Marley Coffee has signed an agreement with supermarket chain Gelson’s that will expand its distribution in California. The Los Angeles Business Journal reports that Gelson’s chain consists of 17 locations in California: Calabasas, Century City, Dana Point, Encino, Hollywood, Irvine, Marina del Rey, Newport Beach, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake/Los Feliz, […]
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 in, West
Actor J.R. Martinez Speaks To FPFC
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council (FPFC) met July 17 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif. American actor and season 13 winner of “Dancing with the Stars” J.R. Martinez served as the event’s keynote speaker. In March 2003, Martinez was deployed to Iraq and, on April 5—less than a month into his service—he was […]
Posted in, National, West
Olive Crest Hosts Annual ‘Every Child’ Event
On July 12, Olive Crest held its 6th annual “An Education for Every Child” at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, Calif. Since 1973, Olive Crest has transformed the lives of more than 50,000 abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families. The organization works to meet the individual needs of kids […]
Posted in, West
Stater Bros. Opening New Hesperia Store On Aug. 1
San Bernardino, Calif.-based Stater Bros. will open its newest and most modern supermarket in Hesperia on Wednesday, Aug. 1. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in the parking lot at 8 a.m., and the new Stater Bros. Hesperia supermarket will open for business at 8:30 a.m. After Wednesday, the new Supermarket will be open […]
Posted in, Southwest, West
Fall Marshall USC Executive Program To Be Held in Texas
For the first time ever, the USC Marshall School of Business Food Industry Executive Program (FIEP) will be offered in Plano, Texas, this fall. Taught by USC Marshall School of Business professors and food industry “subject matter” experts, the FIEP is designed for food industry executives, managers and high potentials from retail/wholesale and consumer packaged […]
Posted in, West
Vanguard Cancer Foundation Receives Vons Foundation Grant
The Vanguard Cancer Foundation (VCF) received a $10,000 grant from Vons Foundation, the charitable arm of the Vons Division of Safeway. The grant will fund functional profile assay at Rational Therapeutics, a Long Beach-based cancer testing laboratory that offers personalized treatment of cancer patients. “We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Vons Foundation,” […]
Posted in, C-Store News, West
Couche-Tard Acquires 27 Stores In Eastern Washington State
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has signed, through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Circle K Stores Inc., an agreement to acquire 27 stores in Eastern Washington State primarily in the “Tri-Cities” area of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland from Sun Pacific Energy, which operates under the “Sun Mart” banner. The transaction is anticipated to close in November. The transaction […]
Posted in, West
Nestlé USA Appoints Hannah Coan New VP Of Corporate, Brand Affairs
Nestlé USA has named Hannah Coan its new VP of corporate and brand affairs. Coan’s appointment follows the retirement of Laurie MacDonald who joined Nestlé in 1985 working in the nutritional products division before joining corporate and brand affairs. Coan most recently was SVP of Waggener Edstrom Public Relations, where she led communications for Microsoft’s […]
Posted in, West
California Communities Get Year-Round Access To Healthy Foods
Thousands of families across California will soon have easier access to essential foods for a healthy life as the result of grants awarded by The California FreshWorks Fund (CFWF), administered by NCB Capital Impact. The $105,100 in grants are designed to create new access to healthy foods, and are awarded to: The Community Development Foundation […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Organic Alliance Issues Special Letter To Shareholders
Organic Alliance Inc., a global grower, shipper and distributor of fresh foods focusing on organic and Fair Trade agriculture, has issued the following special letter to shareholders: Dear Shareholder: It is my privilege to report that Organic Alliance Inc. (ORGC) has reached the critical mass needed to solidify its market position in the $29.2 billion […]
Posted in, Marketing News, West
Sunlight Introduces Pretty Lady For The Summer
Summer fun has begun, and what better way to kick off this year’s summer grape season than with a new merchandising program from Sunlight International and JP Dulcich & Sons Grapes? Announcing the new Pretty Lady for the Summer Point-of-Sale materials, available now. Featuring a beautifully illustrated beach scene, and a chic Pretty Lady in […]
Posted in, New Products, West
Pacific Natural Foods Brings Restaurant Flavors To Soup Pots At Home
Pacific Natural Foods is tapping into global favorites to expand its collection of Soup Starters, with the introduction of Thai Tom Yum and Tortilla soup bases. The Soup Starters line, which launched last year with Vietnamese-style Pho soup base, reflects a growing interest in “speed scratch cooking,” offering shortcuts for making and customizing complex ethnic […]
Posted in, New Products, West
Bear Naked Launches Two Natural Energy Cereals
Natural food company Bear Naked has introduced the addition of two new cereals to its Fit® line of foods focused on providing the energy needed to get-up-and-go-for-it every morning. The new Bear Nake Fit® cereals are available in two flavors, both made with “bearly” processed ingredients you can see and recognize—like whole grain flakes, light […]
Posted inNational, West
Mollie Stone’s Named Outstanding Specialty Retailer by NASFT
The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade Inc. (NASFT) has selected Mollie Stone’s Markets as an Outstanding Specialty Food Retailer of 2012. This award recognizes only five retailers nationwide each year for excellence in customer service, product sourcing, merchandising, quality assurance and a passion for presenting top-quality food. “Mollie Stone’s shows true commitment to […]
Posted in, Beverage News, West
Southern California McDonald’s Introduces New Flavors
Two new summer flavors are now available at Southern California McDonald’s® restaurants: the Spicy Chicken McBites and McCafe Chocolate Chip Frappe. Like January’s limited time Chicken McBites, the new Spicy Chicken McBites are crispy, poppable pieces of juicy white chicken breast, seasoned to create heat and flavor that builds with every bite. Spicy Chicken McBites […]
Posted in, Center Store, West
Unified CEO: It’s Probably Time To ‘Redefine’ Center Store
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer While perimeter store sales have seen a substantial uptick in recent years, perhaps taking away from purchases consumers would normally make in the center store, Al Plamann says the center store category shouldn’t be dismissed as a disappearing one. Rather, he notes, the definition of center store simply needs updating. Plamann, […]
Posted in, Southwest, West
Natural Grocers By Vitamin Cottage Files For IPO
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. on Monday filed to raise as much as $115 million through an initial public offering, the Denver Business Journal reports. The Lakewood, Colo.-based company’s prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission said it envisions trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NGVC.” The family-owned company, […]
Posted in, West
James Beard Market Deal Approved for Portland
The James Beard Public Market in Portland, Ore., is just weeks away from closing an agreement to secure a site at the Morrison Bridge, the Portland Business Journal reports. The Multnomah County Commission voted 4-0 last week to approve the $10.4 million sale of a three-acre parking lot on the west side of the Morrison […]
Posted in, Perishables, West
Fresh & Easy’s ‘Kitchen To Go’ Caters to Busy Customers
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has launched its new “Kitchen To Go” products, including more than 150 chef-created appetizers, side dishes and entrees, including meal bowls. The “Kitchen To Go” items, ready to heat and serve, are made for one or two people. Fresh & Easy’s chefs came up with meals based on seasonal flavors. […]
Posted in, West
Calif. Cantaloupe Board Prepares for New Food Safety Program
Since the unanimous approval for the state’s first mandatory food safety program under a commodity board structure, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board held its first meeting June 6. During the meeting, members discussed how to begin immediately taking steps to comply with government audits, voting to adopt specific food safety guidance for California cantaloupes. In […]