Pepsi, the country’s No. 2 cola company, will introduce “Pepsi Next” to try to compete with No. 1 company Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co.’s popular Diet Coke, reports The Associated Press. The new Pepsi drink has about half the calories of regular Pepsi at 60 calories per can. The cola is scheduled to hit shelves nationally […]
Category: National
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Social Media Redefining Americans’ Relationship With Food
How Americans learn to cook, select recipes, plan their meals, purchase their food and share their culinary secrets with others has dramatically changed, according to a new study. Called “Clicks & Cravings: The Impact of Social Technology on Food Culture,” the study finds social/digital media is replacing Mom as the go-to culinary source of knowledge […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Chicken Prices Expected to Rise
A shortage of poultry will drive up chicken prices for consumers, according to the recently released USDA Agricultural Projections to 2021 report and featured in the February issue of Food Nutrition & Science. The USDA predicts a decline in this year’s poultry supply will drive up prices, however, the report suggests it’s temporary, and in […]
Posted in, National
AFFI’s Frozen Food Convention Matches Attendance Record
The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) 2012 Frozen Food Convention in San Diego, Calif., has matched the convention’s all-time attendance record set two years ago. More than 1,400 members of the frozen food industry gathered at the Manchester Grand Hyatt earlier this week. AFFI-CON delegates gathered to attend educational sessions, network at social events and […]
Posted in, National
Procter & Gamble Cutting 5,700 Jobs
Procter & Gamble (P&G) will cut 5,700 jobs by the end of fiscal 2013 as part of a $10 billion effort to reduce costs. CEO Bob McDonald told analysts today, Feb. 24, at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference that the cuts will come from non-manufacturing positions, Cincinnati’s Business Courier reports. The reduction […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Kellogg’s Adds To Product Offerings
Kellogg Co. is continuing to build momentum with new product innovations by introducing nearly two dozen new U.S. products in early 2012. “Throughout Kellogg history, our commitment to product innovation has built brands that consumers know and love,” said Brad Davidson, president, Kellogg North America. “The introduction of new products in the first half of […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
The Pantry Discloses CEO Hatchell’s Compensation Package
Dennis Hatchell, the newly-appointed chief executive of convenience store operator The Pantry Inc., has been offered a base salary of $750,000, plus stock options worth nearly $436,000 and a $46,100 sign-on bonus when he begins his work with the company on March 5, according to company filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Hatchell’s […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Malt-O-Meal Co. Changes Corporate Name To MOM Brands
Malt-O-Meal® Co. has introduced its new MOM Brands™ corporate name and identity in a move to better showcase its growing house of brands to retailers and consumers, and to better reflect the company that it is today, according to a news release. With the introduction of the MOM Brands corporate name, the company will reinforce […]
Posted in, National, New Products
belVita Breakfast Biscuits Hitting Shelves This Month
belVita Breakfast Biscuits will hit shelves in the U.S. later this month. belVita Breakfast Biscuits are lightly sweet, whole grain, crunchy breakfast biscuits—specially developed to provide nutritious sustained energy to fuel the body for the whole morning. belVita Breakfast has partnered with cultural tastemakers from across the country who exemplify the belVita Breakfast lifestyle and […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Buxton Names Woods Chief Customer Officer
Former Dr Pepper executive Curt Woods joined Buxton in early 2012 as chief customer officer, initially leading “all customer-facing teams” for the Fort Worth, Texas-based company that provides customer analytics for the retail industry. Woods was formerly SVP of Dr Pepper Snapple, with responsibility for more than $4.7 billion in sales for brands such as […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Nikos Feta to ‘Add a Little Opa! to Dinner’ with Spring Promotion
Nikos® feta will bring hundreds of healthy meals to one lucky winner’s table through the award-winning brand’s newest promotion: “Add a Little ‘Opa!’ to Dinner.” This March and April, consumers are invited to visit www.NikosFeta.com to access a variety of recipes, serving suggestions and wine pairings that are designed to complement the flavors of Nikos […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Chao: Labor Concerns Threaten Economic Recovery
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Heritage Foundation Fellow and Fox News contributor Elaine Chao spoke to Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Midwinter Conference attendees about current economic challenges and upcoming changes to union rules that could profoundly affect grocery store operators. She discussed actions developing on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and at the U.S. Department […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
MillerCoors Profits Up 32.5 Percent
MillerCoors LLC recorded a 32.5 percent increase in profits for the fourth quarter on growing market share for its Coors Light brand and ongoing cost savings related to the merger of Miller Brewing and Coors Brewing, reports the Denver Business Journal. SABMiller plc of London and Molson Coors Brewing Co. of Denver, Colo., the co-owners […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Karoun Dairies Rolls Out Greek Style Yogurt With Honey
Creating a healthy, energizing breakfast is easy and rewarding with Karoun’s new Greek Style Yogurt with Honey. With 100 percent pure, all-natural honey and rBST growth-hormone-free Greek style yogurt, the health benefits are numerous. Rich in both naturally occurring glucose and fructose, the added honey will give both immediate and extended energy to get through […]
Posted in, National
Kraft Foods Announces Executive Transition
Kraft Foods’ Marc S. Firestone, 52, EVP of corporate and legal affairs, and general counsel, will leave the company in April to rejoin Philip Morris International (PMI) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Firestone previously worked at PMI before coming to Kraft Foods in 2003. Gerhard “Gerd” W. Pleuhs, 55, will succeed Firestone. Pleuhs currently serves as SVP […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Organic Natural
Organic Food Sales Hit High in 2011
For the first time in four years since undertaking its annual Organic Product Survey, TABS Group (www.TABSGroup.com) found a significant increase in American consumers reporting they purchased organic products and a jump in overall sales. Specifically, the percentage of all consumers saying they purchased organics rose from 39.8 percent in January 2011 to 41.8 percent […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Unilever, Ben & Jerry’s Bring Climate-Friendly Freezer Cabinets to U.S.
Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s plan to roll out climate-friendly ice cream freezer cabinets in the United States this year. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, along with other Unilever ice cream brands including Breyers, Good Humor, Klondike, Magnum, and Popsicle, will soon be available in cabinets that use at least 10 percent less energy and […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Ergonomic Platform Cart Speeds Stocking
The new Stock & Roll portable shelf stocking cart from Retail Handling Solutions holds case-packed goods and store containers at any shelf height and glides down aisles to make stocking faster, safer and easier in supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores and other retail outlets. The height of the Stock & Roll platform is easily adjusted with […]
Posted in, National
Teamsters Authorize Hostess Strike Pending Court Action
The Teamsters Union has announced that its members working at Hostess voted overwhelmingly—more than 90 percent in favor—to authorize a strike if Hostess is granted its motion to impose unfair contract terms as part of the bankruptcy process. Teamster local unions that comprise the national bargaining unit for more than 7,500 Hostess employees conducted strike […]
Posted in, National
NMA, NAMP Consolidation Officially Approved
The National Meat Association (NMA) and the North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) made their consolidation into a new association official last week. The NAMP Board approved the consolidation agreement and by-laws of the new association in a special meeting Friday afternoon. The NMA Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the NMA Board, approved the […]