Americans spent a record $55 billion on chocolate, candy, gum and mints in 2025, and the category shows no signs of slowing down, according to the National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) 2026 State of Treating report. Sales are projected to grow an additional $7.3 billion over the next five years, reaching $62.2 billion across all outlets […]
Category: National
Posted inBakery News, Association News, National, News
ABA, Retail Bakers Of America, Baking Association Of Canada Announce Strategic Partnership
The American Bakers Association (ABA), Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and Baking Association of Canada (BAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the formation of a strategic relationship. The arrangement will allow the three organizations to identify opportunities to enhance their collective service to the baking industry across North America. The cooperation […]
Posted inBeverage News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Royal Cup To Acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee
Royal Cup Coffee & Tea has signed an agreement to acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee Co. (NASDAQ: FARM) for $1.29 per share in an all-cash transaction, combining two B2B coffee suppliers with nearly 250 years of combined industry experience. The transaction is expected to close during Farmer Brothers’ fiscal fourth quarter ending June 30, pending approval […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Relaunches Website With New Data Tools Amid Nutrition Policy Push
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has unveiled a redesigned AlwaysATreat.com, expanding the site’s resources for consumers, policymakers and media as the confectionery industry faces heightened scrutiny in state and federal nutrition policy debates. What’s new The updated site features improved navigation, expanded resources and new tools that make it easier to explore facts about chocolate […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NPPC Honors Parker For Four Decades Of Pork Industry Leadership
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recognized John Parker with the Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award during the National Pork Industry Forum, honoring his 40-plus years as executive secretary of the Virginia Pork Council. The award was presented in partnership with the National Pork Board (NPB). Parker’s tenure shaped Virginia’s agricultural community, producer-funded promotion and research […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, Finance News, Merchandising News, National, News, Walmart
Walmart To Deploy Digital Shelf Labels Chainwide Within A Year
Walmart is accelerating its rollout of digital shelf labels (DSLs) chainwide, with about 2,300 locations already using the technology and full deployment expected within the next year. Price updates are people-led, with employees reviewing and pushing approved changes through a secure system, typically outside of shopping hours, so prices remain stable and consistent during the […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, National, News
Target Commits $5B To Stores, Plans 300 New Locations By 2035
Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) unveiled a multi-year growth strategy this week that includes a $5 billion capital investment plan for 2026, more than 30 new store openings this year and a goal of 300 additional locations by 2035. The announcements, made at a financial community meeting March 3 and followed by a store investment release […]
Posted inDairy News, Featured News, National, News
UNFI, Whole Foods Partner On Organic Dairy Emissions Program
Four companies across the organic dairy supply chain are working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the farm level. Organic Valley, Stonyfield Organic, UNFI and Whole Foods Market are collaborating to launch Verified Impact Units, or VIUs, derived from carbon insetting across the U.S. organic dairy supply chain. The initiative, built around Organic Valley’s […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Featured News, Finance News, Grocery Research, National, News
Report: 86% Of Supply Chain Leaders Feeling Tariff Impact
Trade policy uncertainty is forcing supply chain leaders into difficult choices across pricing, sourcing and inventory, according to a preview of RELEX Solutions’ third annual State of the Supply Chain report. The findings, drawn from a January survey of 514 retail, manufacturing, wholesale and supply chain leaders, show 86 percent have felt the effects of […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NPPC Praises House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Passage
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) praised House Agriculture Committee passage of Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s (R-PA) bipartisan Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026. Commonly referred to as Farm Bill 2.0, the legislation includes relief for pork producers facing a patchwork of state animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12, which they […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Topco Names Big Y’s D’Amour As Board Chairman, Shares Leadership Updates
Topco Associates LLC elected Michael D’Amour, president and CEO of Big Y Foods, as board chairman during the cooperative’s Annual Membership Conference. D’Amour, who previously served as vice chairman, succeeds Steve Smith, president and CEO of K-VA-T Food Stores Inc., whose two-year term as chairman expired following the conference. Smith remains on the board as […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NFRA Highlights Innovation, Flexibility During March Frozen Food Month
American eating habits are changing, with meals becoming less structured, snacking on the rise and consumers seeking foods that offer flexibility, variety and value, the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) said. The frozen food aisle is meeting that demand with innovation including globally inspired flavors, air-fryer-ready formats and portion-smart options. During March Frozen […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Shelby Exclusive: FMI’s Harig Discusses Key Factors Impacting Food Prices
Shelby Publishing’s Maggie Kaeppel recently visited with Andy Harig, FMI – The Food Industry Association’s VP of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development, to add additional economic context on the state of the industry following the Annual Meat Conference, which was held March 2-4 in Baltimore, Maryland. What forces are having the greatest impact on […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National
Seafood Expo To Cover Consumer Trends, Traceability, Sustainability
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America has announced its 2026 conference program, featuring some 40 sessions with more than 125 industry speakers. The three-day event runs March 15-17 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, with speakers from companies including Ahold Delhaize USA, Circana, NOAA Fisheries and Whole Foods Market. The conference […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National
Meat Institute Backs USDA Line Speed Rule Changes for Pork, Poultry
The Meat Institute has said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed rule changes concerning pork and poultry processing rates will increase production and innovation, helping to ease prices for consumers and benefit livestock and poultry producers. “The Meat Institute has supported changes to line speed rules for pork […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Registration Open For 2026 NFRA Convention
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has opened registration for the 2026 NFRA Convention, set for Oct. 17-20 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The convention is expected to bring together more than 2,000 retailers, manufacturers, sales agents and supply chain partners to conduct more than 7,500 […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Little Northern Bakehouse Launches New Gluten-Free Sourdough Line
Little Northern Bakehouse is expanding its lineup with two Sourdough Wide Slice Loaves debuting at Natural Products Expo West 2026, which is set for March 3-6 at the Anaheim (California) Convention Center. Made with a house-crafted gluten-free sourdough starter and sprouted ancient grains, these loaves bring sourdough character to full-sized, gluten-free sandwich bread designed for […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Topco Recognizes Members With Awards, Honors Company Anniversaries
Topco Associates recently held its Annual Membership Conference, during which several members were honored for sales and volume growth across its programs in 2025, with select organizations receiving additional recognition for exemplary performance. “The membership achieved a record year of growth – driven not only by the outstanding performances in pharmacy, center store, fresh and […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National, News
NPPC, NPB Select Pork Leadership Institute Class Of 2026
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Pork Board (NPB) has announced the Class of 2026 for the Pork Leadership Institute, selecting 19 people from across the country to participate in the yearlong leadership development program. This year’s class includes: Idaho: Rick Roper Iowa: Ryan Bartachek and Macie Reeb Illinois: Emmalee Haege and […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Featured News, National, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Expands Private Selection Brand With Ready-To-Eat Meals
The Kroger Co. has expanded its Private Selection brand with more than 20 prepared meals designed to deliver quick meal options. The meals are available across Kroger’s family of stores and include globally inspired options spanning frozen entrées, refrigerated deli meals and fresh-roasted chicken. “The new Private Selection line brings high quality and convenience without […]