California avocado season is getting under way, and the California Avocado Commission (CAC) has updated its production forecast to 327 million pounds for its fiscal year 2014-15. CAC also says that Dr. Timothy Spann has returned to the commission staff and now serves as research program director. Spann, who has a Ph.D. in plant biology […]
Category: West
Posted in, Albertsons, Executive News, Independent Store News, West
Haggen Pacific Southwest Hires Director Of Produce
Supermarket and produce industry veteran Chris Jacoby is among the latest hires at Haggen’s new Pacific Southwest Division, headquartered in Irvine, California. Jacoby joins Haggen as the division’s director of produce. He most recently was sales manager at Coast Produce and, prior to that, worked for Progressive Produce. Additionally, from 1998-2012, he worked with Albertsons/Supervalu […]
Posted in, West
Unified Grocers Reports 1Q Sales Increase
Unified Grocers has reported improved net sales of $17.9 million, up 1.9 percent, for its first quarter of fiscal 2015 ended Dec. 27, 2014. This sales increase reflected ongoing improvement in the company’s core business. “We are extremely pleased by the continued growth in sales,” said Bob Ling, president and CEO of Commerce, California-based Unified […]
Posted in, Produce News, Suppliers, West
Giumarra Introduces Exclusive ‘DulceVida’ Line Of Flavorful Stone Fruit Varieties
Giumarra has announced its first year of limited commercial production for its exclusive, extra sweet Nature’s Partner DulceVida line of red apricots and white, black and yellow nectarines. “We chose the name DulceVida because it translates to ‘Sweet Life’ and emphasizes the fruit’s combination of superb flavor and European origin, expressing a one-of-a-kind eating experience […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Newport Avenue Market Wins Unified Grocers’ 2015 Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award
Rudy and Debbie Dory and their daughter Lauren Johnson—owners of Newport Avenue Market in Bend, Oregon—received the 2015 “Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award” from Unified Grocers at a special awards dinner Tuesday in Los Angeles. This is the 10th year that Unified has presented the award to an outstanding independent retailer. “It’s an honor […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Store News, West
Ralphs Launches Charitable Campaign To Benefit Children’s Hospitals
Ralphs Grocery Co. is raising funds to support children’s hospitals in Southern California. Ralphs customers and associates can support their local children’s hospital through the supermarket chain’s nonprofit arm, The Ralphs Fund, by donating their spare change in collection canisters located at the checkstands in their neighborhood Ralphs supermarket. The children’s hospital fundraising campaign will […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Equipment & Technology, Independent Store News, Online Grocery Technology, West
AFS Launches Platform To Provide Online, Mobile Shopping Opportunities
Associated Food Stores (AFS) is making grocery shopping more convenient through a partnership with Rosie, an integrated software company, which will provide online/mobile shopping opportunities to retailers. The new platform will enable participating AFS corporate and member stores to reach new customers, while providing consumer behavior analytics, data analysis and new marketing opportunities. Saveway Market […]
Posted in, California Perspective, Store News, West
California WIC Moratorium Is Lifted
The moratorium for stores to apply for authorization in the California Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program was lifted Feb. 1. The announcement was made by Dr. Ron Chapman, director and state health officer at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). “This positive step will improve availability and access for the approximately 1.4 million […]