The management and employees of Homeland Acquisition Corp. (HAC), consisting of Homeland, United of Oklahoma, Country Mart stores in Oklahoma and Super Save stores in north central Texas, has completed an employee buyout transaction allowing employees to purchase the company, which operates 76 retail grocery stores, from Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), a retail-owned cooperative. The […]
Category: National
Posted in, Center Store, National
Coors Outscores Bud in ‘Taste Tests of Beer’
Looking to enjoy the last weeks of football season with the perfect brew? Coors regular topped Consumer Reports’ recent taste test of beers, blowing away nine brews including Budweiser and Bud Light. Name Tag and Big Flats store brands from Trader Joe’s and Walgreens, respectively, beat out top-sellers Corona Extra and Budweiser. The full report […]
Posted in, National, Shelby Content
Group Critical of Walgreens Plans to Abandon Express Scripts
In a letter to Walgreen’s CEO Gregory Wasson, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) made its stance known by joining a growing number of civil rights groups that have weighed in against Walgreens stated plan to discontinue its partnership with Express Scripts. “If your course is not reversed, if you do not choose to […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Candy Hall of Fame Calls for Nominations
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) is seeking nominations for prospective candidates into the Candy Hall of Fame. The Candy Hall of Fame is the most prestigious honor that can be bestowed on an individual who has dedicated his or her career to the confectionery industry. To be considered for induction into the Candy Hall […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National
Craft Brewers Tap into Growing Specialty Beer Market
Growing demand for specialty craft beers is prompting significant upgrades and investment from regional brewers, The Wall Street Journal reports. Smaller brewers are pouring millions into new brew kettles, fermenting tanks and bottling lines, while others are scooping up land and building new manufacturing facilities to meet growing demand. Craft sales were on track for […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, National, Perishables, Southwest
Harps Cake Decorator Wins Food Network Challenge
A Fort Smith, Ark., cake decorator with Harps Food Stores recently made his national television debut. Competing on the Food Network Challenge’s “Christmas Classics Cakes” episode, the two-person team led by award-winning cake designer Danny Lane was challenged to make a unique Christmas-themed cake. A large gathering of Harps associates, family and friends met at […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National, Southwest
Tyson Partners with 7UP for Big Game Promotion
Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods will launch a new promotion featuring savings on Wings, Boneless Wings, and 7UP® brand beverages for the football season leading up to the playoff game in February. The promotion will be featured in approximately 8,000 stores nationwide. In-store coupons will save consumers $1.50 when they buy Tyson® Wings or Boneless Wings […]
Posted in, National
Blueberries Recommended for Year-Round Health
Two leading nutrition experts recommend fresh, ripe blueberries for year-round good health. With the arrival a new year, and the inevitable resolutions to eat healthier that arrive with it, Ellie Krieger and Jonny Bowden are advising the health-conscious to reap the ample “superfood” benefits of blueberries. Krieger, a registered dietitian and host of Food Network’s […]
Posted in, From My Point of View, National
New Year = OLD Year
As we prepare to write 2012 on our checks and letters, let’s not let the most exciting part of our year slip by without squeezing extra dollars out of every holiday hour. If we keep our people excited and upbeat about the potential extra dollars of profit, we will turn what might be a mediocre […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
P&G Clears Plan for Mobile Coupons
Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is partnering with mobeam inc. to bring the first fully mobile couponing system to market. The innovation, created by mobeam of California, makes electronic coupons presented on a phone or other mobile device scannable, so shoppers need only their phones/handhelds, not a stack of coupons, at check out. Today, couponing […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Top Five Forecasted Diet Trends for 2012
Looking for the hot new diet trends to follow in 2012? Who better to ask for help than the nation’s top nutrition experts? In a survey by Pollock Communications, a full-service public relations agency with long-standing relationships in the food and wellness industry, responses from more than 200 registered dieticians (RDs) in its network were […]
Posted in, National
New Senior Leadership at Land O’Lakes Takes Helm Jan. 1
Land O’Lakes Inc. has announced changes to its executive leadership team in order to facilitate the company’s strategy to significantly accelerate growth in its core and emerging businesses, according to the company. Land O’Lakes President and CEO Chris Policinski reports Land O’Lakes has made substantial progress over the last several years in strengthening financial performance, […]
Posted in, National
New World Pasta Buys No Yolks and Wacky Mac Dry Pasta Brands
Harrisburg, Pa.-based New World Pasta Co. has entered into an agreement to acquire the No Yolks® and Wacky Mac® dry pasta brands and certain assets from Strom Products for $50 million. The transaction is expected to close by Dec. 31. “The No Yolks brand commands the No. 1 market share position within the dry pasta […]
Posted in, Midwest, National, New Products
Kraft Debuting 70 Products for New Year
Kraft Foods Inc. knows its consumers well and is feeding their hunger for bold flavors, easy meal solutions and better-for-you offerings with more than 70 new product innovations, according to a company news release. “Americans are having more interactive experiences with food and want the opportunity to do some of the cooking themselves,” says Barry […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
Cargill Ground Turkey Production Resumes in Springdale, Ark.
Ground turkey production has resumed at Cargill’s meat processing facility in Springdale, Ark., after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved an enhanced food safety plan. The company suspended ground turkey production after voluntary recalls in August and September. Due to the resumption of ground turkey production, Cargill has brought back approximately 50 employees who were […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
NCGA To Celebrate ‘International Year of Cooperatives’
With the United Nations declaring 2012 the “International Year of Cooperatives,” the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) will officially kick off its year of celebrations with a “virtual” premiere of an online video series hosted by Kevin Gillespie, co-owner and executive chef at the Woodfire Grill Restaurant in Atlanta and sixth season finalist of the […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Company announces partnership to develop solutions for bottles made from plants
The Coca-Cola Co. has entered into multi-million dollar partnership agreements with three leading biotechnology companies to accelerate development of the first commercial solutions for next-generation PlantBottle packaging made 100 percent from plant-based materials. This effort to commercialize a plastic bottle made entirely from plants builds on the company’s introduction and roll-out of its first generation […]
Posted in, National
Former Chicago Mayor Daley Elected to Coco-Cola Board
The Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Co. has elected Richard M. Daley as a director of the company. Daley, 69, is the former mayor of Chicago and currently serves as counsel at the international law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP and is the managing principal of Tur Partners LLC, an investment and advisory firm. […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
2012 Food Trends Reflective of Economy, Digital Age
What do a plankton-feeding fish from Australia, Curry Powder’s golden ingredient, and explosive corn have in common? They may play a starring role in 2012’s American food trends, according to food and nutrition forecasters at Publicis Consultants USA. “Economic circumstances are prompting more than the usual degree of change in the highly adaptable food and […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Kraft Foods’ Limited Edition Holiday Treats Available
Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods, the world’s largest chocolate maker and biscuit baker, is making the holidays around the world even sweeter this year with seasonal biscuits and chocolates, in addition to annual favorites. “People around the world eagerly await the special chocolates, cookies, crackers and other products we make only for the Christmas and New […]