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 […]
Tag: West
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, 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, Beverage News, National
Starbucks To Stop Using Red Dye Made From Crushed Bugs
Starbucks will stop using a dye made from crushed bugs in its Strawberries & Crème Frappuccinos and other items after the ingredient prompted an outcry from customers, MSNBC reports. The South Florida Business Journal reveals the Seattle-based brewer said it will gradually transition from using the cochineal extract as a red food dye to using […]
Posted in, National, West
Frieda Caplan Honored With NAWBO Legacy Award
Frieda Rapoport Caplan, founder of Frieda’s Specialty Produce, was honored at the National Association of Women Business Owners 26th Annual NAWBO-LA Awards Luncheon alongside other influential Southern California women business owners Cookie Johnson of CJ by Cookie Johnson and Lubov Azria of BCBG Max Azria. The NAWBO-LA Awards gave tribute to top achievers and advocates […]
Posted in, West
Scolari’s Closing California Stores
After more than 60 years on California’s Central Coast, Scolari’s will be exiting the market and closing its four supermarkets in Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. “This was a gut-wrenching decision,” said Joey Scolari, co-owner along with his brother Jerry. “The economic downturn hit us hard as far back as […]
Posted in, National
Majority Of Americans Can Recycle Plastic Bags, Wraps Locally
A new study released Thursday provides encouraging news about the state of plastics recycling in the U.S.: more than 91 percent of the U.S. population can recycle their plastic bags locally and, additionally, nearly 75 percent of people living in the U.S. can recycle other types of flexible plastic wraps in their own communities. The […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Midwest, National, West
Lagunitas To Build Brewery In Chicago, Go National
By next year, it should be easier to get a Lagunitas India pale ale in the Windy City, and other areas of the East and Midwest. The San Francisco Business Times reports that Lagunitas Brewing Co., a craft beer brewer based in Petaluma, Calif., plans to spend up to $18 million to build a second […]
Posted in, West
Los Angeles Votes ‘Yes’ To Bag Ban
The Los Angeles City Council moved forward Wednesday with a plan to end the use of paper and plastic bags at supermarket checkout lines over the course of a year, the Los Angeles Times reports. The ordinance will force shoppers to bring more environmental bags with them to shop. The council still needs to draft […]
Posted in, West
Schiff Nutrition Acquires Airborne Inc.
Salt Lake City, Utah-based Schiff Nutrition International Inc. has acquired Airborne Inc., a leading provider of immune support products for $150 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. “Schiff is focused on building premium brands and leading innovation,” said Tarang Amin, president and CEO. “We are excited about the Airborne acquisition, which fits well with […]
Posted in, West
Chef Launches Hip Chick Farms Company, Product Line
Chef Jen Johnson has launched a new company, Hip Chick Farms—creating hand-crafted, delicious frozen chicken fingers, chicken meatballs, chicken wings and chicken stock, made with all-natural, sustainable ingredients and practices. Hip Chick Farms was created from Johnson’s love of food and family and offers family friendly solutions for lunch and dinnertime. Fresh, all-natural, sustainable—these are […]
Posted in, National
Vanilla Cream Puffs Recalled Due To Mislabeled Milk Allergen
Hudsonville, Mich.-based Creme Curls Bakery Inc. has initiated an immediate nationwide recall of 19.4-oz. cartons of Simply Enjoy Vanilla cream puffs distributed by Foodhold U.S.A. LLC and 13.2-oz. cartons of Vanilla Cream Puffs distributed by Creme Curls Bakery because the product contains sodium caseinate that is listed on the label, but does not identify the […]
Posted in, Southwest, West
WinCo Foods Debuting First Arizona Stores On Sunday
Boise, Idaho-based WinCo Foods will open three new discount supermarkets at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 1. Two of the stores mark the first entry for WinCo Foods into the Arizona market with locations at 330 W. Bell Rd. in Phoenix and 5850 W. Bell Rd. in Glendale. Each Arizona store is more than 90,000 s.f. […]
Posted in, Beverage News, West
New Hillcrest/Mission Hills Vons Set to Open Thursday
After 11 months of construction, the new Hillcrest/Mission Hills Vons at 515 West Washington St. in San Diego is set to open for business Thursday, March 29, following a 3 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony. Safeway, Vons’ parent company, has owned and operated a 12,000-s.f. store at this location since 1960, but the store’s size and […]
Posted in, National, West
Tomato Company Ex-Chief Pleads Guilty In SK Foods Schemes
Tomato company baron Frederick Scott Salyer on Friday pleaded guilty in federal court in Sacramento to racketeering and an anti-trust offense in connection to his company SK Foods, which engaged in a pattern of bribes and kickbacks with customers, reports the Sacramento Business Journal. Salyer, 56, of Pebble Beach, Calif., must forfeit $3.25 million dollars […]
Posted in, National
Top 10 American Metro Areas Eating The Freshest Foods Revealed
According to the Ziploc® Fresh Eating Survey, while 81 percent of Americans are looking for more ways to incorporate fresh ingredients into mealtime, less than 50 percent actually eat fruits and vegetables on a daily basis—a clear disparity between Americans’ outlook on eating fresh foods vs. the reality of mealtime. The Ziploc Fresh Eating Survey […]
Posted in, West
Safeway Plans For $1B Stock Buyback
Safeway Inc. has added $1 billion to its stock buyback program, which had just $400 million left in it as of Feb. 22, reports the San Francisco Business Times. Safeway bought 43.3 million of its own shares in October, November and December 2011. The Pleasanton, Calif.-based company had about 297 million shares of common stock […]
Posted in, Southeast
TreeHouse Foods To Acquire Naturally Fresh
TreeHouse Foods Inc. announced today, March 20, that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Naturally Fresh Inc., a privately owned Atlanta-based maker of refrigerated dressings, sauces, marinades, dips and specialty items in a wide array of packaging sizes. The products manufactured by the Naturally Fresh Inc. […]