A New Mexico Senate bill that would have changed food-labeling practices has died on the Senate floor. Albuquerque Business First reports that Senate Bill 18, which would have required companies to label genetically modified food as such, was voted down late last week when the Senate voted not to adopt a committee report. “Even though […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, New Products
Cool Whip Rolls Out New Frosting
The Cool Whip brand, long known for its Whipped Topping, is introducing a new line of whipped and easy-to-spread frosting available in three varieties—chocolate, cream cheese and vanilla. “We know moms aren’t happy with shelf-stable frosting because it is too sweet, too thick or really difficult to apply without damaging the cakes or other baked […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Kraft Foods Sues Cracker Barrel Over Product Sales
Kraft Foods is suing Lebanon, Tenn.-based Cracker Barrel Old Country Store over its decision to begin selling some of its products in grocery stores. The Nashville Business Journal reports that, according to court documents, Kraft wants a marketing agreement between Cracker Barrel and John Morrell Food Group to be voided because it believes it violates […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Study: Majority Of Grocery Shoppers Will Pay A Premium For Local Food
Global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney has released a report entitled, “Buying into the Local Food Movement,” a consumer study that assessed how shoppers make decisions about buying local vs. non-local food. The study results clearly show that local food is a trend that consumers have embraced. Across a variety of measures, consumers indicated that […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Eckrich Bacon Lovers Deli Meats Announces National Expansion
Eckrich, part of John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, has expanded its availability of its five varieties of Bacon Lovers Deli Meats. The new deli meat line made with real bacon is now available to shoppers in grocery stores across the United States. In support of the national expansion, Eckrich recently launched […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
Hunt Bros Pizza Continues Four-Race Sponsorship For Nationwide Season
Hunt Brothers Pizza will be the primary sponsor for four races with Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) new 2013 Chevrolet Camaro NASCAR Nationwide racecar. Kevin Harvick will drive No. 33 at the Texas Motor Speedway on April 12. “We are eager for the 2013 NASCAR season and to showcase the Hunt Brothers Pizza paint job on […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Familiar Face Fills New Position At IGIA
The Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA), a state trade association that represents the food industry including chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores, mass merchandisers, wholesalers, brokers, manufacturers and distributors, has added an events and education manager to its staff. While the position is new, the person filling it is no stranger to the association. Jordan […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Report: Retailers Must Differentiate From Restaurants
At the height of the economic downturn, many consumers flocked to supermarkets, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs and other retailers looking for a deal on prepared foods. But now that the economy is recovering from the recession, some consumers are purchasing retailer meal solutions (RMS) less often than they did just two years ago; in fact, […]
Posted in, National
CCRRC Releases Final Installments Of ‘Social Web’ Study
As the supermarket industry strives to effectively leverage the power of social media, the final installments from a topical study by The Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council (CCRRC) offer detailed rules of engagement to develop strategies and action plans to address internal and external audiences. The final two reports from the CCRRC study, “Untangling the Social […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Back To Nature Launches New All-Natural Granola
Back to Nature Foods Co. has launched a new all-natural Sunflower and Pumpkin Seed variety of Back to Nature Granola. Made with clusters of whole grain oats, the new variety contains 25g of whole grain and 6g of protein per serving. Like all Back to Nature products, it has no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors, […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Adds Three New Flavors To Lineup
Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt has added Coconut, Mango and Vanilla Bean to its line of frozen Greek yogurt bars. The new products will double the company’s current offerings, now with a total of six flavors in its portfolio. Beginning in February, all the new flavors will be available in major grocery retailers nationwide with a […]
Posted in, National
NGA Files Amicus Curiae Brief With U.S. Supreme Court
The National Grocers Association (NGA), along with the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), has submitted a brief to the Supreme Court of the United States, as amici curiae, in American Express Co. et al. vs. Italian Colors Restaurant et al. The brief was submitted on behalf of the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
Budweiser’s First Tweet Announces Birth Of Baby Clydesdale
Budweiser has launched its first-ever Twitter account, which went live Sunday evening. The brand marked the occasion with another “first” involving the Budweiser Clydesdales—tweeting the first photo of a member of the elite “Budweiser Clydesdales Class of 2013,” a 150-pound baby born the morning of Jan. 16. It was the brand’s first-ever Tweet. Using #clydesdales, […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Former Food Lion President Joins 99 Cents Only As Interim CEO
99 Cents Only Stores has announced that, to build on recent successes and to execute on the company’s previously announced accelerated growth strategy, former Food Lion executive Richard Anicetti is assuming the role of interim CEO. In addition, Michael Fung will join the company as interim chief administrative officer overseeing finance, information technology, real estate […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Atkinson Candy Co. Acquires Three Brands
Atkinson Candy Co. has announced an agreement with Laco Inc., a strategic partner of The Warrell Corp., to purchase Slo Poke, Black Cow and Sophie Mae brands. The three brands will become part of the Atkinson family of traditional made-in-America confections. Lufkin, Texas-based Atkinson Candy Co. will have exclusivity on marketing and sales of the […]
Posted in, National
Industry Leader Robin Lewis To Keynote National Retail Conference
Retailers are in great need of powerful new tools to survive in today’s highly-competitive and rapidly-changing marketplace, according to the founder and CEO of The Robin Report, who will be speaking to participants at the Retail Marketing and Merchandizing Conference to be held at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Arizona on April 27-30. Robin Lewis, […]
Posted in, National
Study: American Consumers Face A ‘Tomato Cliff’
A new pricing study finds that American consumers are facing a “tomato cliff” that will result in huge premiums for fresh tomatoes at the supermarket, or else they will be forced to go without fresh tomatoes, if the U.S. terminates a trade agreement with Mexico at the request of a group of Florida growers. If […]
Posted in, National, New Products
thinkThin Unveils Divine Chocolate And Coconut Bars
thinkThin is introducing thinkThin Divine–a line of chocolate and coconut bars found in the nutrition bar aisle. “thinkThin Divine redefines the nutrition bar category,” said Lizanne Falsetto, founder and CEO of thinkThin. “With thinkThin nutrition bars, it’s never a choice between meeting your health needs and satisfying your sweet tooth. The new Divine line proves […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s Promotes Chinese New Year Produce
A longtime leader in the specialty Asian produce category, Frieda’s presents its recommendations for retailers to ring in the “Year of the Snake” with a range of products, including Baby Bok Choy, Lemongrass, Oroblancos, Pummelos, Kumquats, Daikon, Young Coconuts, Rambutan, Won Ton Wrappers, Kim Chee and many more. Beginning Feb. 10, Asian cultures around the […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Schnucks Brings Master Cheesemaker To Annual Food & Wine Experience
What do you get when you cross Swiss cheese with a Hershey’s chocolate bar? If you are celebrated cheesemaker Sid Cook, you get inspired to create Cocoa Cardonna, one of the Carr Valley Cheese Co.’s award-winning cheeses. Schnucks Markets announced that Cook will be on hand to showcase some of his company’s award-winning cheeses at […]