For the first time, the “sour, then sweet” experience of Sour Patch Kids will be available in gum, thanks to Stride. New Stride Sour Patch Kids gum will hit stores nationwide in January and be available in Redberry and Lime flavors. In the meantime, fans will have the chance to have a first taste by […]
Category: National
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Miller Lite Goes Retro With Limited-Edition Original Lite Can
Miller Lite, the beer that launched the light beer category, will release on Jan. 1 the limited-edition Original Lite Can, an updated version of the iconic packaging that helped change the beer industry nearly 40 years ago. The Original Lite Can features the familiar images of hops, barley and the words “a fine pilsner beer,” […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, New Products
Pasta Chips Now Available At Major Retailers
Pasta Chips, an idea born out of the hills of Tuscany and made from real pasta, are now available at major retailers, including Harris Teeter, Roundy’s, ShopRite, Safeway, Carr’s, Vons, Mariano’s, Albertsons, WinCo, and Randalls as well as Plaid Pantry, Quick Chek and Sheetz; other c-stores will carry the new snack in January. During a […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Inventure Foods To Invest $3.9M In Freezing Capabilities, New Equipment
Inventure Foods Inc., a leading specialty food marketer and manufacturer, plans to purchase two state-of-the-art IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) freezing tunnels in 2014 for an estimated $3.9 million. “We continue to look for opportunities to meet growing demand for our frozen fruit products, while also improving margins in our frozen fruit segment by increasing our […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
NGA Sells Out Increased Expo Floor
The National Grocers Association (NGA) says the 2014 NGA Show Expo floor, which was increased by 45 percent, has sold out. The 2014 NGA Show will be held Feb. 9-12 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. “Interest shown by our trading partners for the 2014 Expo floor has been tremendous, as evidenced by the […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Gluten-Free A Hot Trend For Specialty Food Gifts, But Chocolate Still Reigns
America’s appetite for specialty foods hit a record high last year, with consumers spending $86 billion on everything from artisanal chocolates and cheese to oils and charcuterie. To help food enthusiasts navigate the wealth of food-gift choices available this holiday season, the Specialty Food Association has released the results of a survey that reveal the […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Yoplait Yogurt Introduces Limited Edition Holiday Flavors
Yoplait yogurt limited edition flavors for the holidays, voted on by fans, are in stores now. Flavors include Yoplait Light mocha mint and Yoplait Original peppermint bark-flavored yogurt. Both flavors are a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Yoplait Light mocha mint contains 5g of protein per 6-oz. serving with 90 calories, and Yoplait […]
Posted in, National, Shelby Content
Conquering That Pesky Millennial Generation
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Millennials, as retailers have come to discover, are a tough collective nut to crack. The group includes those born between 1977 and 1995 and also is referred to as Gen Y. There are 79.8 million Gen Yers and, while they may be the children of Baby Boomers, they pose […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Hershey-Sponsored CocoaLink Program Hits 40K Mark For Registered Farmers In Ghana
The Hershey Co. says that more than 40,000 Ghana cocoa farmers across 1,700 villages have now registered for CocoaLink, a digital exchange network that links farmers to modern farming information that benefits families and the entire farming community. An innovative public and private partnership between the cocoa sector and the Ghana Cocoa Board, CocoaLink is […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Study: Digital Commerce Remains Largely Untapped Opportunity For CPGs
Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are underestimating the e-commerce channel’s growth potential and consequently may be missing out on a substantial market opportunity, according to the first of a two-part Deloitte study, “Digital Commerce in the Supermarket Aisle.” The study analyzed responses from a survey of 2,040 online shoppers who are responsible for shopping and […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Mars Chocolate Introduces Sweet Treats For The Holidays
Mars Chocolate North America is ringing in the holidays with the return of some sweet favorites and the introduction of new seasonal treats. “Chocolate is a quintessential part of so many family celebrations, and Mars Chocolate brands have been integral to holiday traditions for generations,” said Roy Benin, chief consumer officer for Mars Chocolate North […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
McCormick Reveals Top Flavors, Food Trends For 2014 And Beyond
Marking its 125th anniversary of making food more flavorful, McCormick & Co. Inc. has kicked off a yearlong celebration of tastes with the unveiling of its McCormick Flavor Forecast 2014: 125th Anniversary Edition. The report, developed annually by McCormick experts around the world, highlights five top food trends and more than a dozen emerging flavors […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Chobani Names Golechha To CFO Post
Chobani Inc., maker of America’s No. 1-selling Greek yogurt brand, has named Dipak Golechha as its CFO. Golechha joins Chobani after 18 years at Procter & Gamble where he held a variety of finance, operational and management positions, including CFO of the global snacks division. He will report directly to Hamdi Ulukaya, Chobani’s founder and […]
Posted in, National
Report: GMO Confusion And How Food Companies Can Help
Although voters in California and Washington state have rejected ballot measures to label genetically engineered foods, in some ways the topic is just heating up. Labeling supporters say their ultimate aim is nationwide disclosure, and the subject is more on people’s minds because of media coverage and advertising surrounding both measures, plus Whole Foods’ well-publicized […]
Posted in, National
PMA’s Former President Dies
Mr. Bob Carey, former president of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), died Friday in Delaware. He was 82. Mr. Carey led PMA from 1958 to 1996, taking it from a near-bankrupt organization with fewer than 100 members focused on produce packaging to a vertically integrated association of thousands focused on marketing. His vision of bringing […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
BeBevCo Looks To Expand Into Another Category With Relaxation Ice Cream
Bebida Beverage Co. (BeBevCo), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of relaxation drinks and energy products, plans to enter into a new industry through a wholly-owned subsidiary. BeBevCo CEO Brian Weber, who developed the company’s flagship product, KOMA Unwind Relaxation drink, recently embarked on another curiosity. Now, that curiosity has taken another step into becoming a […]
Posted in, National
Most Americans Believe Another Government Shutdown Is Likely
While his overall approval ratings may be inching downward, President Obama’s job approval ratings on the economy are holding steady. But “steady” means three in 10 Americans (30 percent) giving the president positive ratings for his handling of the economy; 70 percent still give him negative marks, which is unchanged from last month. These are […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Food Channel Unveils Top 10 Food Trends For 2014
The Food Channel has released its “Top 10 Food Trends for 2014.” Based on research conducted by The Food Channel in conjunction with CultureWaves, the list identifies the significant food movements consumers, foodservice professionals and manufacturers should watch for in the coming year. “This year it’s all about global flavors and customs. There is also […]
Posted in, National
Coldest Holiday In 20 Years Helped Put Seasonal Items In Customer Baskets
Business estimates from the Black Friday weekend are emerging, and they are indicating a solid start to the holiday shopping season. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), there were more than 141 million unique shoppers who visited stores and websites over the long weekend, representing a 1.4 percent increase over last year. This includes […]
Posted in, National
How Transportation Costs Affect Fresh Fruit And Vegetable Prices
Fuel prices, understood to be a major driver of food prices in the U.S., can have significant impacts on food price levels and volatility, according to a recently released report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service. Since consumer demand for fruits and vegetables has been proven to be price sensitive, fuel price surges could significantly […]