Vallarta Supermarkets will open a new 52,000‑square‑foot store – its third of 2026 and 65th overall – June 10 at 851 W Olive Ave. in Merced, California. The store will be the second location to feature Marisquería Costa de Oro, known for fresh ceviches, made‑to‑order seafood tacos, coctel de camarón and tostadas, including the Burnt […]
Category: West
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Featured News, News, West
AFS Collects 165K Pounds Of Food In UT Statewide Drive
Associated Food Stores (AFS) and its network of independent retailers played a pivotal role in the 2026 Feed Utah Food Drive, collecting 165,443 pounds of food – more than half of the statewide total. The fifth annual drive, held in March, brought communities across Utah together to fight hunger. Food insecurity affects one in five […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, West
CGAEF Honors 3 Leaders For Service, Tops $1M In Scholarship Funds For Year
April 16 proved an eventful day for the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation as it inducted three industry veterans into its Hall of Achievement and raised more than $500,000 to help fund its college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs. With the latest contributions, the CGAEF has secured about $1,025,000 in scholarship commitments this year, bringing […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
Kent’s Market Hosts Meals For Military Event On Armed Forces Day
Kent’s Market commemorated Armed Forces Day by hosting its annual Meals for Military event in partnership with Operation Homefront, Associated Food Stores (AFS) and dozens of national and local vendors. On May 16, volunteers lined up to greet more than 400 military families, many of whom are lower-income service members stationed at nearby Hill Air […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Snacks Brands, West
NCSA Recognizes Candy Execs At Sweets & Snacks Expo
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) presented Anton Vincent, president of Mars Snacking North America and Global Ice Cream at Mars Inc., with the 2026 Kettle Award May 19 during the awards’ 80th anniversary celebration during the Sweets & Snacks Expo. The NCSA also recognized Elaine Wu, co-founder of Amos Sweets and SVP of Amos […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, News, West
The Raley’s Companies Launches In-Store RMN With Grocery TV
The Raley’s Companies has launched an in-store retail media network with Grocery TV at more than 200 stores – spanning the Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill, Bashas’, Food City and AJ’s Fine Foods banners – in California, Nevada and Arizona. The partnership extends West Sacramento, California-based grocer’s retail media strategy into the physical store environment, connecting […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
T&T Supermarket To Open First CA Location June 18 In San Jose
T&T Supermarket will celebrate the grand opening of its first California location June 18 at Westgate Center in San Jose. The store marks a milestone in the Canadian company’s U.S. expansion, bringing one of North America’s largest Asian grocery experiences to Silicon Valley. Located at Saratoga Avenue and Prospect Road, it will serve as T&T’s […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, News, Snacks Brands, West
Billie-Ann Plastics Wins Ruby Award For Sustainable Packaging Innovation
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named Billie-Ann Plastics Packaging Corp. as the winner of the 2026 Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation for its RPET Clear Cylinder with Optional Snap In/Snap On Top and Printing. The award was presented during the Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony May 18 in Las Vegas. Created in 2018, […]