Lisa Bednar will become the first female president in the 80-year history of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance (AFMA) on April 1 when she takes the reins from Mark Miller, who will be retiring at the end of May. In announcing the appointment, AFMA noted that Bednar has served as its senior director of community […]
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 inSnacks Brands, Amazon Fresh, Center Store, West, Whole Foods
Chosen Foods To Debut Sauces, Spreads At Expo West
Chosen Foods will debut three dip and drizzle sauces, a Chocolate Hazelnut Spread and a squeeze bottle package at Natural Products Expo West 2024 Hall E booth 5606. The company’s mission is to replace bad fats with the good ones by incorporating 100-percent pure avocado oil as a key ingredient in its products. Available at Walmart and on Chosen […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods
Lundberg Becomes Leading Regenerative Organic Certified Brand
Lundberg Family Farms, a grower of organic rice and maker of packaged rice and rice snacks, has become the leading U.S. Regenerative Organic Certified food brand introducing more than 70 products across its portfolio. Last year, Lundberg became the first U.S.-grown rice brand to launch Regenerative Organic Certified rice. “We have a massive opportunity to positively impact consumers’ plates […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, West
Innit Using AI, Expert Info To Create Online Shopping Experience
“What’s in it?” Many customers ask this same question when looking for products and recipes. Kevin Brown, CEO and co-founder of California-based Innit, said his personalized food intelligence platform aims to answer that query. “We wanted to start with that question,” he said. “And that informs a lot of what we’re doing around our technology, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, New Seasons Market, West
New Seasons Market To Open Milwaukie Marketplace Store
New Seasons Market will hold a store grand opening March 27 in the Milwaukie Marketplace shopping mall at 10830 SE Oak St. in Milwaukie, Oregon. The festivities will begin with a bread-breaking ceremony at 10 a.m., featuring Milwaukie Mayor Lisa Batey, store manager Joe McCarthy and New Seasons Market Milwaukie Marketplace’s food recovery partner, Clackamas Service Center. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, Perishables, West
Afresh Focused On Fresh Product Fulfillment For Grocers
“When we looked at the grocery landscape, we came to believe that fresh was the future of this industry.” That’s how Nathan Fenner, co-founder of San Francisco, California-based Afresh, described the reasoning behind starting the technology company. Afresh’s mission is to eliminate food waste and create greater food accessibility. The A.I.-powered software optimizes order forecasting […]
Posted inAlbertsons, Marketing News, Online Grocery Technology, West
Albertsons Cos., RRD Eye Marketing Transformation
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies has expanded its partnership with RRD to transform its promotional marketing and grocery merchandising. To drive customer loyalty, Albertsons is reaching its audience beyond transactions through localized and omnichannel marketing efforts supported by RRD. Leveraging a number of proprietary retail marketing technologies, RRD will enhance the velocity and execution of personalized […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Hails New Seasons For Innovation, Market Strategies
Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market received three awards during the recent UNFI Circle of Excellence ceremony in San Diego, California. The Circle of Excellence honors businesses for outstanding innovation and market strategies. New Seasons Market received the Regional Chain Performance Award (West Region), as well as Regional Chain of the Year and Overall Customer of […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Health & Wellness, West
Ruiz Foods Opens Third On-Site Employee Health Center
Ruiz Food Products opened an on-site health center – the company’s third – for insured employees and their covered family members Feb. 12 at its plant in Dinuba, California. In late 2023, the company opened similar centers at its plants in Florence, South Carolina, and Denison, Texas. The Ruiz Foods Health Center, operated by CareATC, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Heritage Grocers Debuts Cardenas Loyalty Program
Ontario, California-based Heritage Grocers Group has introduced Cardenas Rewards, a loyalty program designed to provide additional value and benefits to customers of Cardenas Markets. “We are thrilled to offer our new and innovative loyalty program to our dedicated customers and are thankful for their participation,” said CMO Adam Salgado. “This program is another great way […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Super King Markets, West
Super King Markets Partners With Ideal For Digital Circular
Super King Markets worked with Ideal by Design House on a digital circular to engage shoppers on mobile devices, featuring special products and deals, seasonal promotions and discounts. The circular includes traditional promotional content combined with videos, animations, recipes and list building. Programmatic media drives customers to the circular and follows them to the store, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Corporate Store News, West
Thrive Market First Online-Only Retailer To Accept SNAP EBT
Membership-based Thrive Market has announced it will begin accepting SNAP EBT, making it the first online-only retailer to receive USDA approval to do so. Beginning Feb. 26, SNAP EBT will be accepted on Thrive Market in the U.S. All EBT cardholders who join as new members are eligible for a free membership. Founded in 2014, […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Chicken of the Sea Announces Appointments, Promotion
Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods (COSFF) has announced the appointment of three new leaders and a promotion within its commercial organization. The company welcomes the industry veterans, who bring customer-centric expertise to ensure COSFF remains at the forefront of the seafood industry. Tiffany Hicks Tiffany Hicks has been hired as SVP of foodservice and […]
Posted inGelson's, Beverage News, Corporate Store News, West
Gelson’s Introduces Winemaker Series With Barrett
Gelson’s has introduced a new Winemaker Series in partnership with Heidi Barrett. Known as the “First Lady of Wine,” Barrett played a role in the 1992 creation of Screaming Eagle wine, which earned two 100-point scores from wine critics. In partnership with Gelson’s, she has created a rich, ripe red blend that is a combination […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Lazy Acres Accepting EBT SNAP Through Instacart
Lazy Acres Natural Market is accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (EBT SNAP) online for same-day delivery and pickup through Instacart at six locations throughout Southern California. “We are always looking at how we can expand our offerings to the community and make shopping for local, organic products easier,” said Andrew Krysiak, […]
Posted inPackaging News, Produce News, West
Side Delights Updates Bakeables Packaging Design
Side Delights Bakeables has debuted its Bakeables microwaveable side dish in a new package that coordinates with its updated Side Delights portfolio of potatoes. “For a decade, Side Delights Bakeables have offered the perfect solution for shoppers seeking healthy, affordable meals for their time-crunched lifestyles,” said Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. […]
Posted inCostco Wholesale, Corporate Store News, Executive News, Retailers, The Kroger Co., West
Millerchip Moves From Kroger To Costco As CFO Galanti Steps Down
Costco Wholesale Corp. has shared that Richard Galanti will step down as CFO, effective March 15. The board of directors has named Gary Millerchip as EVP and CFO. Millerchip brings extensive retail and finance experience to Costco, serving as SVP and CFO at The Kroger Co. since April 2019. He spent 15 years at The […]
Posted inExecutive News, Independent Store News, West
Island Pacific Supermarket Turns To Defensor As CEO
Island Pacific Supermarket, a grocery chain specializing in Filipino and Asian products, has appointed Maite Defensor as CEO. With more than two decades of diverse experience, Defensor brings knowledge and expertise to Island Pacific. Her career spans several industries, including marketing, construction, mining, finance and public service. Defensor helped establish Island Pacific Global, an initiative […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
ReposiTrak Adds Four Seafood Suppliers To Network
ReposiTrak, a food traceability and regulatory compliance network, has added four seafood suppliers, including a North American sustainable fishery and a major global seafood distributor, to the ReposiTrak Traceability Network. These new members will exchange intricate, FDA-required key data elements for each critical tracking event in their supply chains, ensuring compliance before the January 2026 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, West
Heritage Grocers Group Names Brunts To Board Of Directors
Heritage Grocers Group has named DeAnn Brunts as a member of its board of directors, effective immediately. With more than 30 years of executive experience in operational, strategic and financial management, Brunts is an expert in risk management and governance. Previously, she served as CFO of Benson Hill Inc. in addition to several CFO and business […]