Blue Diamond Growers’ global almond sales soared to $1.2 billion, up $189 million in fiscal year 2012-13. Value-added sales volume increased by 14 percent, even with a crop that was 7 percent smaller, according to President and CEO Mark Jansen, who addressed the cooperative’s grower owners at the company’s annual meeting. Value-added sales now represent more […]
Category: National
Posted in, Grocery Industry, National
Women’s Study: Eating Tree Nuts Reduces Pancreatic Cancer Risk
According to a long-term women’s health study recently published, women in the study who ate a 1-oz. serving of tree nuts two or more times a week had a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those studied who did not include nuts in their diet. This is the first study to measure the association […]
Posted in, National, New Products
MountainKing’s Steakhouse Roasters Provide Healthier Alternative To Frozen Fries
MountainKing has introduced its new Steakhouse Roasters, a slender, thin skin, tubular-shaped fresh potato variety filled with flavor that doesn’t require peeling and cooks fast to create steakhouse-quality, oven-baked wedge fries. Known within the produce industry as “fingerlings,” MountainKing says it has reinvented this specialty potato with a new name and new packaging to attract […]
Posted in, National
Progressive/Mission Asparagus Deal Creates Year-Round Program
Progressive Produce’s recent acquisition of Mission Asparagus has propelled the grower into the elite of asparagus suppliers, according to the company. Already growing thousands of acres in Mexico, Peru, California and Washington State, some in partnership with Keystone Fruit Marketing, Greencastle, Pa., Progressive’s increased Mexico and California acreage has solidified its year-round availability. “This year-round […]
Posted in, National, Store News
C&K Market Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Will Keep About 40 Stores
To address legacy costs, sell or close underperforming stores and resolve debt issues, C&K Market Inc. has filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon, Eugene. C&K’s operations are expected to continue as normal throughout the bankruptcy process as it develops a reorganization plan. The […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Food Packaging Choices: Sustainability Trumps Novelty
An independent research study conducted by MindClick Global on behalf of the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), found that when asked about sustainability in food packaging choices, two-thirds of consumers preferred steel cans. The results support findings that consumers consider sustainability to be a […]
Posted in, National
NGA Hires New Communications Director
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has hired Laura Strange as its director of communications and marketing. Strange, who most recently served as a communications director on Capitol Hill, is responsible for the implementation and advancement of communications and marketing strategies targeted for audiences and outlets on the national, local and industry-specific levels. She also will […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Sunkist Soda Refreshes Packaging
Dr Pepper Snapple Group recently enlisted the help of New York City brand agency CBX to refresh the packaging graphics for Sunkist Soda, first introduced in 1978. Sunkist Soda once was known for its California style, and Dr Pepper Snapple Group believed there was an opportunity to take the brand back to its “fun in […]