Litehouse Foods has moved its Litehouse Feta Cheese Crumbles to grocers’ produce departments, next to the salad makings. “We listened to consumers and know they don’t have a lot of time for grocery shopping, but they still want to create delicious and healthy meals for their families,” says Margi Gunter, brand manager at Litehouse Foods. […]
Category: National
Posted in, National
Tanimura & Antle Artisan Sweet Italian Red Onion Ready To Ship
The official onion season is under way, and the demand for the Tanimura & Antle Artisan Sweet Italian Red Onion has never been better, according to the company. It is the only year-round sweet red onion available in the industry and enjoyed for its mild, sweet flavor and versatility. “Retailers recognize the niche that this […]
Posted in, National
GMA Filing Lawsuit In Effort To Overturn Vt. GMO Labeling Law
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) plans to file suit in federal court against the state of Vermont to overturn a GMO labeling law. The organization also has issued the following statement in response to Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin’s signing into law House Bill 112, which would require mandatory labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms in […]
Posted in, National
Supermarket Chef Showdown’s 25 Finalists To Compete Live At FMI Connect
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has named the 25 finalists for the Supermarket Chef Showdown, the food retail industry’s unique competition for culinary talent. The finals will be held June 11 at FMI’s new annual FMI Connect show. That will determine five grand-prize winners and one overall champion. The 25 contestants entered their recipes in […]
Posted in, National
Hillshire Brands To Buy Pinnacle Foods In $6.6B Deal
Hillshire Brands has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Pinnacle Foods Inc. in a $4.3 billion transaction to include cash and Hillshire common stock. The deal, including debt, is valued at $6.6 billion, according to reports. Under the terms of the agreement, Hillshire will acquire all outstanding shares of Pinnacle Foods. Pinnacle stockholders will […]
Posted in, National
Research: Fresh Pear Consumption Associated With Better Health
Pear Bureau Northwest, the Portland, Ore.-based nonprofit marketing association that promotes fresh pears grown in Oregon and Washington, recently commissioned nutrition research examining fresh pear consumption and the associated nutrition and health benefits. The research, which was led by Dr. Victor Fulgoni III was presented at Experimental Biology in San Diego earlier this month and […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified’s Sales, Earnings Improve
Unified Grocers this week announced improved sales and earnings for the 26 and 13 weeks ended March 29, the company’s second quarter of fiscal 2014. For the 26-week period, the Los Angeles-based distributor reported gross billings of $1.898 billion, compared to gross billings of $1.838 billion for the 26 weeks ended March 30, 2013, a […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Ancient Harvest Debuts New Look, Expands Gluten-Free Offerings
Ancient Harvest, the first brand to bring quinoa to the U.S. in the 1980s, is expanding with the launch of new Mac & Cheese and Culinary Ancient Grains lines. The new product lines are supported by the debut of refreshed packaging and a revamped website, which the brand first revealed earlier this year. The new […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Blue Bell Introduces Red, White & Blue Bell Ice Cream
Blue Bell is rolling out new Red, White & Blue Bell Ice Cream, a colorful dessert featuring a strawberry ice cream loaded with strawberries, a vanilla ice cream as well as a blueberry ice cream combined with real blueberries—all packaged side by side in one carton. “We started with three basic ice cream flavors, strawberry, […]
Posted in, National, Store News
FMI 2014 Store Manager Award Finalists Revealed
The Food Marketing Institute’s 15th annual Store Manager Award finalists have been revealed. Four grand prize winners will be selected from among the 10 finalists on Wednesday, June 11, during FMI Connect, the new annual FMI Show, in Chicago. The Store Manager Award finalists are recognized for their work to achieve positive sales growth and […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Whole Foods Announces Store Openings And Moves
Whole Foods Market this week announced several store openings and moves. The Austin, Texas-based grocer has signed a lease for a new store in Richmond, Va., plans to relocate a North Wales, Pa., store and has announced openings in New Jersey and Indiana. Richmond, Va. The approximately 40,000-s.f. store will be located on Broad Street […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Butterball Promotes Kerry Doughty To President And CEO
Butterball has named Kerry Doughty president and CEO. The appointment became effective Monday. As CEO, Doughty will be responsible for overseeing the company’s business strategy and operations and will leverage more than 30 years of experience in the food industry. “Butterball will benefit from Kerry’s leadership, vision and passion for customers and associates as he […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Steinhafel Out As Target CEO
Target said today that, following “extensive discussions,” President and CEO Gregg Steinhafel is departing the Minneapolis-based retailer, effective immediately. Steinhafel also is no longer chairman of Target’s board of directors. The announcement follows a data breach late last year that compromised millions of customers’ personal information. Target says that “now is the right time for […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Survey: One-Third Of U.S. Shoppers Will Pay 10 Percent Premium For Local Food
The second annual A.T. Kearney survey of U.S. shoppers’ local food buying habits finds that local food is fast becoming a necessity for attracting and retaining grocery customers. Comparing survey results to the 2013 survey, an increased number of shoppers indicate that local foods are an important factor in what they buy and where they […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Study: America’s Household Brands Losing Ground
U.S. consumers are pushing their shopping carts past many of America’s national brands and feel little regret in doing so, according to Deloitte’s American Pantry Study of more than 375 brands across 30 product categories. Seven in 10 shoppers (71 percent) say they’re spending less on food, beverage and household goods, but don’t feel like […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
J&J Snack Foods Purchases Philly Swirl
J&J Snack Foods Corp. of New Jersey has acquired the stock of Philly’s Famous Water Ice Inc. Philly Swirl, located in Tampa, Fla., produces frozen novelty products sold to both retail and foodservice locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Philly Swirl’s product offerings include kid-friendly items as well as better-for-you products. J&J says that revenues […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Nat Geo, Live Prepared Launching Branded Line Of Emergency Preparedness Products
National Geographic, one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, has partnered with Live Prepared, a division of Blue Chip Group and a leader in emergency preparedness, to launch a comprehensive line of high-quality preparedness products for natural disasters and unexpected events. The National Geographic collection of preparedness products by Live Prepared will […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Bellisio Foods Rolls Out Chili’s Licensed Single- And Multi-Serve Entrées
Bellisio Foods, a leading frozen foods manufacturer, is introducing new flavors to the frozen food category through its partnership with Chili’s Grill & Bar—launching a new line of licensed frozen meals under the Chili’s brand name. These Chili’s-inspired, southwestern-style dishes, available at major retailers this summer, offer a variety of meal options, according to Bellisio. […]
Posted in, National
Grocers Gather On Capitol Hill To Advocate On Industry Issues
More than 200 grocery retailers, wholesalers and food industry state association executives from across the nation convened in Washington, D.C., this week for the annual “Day in Washington” supermarket industry fly-in. Members of the National Grocers Association (NGA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) participated in more than 210 meetings […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Farm Rich Introduces Smokehouse BBQ
Farm Rich is debuting Farm Rich Smokehouse BBQ, launching in time for National Barbecue Month, which kicks off today. The Smokehouse BBQ meals have no artificial ingredients and contain high-quality pork, beef and chicken. The five varieties include: • Pulled Pork BBQ—hand-pulled pork in a sweet and spicy sauce; • Pulled Beef Brisket—hand-pulled beef in […]