After 30 years as J&J Produce, the company’s leadership team says it has been actively engaged in strategically positioning the Florida-based business for future growth. As a result, the company has hired Full Tilt Marketing to assist it with developing a new corporate image and logo. “The first step was engaging in a comprehensive customer […]
Category: National
Posted in, National
Kroger Recognized For Top Supplier Diversity Program For Hispanics
The Kroger Co. today was named one of the nation’s 2013 “Best of the Best” by Hispanic Network Magazine for Top Supplier Diversity Programs for Hispanics. “We are honored to be included in Hispanic Network Magazine’s ‘Best of the Best’ list,” said Reuben Shaffer, Kroger’s chief diversity officer. “Kroger’s commitment is to identify, create and […]
Posted in, National
Execs: Transformative Technology Most Significant Factor For Industry Growth
Executives in the food and beverage industry expect continued growth in 2013 with revenue increases largely driven by product innovations and the ability to add new customers, according to the 2013 Food and Beverage Outlook Survey by KPMG LLP, a U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm. At the same time, rapidly advancing technology is transforming […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Crunch Pak Offers Back-To-School Promotion
Crunch Pak, an industry leader in fresh sliced apples, is offering a back-to-school promotion via its electronic billboard in New York City’s Time Square. Beginning Sunday, the electronic billboard will carry a message asking consumers to “text the word APPLES to the number 65047” for a special offer. When consumers do, they will be sent a […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
NFRA Names Penguin Award Winners For Best Frozen Food Month Promotions
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) awarded 21 Gold Penguins and three Amber Penguins in recognition of the best promotions for the 30th annual March Frozen Food Month. In addition, 35 companies were recognized with Silver Penguin awards. The Golden Penguin Award symbolizes excellence in merchandising and promotion in the frozen food industry. […]
Posted in, Lipari Foods, National, New Products
‘Sopranos’ Star Lombardi Launching Gourmet Italian Food Line
Best known for playing the role of unconventional hero and fan favorite Edgar Stiles on Fox’s Emmy Award-winning show “24” and FBI Agent Skip Lipari in HBO’s “The Sopranos,” Louis Lombardi is going back to his Italian roots by launching his own gourmet Italian food line, Lombardi’s. The line, which will make its debut the […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Wenning Announces Retirement From NGA
Tom Wenning, EVP and general counsel for the National Grocers Association (NGA), has announced his retirement, effective in December. “It has been a real honor and privilege to be a legislative, regulatory and legal advocate on behalf of independent retail grocers and wholesalers for the last 40 years before Congress, presidential administrations, regulatory agencies and […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Sprout Foods Debuts Line Of Organic Snacks For Kids
Sprout Foods, which offers chef-inspired, wholesome and certified organic foods for children, has launched Sprout Smash Organic Kids Snack Pouches, its first-ever line of food for school-aged kids. These new organic pureed snacks, ideal for kids pre-school through elementary school, come in easy-to-squeeze pouches and feature wholesome ingredients. the Duluth, Ga.-based company says. The Sprout […]
Posted in, National
Dole Agrees To Be Taken Private
Company valued at $1.2B based on offer Dole Food Co. Inc. has agreed to be taken private by 90-year-old Chairman and CEO David Murdock after he raised his offer to $13.50 per share, Reuters reports. Murdock, who is Dole’s largest shareholder with a stake of about 40 percent, made an offer in June to buy […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Alabama Grocers Honor Rep. DeMarco For ‘Buy Alabama’s Best’ Advocacy
Alabama House Rep. Paul DeMarco (District 46) received the Alabama Grocers Association (AGA) Spirit of Alabama Award at the Alabama Grocers Association Annual Convention in Sandestin, Fla., in July. AGA President Ellie Smotherman Taylor presented the honor to DeMarco for his “support in promoting positive and effective legislation for the food industry and for his […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Pinnacle Foods To Acquire Wish-Bone Salad Dressings
Pinnacle Foods has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Wish-Bone salad dressings business from Unilever PLC for $580 million, in a transaction that is expected to be immediately accretive to Pinnacle. The acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed in the late third quarter or early fourth quarter […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Valley Fruit & Produce Hires Director Of Marketing
Jin Ju Wilder has been named Valley Fruit & Produce’s director of marketing. This is a new position for the company. Wilder brings 20 years of produce industry experience to the planning, development and implementation of Valley’s marketing strategies, external and internal communications and public relations activities, according to Carrie La Londe, CFO at Valley. […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Survey: Aldi Is Low-Price Grocery Leader For Third Consecutive Year
Discount grocer Aldi was recognized as the nation’s low-price grocery leader for the third year in a row, according to a recent consumer survey conducted by Market Force Information Inc., a leading customer intelligence solutions company. When asked to rank the top grocers offering low prices, consumers ranked Aldi ahead of competitors such as Walmart, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Eight O’Clock Coffee Unveils New Look, Contemporary Varieties
Eight O’Clock Coffee is refreshing its brand this summer with modern red packaging, new varieties and new consumer communication to be featured on air, online and on the runway, America’s No. 1 whole bean brand is kicking off the revamp with four new ground coffee varieties, including African Plains, Caramel Macchiato, Dark Chocolate Cherry (seasonal) […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified Posts $11.3M Loss In 3Q
Unified Grocers Inc., the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western U.S., has reported an $11.3 million net loss for the company’s third fiscal quarter; that’s compared to earnings of $1.2 million for the same period in 2012, according to the Los Angeles-based cooperative. Losses before patronage dividends and income taxes were $14.6 million for […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Barilla Introducing Gluten Free Pasta Line
The gluten-free industry is expected to reach $8 billion in 2013 as more people begin to adopt a gluten-free lifestyle. Pasta is one of the foods that is missed most amongst people who are living gluten-free, and yet the options for enjoying a gluten-free pasta meal fall short, with limited brands and varieties available on […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Tribe Hummus Gets Packaging Makeover, Adds New Flavors
Tribe Mediterranean Foods says it’s on a mission to spice up the hummus shelf. As consumers are increasingly looking for convenient, healthier snack foods, hummus has enjoyed double-digit growth over the past few years. However, despite its growing popularity, Tribe believes that the hummus shelf could benefit from a little more fun and pizzazz. After […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
J.C. Penney Taps Former Kraft Exec To Lead Marketing Efforts
Former Kraft Foods Group executive Debra Berman has joined J.C. Penney Co. Inc., where she will lead the retailer’s marketing efforts. As the company’s SVP of marketing, Berman will be responsible for leading J.C. Penney’s marketing efforts with a focus on revitalizing the jcpenney brand, building its brand architecture and communicating the brand promise. Berman […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
The Original SoupMan Arrives At Nearly 500 Walmart Stores
Soupman Inc., parent company of soup brand The Original SoupMan, says the SoupMan product is now available at nearly 500 Walmart stores. The brand’s soups, which are already sold in more than 4,000 supermarkets nationwide, include classic Lobster Bisque, Chicken Noodle, Lentil and Tomato Bisque soups. The soups are sold in Tetra Pak cartons—a packaging […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Duracell Introduces Quantum Alkaline Battery
Duracell has launched Duracell Quantum, the world’s most advanced alkaline battery, according to the company. Duracell says Quantum is the company’s biggest innovation since CopperTop. With its Hi-Density Core and proprietary PowerCheck power indicator, the red and copper Duracell Quantum has been engineered to deliver the performance consumers demand, the company says. “Duracell Quantum was […]