As part of a consolidation of its flagship retail banners, SpartanNash has remodeled seven stores in Nebraska into Family Fare, with five more conversions planned by summer’s end in North Dakota. “Family Fare brings hometown appeal, value and service to neighborhoods in communities large and small,” said Amy McClellan, SVP and CMO for the Grand […]
Category: Wholesaler/Distributor News
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Market Profile, Southeast
Service, Support Setting AGBR Apart
Louisiana-based Associated Grocers Inc. of Baton Rouge (AGBR) has a close relationship with its more than 180 independent retailers spanning the Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas regions, offering them a “complete support system.” “We pride ourselves on service, which sets us apart from our competitors,” said Pete Tortorich, VP of retail operations – business development and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Plans Annual Expo For Independent Grocers
More than 2,000 independent grocers, vendors and employees will gather July 26-27 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the SpartanNash Food Solutions Expo. During the two-day event, attendees will get a firsthand look at advancements in the company’s supply chain and merchandising transformations, as well as enhanced customer service solutions and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Grocers, Inc., Southeast
Associated Grocers Holds Employee Cornhole Tournament
Associated Grocers held its first employee cornhole event June 29 at its company headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Over the last couple of months, employees have teamed up to play cornhole within their departments to form a bracket to play against other Associated Grocers’ winning departmental teams. Retail Operations’ Chris Ordoyne and Corey Hughes slid […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Selects Sixteen Small Brands For Distribution
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE has announced the 16 recipients of its 2023 TRENDfinder event, which took place virtually from May 1-12. “Because the food distribution industry is so competitive, newly emerging brands find it difficult to break in,” said Rachelle Radcliffe, senior director of supplier experience. “[These] events are a great opportunity for small brands to […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
Nonprofits Get Boost From SpartanNash
As part of Helping Hands Day on June 23, SpartanNash employees in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Minneapolis volunteered at 14 area nonprofits, including Junior Achievement, Kids’ Food Basket, Michigan Vets Home and Special Olympics Minnesota. About 575 volunteers helped with landscaping, cleaning, painting, sorting donations, cooking and packing meals. The company has a third upcoming […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Ups Buying Systems With RELEX Solutions
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has partnered with RELEX Solutions, a provider of unified supply chain and retail optimization solutions, to implement its cloud-based procurement solution. When delivered, the system will consolidate and replace multiple UNFI buying systems and drive efficiencies in demand planning and replenishment. The platform is expected to become operational over […]
Posted inLipari Foods, International Foods, National, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Lipari Foods, Baroody Imports Partner To Expand Middle Eastern Offerings
In what they described as an opportunity to move closer to becoming a dominant distributor of Middle Eastern foods in the U.S., Warren, Michigan-based Lipari Foods and Clifton, New Jersey-based Baroody Imports Inc. announced they have combined forces. Lipari, a specialty food distributor who recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, and Baroody, a wholesale distributor of […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Latest News, Northeast
UNFI’s Regional Restructuring Aimed At Efficiency, Service
Providence, Rhode Island-based UNFI said its decision to consolidate four operating regions into three will enhance profitability, speed decision-making and reduce administrative layers. The restructuring to three regions – East, Central and West – will eliminate about 150 roles, primarily in management or supervisory positions, according to the company. In March, UNFI named Erin Horvath […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Executive News, Northeast
Baldor Specialty Foods’ President Muzyk Announces Retirement
Bronx, New York-based Baldor Specialty Foods has announced the upcoming retirement of Michael Muzyk, president of the company and an icon in the food distribution industry. Muzyk’s retirement will commence at the end of 2023. After a career spanning almost 30 years, Muzyk has been looking forward to enjoying more downtime with family and friends […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
AWG Appoints Derek Jones As EVP, Division Operations
Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. has appointed Derek Jones as EVP, division operations of the company, effective July 10. In this role, Jones will lead all operations functions, including divisions, corporate distribution, sales, support and services. He will report to Dan Funk, president-elect. Reporting to Jones will be Richard Kearns, EVP of distribution […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Northeast
UNFI Concludes 2023 Annual Natural Holiday Show
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. held its Natural Holiday Product Show June 7-8 at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Uncasville, Connecticut, where it showcased natural products to help food retailers drive growth and profitability during the upcoming holiday selling period. More than 2,500 customers visited more than 730 exhibitors during the two-day show. […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Latest News, Southeast
AWG Opens All-In-One Distribution Hub In Hernando, MS
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. held a ribbon-cutting event June 5 for its All-In-One Distribution Hub in Hernando, Mississippi. The facility, which totals more than one million square feet of space and is some 80 feet tall throughout, features advanced intelligence, automation and an expanded variety of offerings to improve system-wide distribution and logistics performance. The […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Foundation Hosts Fundraiser For Memorial Day
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash is holding its annual foundation in-store fundraiser through June 4, benefiting Honor and Remember, Operation Homefront and Convoy of Hope. Customers who visit any participating SpartanNash-owned retail stores including Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, Forest Hills Foods and fuel centers during the fundraiser can choose to donate $1, $5 or $10 at checkout or round up their totals to the […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Distributors Completes Acquisition Of DPI Specialty Foods
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has completed the acquisition of DPI Specialty Foods, a distributor across the western U.S., from food and beverage focused private equity firm Arbor Investments. KeHE and DPI will continue to operate as separate entities while the organizations work to implement an integration plan. “Combining KeHE and DPI’s long histories of success and pre-eminent […]
Posted inLipari Foods, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Lipari Foods Acquires Comercializadora Del Midwest
Lipari Foods has reached an agreement to acquire Clive, Iowa-based Comercializadora Del Midwest, a provider of Central and South American specialty items. This opportunity will expand Lipari’s portfolio of international products, as well as their distribution footprint in the Midwest. “We are thrilled to welcome the CDM team into our family as we develop the Latino […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Begins Official Partnership With Chicago Fire FC
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has announced a partnership with the Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer. The partnership will feature a “Fill the KeHE Truck” campaign that will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation’s Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth Soccer program, which is committed to supporting underprivileged youth through enhancing the academic performance and development of key social and emotional […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Offers Smart Shelf Tags To Improve In-Store Shopping Experience
Technology offer mobile-friendly, instant product details while shopping in stores KeHE, through a partnership with Cornerstone Consulting and its brand Cornerstone for Natural, is offering Smart Shelf Tags to enable a tech-forward experience for suppliers, retailers and consumers. Consumers want more information on the products and brands they use and consume daily, and Smart Shelf Tags […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southeast
US Foods To Open Three New Locations
US Foods Holding Corp. will open new US Foods CHEF’STORE locations in Roanoke, Virginia, Greenville, North Carolina, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, in late fall 2023. CHEF’STORE offers a one-stop-shop for restaurant operators, food industry professionals, community groups and at-home chefs to stock up or replenish ingredients and supplies by the case and in individual quantities. The upcoming […]
Posted inLipari Foods, Feature, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Lipari Foods Celebrating 60th Anniversary In 2023
Show largest in company’s history Warren, Michigan-based Lipari Foods hosted its annual food show March 22, with more than 7,000 people attending. The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, was filled with 752 booths and more than 800 brands. It was the largest show in the company’s history. The theme of the show, “Roll Out […]