The 12 finalists for the 2016 Seafood Excellence Awards, to be presented at Seafood Expo North America in March, have been announced. Winners of the competition will be presented with awards during a ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in the Demonstration Theater of the Boston Convention Center. The Seafood Excellence Awards recognize the product […]
Category: Northeast
The Shelby Report of the Northeast covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Posted in, Northeast
Massachusetts Increases Efforts To Combat Skimming
The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is conducting random inspections of fuel pumps to combat thieves using skimmers to steal credit and debit card information from consumers. In addition to the inspections, a letter recently was sent to more than 50 gas dispenser servicing companies seeking their cooperation in reporting to local law […]
Posted in, Northeast
Federal Agency Creates Seafood Traceability Program
A federal agency has proposed a national seafood traceability program to combat illegal fishing and seafood fraud. Recently, the National Ocean Council Committee to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud set a plan for creating a U.S. seafood traceability program. The move is seen as the next step the U.S. government is […]
Posted in, Northeast
Polar Beverages To Aid Trimino Distribution, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… Miami Bay Beverage Co. (MBB), makers of trimino protein infused water, has teamed up with Polar Beverage, an independent bottler of sparkling and carbonated beverages, to grow distribution throughout New England. According to Ralph Crowley Jr., CEO of Polar Beverages, “We’re always watching developments in the market, and the growing […]
Posted in, Northeast
Yuengling’s Ice Cream Launches Exclusive Flavors For Foodservice, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… Yuengling’s Ice Cream of Orefield, Pennsylvania, has launched new 3-gallon tub flavors exclusive to foodservice distributors, including ice cream shops, restaurants, colleges and universities, concession stands and more. The limited-edition flavors will be available in batch quantities and while supplies last. Depending on their popularity, select new flavors may be permanently […]
Posted in, Northeast
Food Groups Pleased With U.S. House Passage Of Menu Labeling Legislation
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and National Grocers Association joined the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) in applauding action by the full House in passing the Common Sense Menu Labeling Legislation on Feb. 12. The bill was approved 266-144 and now moves to the Senate. Hank Armour, NACS president and CEO, said the passage of the bill […]
Posted in, Northeast
Nestlé Dismissed From Class-Action Suit Against Gerber, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… Nestlé USA has been dismissed from a class-action lawsuit brought against Gerber for allegedly misleading consumers. The lawsuit, filed last year, was brought by three consumer advocacy firms that allege that the packaging for Gerber Graduates Puffs implies that the toddler treats are made from healthy fruits and vegetables rather […]
Posted in, Northeast
Boston Wine Expo’s ‘Grand Tasting’ Coming This Weekend
The Boston Guild of Oenophilists is hosting the 25th annual Boston Wine Expo at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, Feb. 13-14. It is considered the first major foodservice event of the year in the Boston area. The silver anniversary “Grand Tasting” gives guests a global adventure in a glass, according to organizers. There […]
Posted in, Northeast
Key Food Stores, Allegiance Retail Services Buy Banners From A&P
Key Food Stores, a supermarket co-operative with 217 stores, has acquired the SuperFresh banner name and related intellectual property assets from A&P. Key Food plans to open several stores under the SuperFresh banner in the near future, the first of which may debut as early as this month. Key Food recently purchased 24 stores from A&P, […]
Posted in, Northeast
Mars Decides To Remove All Artificial Colors From Food Portfolio
Mars Inc. says it will remove all artificial colors from its food products as part of a commitment to meet changing consumer preferences. Products across the range of the company’s chocolate, gum, confection, food and drink businesses will be affected by the change, which will take place incrementally over the next five years. “We’re in the business […]
Posted in, Northeast
Chipotle Commits $10M To Help Local Farmers
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced at its national employee meeting this week the formation of the Chipotle Local Grower Support Initiative, a new program to help smaller, local suppliers meet its heightened food safety standards. Chipotle closed its doors at its 2,000 restaurants for four hours on Feb. 8 to hold a meeting with its employees about […]
Posted in, Northeast
NRA Launches #RestaurantsDecide, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… The National Restaurant Association has launched #RestaurantsDecide, an initiative showcasing the role restaurants play as cornerstones of their community during elections—convening candidates, voters and employees, managers and owners on the campaign trail. Using Twitter and Facebook, #RestaurantsDecide will encourage restaurants, employees and patrons across America to join the National Restaurant Association […]
Posted in, Northeast
Wegmans Installs Flour Mill Inside Pittsford, New York, Store
Wegmans has installed a flour mill inside its Pittsford, New York, store; it will produce flour to be used in the store’s bakery. It is likely the first mill inside a supermarket in the nation, according to the Rochester-based grocer. The mill is 10 x 4 x 7 feet and is visible in the store. […]
Posted in, Northeast
Major House Vote Coming This Week For Menu Labeling Bill
U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy says that menu labeling legislation will be voted on in the House of Representatives this week. The bill, House Resolution 2017—the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act—introduced by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) and Loretta Sanchez (D-California), is supported by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and is one of the […]
Posted in, Northeast
Pepsi Unveiling New Hospitality Venture In New York City
Pepsi plans to launch Kola House, the first experimental kola bar, restaurant, lounge and event space in New York City’s Meatpacking District this spring. “We wanted to create a modern hub for consumers to share social and immersive experiences that were anchored in the exploration of our cola’s artisanal craft and flavor,” said Seth Kaufman, […]
Posted in, Northeast
First CVS Pharmacy Inside Target Debuts
Target has opened the first CVS Pharmacy in the Charlotte, North Carolina, market—marking the first of many conversions in existing Targets and new locations. CVS Health plans to convert 1,672 Target pharmacies to CVS Pharmacy locations around the country on a rolling basis over the next six to eight months. Over time, all of the […]
Posted in, Northeast
Fizz Drinks Launched, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… PepsiCola is launching Fizz Drinks—what the company calls a new approach to enjoy soda through non-alcoholic mixology. Fizzology combines flavors and ingredients such as sprinkles and shredded coconut toppings, flavor shots, bursts, garnishes and foams to a Pepsi soda… Speedway has substantially completed the conversions of 1,245 Hess gas stations […]
Posted in, Northeast
MRA Reveals Annual Award Winners, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… The Massachusetts Restaurant Association has announced the winners of its annual awards, to be presented at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 14, at the New England Food Show at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The Martignetti Cos. will be recognized as the Business Partner of the Year; attorney Al Denapoli, Business […]
Posted in, Northeast
Consumer Group Joins Organic & Natural Health Association, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has joined the Organic & Natural Health Association (ONHA). “The Organic & Natural Health Association fills a void in today’s market for a trade group that is dedicated to serving the needs of suppliers, retailers and consumers who seek truthful, unbiased and credible information, based […]
Posted in, Northeast
Authorities Seize Skimming Devices On Gas Pumps
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) reports convenience retailers are finding skimming devices on dispensers, with reports coming in from Louisiana to New England. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Weights and Measures division, the U.S. Secret Service and local sheriff’s offices continue their investigations into skimming devices found at gasoline pumps. Since June 2015, 25 […]