the back. They’ll hit store shelves in […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National, Suppliers
Coca-Cola Looks To ‘Reinvigorate Growth’
The Coca-Cola Co. says it plans to take actions to reinvigorate growth, supporting the Atlanta-based company’s previously announced five strategic priorities to restore momentum and the company’s long-term growth target of high single-digit comparable currency neutral EPS. “We are taking decisive action to position The Coca-Cola Co. to continue delivering long-term value for our shareowners,” […]