Sprouts Farmers Market and Sunflower Farmers Market have completed their proposed merger, and three new Arizona stores are planned. The Phoenix Business Journal reports that plans call for opening a new store in Ahwatukee in September and another in Phoenix and Flagstaff in early 2013. Each store will hire about 80 people. While company officials […]
Tag: California
Posted in, National
Whole Foods Market Names New Regional Presidents
Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market has named Scott Allshouse, Omar Gaye and Rob Twyman as regional presidents following the promotion of David Lannon and Kenneth Meyer to EVPs of operations. Allshouse fills Meyer’s former role as president of the company’s Mid-Atlantic region. He moves from his position as president of the South region. Allshouse began […]
Posted in, West
Contract Talks Continue at Grocery Store Chains
Labor contract talks between union leadership and Raley’s continue with a mediator, and Save Mart Supermarkets has extended it contract with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.
Posted in, New Products, West
Fresh & Easy Introduces New ‘Ready To Cook’ Product Line
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has launched a new range of more than 50 pre-seasoned, ready-to-cook items in stores just in time for the summer grilling season. The “Ready to Cook” line includes beef, pork, chicken, fish and vegetable options all pre-marinated or pre-seasoned and ready to go straight in the skillet, microwave or on […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
Court Affirms POM’s Right To Inform Consumers Of Products’ Health Benefits
In a 335-page ruling, the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) administrative law judge has upheld POM Wonderful’s right to share valuable, scientifically validated information about the health benefits of its safe food with consumers. Since 1996, POM has been committed to studying the health benefits of the pomegranate, investing more than $35 million to support scientific […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, West
New Loyalty Program Begins At C&K Market
C&K Market Inc., operating 62 stores in Oregon and California under the banners Ray’s Food Place, Shop Smart, and C&K Market, has signed with Accelitec Inc., to launch a Customer Relationship Management platform. The launch of this new platform is an exciting step forward for the family owned and privately held Brookings,Ore.-based company, according to […]
Posted in, West
Dave Histed Wins Safeway Culinary Kitchens’ Next Chef Competition
After a three-month nationwide search, a People’s Choice vote, three regional cook-off events and one final cook-off event, Safeway has found its next chef. Dave Histed has won the “Search for Our Next Chef” competition, a first-of-its-kind opportunity in which chefs from across the country competed for a full-time position with the Safeway Culinary Kitchens […]
Posted in, Beverage News, West
FreshWorks Pledges $125M Loan Fund To Bring Fresh Food To Neighborhoods
The California FreshWorks Fund has announced that a coalition of grocers, banks and other entities are collaborating on a $125 million loan pool effort to get more fresh food made available in low-income neighborhoods. The Sacramento Business Journal reports that the fund will offer grocers access to alternative financing options as well as incentives to […]
Posted in, California Perspective, West
Proposed Bills Would Make Grocers Public Health Educators
Lawmakers continue to struggle with priorities as California’s unprecedented “top two” June primary election approaches and lawmakers face voters in newly drawn districts. Uncertainty about political futures has created an odd climate in Sacramento, with more than 2,000 bills introduced in 2012—many of which are rumored to be destined for the trash heap as soon […]
Posted in, West
WAFC Announces 2012-13 Officer Lineup
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has announced the 2012-13 officers and board of directors elected at the 91st Annual WAFC Convention on April 24 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Ariz. WAFC Officers 2012-13 • President and Chairman: Oscar Gonzalez, co-president and COO of Northgate Markets, Anaheim, Calif. • Vice President: […]
Posted in, National, West
Former Hostess CEO Takes The Helm At Diamond Foods
San Francisco-based Diamond Foods has appointed food and beverage industry veteran Brian J. Driscoll as president and CEO, effective May 8. Driscoll, who will join the Diamond board of directors, replaces Rick G. Wolford, a director who has served as interim CEO since Feb. 7 while the company conducted a nationwide search for a permanent […]
Posted in, Industry News, West
Judge Fines Kroger For Inaccurate Labeling, Prices
A California judge has ordered the Kroger Co. and its Ralphs division to pay a civil judgment of nearly $300,000 involving the sales of frozen dairy dessert products and inaccurate unit pricing, the Los Angeles Times reports. California state inspectors, in response to a consumer complaint in 2009, found several flavors of Ralphs and Kroger […]
Posted in, West
Raley’s May Be Facing a Strike; Save Mart Sets May 9 Deadline
Raley’s denied a contract extension with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 5 and Local 8-Golden State on May 1, effectively ending negotiations that had been going on since last summer. The contract for 60,000 union supermarket workers in Northern and Central California actually expired last October. The contract covered Raley’s/Nob Hill, Safeway/Vons and […]
Posted in, National
Study: Berries May Help Prevent Cognitive Decline In Older Women
Eating more sweet berries can keep our brains healthier, according to a new study published in the Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society. This news comes at a time when U.S. Census data shows the elderly population increasing faster than the total U.S. population. The study, conducted […]
Posted in, National
Safeway Chef Competition Announces Top Three Finalists
After combing through hundreds of submissions, conducting a nationwide People’s Choice online vote and hosting three high-stakes cook-off events in San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago, Safeway is bringing the “Search for Our Next Chef” Competition to an exhilarating close. The three finalists will have one last chance to showcase their skills at the final cook-off […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Midwest, New Products, Southwest, West
New Functional Brews Set To Roll Out For Bean & Body Coffee
Good just got better with the introduction of three new flavors from Bean & Body Coffee, an ultra-premium RTD functional coffee blend. The flavors joining the current line-up are Vegan, Horchata and Coconut. “We are really excited about the new flavors and what they will bring to the category,” said Erin Kelly, VP of marketing […]
Posted in, Midwest, West
Apio Acquires Green Bean Processor
Fresh-cut vegetable producer Apio Inc. has acquired GreenLine Foods Inc. from The Riverside Co., a global private equity firm. Perrysburg, Ohio-based GreenLine Foods is a leading processor and marketer of value-added, fresh-cut green beans in North America, according to Apio, which is based in Guadalupe, Calif. “U.S. consumer demand for the convenience of fresh-cut green […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Samuel Adams Supports Small Business Growth
The Boston Beer Co. has expanded its Samuel Adams “Brewing the American Dream®” program. With a focus on helping small businesses related to food, beverage, craft brewing and hospitality, Brewing the American Dream provides loans and industry-specific coaching, mentoring and educational resources to business owners who find it difficult to access the capital and guidance […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Organic Natural, Southwest
Mile High Organics Is Nation’s First USDA-Certified Organic Online Grocer
Colorado-based Mile High Organics, a leading organic produce and natural grocery delivery service, is the first online grocery retailer in the United States to receive USDA organic certification. The voluntary certification assures customers of the company’s commitment to transparency and traceability, and to supporting organic farmers through the delivery of high-quality food, according to company […]
Posted in, Albertsons, New Products, West
Frankly Fresh Introduces Hummus Cocktails & Smoothies
Frankly Fresh™, a Cedarlane® Natural Foods company, is revolutionizing hummus dips with a combination of fresh, unconventional flavors and all-natural ingredients. The brand is introducing Hummus Cocktails & Hummus Smoothies—garden-fresh, healthy, flavor-packed party dips—to an increasing number of grocers just in time for spring break, summer pool parties and more. Four flavors of Frankly Fresh’s […]