Weight Watchers Sweet Baked Goods is introducing Weight Watchers Red Velvet Creme Cakes, a better-for-you version of the treat people love in a snackable size, the company says. Weight Watchers Red Velvet Creme Cakes are a combination of filling made with real cream cheese surrounded by red velvet cake and covered with a layer of […]
Category: National
Posted in, National
Crossmark Creates BrandMasters For Experiential Marketing Solutions
Crossmark, a leading sales and marketing services company in the consumer goods industry, has formed BrandMasters— a new experiential marketing agency that will provide turnkey solutions for brands to create meaningful shopper experiences through personal engagement. Crossmark says it created BrandMasters to meet the growing need among consumer goods brands to effectively influence shoppers on […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Campbell Soup Co. Named To Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations
Campbell Soup Co. has been named to the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World in a ranking by Corporate Knights, a media and investment research company. Camden, N.J.-based Campbell is one of 10 U.S. companies, and the only U.S. food and beverage company, to make the Global 100. The Global 100 drew companies […]
Posted in, National
New Partnership Provides Affordable Online Training To Independents
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and First Data Corp., a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, have partnered to make online education and training more accessible and affordable for independent grocers. With the support of First Data, NGA members are now able to receive access to the NGA Online Training & Education Center […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Getting On Grocers’ Shelves Is Only Half The Battle, Says Gourmet Ads
For food manufacturers and specialty food producers attending the 38th annual Winter Fancy Food Show this week in San Francisco, sealing the deal with a distributor or grocery chain means your products will run off the shelves, right? Not exactly. According to global food advertising network Gourmet Ads, the real challenge is getting out in […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Jill Soltau Promoted To President At Shopko
Shopko has promoted Jill Soltau to the position of president and chief merchandising officer. Soltau has more than 25 years of experience in the retail industry and joined Shopko in 2007 as SVP and GMM of apparel and accessories. In 2009, she was promoted to EVP and CMO. Prior to joining Shopko, Soltau held several […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
U.S. Leads In Global Launches Of High Protein Products
It seems high protein foods are one of the most sought after nutritional choices among American consumers to meet a variety of needs—from balancing diet, building muscle and weight loss. According to new research from Mintel, introductions of foods and drinks making a high protein claim are nearly three times higher in the U.S. than […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Status Quo The Result Of Election 2012
If you live in one of the 2012 battleground states, you are probably thankful that Election Day has come and gone. Your phone has stopped ringing, your mailbox is not overflowing with political flyers and you can watch television without being bombarded with ads for candidates and causes. A record $6 billion was spent in […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Reichel Expands Dippin’ Stix Line With New Celery, Apple Products
Reichel Foods, a leading fresh-cut healthy snack producer, has introduced new products to its line of Dippin’ Stix products. Celery Stix & Peanut Butter; Celery Stix, Peanut Butter & Raisins; Sliced Apples, Peanut Butter & Chocolate and Sweet Gala Apples with Tajin Seasoning are a full USDA serving size of produce with a dip. There […]
Posted in, National, West
Cacique USA Founder To Be Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award
Gilbert de Cardenas, founder of Cacique USA, will receive the Dairy Deli Bakery Council of Southern California’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the group’s dinner meeting on Feb. 12. Cardenas’ family-owned and -operated business is one of the great American success stories that began in the early 1970s when the family received its Visa to come […]
Posted in, National
Walmart Commits To Domestic Sourcing, Veteran Hiring Initiatives
Walmart plans to increase domestic sourcing of the products it sells and help veterans find jobs when they come off active duty. Speaking at the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual BIG Show, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon also announced the company is helping part-time associates who want to be full time make that […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Consumers Express Increased Desire For ‘Farm-To-Table’ In 2013
Consumer demand for “farm-to-table” will continue to grow in 2013 if shopper behavior matches responses to new research conducted for Plainville Farms turkey and FreeBird chicken. Shoppers said their motivation for wanting “farm-to-table” products is based on a belief that they are “fresher” (95 percent) and “healthier/more nutritious” (90 percent). More than 80 percent of […]
Posted in, National
Produce Leader Barbra Metheny Passes Away
Produce industry leader Barbra Metheny has died following a long battle with brain cancer. Metheny passed away Jan. 11. She had a prolific career in the produce industry, working at Victoria Farms, Full Sail Produce, Pacific Provisions, JC Produce and, most recently, Fresh Connect, where she was chief sales officer. “Barb was one of the […]
Posted in, National
NGA Promotes Munster, Ott To VP Roles
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has promoted Aileen Dullaghan Munster to VP of education and research and Matthew R. Ott to VP of membership and information technology. Munster previously served as director of education and research for NGA. She is responsible for setting strategy for education initiatives as well as the development and management of […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Seneca Foods Acquires Independent Foods
Seneca Foods Corp. has completed the acquisition of Independent Foods LLC. This business, based in Sunnyside, Wash., is a processor of canned pears, apples and cherries in the United States. Its product suite is sold via branded and private label items to the retail, foodservice and industrial markets. “We believe that these operations are a […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Food City Category Manager Mike Sullivan Passes Away At Age 63
Mike Sullivan, a category food manager for KVAT-Food City, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Tennessee. He was 63. Sullivan was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 8, 1949, a son of Carla Doecher Sullivan of St. Petersburg, Fla., and the late Jack Sullivan. In addition to his parents, he […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
M&M’S Unveils New Marketing Campaign: ‘Better With M’
Mars Chocolate North America has introduced M&M’S Brand’s new integrated marketing campaign called “Better With M,” which includes a new 30-second television commercial that will air during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVII. “‘Better With M’ showcases how M&M’S irresistible chocolate makes moments more fun and delicious,” said Roy Benin, chief consumer officer for […]
Posted in, National
Flowers Foods Going After Hostess Bread Brands, Bakeries
Flowers Foods Inc. has signed two asset purchase agreements with Hostess Brands Inc. as the “stalking horse bidder” for certain Hostess assets. The announcement was made Jan. 11. One of the agreements provides for the purchase by Flowers of the Wonder, Nature’s Pride, Merita, Home Pride and Butternut bread brands; 20 bakeries; and approximately 38 […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
IGA Chooses USA International Retailers Of The Year For 2013
The 2013 IGA USA International Retailers of the Year have been announced. The three winners, who were among seven finalists to receive the recognition, will be honored during the IGA Global Rally in Chicago in April, along with International Retailers of the Year from other IGA countries. The 2013 IGA USA International Retailers of the […]
Posted in, National
C.H. Robinson, AARP Unveil Tropicana Clementines Packaging To Fight Hunger
C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., one of the world’s largest produce sourcing and logistics companies, has teamed up with AARP and AARP Foundation to support the Drive to End Hunger initiative by offering specially designed packaging on Tropicana clementines at retailers nationwide. Available on three-pound bags and five-pound race CARtons, the packaging will include imagery of […]