Thomasville, Ga.-based Flowers Foods announced July 23 that it has acquired Lepage Bakeries of Auburn, Maine. For fiscal 2011, Lepage had sales of $166 million from its three bakeries in New England. The acquisition adds Lepage’s efficient operations and 100 years of baking tradition to the second largest producer of packaged bakery foods for retail […]
Tag: perishables
Posted in, National, Perishables, The Kroger Co.
$32B Prepared Foods Market Proves Supermarkets Aren’t Just For Groceries
Sales of prepared foods and ready-to-eat foods at retail will reach $32.45 billion in 2012, up 7.5 percent from 2011, according to “Prepared Foods and Ready-to-Eat Foods at Retail,” a just-released report from Packaged Facts. The prepared foods retail net extends across a wide number of retail formats, but supermarkets command majority share. Supermarkets garner […]
Posted in, West
California Communities Get Year-Round Access To Healthy Foods
Thousands of families across California will soon have easier access to essential foods for a healthy life as the result of grants awarded by The California FreshWorks Fund (CFWF), administered by NCB Capital Impact. The $105,100 in grants are designed to create new access to healthy foods, and are awarded to: The Community Development Foundation […]
Posted in, Northeast
Shaw’s Celebrates Grand Re-Opening of Maine Stores with Trailer Donation
Shaw’s Supermarkets recently celebrated the grand re-opening of its stores in Auburn and Lewiston, Maine. The company commemorated the occasion by donating a trailer to the Good Shepherd Food-Bank as part of its commitment to supporting the organization’s critical mission to provide food to those in need. The newly revamped stores were designed to offer […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Yogurt’s Growth Outpaces Rest Of U.S. Food Industry
Yogurt’s growth has outpaced the rest of the U.S. food industry and analysts say the market for yogurt of all kinds is only expected to increase, reports Fortune. Reports and projects that point to growth in the industry, according to Fortune, include: A Nielsen study that says U.S. sales are up 15 percent from 2010 […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Organic Alliance Issues Special Letter To Shareholders
Organic Alliance Inc., a global grower, shipper and distributor of fresh foods focusing on organic and Fair Trade agriculture, has issued the following special letter to shareholders: Dear Shareholder: It is my privilege to report that Organic Alliance Inc. (ORGC) has reached the critical mass needed to solidify its market position in the $29.2 billion […]
Posted in, Southeast
Georgia Peach Council Sweetens Peoples’ Days
Georgia Peach Council’s grassroots marketing campaign sweetened the day for stressful workers in the key markets of Tampa and Orlando, Fla. This year, Florida consumers have been greeted with updated public relations, advertising and social media campaigns featuring the catch phrase, “Georgia Peaches, All Kinds of Sweet.” To highlight the message, surprise “Sweet on the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Campbell Soup Co. to Acquire Bolthouse Farms
Campbell Soup Co. is set to acquire Bolthouse Farms for $1.55 billion in short- and long-term borrowings by Campbell. The company expects to finalize the acquisition by late summer. Campbell said in a press release that it remains on track to deliver results consistent with fiscal 2012 sales growth, up to 2 percent. Bolthouse markets […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Fresh Swordfish Available for Limited Time at Whole Foods
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified harpoon-caught swordfish from Nova Scotia will be available for two months beginning in July at Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods says it is the only national retailer to carry this fresh, never frozen summer grilling specialty. To harvest the swordfish, fishermen harpoon mature fish one at a time, virtually eliminating […]
Posted in, Northeast, Southeast
Dole Fresh Vegetables Recalls Some Bagged Salads
Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling 2,598 cases of bagged salad. The product being recalled is Dole Hearts of Romaine coded 0540N165112A or B, with a use-by date of June 26 and UPC 7143000956 due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. Dole Fresh Vegetables is coordinating closely with regulatory officials. No illnesses have […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Beef Checkoff Seeks Entries For National Awards
The Beef Checkoff Program is calling for entries for its annual National Retail Beef Backer Awards, a prestigious national awards program that honors retailers that go above and beyond to market and merchandise beef to their customers. Through Oct. 1, retailers can enter to win in one of four categories: • Independent Retailer (fewer than […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Study: Change Of Generational Guard Means Trouble For Established Brands, Traditional Stores
Jefferies, the global investment bank, and AlixPartners, the global business advisory firm, have announced the findings of their new joint study, “Trouble in Aisle 5,” which finds that the traditional food-at-home vertical, which is already facing trouble, is likely to see its challenges accelerate over the next few years. The study, which included a survey […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Johnsonville Rolls Out Pork & Chicken Sausage In Two Varieties
Johnsonville Sausage has launched its new Pork & Chicken Sausage—available in Traditional Brat and Mild Italian. These new sausage varieties have 50 percent less fat and are now available at select retailers nationwide. “At Johnsonville, we know there is nothing like a summer cookout with family and friends,” says Amber Brandimarte, Johnsonville senior brand manager. […]
Posted in, Southeast
Dole Recalls Some Bagged Salads Over Risk of Listeria
Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling 1,077 cases of bagged salads distributed in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The products being recalled are Kroger Fresh Selections Greener Supreme (coded N158 211B 1613 KR04, UPC 11110 91039), Kroger Fresh Selections Leafy Romaine (coded N158 111B KR11, UPC 11110 91046), and Walmart Marketside […]
Posted in, Center Store, West
Unified CEO: It’s Probably Time To ‘Redefine’ Center Store
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer While perimeter store sales have seen a substantial uptick in recent years, perhaps taking away from purchases consumers would normally make in the center store, Al Plamann says the center store category shouldn’t be dismissed as a disappearing one. Rather, he notes, the definition of center store simply needs updating. Plamann, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Simpli OatShake Beverage Innovation Wins Third Award In Six Months
On a hot streak of awards for its innovative Simpli™ OatShake beverage, Simpli OatShake Coffee received the sofi™ Silver award for Outstanding Cold Beverage from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade Inc. (NASFT). This marks the third award received by Simpli OatShake within the last six months, an unprecedented event for a newcomer […]
Posted in, Northeast
Farmers Market Program In Pa. Offering Vouchers To Older Adults, WIC Participants
Low-income older adults and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program participants can now use vouchers to purchase fresh, local produce at farmers markets and farm stands across Pennsylvania. Agriculture Secretary George Greig, Aging Secretary Brian Duke and Health Secretary Dr. Eli Avila joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary of Food Nutrition and Consumer Services Dr. […]
Posted in, West
James Beard Market Deal Approved for Portland
The James Beard Public Market in Portland, Ore., is just weeks away from closing an agreement to secure a site at the Morrison Bridge, the Portland Business Journal reports. The Multnomah County Commission voted 4-0 last week to approve the $10.4 million sale of a three-acre parking lot on the west side of the Morrison […]
Posted in, Perishables, West
Fresh & Easy’s ‘Kitchen To Go’ Caters to Busy Customers
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has launched its new “Kitchen To Go” products, including more than 150 chef-created appetizers, side dishes and entrees, including meal bowls. The “Kitchen To Go” items, ready to heat and serve, are made for one or two people. Fresh & Easy’s chefs came up with meals based on seasonal flavors. […]
Posted in, West
Calif. Cantaloupe Board Prepares for New Food Safety Program
Since the unanimous approval for the state’s first mandatory food safety program under a commodity board structure, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board held its first meeting June 6. During the meeting, members discussed how to begin immediately taking steps to comply with government audits, voting to adopt specific food safety guidance for California cantaloupes. In […]