Consumers across the U.S. are now seeing “not made with genetically modified ingredients” on familiar yellow boxes of original Cheerios. Original Cheerios has always been made with whole grain oats, and there are no GMO (genetically modified organism) oats, according to Tom Forsythe, VP of global communications for General Mills, maker of Cheerios. “We do […]
Tag: Grocery
Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest
Fields Foods Opens In St. Louis
Fields Foods, a locally owned and operated grocery store specializing in locally produced food products, opened its doors in St. Louis on Saturday. Located at 1500 Lafayette Ave. near the south side of the city, the store is dedicated to bringing fresh, high-quality foods to residents of St. Louis, which has several urban food desert […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Donating $54K, Time To Hospital For Three Kings Day
Vallarta Supermarkets is celebrating the 2nd annual Three Kings Day (Dia de Reyes) with patients, families and staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles today. Vallarta staff is joining in the festivities by dressing as the Three Kings and bringing toys for patients. Additionally, the grocer is bringing its traditional Rosca de Reyes (traditional sweet bread in […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Survey: Nearly 6 In 10 Energy Drink Consumers Worry About Their Safety
As a new year begins and consumers return to work, many will be looking for an energy kick. But according to new research from Mintel, nearly six in 10 Americans (59 percent) who are current energy drink or shot users say they worry about the safety of energy drinks and energy shots. However, despite allegations […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Aldi Introduces All-Natural, Organic Product Line Called SimplyNature
Aldi has launched it exclusive ”SimplyNature” brand, which features simple foods made with only all-natural or organic ingredients. SimplyNature products range from cereal, honey, fruit bars and apple juice, to pasta sauce, pizza, salsa and various snacks. The new line of SimplyNature products is now available in all stores. “At Aldi, we know that finding […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
NGA Enhances Advocacy Efforts Through New Online Political Action Center
To strengthen and unify the voice of the independent grocer on Capitol Hill, the National Grocers Association (NGA) has officially launched a new Political Action Center. Heading into the 2014 mid-term elections, the NGA Political Action Center will enable independent grocers to connect directly with their federal legislators on a number of platforms, while also […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Whole Foods Commits $25M In Funding For Loans To Local Producers
Whole Foods Market says its Local Producer Loan Program (LPLP) has reached the initial goal of funding $10 million in low-interest loans to local and independent food businesses, and has now committed up to $25 million in funding. The LPLP has provided 184 loans to 155 companies since its inception in 2007. In providing easier […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Midwest
Country Hearth Breads Launches Redesigned Website
Country Hearth breads is inviting consumers and partners to explore its redesigned website, found at CountryHearthBreads.com, and discover new features designed for a greater user experience. The website runs concurrent with a broader brand revitalization. Website users will find added functionality, including a store locater and recipe center. With nutrition in mind, Country Hearth says […]
Posted in, National
Stores Should Optimize Health Offering To Overcome External, Internal Challenges
Consumer confidence is up in our economy, but it’s still somewhat tenuous. The housing market is doing well and prices are rising, but there’s still some volatility. Unemployment is falling in the labor markets and it’s driving down income. If we continue to see income fall as it has been, businesses will struggle more because […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
A Congressional Year In Review And A Look To Future Action
Similar to 2012, this past year’s themes encompassed those of partisan gridlock and legislative uncertainty, making it another challenging year for our industry. While the so-called “fiscal cliff” was averted in the very early hours of 2013, Americans experienced a partial government shutdown for the first time in more than a decade. Many issues, including […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Quaker Oats Launching New Breakfast Products For 2014
The Quaker Oats Co., a subsidiary of PepsiCo Inc., says it is introducing a range of innovative products for the New Year. Three new oat-based innovations include Quaker Warm & Crunchy Granola, Quaker Instant Oatmeal Cups and Quaker Real Medleys Cereal. • Quaker Warm & Crunchy Granola, a first-of-its-kind hot cereal that delivers both Quaker […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Chicken Council Responds To Report About Poultry Bacteria
The National Chicken Council is responding to a Consumer Reports article, “The High Cost of Cheap Chicken,” released last week and featured in the February 2014 issue of the magazine and online at consumerreports.org. Americans eat about 160 million servings of chicken each day, and 99.99 percent of those servings are consumed safely, according to […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, West
Gelson’s Parent To Sell To TPG Investment Firm For $394M
Arden Group Inc., parent of Gelson’s Markets, an operator of 17 full-service specialty grocery stores in Southern California, has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by TPG, the global private investment firm, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $394 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Arden Group’s shareholders will receive $126.50 […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Aldi Launches Growth Strategy To Operate Nearly 2K U.S. Stores By 2018
Discount grocer Aldi today announced a five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores across the nation. The company launched its expansion efforts after announcing it would build a regional headquarters and distribution center in Moreno Valley, Calif. To reach its goal of 2,000 stores, Aldi plans to accelerate the pace of new store openings over the […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
OSMG To Open Cincinnati Office
OSMG (On-Shelf Marketing Group LLC) will open an office in Cincinnati, Ohio, next month. OSMG Cincinnati is the second location for the national sales agency solution deployed for Walmart and now Kroger. OSMG was founded in 2007 and combines the strengths of four of the strongest regional sales agents in the CPG industry. The team […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Save Mart, Lucky And FoodMaxx Will Match ‘Holiday Shares’ Donations
Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx on Saturday will match donations to local Bay Area, and Monterey and Santa Cruz County, Feeding America-affiliated food banks through their “Holiday Shares” program, for a total dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $5,000 for the day. This initiative could not come at a more critical time for local food […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s ‘Power Of Purple’ On Trend For 2014
Frieda’s Specialty Produce is getting a boost for the “Power of Purple” movement as the global authority on color, Pantone, announces “Radiant Orchid” as the Color of the Year for 2014. According to Pantone, a provider of professional color standards for the design industries, “an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Equipment & Technology, National
MoneyGram Signs Agreement With New Albertson’s Inc.
MoneyGram, a leading global money transfer company, has signed an agreement with New Albertson’s Inc. (NAI) to offer money transfer, bill payment and money order services in all Acme Markets, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and Star Markets grocery stores. The new agreement with NAI includes provisions that will allow customers to interact face to face with customer […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Mario Lopez Partners With Avocados From Mexico On Holiday Promotion
Host of “Extra” and “The X Factor” Mario Lopez has partnered with Avocados from Mexico (AFM) to celebrate this holiday season by showcasing how his family combines Mexican and American holiday traditions, including the use of fresh avocados from Mexico in his favorite recipes. Those recipes and more are available on the AFM website to encourage […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Sales Up, Earnings Down At Stater Bros. For 4Q And Fiscal 2013
Stater Bros. has reported its sales and earnings results for its fourth quarter and fiscal 2013 year ended Sept. 29. Fourth quarter fiscal 2013 sales were $960.4 million, an increase of $3.2 million, or 0.33 percent, compared to normalized 13-week 2012 fourth quarter sales. Fiscal 2013 sales were $3.9 billion, an increase of $54.4 million, […]