The Specialty Food Association has a full menu of seminars and workshops for its Winter Fancy Food Show designed for all levels of expertise, from emerging food entrepreneur to seasoned industry veteran. The show takes place Jan. 19-21 at Moscone Center in San Francisco. It is the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and […]
Category: National
Posted in, Albertsons, National, Southeast
State Of The Southeast: Region Sees Shakeup In 2013
A number of big stories came out of the southeastern states in 2013. Many of them involved companies having to regroup and/or sell off their holdings, but there were a couple of bright spots as well, including mergers and strong performance. Below are 10 of the most noteworthy stories as reported by The Shelby Report […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s Introduces Flavor Essentials Program
Much like the “pantry essentials” list of ingredients every kitchen should have, Frieda’s Flavor Essentials are fresh specialty produce items produce departments should always have on hand in high volume to help shoppers elevate their everyday menu, according to Frieda’s. The five Flavor Essentials are Shallots, Ginger, Jicama, Fingerling Potatoes and Heirloom Tomatoes. These items […]
Posted in, National, Store News
FMI Initiates 2013 Community Outreach Award Program
To recognize and honor the food retail industry’s role as neighborhood partners in service initiatives, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Community Outreach Awards. These awards highlight the many contributions food retailers make to their community and serve the industry as a source of creative inspiration for service programs. Nominations […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Top 8 Ways Grocers Can Survive Plastic Bag Bans
by Pete Grande, CEO, Command Packaging For The Shelby Report All over the country, plastic shopping bags are being outlawed in grocery stores and other retail outlets. Fees are being imposed on all shoppers who do not bring their own bags. Plastic is no longer an available option at the checkout counter except at stores […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, West
State Of The West: Region Marked By Shakeup In 2013
A number of big stories came out of the western states in 2013. Many of them involved companies having to regroup and/or sell off their holdings, but there were a couple of bright spots as well, including new banners and strong performance. Below are the top 10 most noteworthy as reported by The Shelby Report […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Outer Spice Debuts Low-Salt And No-Salt Seasonings
Outer Spice is delivering four healthy new seasoning solutions to stores—and spice racks—everywhere. The new no-salt and low-salt seasonings, made by Austin, Texas-based Black River Trading Co., are all-natural, gluten-free spice blends that add depth to any meal. Outer Spice is the only spice blend created to serve as both an ingredient in every dish […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Foulkes Appointed President Of CVS/Pharmacy
CVS Caremark has named Helena B. Foulkes as president of CVS/pharmacy, effective Jan. 1, 2014. Foulkes, 49, most recently served as the company’s chief health care strategy and marketing officer responsible for corporate strategy and enterprise marketing, government relations and communications. Throughout her more than 20-year tenure with the company, Foulkes has held numerous leadership […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
New Walmart CEO Takes The Helm In February
Walmart Stores Inc.’s board of directors has elected company veteran Doug McMillon, 47, to succeed Mike Duke, 63, as president and CEO, effective Feb. 1. McMillon also was elected to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. McMillon currently serves as president and CEO of Walmart International—a segment of Walmart’s overall operations with more than […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Sue Bee Honey Now Bears ‘Support The USA Honeybee’ Seal
Sioux City, Iowa-based Sue Bee Honey has begun placing “Support the USA Honeybee” seal labels on all its branded products to inform consumers that they are buying 100 percent all-natural American honey and supporting American beekeepers and the role their bees play in pollinating more than $47 billion in American crops. David Allibone, president of […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Greek Gods Brand Adds Honey Peach To 24-oz. Yogurt Lineup
The Greek Gods brand is adding Honey Peach flavor its lineup. This new flavor will be available in a 24-oz. tub. “The Honey Peach flavor is exceptionally delicious, and we are excited to add an additional fruit flavored offering to the lineup,” said Basel Nassar, COO of the Hain Refrigerated Foods Division. Honey Peach is […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
Pilot Flying J Celebrates 55th Year In Business
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America, marked a big anniversary this week. The Knoxville, Tenn.-based company recognized its 55th year in business on Wednesday. The Pilot journey began in 1958 when James A. “Jim” Haslam II opened the first Pilot in Gate City, Va.—Pilot Store No. […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Specialty Food Association Accepts 152 New Members
The Specialty Food Association has accepted 152 companies for new membership, including makers of ghost chili sea salt, bacon brittle, burrata and lavender martini mocktails. Among the new members are Blis Caviar of Grand Rapids, Mich., maker of flavor-infused wild domestic caviar; Califia Farms of Pasadena, Calif., producer of cold brewed coffee, almond milk and […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Blue Diamond Posts Record Sales And Revenue
Blue Diamond Growers’ global almond sales soared to $1.2 billion, up $189 million in fiscal year 2012-13. Value-added sales volume increased by 14 percent, even with a crop that was 7 percent smaller, according to President and CEO Mark Jansen, who addressed the cooperative’s grower owners at the company’s annual meeting. Value-added sales now represent more […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Women’s Study: Eating Tree Nuts Reduces Pancreatic Cancer Risk
According to a long-term women’s health study recently published, women in the study who ate a 1-oz. serving of tree nuts two or more times a week had a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those studied who did not include nuts in their diet. This is the first study to measure the association […]
Posted in, National, New Products
MountainKing’s Steakhouse Roasters Provide Healthier Alternative To Frozen Fries
MountainKing has introduced its new Steakhouse Roasters, a slender, thin skin, tubular-shaped fresh potato variety filled with flavor that doesn’t require peeling and cooks fast to create steakhouse-quality, oven-baked wedge fries. Known within the produce industry as “fingerlings,” MountainKing says it has reinvented this specialty potato with a new name and new packaging to attract […]
Posted in, National
Progressive/Mission Asparagus Deal Creates Year-Round Program
Progressive Produce’s recent acquisition of Mission Asparagus has propelled the grower into the elite of asparagus suppliers, according to the company. Already growing thousands of acres in Mexico, Peru, California and Washington State, some in partnership with Keystone Fruit Marketing, Greencastle, Pa., Progressive’s increased Mexico and California acreage has solidified its year-round availability. “This year-round […]
Posted in, National, Store News
C&K Market Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Will Keep About 40 Stores
To address legacy costs, sell or close underperforming stores and resolve debt issues, C&K Market Inc. has filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon, Eugene. C&K’s operations are expected to continue as normal throughout the bankruptcy process as it develops a reorganization plan. The […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Food Packaging Choices: Sustainability Trumps Novelty
An independent research study conducted by MindClick Global on behalf of the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), found that when asked about sustainability in food packaging choices, two-thirds of consumers preferred steel cans. The results support findings that consumers consider sustainability to be a […]
Posted in, National
NGA Hires New Communications Director
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has hired Laura Strange as its director of communications and marketing. Strange, who most recently served as a communications director on Capitol Hill, is responsible for the implementation and advancement of communications and marketing strategies targeted for audiences and outlets on the national, local and industry-specific levels. She also will […]