The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and United Fresh Produce Association have announced a three-year agreement to co-locate the organizations’ respective trade shows: United Fresh 2014 and FMI Connect, the Global Food Retail Experience. Registration opens today for the June 10-13, 2014, events in Chicago. “Our partnership with United Fresh brings a vine-ripe vibrancy and fresh-picked […]
Category: National
Posted in, C-Store News, National
Joe Sheetz Steps Into CEO Role At Sheetz
Joe S. Sheetz, EVP of finance and store development, will officially step into the role of president and CEO for Sheetz Inc. on Tuesday. Current chief executive Stan Sheetz leaves the presidency after 18 years and will stay active in the role of chairman. “I am honored to be entrusted with the leadership of my […]
Posted in, National, West
Co-Sales Expands Fresh Division
Co-Sales and Cashman-Edwards Inc. have merged their businesses and Andrew B. Cashman and his staff will join the Co-Sales management team to expand the company’s produce/fresh division in the Intermountain region. As Co-Sales’ new director of produce, Cashman will combine his 23-year-old produce company with Co-Sales. “Cashman-Edwards Inc. and its principals are very excited for […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Crunchmaster Rolls Out Popped Edamame Veggie Chips
Crunchmaster, America’s No. 1-selling brand of gluten-free crackers, has launched a new line of Popped Edamame Chips , available now nationwide. The Popped Edamame Chips are available in two flavors—Sea Salt and Wasabi Soy—made with a blend of California rice and real edamame (edible soy beans). Popped Edamame Chips from Crunchmaster are made with simple, […]
Posted in, National
DCI-Artform Boosts Grocery Sector Biz With Six New Hires
DCI-Artform, a leading global player in the shopper marketing and retail product merchandising business, says it has hired top talent to bring shopper-centric solutions to grocers, other store formats and consumer product manufacturers. Leading a new approach to front-end merchandising (FEM): • Lisa Murphy, senior sales executive (California), has had success in big-box and specialty […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Smithfield Shareholders Approve Merger With Shuanghui International
Smithfield Foods Inc.’s shareholders have voted overwhelmingly to approve the proposed strategic combination with Hong Kong-based Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd., according to the company. At a special meeting of Smithfield shareholders held Tuesday, more than 96 percent of the votes cast were in favor of the transaction, which represents approximately 76 percent of Smithfield’s total […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Perishables
TruMoo Launches Limited-Edition Halloween-Themed Milks Nationwide
TruMoo, in celebration of Halloween, is introducing two limited-edition milks. Lowfat Vanilla TruMoo will be tinted bright orange. It and TruMoo Chocolate will feature creative, Halloween-inspired labels. TruMoo Limited Edition Halloween milks can be enjoyed on their own or “used to brew up a cauldron of diabolically delicious drinks,” according to TruMoo. “With the success […]
Posted in, National
NGA Announces Expanded Show Floor And Pavilions For 2014 Show
The National Grocers Association (NGA) says the expo floor at the 2014 NGA Show in Las Vegas will be expanded. Based on the success of the 2013 show, which saw record attendance and a sold-out exhibit hall, the 2014 NGA Show will have even more space allowing for expanded and new pavilions that showcase innovations […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Eggland’s Best Eggs Get A Pink Makeover To Support Breast Cancer Awareness
For the fourth year in a row, Eggland’s Best will help raise awareness for breast cancer by stamping its eggs with a pink “EB” alongside the signature Susan G. Komen Running Ribbon. In 2013, America’s No. 1 branded egg company has donated $50,000 to Komen to help fund its mission, which includes innovative breast cancer […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Wonder And Other Former Hostess Bread Brands Return To Stores
Four of America’s best-known bread brands, including the classic Wonder bread, are returning to grocery store shelves across the country this week. Thomasville, Ga.-based Flowers Foods, a leading producer and marketer of packaged bakery foods in the U.S., acquired the brands from Old HB Inc. (formerly Hostess Brands) in July. The brands have been off […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
GMDC Recognizes Top 10 General Merchandise Products
The Global Market Development Center’s (GMDC) GM13 Conference held in Phoenix, Ariz., earlier this month was a big success for both retailers and suppliers, according to event organizers. The Showcase, where suppliers have the opportunity to highlight their new products and/or packaging to retailers and wholesalers, was particularly helpful for conference attendees. “The Showcase was […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
InLine Kicks Off Expansion Effort, Changes Name
In alignment with a significant move to expand, InLine Engineers continues to add experienced engineering talent to its staff and is unveiling a new company name that will better convey to the marketplace the company’s core capabilities and expertise. A revamped website is being launched simultaneously, inlineengineers.com. InLine Engineers says it will continue to strive […]
Posted in, National
New House Farm Bill Cuts $39B From SNAP Budget
The House of Representatives passed its latest version of the Farm Bill Thursday with a vote of 217-210. One of the most widely debated issues, food assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is cut by $39 billion in the current version. According to Feeding America CEO Bob Aiken, who recently undertook the SNAP […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Karoun Dairies Wins Big At American Cheese Society Conference
Karoun Dairies’ yogurts and cheeses won several awards at the American Cheese Society (ACS) conference last month in Madison, Wis. Turlock, Calif.-based Karoun Dairies received the following at the event: • Yogurts with No Additional Ingredients 1st place—Karoun Yogurt • Fresh Un-ripened Cheese 2nd place—Fresh Basket Cheese • Hispanic Un-ripened Style 3rd place—Karoun Queso Fresco […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Study: Consumers Still Purchasing Private Label As Much As Previous Year
An ongoing shopper behavior study conducted by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research shows that shoppers seem to be keeping their private label shopping habits consistent with last year. Some shopper segments appear to be increasing their acceptance of private label with more than a third of shoppers still saying that they are buying more […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
First Lady Asks Marketers To Target Kids In Healthy Food Ads
The Let’s Move! champion and First Lady Michelle Obama held a food marketing summit Wednesday with representatives from food, beverage, media and entertainment companies. Obama noted progress that has been made in the country’s ongoing fight against rising obesity rates and said she’s open to a “lively and constructive dialogue about how we market food […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Safeway Adopts ‘Poison Pill’ To Thwart Unwanted Takeover
After becoming aware of an accumulation of a significant amount of the common stock of the company, Safeway’s board of directors adopted a one-year stockholder’s rights plan. Referred to as a “poison pill,” the measure is designed to thwart takeover attempts by diluting the holdings of an investor if its stake exceeds a set threshold. […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Just Born Releases Mike And Ike Halloween Candies
Just Born Quality Confections is releasing two Halloween-themed editions of Mike and Ike fruity, chewy candy. Mike and Ike Mummy’s Mix and the new Mike and Ike Vampire Variety are perfect for trick-or-treaters this Halloween, Just Born says. All Mike and Ike Halloween mixes and others, including Original Fruits, Tropical Typhoon, Berry Blast, Red Rageous […]
Posted in, National, Store News
FSI, Navy Federal Open First In-Store Branch In Maryland Safeway
Financial Supermarkets Inc. (FSI) and Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), with $54 billion in assets, teamed up to open the credit union’s first retail branch Sept. 9 in Safeway’s Germantown store in Maryland. “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Safeway and FSI to increase member convenience in the Germantown area,” said Steve […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Kellogg Co. Recognized As ‘100 Best Companies’ By Working Mother Mag
With progress in the areas of company culture and work life programs, Kellogg Co. has been recognized by Working Mother magazine as a “100 Best Companies of 2013.” Companies are selected for the Working Mother 100 Best Companies honor based on an extensive application that ranks organizations in the areas of paid time off and […]