Smart & Final Stores Inc., a value-oriented food and everyday staples retailer headquartered in Commerce, California, has entered into a definitive merger agreement with certain investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management LLC. According to the agreement, announced April 16, Apollo Funds will acquire all the outstanding shares of Smart & Final’s common […]
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.
Posted inExecutive News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Perishables, Produce News, Suppliers, West
Zespri Operations Manager Jason Donaldson Dies At 46
Mr. Jason Donaldson, operations manager for the Americas for Zespri North America, died unexpectedly on March 22 while on a business trip overseas. He was 46. “We are devastated by the unexpected passing of a great colleague and friend,” said Ben Hughes, GM-Americas for Orange County, California-based Zespri. “Jason brought a contagious energy and enthusiasm to […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Suppliers, West
Taylor Farms Acquires Earthbound Farm From Danone
Taylor Farms has acquired Earthbound Farm from Danone SA. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. “We are grateful for Danone’s stewardship of Earthbound Farm during the past two years and for the opportunity to return ownership of this organic fresh produce leader to local roots and family ownership,” the company posted on its website […]
Posted inBeverage News, Home Page Latest News, Suppliers, West
Craft Brew Alliance Tests Low-Proof, Low-Cal Seltzer Line
The Craft Brew Alliance‘s (CBA) pH Experiment has developed a low-alcohol, low-calorie beverage called Pacer Low Proof Seltzer. The pH Experiment is a growth unit within CBA. The seltzer is its second new product test. Pacer Low Proof Seltzer will be offered in three flavors: blood orange, Meyer lemon & lavender, and melon & mint. […]
Posted inGrocery News, Dairy News, Home Page Slider, Perishables, Suppliers, West
Fairlife To Increase Production With New Facility In Arizona
Fairlife LLC plans to build a 300,000-s.f. production and distribution facility in suburban Phoenix in its efforts to increase overall production. The Fairlife facility costing more than $200 million in Goodyear, Arizona will be in addition to its current production plant in Coopersville, Michigan. It is expected to create more than 140 jobs once its […]
Posted inPerishables, Executive News, Home Page Slider, Suppliers, West
Kristyn Lawson Hired As SVP Sales At FiveStar Gourmet Foods
Kristyn Lawson has been hired as SVP of sales at FiveStar Gourmet Foods as part of the company’s expansion. Prior to joining FiveStar, Lawson previously served as VP of sales at Good Foods. While there she launched the Good Foods retail brand across North American retail channels. Lawson will report directly to FiveStar Gourmet Foods […]
Posted inPerishables, Home Page Slider, Store News, Suppliers, West
Bristol Farms’ New Store Will Have Plant-Based Meat In Butcher Shop
When Bristol Farms opens its new store in Yorba Linda, California, this month, it will become the first grocery store in the country selling plant-based meats and entrees in the butcher section. The selection will include plant-based chicken burgers and breakfast sausage from Huntington Beach, California-based Before the Butcher, as well as items like no-meat […]
Posted inPerishables, Produce News, Snacks Brands, Suppliers, West
Fresh Cravings Salsa Dramatically Increases Distribution
FoodStory Brands’ Fresh Cravings salsa has increased its distribution by 125 percent in 12 months. Fresh Cravings refrigerated salsa received numerous new authorizations from prominent grocery stores, including international retailer Walmart Canada. Fresh Cravings salsa is now available in more than 9,000 fresh produce departments. The salsa is made in the USA and is part […]
Posted inHome Page Slider, Bashas', Grocery Store Layout, Independent Store News, Industry News, Store News, West
Bashas’ Diné Market In Sanders Is First New Store In A Decade
The new Bashas’ Diné Market in Sanders, Arizona, is the grocer’s first new-build store since 2009. A special grand opening celebration was held Wednesday, April 3. Representatives of the Navajo Nation, members of the Na’Ha’Ta Dzill Commission and members of the Basha family were on hand for the grand opening ceremony. The Na’Ha’Ta Dzill Veterans […]
Posted inWest, Equipment & Technology, Grocery News, Home Page Slider, Produce News, Suppliers
Bonduelle Fresh Americas Initiates Water Safety Plan For Growing Season
In the wake of recent outbreaks involving leafy greens and possibly linked to agricultural water, Irwindale, California-based Bonduelle Fresh Americas initiated a plan with its growers to ensure the safety of its leafy greens supply through the 2019 California growing season. “Safety has always been our highest priority and Bonduelle Fresh Americas continues to be […]
Posted inHome Page Latest News, Corporate Store News, Store News, West
Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation Accepting Grant Applications
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation is accepting applications from nonprofit groups for its annual Neighborhood Grant program. The Sprouts Neighborhood Grant program is available to nonprofit programs that support children’s health and nutrition education. “Through Neighborhood Grants, we’re working to shift the landscape of health by focusing on programs that empower children with the access, […]
Posted inWest, Center Store, Grocery News, Home Page Slider, Suppliers
106-Year-Old Lehi Mills Rebrands, Expands Nationwide
After 106 years in business, Utah-based Lehi Mills has launched its baking mixes for nationwide distribution, along with a new brand design. “We are thrilled to announce the national launch of our products and new look,” said Steve Brailsford, president of Lehi Mills and KEB Enterprises. “Lehi Mills was founded over a century ago by […]
Posted inWest, Albertsons, Center Store, Corporate Store News, Grocery News, Home Page Slider, Industry News, New Products, Organic Natural, Private Label Brands, Store News, Sustainability News
Albertsons Debuts Open Nature Compostable, Sustainable Products
Albertsons Cos.’ Own Brands has unveiled new environmentally conscious items in its Open Nature brand, such as compostable products and items made with sustainable bamboo. Coinciding with the beginning of Earth Month, new eco picnic ware continues an Own Brands history of responsible environmental practices. “The driving belief behind our Open Nature brand is that […]
Posted inExecutive News, Home Page Slider, Suppliers, West
Ventura Foods Promotes Euser, Hires Noonburg-Morgan
Ventura Foods has promoted Andy Euser to the newly-created role of chief administrative officer and hired Erika Noonburg-Morgan as CFO. Euser has served as Ventura Foods’ chief human resources officer and EVP for the past nine years. Ventura Foods’ newly formed chief administrative office will include information technology, human resources and corporate communications. “In Andy, […]
Posted inBeverage News, Home Page Slider, Suppliers, West
Beringer Brothers Introduce Wine Aged In Tequila Barrels
Barrels once used to age premium tequilas now are being used to age the newest Sauvignon Blanc offered by Beringer Brothers. The California white wine is aged for 60 days in the former tequila barrels, giving it what one wine critic described as “a unique animal being lush while sprite with subtle hints of agave.” […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Dairy News, Executive News, Grocery News, Home Page Slider, Snacks Brands, West
Peckish Hires Industry Veteran Zampardi As VP Of Sales
Peckish has hired former AccelFoods partner Frank Zampardi as VP of sales. Zampardi returns to the Sonoma Brands team, with whom he helped build Krave Jerky through the company’s acquisition by Hershey. Prior to Krave Jerky, Zampardi was part of the leadership teams at Glaceau and Pirate Brands. “I’m a consumer first and foremost, and […]
Posted inBeverage News, Home Page Slider, Suppliers, West
Great Basin Brewing Co. Kicks Off Beers & Beasts Series
Great Basin Brewing Co. is working with the National Geographic Society, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, University of Bonn and the German Research Foundation on its Beers & Beasts series. Scientists will be revealing their latest findings, including rare discoveries of species previously unknown to science as well as challenging our understanding of the […]
Posted inGrocery News, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Slider, Industry News, Produce News, West
StixFresh Sticker Extends Freshness Of Fruit Naturally
StixFresh has come up with a way to extend the freshness of fruit naturally with a sticker. The company claims the stickers can extend the shelf life of fruits for up to two weeks longer. An all-natural compound contained on the sticker creates a protective layer around the fruit. Scientists at StixFresh have used a […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Beverage News, Suppliers, West
Sprig Said To Be Most Widely Distributed CBD Beverage In U.S.
With distribution now covering 17 states, Los Angeles-based Sprig says it is now the most widely-distributed CBD beverage in the United States. The company’s distribution agreements with independent Anheuser-Busch and Pepsi wholesalers gave the beverage entrée into eight additional states, the company said March 26. Cannabis-infused Sprig now is sold in more than 4,000 accounts […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Beverage News, West
Sunwink Sparkling Detox Ginger Herbal Tonic Available Nationwide
Sunwink Detox Ginger Herbal Tonic, launched in 2018, is now available nationwide. Sunwink also makes Tumeric Cleanse and Immunity Berry flavors. Consumers can purchase Sunwink products online or at 150 stores in the San Francisco Bay area or Erewhon in Los Angeles. Since Sunwink launched Sparkling Detox Ginger in 2018, the company had to increase […]