Karen Caplan, president and CEO of specialty produce company Frieda’s Inc., will receive the Cal Poly Pomona College of Agriculture’s 2016 Jim Hicks Agricultural Achievement Award. Karen heads the wholesale company in Los Alamitos, California, that was founded by her mother, Frieda Rapoport Caplan. Frieda Caplan is a pioneer who blazed the trail for women […]
Category: Women In The News
California Avocado Commission Hires One, Promotes Another
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has appointed Carolyn Becker to retail marketing director for the northwest region and promoted Zac Benedict to online marketing director. Becker is a produce veteran with 20 years of experience representing growers and marketing associations of the retail produce trade. She has managed marketing programs for a variety of commodity […]
Coborn’s Cake Decorator To Appear On Food Network’s ‘Cake Wars’
Cake decorator Amanda Hansen of the Coborn’s store in Sartell, Minnesota, will appear on Food Network’s “Cake Wars” at 9 p.m. (Eastern) today, Jan. 18. According to the Cake Wars website, the episode is described as a Dr. Suess theme: “Everyone from the Cat in the Hat to Thing 1 and Thing 2 are coming […]
Supplier Spotlight: ‘Not The Wise Of Yesteryear’
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Jolie Weber has been leading Wise Foods since June, but the CPG veteran has been with the Atlanta-based company for nearly 12 years—holding executive leadership roles in areas ranging from marketing to finance. “I have always been in the consumer packaged goods industry,” Weber says. “My first job out of college […]
Group Carries On Industry’s ‘Little Joe’s Christmas Party’ Tradition
In 1957, three men—Sam Guzzo of Oroweat Baking Co., Charlie Dragna of Barbara Ann Bread Co. and John Fusano of San Fernando Valley Olive Co.—started what would become an annual Christmas party. The event was held during the holiday season and hosted at Little Joe’s Italian Restaurant in Chinatown Los Angeles. The party quickly became […]
Specialty Food Association Reveals 2016 Hall Of Fame Inductees
The Specialty Food Association has revealed the 2016 class of the Specialty Food Hall of Fame, honoring 47 leaders who have been instrumental in building and shaping the $109 billion specialty food industry into the thriving business it is today. Inductees include Gene Biggi, Beaverton Foods Inc.; Ariane Daguin, D’Artagnan Inc.; Tom and Mary Ellen […]
Specialty Food Association Recognizes Six Industry Leaders
The Specialty Food Association has named the six winners of its fourth annual Leadership Awards, honoring members who have gone “above and beyond” in advancing food standards in society—and society itself—by creating social, economic and environmental impact through innovation and vision. Their achievements range from navigating a food safety crisis to creating products that support […]
Pace Of Change Sparks New, And Renewed, ‘Worries’ Among Execs
Food retailing has changed greatly over the last decade, and perhaps nowhere can that be seen more clearly than through the Food Marketing Institute’s “Worry Index,” a polling of anxieties that keep executives up at night, so to speak. “One of the most distinguishing facts about this year’s list is that half of the items […]
TGCSA Hires Member Services Coordinator
The Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA) has hired Chassity Martin as its coordinator of member services and project management. Martin’s duties will include addressing member issues, coordinating the association’s social media presence and providing events support. Previously, Martin worked for the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance. She is a 2015 graduate of the University of North […]
PMA’s Silbermann Announces Plans To Retire, Burns Will Take Over
Bryan Silbermann, the longtime leader of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), plans to retire as CEO on Jan. 31, 2017. Current PMA President Cathy Burns will succeed Silbermann, a move that was approved in late 2013 by PMA’s executive committee. In an emailed letter to PMA members Tuesday, Silbermann said that, starting Jan. 1, 2016, […]
FMI Mourns Passing Of Cathy Polley, Services Set For Monday
The Food Marking Institute (FMI) is mourning the death of one of its beloved leaders. Mrs. Catherine Mary Jelinski “Cathy” Polley, 56, died Nov. 2. She was nationally known as a passionate leader in improving the health and wellness of everyday Americans. Importantly, she was a courageous and loving wife, mother, sister and friend to […]
Washington State Presents Awards, Crowns Best Bagger During Annual Reception
The Washington Food Industry Association (WFIA) presented several awards and crowned the state’s best bagger during the group’s annual industry reception in Spokane on Oct. 27. Candice Lastimado, a courtesy clerk at the West Seattle Metropolitan Market, took home the first place trophy and a check for $2,000 in a heated competition at the Washington […]
Executive At Center Of New England’s Market Basket Saga Becomes CFO Of 99 Cents Only
One of the executives at the center of the 2014 drama surrounding New England’s Market Basket supermarket chain has been named CFO of 99 Cents Only Stores, headquartered in California. 99 Cents made the announcement that Felicia Thornton would assume the CFO and treasurer roles on Monday. In a news release discussing Thornton’s work experience, […]
NGA Presents Great American Award To Wakefern’s Mottese
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has recognized Wakefern Food Corp.’s Lorelei Mottese with NGA’s highest award for government relations, the Clarence G. Adamy Great American Award. The award was presented to Mottese by NGA President and CEO Peter J. Larkin and NGA VP of Public Affairs Greg Ferrara at Wakefern’s annual shareholders’ meeting, held Thursday […]
WAFC’s Christianson Has Devoted Her Career To Mentoring, Education
Carole Christianson started her career at age 18 with a family-owned bottling company, National Drinks in Gardena, California. Thus began a 40-plus-year career in the grocery industry that has led to many significant accomplishments and awards. From National Drinks, to Dr Pepper, to Coca-Cola Enterprises, to the establishment of her own company, Christianson West, in […]
WGA Presents U.S. Sen. Heitkamp With Inaugural Legislator Of The Year Award
The Women Grocers of America (WGA) has presented U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota with its inaugural Legislator of the Year Award in recognition of her work to support the independent supermarket industry and sustained commitment to women entrepreneurs. WGA, an affiliate program of the National Grocers Association (NGA), was formed to advance women […]
The American Consumer In 2020
Five years from now, U.S. marketers and retailers will be dealing with a very different consumer. On average, household heads will be older, less likely to be non-Hispanic white and more likely to be women. The average consumer—except for those in multicultural population groups—will be living in a smaller household and will be much more […]
Vegetable-Centric: More Than ‘Meats’ The Eye
by Karen Caplan/Special to The Shelby Report Once upon a time, vegetables were served as a side dish or in a side salad. They were something you cooked to go with your meat. I even remember a time when fresh kale was used solely as a garnish! This is no longer the case. For the […]
Rouses Hires First Full-Time Dietitian As It Kicks Off ‘Eat Right’ Initiative
Noting that today’s customers are more focused on nutrition, where their foods come from and how they are produced, Rouses Markets has appointed the chain’s first-ever full-time dietitian—Esther Ellis, RD. “Our new initiative, ‘Eat Right with Rouses,’ is all about building a healthier Gulf Coast,” says Donny Rouse, managing partner of the Thibodaux, Louisiana-based grocery […]
Kroger Names Group VP Of Corporate Affairs
The Kroger Co. on Tuesday appointed Jessica C. Adelman group VP of corporate affairs, effective Nov. 1. She will take over for Lynn Marmer, who recently announced her retirement. “Jessica brings a wealth of public affairs leadership experience and deep knowledge of the food supply chain,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO. “We look […]
