Since entering the U.S. market eight years ago, French yogurt company La Fermière has maintained a 35-40 percent year-over-year growth rate. In 2024, the brand sold about 16 million ceramic pots of yogurt and oven-baked crème desserts. The company has a manufacturing plant in New York, as well as a newly opened West Coast facility […]
Category: West
Posted inAssociation News, News, West
CGAEF Hall Of Achievement Honors 3 Leaders
The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) inducted three industry veterans into its Hall of Achievement on April 10 in Anaheim, California. In addition to honoring the inductees – Pete Van Helden, chairman and CEO of Stater Bros. Markets; Mary Crocker, sales account manager for Alta Dena Dairy; and Willie Crocker, retail director for Bimbo […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Bakery News, Bashas', News, West
Arizona Locals Win Bashas’ Annual Doughnut Contest
Two Arizona residents – a teen from Paradise Valley and an adult from Gilbert – have been named winners of Bashas’ 10th Annual “Donut Flavor Craze Contest,” celebrating National Doughnut Day on June 6. Miele K., 13, took top honors in the youth category with her Desert Campfire Smore doughnut creation – a Long John […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Online Grocery Technology, West
Simbe Brings Store Intelligence Platform To DeCicco & Sons
Simbe has announced a strategic retail automation partnership with family-owned DeCicco & Sons grocery chain that will install its Store Intelligence platform at the grocer’s new flagship location in Sleepy Hollow, New York, with additional rollouts planned in Eastchester and Larchmont. Simbe’s platform offers real-time, storewide visibility into pricing accuracy, inventory levels and product placement […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Dairy News, News, Raley's, West
Raley’s, Partners Helping Fight Food Insecurity
For the third year, Raley’s Food For Families program is partnering with the California Milk Advisory Board to deliver milk and dairy products to programs helping California families facing food insecurity. Throughout National Dairy Month in June, California dairies (through the CMAB) will match customer in-store and online Food For Families donations (up to $35,000). […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
Kent’s Market Gives Groceries To Military Families
In honor of Armed Forces Day on May 17, Kent’s Market in Plain City, Utah, partnered with Operation Homefront for a large-scale grocery donation event where more than 400 military families received about $700 worth of groceries each, totaling nearly $300,000. “This was an event beyond all events. Every family walked away with a literal ‘haul’ […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, West
The Illuminators Share New Board Appointments For 2025-26
The Illuminators, an organization committed to fostering education, leadership and partnerships in the grocery industry, has appointed its 2025-26 officer team and first-year board members to its executive board. 2025-26 Officer Team Headlite/President: Lori Brown, director of sales northwest for Nucal Foods; Sidelite/VP: Thomas Huls, CEO for Heritage Harbor Sales and Marketing; Spotlite/Treasurer: Marla McIntosh, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, West
WAFC Elects 2025-26 Leadership, Adds To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected new leadership in May, as well as added new directors to its board. The 2025-26 WAFC officers are: President – Kevin Lovell, SVP of operations at Albertsons/Safeway NorCal; VP – Rebecca Calvin, SVP and CMO for Stater Bros. Markets; Treasurer – Wendy Coldesina, VP, general merchandise manager […]