Ocean Mist Farms celebrated the completion of its inaugural leadership development program with a graduation ceremony on Nov. 19 for Class I participants of the program designed to develop the company’s emerging leaders from within. Conceptualized, designed and implemented over several years, the leadership development program included curriculum about topics such as self-awareness, organizational behavior, […]
Category: National
Posted in, C-Store News, National
New Technomic Study Says Convenience Stores Gaining Marketshare
As convenience stores continue offering busy consumers more options for meals and snacks, new research by Technomic finds consumers are taking advantage of the expanding foodservice options, many times at the expense of quick-service restaurants. Of consumers polled on their most recent convenience store foodservice purchase, 27 percent indicated that if they had not bought […]
Posted in, National
Fred Meijer Passes Away at 91
Frederik Meijer, who built the Meijer Inc. chain of stores, died at the Spectrum Healthy System in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Nov. 25 following a stroke. He was 91. He and his father, Hendrik, are credited with inventing the supercenter store format in 1962. Located at 28th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue, the first hypermarket, called […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Duracell Launches Holiday Insurance Program
Duracell and Chris Daughtry are teaming up for a Holiday Insurance Program featuring unique content on Facebook.com/Duracell, advice from toy experts, free hourly giveaways and access to toy reviews from real kids. Duracell is hosting a special concert on Facebook with Chris Daughtry on Dec. 14. In order to watch the concert, consumers “like” Duracell’s […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Smithfield and Safeway Launch Contest to See Paula Deen
During the month of November, shoppers at any Safeway Inc. Division store who purchase a participating Smithfield product using their in-store Club Card will be eligible to win tickets to the upcoming Paula Deen LIVE show in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 3. Participating Safeway Inc. Division stores include U.S. locations of Safeway, Pak’n Save, Vons, […]
Posted in, National
UnitedFresh.org Profiles Produce in 50 States
The fresh fruit and vegetable industry has a profound effect on all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to new data released by the United Fresh Produce Association. Released in a series of state fruit and vegetable profiles, data show that all 50 states grow and sell fresh produce, and the profiles include […]
Posted in, Feature, National, Nonfood Items
Technology Is the Key for the Future of General Merchandise
by Ashley Bates/staff writer Dave McConnell, president and CEO of the Global Market and Development Center (GMDC), says the future of general merchandise and health and beauty care centers on technology and focusing on sales throughout the food channel. In the recent study released by the organization, “Consumer Shopping Habits for Wellness and Environmentally Conscious […]
Posted in, National, Nonfood Items
Buzz Bradshaw Dies at 101
Douglas B. “Buzz” Bradshaw, the well-known Western food broker, died Nov. 7 at his home in Ketchum, Idaho, just two months before celebrating his 102nd birthday. Bradshaw got into the food business via honey, which led to his nickname Buzz. His father, Rex, had learned beekeeping in New York. Rex had been an infant when […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Alcohol on the Ballot in Georgia and Washington state
On Nov. 8, many Georgia municipalities voted for the ability to buy beer and wine in stores on Sundays. In Washington the vote was to take alcohol sales out of the states hands and privatize the industry. In most Georgia communities that voted on the Sunday sales issues, the vote was overwhelmingly for Sunday sales. […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
USDA Delays New Ground/Chopped Meat Labeling Enforcement
The USDA has announced a two-month delay in enforcement action for nutritional labeling of ground or chopped meat or poultry products and single-ingredient products to March 1, 2012, instead of Jan. 1. Nutrition information for these products will be required either on their label or at the point-of-purchase (POP) by either sign or brochure, unless […]
Posted in, National
United Fresh 2012 to Shine Light on Retail Stars
The United Fresh Foundation, through the Center for Leadership Excellence, is now accepting nominations for the 2012 United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. Established in 2005 by founding sponsor Ready Pac Foods, Inc., the program will honor 25 outstanding retail produce managers at the United Fresh 2012 convention and expo, May 1-3, in Dallas. […]
Posted in, National
Chobani to Open New Facility in Idaho
Chobani has announced plans to open a second domestic manufacturing plant as part of the company’s continued strategic growth initiative. Chobani plans to invest over $100 million to build a state-of-the-art, high capacity production facility housed on 200 acres of agricultural and industrial land in Twin Falls, Idaho. The new facility will enable consumers’ to […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Armour Rolls Out Lower Sodium Pepperoni
Armour® has created an option for sodium-conscious consumers who love pepperoni but aren’t willing to sacrifice flavor. The use of a new all-natural sodium replacer allows Armour to reduce sodium by 50 percent vs. its regular pepperoni. Armour Lower Sodium Pepperoni offers a snack and or ingredient choice for the nearly 25 percent of consumers […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Cold-EEZE Launches Oral Spray
ProPhase Labs, makers of Cold-EEZE, a leader in over-the-counter (OTC) homeopathic cold remedies, has launched their first-ever Cold-EEZE Oral Spray. The new Oral Spray is formulated with zinc gluconate, the same effective active ingredient found in the best-selling, clinically proven Cold-EEZE lozenges. The effective proprietary formula reduces the severity and duration of the common cold. Two […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
The $1.5 Trillion Question: What Happens Nov. 23?
Come Nov. 23, most grocers will have little on their minds besides serving holiday shoppers and maximizing the end-of-Thanksgiving sales. Meanwhile, in Washington, thoughts of drumsticks and stuffing will have to take a back seat as the primary focus will be on the 12-member deficit reduction commission which must produce at least $1.5 trillion in […]
Posted in, National
Kroger Concludes National Seafood Month with Sustainability Progress Update
The Kroger Co. concluded its celebration of National Seafood Month—October—with an update on the company’s work to source sustainable seafood. “Today’s seafood supplies are not unlimited, so Kroger is taking steps to require our suppliers to follow sustainable practices,” said Mark Van Buskirk, Kroger’s VP for meat and seafood, in a press release. “We have […]
Posted in, National, Shelby Content
Native American Buying Power
The Selig Center projects that the nation’s Native American buying power will rise from $19.6 billion in 1990, to $40 billion in 2000, to $67.7 billion in 2010, and to $90.37 billion in 2015. Native American buying power in 2010 will be 69 percent greater than in 2000. The 2000-2010 percentage gain is larger than […]
Posted in, National, Shelby Content
The Multicultural Economy
The Selig Center’s estimates and projections of buying power for 1990-2015 show that minorities—African Americans, Asians, Native Americans and Hispanics—wield formidable economic clout. The numbers are impressive. In 2010, the Hispanic market ($1 trillion) is larger than the entire economies (2009 GDP measured in U.S. dollars as reported in the CIA World Factbook) of all […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
PakSense Unique Design Features USB Connection
PakSense Inc. announced at the recent PMA Fresh Summit the launch of the XpressPDF temperature-monitoring label. XpressPDF Labels monitor time and temperature of perishable items such as food, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, biologics and other perishable products during distribution and storage. About the size of a sugar packet, labels are flat and feature an integrated USB connection […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Nell Awarded Floral Marketer of the Year
Dr. Terril Nell, professor and chairman of University of Florida’s Environmental Horticulture Department was named the 2011 Floral Marketer of the Year on Oct. 14 by PMA at Fresh Summit. This year marks the 31st anniversary of the award, which recognizes an outstanding floral professional who has served the mass-market floral industry with dedication and […]