Category: West
The Shelby Report of the West covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Pete’s Introduces First-To-Market Butter Lettuce Wrap Kits
Pete’s, the California-based produce company specializing in hydroponically grown living lettuce and cress varieties, will debut a new line of fresh convenience products, Pete’s Butter Stuffers, in retail locations in and around the West Coast this spring. Available in three varieties—Asian Style Chicken, Southwest Style Chicken and California Style Chicken— Pete’s Butter Stuffers offers time-pressed […]
Driscoll’s Launches Limited Edition Sweetest Batch Blackberries
Driscoll’s has launched its Limited Edition Sweetest Batch Blackberries. The blackberry marks Driscoll’s as the first company to market a complete berry patch premium flavor offering across strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Driscoll’s Limited Edition collection is a curated series of best of season, ultra-flavorful offerings. The premium blackberries follow the marketplace success of Driscoll’s Sweetest […]
USA Pears Campaign Creates Movement Around Healthy Habits
To encourage consumers to keep thinking about fresh fruit as a healthy staple during an optimal time of year, USA Pears once again is launching the #WhatsInYourFruitBowl initiative. This marks the third year USA Pears will be running #WhatsInYourFruitBowl, which takes place March 1-31. According to research, habits are more likely to be formed when there is a […]
Sustainable Walnut Farm Partners With National Retailers
The Nutty Gourmet, based in Hughson, California, is on a mission to make heart-healthy snacks available to all. The affiliate of Grower Direct Nut is a family-owned walnut farm and processing facility that produces sustainably-grown, non-GMO walnut snacks from its orchards and local farms around California. The Nutty Gourmet was born at the generations-old Martella […]
KeHE Plans To Fight Food Scarcity Again At Expo West
Each year Natural Product Expo West brings together more than 3,600 companies to its annual Anaheim, California-based trade show. At the 2019 event, KeHE Distributors chose to make a greater impact outside the show floor and is scheduled to do the same this year. “When we learned that almost 1.7 million people in Los Angeles County are […]
Goldthread Plant-Based Tonics Expands Nationwide In Target Stores
Goldthread Plant-Based Tonics, founded by clinical herbalist and LAC William Siff, has expanded nationwide via distribution in 970 Target stores. The launch features six SKUs: Turmeric Radiance, Green Minerals, Hawaiian Ginger, Mint Condition, Lavender Bliss and Honey Rose. The beverages are now available and retail for $3.49 each. Turmeric Radiance is a tonic based on Ayurvedic […]
Alden’s Organic Launches 3 Fan Requested Flavors
Alden’s Organic fans have been heard as the organic ice cream maker is now offering two new 14-oz. pints and one 48-oz. sqround. The three new flavors that will be sampled during Natural Products Expo West from March 5-7 at Alden’s Organic Booth 2137 in Hall B are: Ooey Gooey Brownie (SRP: $5.49-$5.99) Rich organic chocolate […]
Northerly Give-Back Program Benefits Arizona Food Banks
Scottsdale, Arizona-based Northerly, a food brand focused on sustainable-growing and eco-friendly practices, was built on giving back. By shortening the supply chain and going direct to consumers, CEO Clayton B.R. Wolfe is able to donate rolled oats for every bag sold. Currently, Northerly’s partners include local food banks, St. Mary’s; the world’s first food bank, United Food […]
Ferrero USA To Open New Distribution Center In Goodyear, Arizona
Ferrero USA Inc., part of the global confectionery company Ferrero Group, has announced the opening of a new distribution center in Goodyear, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. The newly constructed facility, located at 3600 Cotton Lane, is 643,798 s.f. and projected to begin operating by mid-March. The company plans to add 50 local jobs at the center within its […]
Cheesecake Factory At Home Introduces Premium Ice Cream
Cheesecake Factory has introduced a collection of seven premium cheesecake ice cream flavors to its Cheesecake Factory At Home products in grocery. The ice creams, which feature a cream cheese blend and sour cream, range in flavor from Birthday Cake and Original to Salted Caramel and Strawberry. Other flavors are Chocolate, Cookies & Cream and […]
Natural Delights Remembers Industry Icon Isabel Nuñez
Natural Delights remembers date industry icon, Isabel Nuñez, who died on Friday, Feb. 7. Nuñez paved the way for growers and operations to thrive in the Bard Valley region, giving jobs to thousands and supplying the country with only the best Medjool dates. He was one of the original founding members of the Yuma, Arizona-based […]
Sprouts Farmers Market To Open Redding, CA, Store On Feb. 26
Sprouts Farmers Market will open in Redding, California, at 1401 Hilltop Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Sprouts’ store layout, inspired by farmers markets, features fresh produce at the center of the store, an expansive bulk foods section and an extensive vitamin department focused on wellness. To celebrate the new store, Sprouts is giving away a classic […]
WEST: Cardenas Markets Foundation Launches New Scholarship Program
With the support of Cardenas Markets, the Cardenas Markets Foundation is launching a new scholarship program intended to support students in California (Inland Empire, Imperial Valley and Bay Area), Arizona (Phoenix and Tucson) and Nevada (Las Vegas). Specifically, they will be granting a total of 59 scholarships—one $2,000 award per each of the stores they […]
Darigold Expanding Fit Milk Facility In Boise, ID
Darigold Inc. will invest $67 million in its Boise, Idaho, facility this year, a move that will allow it to support the growth of its Fit milk. Over the past six months, Darigold reported, consumer demand for Fit, which was launched in the Pacific Northwest market last year, has doubled in sales and distribution. Headquartered […]
QFC Design In Kirkland, Washington, Embraces Modern Grocery Store Experience
Quality Food Centers (QFC) reports that its new store in Kirkland, Washington, was designed by Mackenzie, an integrated design firm based in Portland, Oregon. Central to the design of the store, which the company said has thrived since opening on July 31, are comfortable communal spaces where customers are encouraged to sit, relax and enjoy […]
Berry Growers Commit to 100% Recycle-Ready Packaging
In another step to further reduce the produce industry’s environmental impact, major North American fresh berry producers have committed to use 100 percent recycle-ready packaging by 2025. The California Strawberry Commission, the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), Asociacion national de Exportadores de Berries (Aneberries, Mexico), members of the National Berry Crops Initiative (NBCI) and South […]
Instacart Drives Job Creation, Revenue Growth For Grocery Industry
A new study by Dr. Robert Kulick of NERA Economic Consulting released Feb. 12 reveals the positive economic impact that Instacart has on the broader U.S. retail grocery industry. The study leverages statistical analysis to quantify Instacart’s role—deemed “The Instacart Effect”—in driving significant increases in retail grocery employment and revenue. The study found that by […]
Back To The Roots Is Redefining Gardening Category
Oakland, California-based Back to the Roots, an organic gardening company and pioneer in small-space, indoor gardening, has launched a new small-space, organic craft gardening category in big-box retailers nationwide. Back to the Roots will kick off 2020 launching in more than 2,300 Walmart stores across the country and accelerating its growth as the gardening brand […]
Fourth & Heart Innovates Ghee Category With Woke Bars Launch
Venice, California-based artisanal food brand Fourth & Heart has transitioned to a lifestyle platform with the debut of its Woke energy bars. Harnessing its background in the ghee industry, the Woke bars will give consumers access to the benefits of clarified butter and collagen through an on-the-go format designed to power active lifestyles. Ghee is […]
