Ritz Crackers has joined forces with the savory flavor of bacon to create Ritz Bacon flavored Crackers. On shelves now, Ritz Bacon flavored Crackers combine the classic taste of Ritz, black pepper seasoning and the flavor of bacon. “Ritz recognized America’s love for the taste of bacon and wanted to help take bacon flavor to […]
Category: National
Posted in, National
Mexico Publishes Final Rule To Allow Cross-Border Potato Trade
The U.S. fresh potato trade with Mexico has been expanded, with shipments expected to begin by June. “The U.S. potato industry and our partners at USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are pleased to learn the Mexican government has issued its final rule designed to achieve the bilateral goal of expanding […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
NGA Expresses Concerns With Chairman Camp’s Tax Reform Proposal
On behalf of the National Grocers Association (NGA), Peter J. Larkin, NGA president and CEO, sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) outlining concerns with Camp’s draft proposal to overhaul the nation’s tax code. Specifically, NGA addressed the negative impacts that the exclusion of non-manufacturing S-corporations from a lower […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
AWG Reports Record Sales And Earnings
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), the nation’s second largest cooperative food wholesaler, has reported consolidated net sales of $8.38 billion, up 6.8 percent over the prior year, marking the first time the company has exceeded the $8 billion mark. Same-store sales were up nearly 2 percent over the prior year. Operating income was a record $201 […]
Posted in, National
Court Invalidates New Rules On Vidalia Sweet Onion Ship Date
Judge Cynthia D. Wright of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit of the Superior Court of Fulton County ruled Wednesday in favor of Bland Farms’ challenge of the legality of the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s mandatory uniform start date for the shipping of Vidalia Sweet Onions. As a result of the ruling, Bland Farms and other licensed […]
Posted in, National
New Poll Identifies Top 10 Consumer Questions On GMOs
The results of a new national survey, commissioned by GMO Answers and the Council for Biotechnology Information, identify the leading questions consumers have about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and how food is grown. The survey was conducted in order to identify, for the first time, the top 10 questions consumers have about GMOs and to […]
Posted in, National, New Products
New Funfetti Baking Products From Pillsbury Available Now
Pillsbury says it’s going bold in baking with new Funfetti Cupcake & Cake Mixes, available in four new varieties, and Funfetti Frostings, available in two new colorful varieties to complement the existing bold frosting colors. The baking mixes and frostings can be mixed and matched to create unique treats. Pillsbury’s Funfetti Cupcake & Cake mixes […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Sunshine Sweet Corn Launching First TV Ad Campaign
The Sunshine Sweet Corn Farmers of Florida (SSCF) is growing its marketing support for retailers this spring with its first-ever television advertising campaign. As part of a partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Fresh From Florida campaign, ads featuring Sunshine Sweet Corn will air in Indianapolis, Ind., Buffalo, N.Y., and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., from April […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
John Morrell Food Group Begins Partnership With Nathan’s Famous
John Morrell Food Group, a division of Smithfield Foods, says it has begun an exclusive licensing agreement with Nathan’s Famous to manufacture and sell branded hot dog, sausage and corned beef products at retail stores nationally. The agreement commenced earlier this month. “We are very excited to launch our new partnership with John Morrell Food […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Supervalu Consolidates Independent Biz Regions, Laying Off 200
Supervalu’s independent business will consolidate from three regions to two regions, forming new East and West teams. The new East and West independent business regions will be located in Mechanicsville, Va., and Hopkins, Minn., respectively. Kevin Kemp will serve as president of the East region and Bill Chew will serve as president of the West […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Study: Canned Foods Provide Nutrition, Cost And Safety Benefits
The vast majority of Americans need to eat more fruits and vegetables. In fact, only 33 percent and 27 percent of Americans meet government recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake, respectively. And finding foods that are nutritious, affordable and safe can be difficult. But a recently published Michigan State University (MSU) study shows that canned […]
Posted in, National
The Produce Mom Honored As Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Industry Champ
The Produce Mom, Lori Taylor, has been recognized by the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) as a Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Industry Champion. Each year, PBH recognizes the country’s top advocates of the produce industry for their contribution to public health. Award recipients must be members of PBH and leaders in the produce industry. The […]
Posted in, National, New Products
New Eggo Bites Offer On-The-Go Breakfast Option
A new, away-from-the-table line of Eggo waffles and French toast, called Eggo Bites, is hitting stores, and providing busy families with an on-the-go breakfast option, according to Kellogg’s. “Moms have a tough job getting their kids ready for the day and on some of the crazier mornings, the opportunity to serve a sit-down breakfast just […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
Mrs. Green’s Natural Market Plans To Open 22 Stores By Year’s End
Mrs. Green’s Natural Market has big expansion plans for 2014. The company plans to open 22 new locations this year across the Northeast and Midwest U.S. and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Alberta. Spring grand openings will include West Windsor, N.J., on March 28 and New Canaan, Conn., on April 11. Mrs. Green’s plans […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Bolthouse Farms Adds New Flavors To Yogurt Dressing Line
Bolthouse Farms is expanding its yogurt dressing line to include two bold new flavors: Cilantro Avocado and Mango Chipotle. These better-for-you dressings are available in stores nationwide and contain 40 calories per serving thanks to their yogurt base. Bolthouse Farms’ Latin-inspired Cilantro Avocado Yogurt Dressing features a combination of creamy avocado, chopped cilantro, cotija cheese […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Orion Food Systems Appoints Steve Watkins CEO
Orion Food Systems has promoted Steve Watkins to CEO of Orion Food Systems, an international foodservice provider of leading brands such as Hot Stuff Pizza. Watkins, who has been a significant member of the Orion management team for the past 25 years, was most recently the company’s president, CFO and director. Watkins began his career […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Pringles Rolling Out Its First Tortilla Chip
Pringles is introducing its first-ever tortilla chip—Pringles Tortillas—just in time for basketball tourney season. While retaining the iconic Pringles shape, Pringles Tortillas are thicker chips because they’re made of corn, not potatoes. They’re ideal for dipping and come in three flavors: Original, Nacho Cheese and Southwestern Ranch. “Pringles Tortillas are the brand’s first new product […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Kronos Foods Names Howard Eirinberg CEO
Kronos Foods, a privately held, leading manufacturer of premium gyros and other Mediterranean and specialty foods, has named Howard Eirinberg, 54, as its CEO. Eirinberg, who succeeds long-time Kronos CEO Michael Austin, now chairman of Kronos Food Corp., joined Kronos in 2011 to lead all sales and marketing initiatives for the company’s operations in meat, […]
Posted in, National, West
California Grocery Veteran Rick Fry Dies At 62
Mr. Rick Fry, who spent 47 years in the grocery business and became well known and respected as a top industry leader in grocery marketing and operations, died unexpectedly March 14 in California due to post lung cancer treatment complications. He was 62. Since November 2012, Mr. Fry was a managing partner at Coastal Marketing Group, serving […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Garden of Eatin’ Brand Expands With Butternut Squash Corn Tortilla Chips
The Hain Celestial Group, a leading organic and natural products company, has introduced Garden of Eatin’ Butternut Squash Corn Tortilla Chips, the latest addition to the Garden of Eatin’ brand, the No. 1 selling brand of tortilla chips made with organic yellow corn. These crunchy, gluten-free snacks feature a blend of butternut squash and organic […]