I recently had the privilege of speaking at the IGA Coca-Cola Institute in Atlanta. In the room were some of the brightest young leaders in independent grocery – selected by their organizations because of their talent, commitment and potential. Representing stores and communities from around the world, they and those like them are the future […]
Category: News
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News
AWG Adds 64 Private Label Items, Targets GLP-1 Trends, Grilling Season
AWG Family of Brands is adding 64 new items to its private brand portfolio in the second quarter of 2026, expanding across Best Choice, Hello World by Best Choice, Crav’n Flavor and Wide Awake Coffee Co. brands. The new items target health-conscious trends, seasonal demand – including grilling – and consumer preference for quality at-home […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Featured News, News, West
AFS’ Pettit Named To Utah Food Bank Board Of Directors
Sarah Pettit, director of public affairs at Associated Food Stores (ARS), has been named to the Utah Food Bank Board of Directors. Her appointment comes as the Utah Food Bank continues expanding its reach across the state to meet growing demand. Pettit leads government affairs and public affairs efforts for AFS and has long been […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Central Market, Featured News, Food Service News, News, Southwest
Central Market Opens Renovated Food Service Area In San Antonio, TX
Central Market celebrated the opening of its renovated food service area June 26 at its store at 4821 Broadway St. in San Antonio, Texas. The remodeled section includes expanded production areas, as well as new departments, fixtures and equipment across deli, bakery, sushi and chef-prepared food cases. “We are eager to start introducing pieces of […]
Posted inCenter Store, Association News, Featured News, National, News, West
Grocery Buyers To Emerging Brands: Come Ready And Be Willing To Listen
Editor’s note: The CPG Convergence Conference was dedicated to the memory of Navigator Lighthouse Foundation co-founder Allen Pierce, who died unexpectedly the week before the event. Read our remembrance here. Getting a product onto a grocery shelf is hard. Keeping it there is harder. That was the throughline as a group of Southern California retail […]
Posted inBakery News, Food Service News, National, News
Europastry Acquires Highland Baking Co., Expanding U.S. Foodservice Footprint
Europastry has reached an agreement to acquire Highland Baking Co., a family-owned U.S. producer of premium breads for the foodservice channel. Highland Baking Co. will continue to operate under its current brand and management team. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Donates $280K To Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup
Meijer has announced a $280,000 contribution to the Council of the Great Lakes Region Foundation to continue supporting the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup initiative in 2026. The investment builds on Meijer’s ongoing commitment to protect the Great Lakes and the communities that depend on them by helping bring innovative cleanup technologies to the Great Lakes […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Northeast
Giant Eagle, Sparkling Ice Sponsor Service Dog For Veteran
Giant Eagle and Sparkling Ice are partnering to sponsor the training of a service dog for a U.S. military veteran through K9s For Warriors.