Los Angeles-based Thrive Market has announced that its owned brands have become plastic neutral certified. The brand is partnering with rePurpose Global, a plastic action platform, to support funding the recovery of as much nature-bound plastic waste as it uses across its branded product packaging and shipping materials. Through this partnership, Thrive Market is supporting […]
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 inCorporate Store News, Sustainability News, West
Sprouts Farmers Market To Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Bags
Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market will eliminate single-use plastic bags at checkout by the end of 2023. With this decision, the retailer will remove more than 200 million single-use plastic bags from circulation each year. Sprouts has eliminated single-use plastic bags at 132 California stores and will roll out this initiative company-wide in phases in April, beginning with […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, West
IFG Celebrates 20th Anniversary Of The Cotton Candy Grape
Bakersfield, California-based International Fruit Genetics, a large table grape breeder with 48 patented table grape varieties, 10 patented sweet cherry varieties and its first patented raisin variety, is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the breeding of the Cotton Candy grape. The Cotton Candy grape was first naturally bred in 2003 by David Cain, geneticist, horticulturalist and […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, West
Shelby Publishing Honors West EIA Winners
On the following pages, Shelby Publishing is proud to present its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers, technology and other service providers. “Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this new awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president. “Independents are […]
Posted inExecutive News, West
Cardenas Markets Promotes Stover To CEO
Ontario, California-based Heritage Grocers Group has announced the promotion of Eric Stover to the position of Division CEO of Cardenas Markets. In this position, Stover will continue to report to Doug Sanders, chairman and CEO for Heritage Grocers Group, its parent company. “Eric’s promotion to Division CEO supports the company’s strategy and overall growth plan. Serving […]
Posted inGrocery Store Layout, Corporate Store News, West
Stater Bros. Showcases Remodeled Store In Oceanside, CA
San Bernardino, California-based Stater Bros. Markets has announced the grand reopening of its enlarged, remodeled supermarket at 3770 Mission Ave. in Oceanside, CA. The store has expanded by 10,000 square feet and the additional space has allowed it to add amenities, such as stations for fresh-cut fruit and sushi and an expanded beer department. The store has also received an updated interior that matches other recent stores. Shoppers […]
Posted inProduce News, Feature, West
Official: Fresh Organic Produce Industry Has ‘Optimistic Future’
Top trends in 2023 include sustainability, CEA, regenerative Organic produce is a vibrant industry with an optimistic future, according Matthew Seeley, CEO of Organic Produce Network in Monterey, California. “People are going to want to continue to eat healthy, nutritious products, and organic fits that bill,” he said. “And that’s why I think we’ve got an […]
Posted inPackaging News, Sustainability News, West
Traditional Medicinals Introduces Compostable Tea Wrapper
Rohnert Park, California-based Traditional Medicinals, a botanical wellness company, has announced a new compostable, plastic-free tea wrapper, the first compostable tea wrapper to receive a Biodegradable Products Institute certification. After more than 10 years of development with ProAmpac, Traditional Medicinals will transition to the BPI-certified wrappers starting with 10 organic teas in 2023. The company has also […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
California Avocado Commission Hires Splane As VP, Marketing
The California Avocado Commission has hired food industry veteran Terry Splane as VP of marketing. Splane fills the role vacated by Jan DeLyser, following her retirement last month. He has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the foodservice and retail channels, most recently as head of partner success and strategy for […]
Posted inProduce News, West
FirstFruits Marketing Installs Advanced Cherry Production Line
Yakima, Washington-based FirstFruits Farms is making strides in the fresh produce industry with the construction of an advanced cherry production line at its facility in Prescott, Washington. The production line will feature advanced technology offering total automation, putting FirstFruits Farms at the “forefront of retail integration.” “As a company, we are constantly looking to improve our […]
Posted inPackaging News, Albertsons, West
Albertsons Reveals Redesign Of Open Nature Brand
Open Nature brand debuts new dairy-free plant-based products Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies has introduced the redesign of its Open Nature brand as it hopes to become the brand of choice for health-conscious shoppers. Open Nature, which is part of Albertsons Cos. Own Brands portfolio, provides shoppers with foods made with ingredients that are free from unnecessary additives. As customers explore […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Cardenas Markets Donates $55K For American Heart Association
Ontario, California-based Cardenas Markets and its customers donated $55,975 for the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign. “We are so proud to partner with our local communities and caring customers to support the American Heart Association in their relentless fight against cardiovascular disease,” said Marisa Kutansky, communications director for Cardenas Markets, Cardenas Markets Foundation board […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Peter Pan Seafood To Purchase Trapper’s Creek Seafood Co.
Peter Pan Seafood has signed a letter of intent for an asset purchase of Anchorage, Alaska-based Trapper’s Creek Smoking Co., including a smokehouse facility in Anchorage and its brands: Copper River Smoking Company, Alaska’s Best, Trapper’s Creek and Eat Like a Grizzly. Peter Pan leadership plans to expand the company with the addition of smoking […]
Posted inExecutive News, West
URM Announces Retirement Of CFO Hilbert
Spokane, Washington-based URM Stores has announced the retirement of Stan Hilbert, CFO, secretary and treasurer. He has served with the company since June 2016. “It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Stan Hilbert,” the company said. “Stan has been an integral part of the leadership team of our company, whose commitment […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Wholesum Introduces ‘Dolci Belles’ Italian Sweet Peppers
Amado, Arizona-based Wholesum has introduced new Italian sweet peppers, Dolci Belles. Italian sweet peppers are characterized by its distinctive long, conical shape, texture and flavor. These peppers have firm, thin walls with few seeds that concentrate at the top rather than down the center of the pepper. With the launch of Dolci Belles, Wholesum hopes to reinvigorate […]
Posted inProduce News, Amazon Fresh, West, Whole Foods
Driscoll’s Launches ‘A Sophia Special’ Children’s Book
Watsonville, California-based Driscoll’s has introduced its first children’s book, “A Sophia Special.” Distributed by Chronicle Books and authored by children’s book writer Julie Falatko, the book builds on its brand journey to promote emotional connections through shared experiences. “We are delighted to share this heartwarming story with children and their caregivers. It reminds everyone to celebrate […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Fulfil Solutions Introduces Robot-Powered Automated Platform
Mountain View, California-based Fulfil Solutions has unveiled a fully automated platform to revolutionize online grocery, making it profitable and socially responsible. Unlike other automation being tested in the grocery industry, Fulfil’s robots do the picking and packing across all product categories and temperature states. As it emerged from stealth, the robotics startup also announced that it recently […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Lazy Acres Natural Market Celebrates 10 Years In Long Beach, CA
Lazy Acres Natural Market is celebrating its 10th year in Long Beach, California. While the remodeled store will open to the public on March 15, the grocer will hold a community celebration March 18. It will also be introducing a new community giving program for reusable bags, which will benefit Long Beach nonprofits. Founded in […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Stater Bros.’ Golf Tournament Raises $1M For Charities
Stater Bros. Charities’s Jack H. Brown Heroes Challenge raised $1 million for charities March 4 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, California. The event hosted 350 sponsors and special guests, including seven Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and 11 professional golfers, including honorary tournament host Chairman Dave Stockton, Lee Trevino, Gary McCord, Donna Caponi-Byrnes and Brittany Lang. At […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Sockeye Salmon Prices Stay Steady Due To Surplus
As consumers continue to look for budget friendly deals on groceries and restaurant meals, sockeye salmon prices are staying steady, due to a surplus from last year’s harvest season, according to the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association. The 2022 harvest from Bristol Bay, Alaska – the source of more than half the world’s sustainable, wild sockeye […]