In preparation for the upcoming corn season, Pioneer Growers is launching two new packaged sweet corn products: a tray package with eight ears of corn sold in a 10-count case instead of the 12-count industry standard and a grab-and-go microwavable bag package. Both products feature the Green Giant brand. “We developed the 10-count case […]
Tag: Supermarkets
Posted in, Industry News, National
Guiding Stars Awarded U.S. Patent For Its Food Nutrition Database System
Guiding Stars, the nation’s leading independent nutrition guidance program, has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 8,626,796 for its food nutrition database and operating system that is used to score and present nutrition information for food products. It marks the second U.S. patent issued to protect the Guiding Stars system, which helps consumers identify more nutritious […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, Publix, Costco, Sprouts Top Consumer Reports’ Grocer Ratings
When it comes to supermarkets, biggest isn’t always best. In Consumer Reports’ latest survey, Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, Publix, Costco and Sprouts earned the highest scores overall among 55 of the nation’s major grocery stores; Walmart, America’s largest grocer, landed at the bottom of the ratings, based on a survey of 27,208 subscribers. The report, which […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Lowes Foods Now Accepting Direct Sales From Produce Farmers
When you shop for meat and vegetables at Lowes Foods, there’s a good chance the label will tell you if it came from a local farmer, according to the Triangle Business Journal. A new program allows Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Lowes Foods to buy fresh produce and meats directly from more than 100 small farms in North […]
Posted in, Executive News, Northeast
A&P Promotes Hertz To CEO, Makes Other Appointments
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) has named Paul Hertz president and CEO, effective immediately. He replaces Sam Martin, who left the Montvale, N.J.-based grocery chain earlier this year. Since joining A&P in 2010, Hertz has served as COO. As president and CEO, he will be responsible for the leadership and strategic direction […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
NGA Expresses Concerns With Chairman Camp’s Tax Reform Proposal
On behalf of the National Grocers Association (NGA), Peter J. Larkin, NGA president and CEO, sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) outlining concerns with Camp’s draft proposal to overhaul the nation’s tax code. Specifically, NGA addressed the negative impacts that the exclusion of non-manufacturing S-corporations from a lower […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
AWG Reports Record Sales And Earnings
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), the nation’s second largest cooperative food wholesaler, has reported consolidated net sales of $8.38 billion, up 6.8 percent over the prior year, marking the first time the company has exceeded the $8 billion mark. Same-store sales were up nearly 2 percent over the prior year. Operating income was a record $201 […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Governor Signs Bill To Allow Wine Sales In Tenn. Grocery Stores
As expected, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today signed the wine in grocery stores bill. The matter will now go to voters in the state. According to the Memphis Business Journal, municipalities can now begin petitioning for a referendum on allowing the sale of wine in grocery stores, but it will be at least two years […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Study: Canned Foods Provide Nutrition, Cost And Safety Benefits
The vast majority of Americans need to eat more fruits and vegetables. In fact, only 33 percent and 27 percent of Americans meet government recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake, respectively. And finding foods that are nutritious, affordable and safe can be difficult. But a recently published Michigan State University (MSU) study shows that canned […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest
Russ’s Lincoln Wine & Food Experience Raises Record Amount
Supporters of the Lincoln Community Playhouse in Nebraska raised a record $43,550.56 at last month’s 2014 Lincoln Wine & Food Experience. The event, presented by Russ’s Market, has now raised more than $200,000 total for the playhouse in its six years of existence. Nearly 900 people attended this year’s event held at Embassy Suites. The […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Stater Bros. Launches 2-Ads-1-Day Wednesdays
Stater Bros. is debuting a program called “2 ads 1 day.” A new Stater Bros. ad breaks on Wednesday of each week, and now the prior week’s ad also is effective on that one day as well. In other words, on Wednesdays, Stater Bros. customers can shop two ads, together, on the same day. “Food […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
Mrs. Green’s Natural Market Plans To Open 22 Stores By Year’s End
Mrs. Green’s Natural Market has big expansion plans for 2014. The company plans to open 22 new locations this year across the Northeast and Midwest U.S. and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Alberta. Spring grand openings will include West Windsor, N.J., on March 28 and New Canaan, Conn., on April 11. Mrs. Green’s plans […]
Posted in, National, West
California Grocery Veteran Rick Fry Dies At 62
Mr. Rick Fry, who spent 47 years in the grocery business and became well known and respected as a top industry leader in grocery marketing and operations, died unexpectedly March 14 in California due to post lung cancer treatment complications. He was 62. Since November 2012, Mr. Fry was a managing partner at Coastal Marketing Group, serving […]
Posted in, National
WGA Accepting Mary Macey Scholarship Applications
Aligned with Women Grocers of America’s (WGA) mission to recruit and retain the next generation of successful individuals in the independent grocery industry, WGA is now accepting applications for its Mary Macey Scholarship program. Mary Macey Scholarships are one-year awards for $1,500. Employees or family members affiliated with independent retailers and wholesalers are eligible to apply. […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Southeast
Mona’s Granola Updates Packaging
Mona’s Granola is debuting new and improved packaging that it says conveys its brand promise: “Simply the Best.” Designed by graphic artist Daniel Cabour, Mona’s Granola has taken a year to modify its packaging. Currently stocked in Publix stores throughout the Southeast and Whole Foods in Florida, the new bags are being shipped to all […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, Southwest
H-E-B Rolls Out Own Line Of Organic Products
H-E-B is introducing H-E-B Organics, the company’s own line of organic products offered at everyday low prices. This month’s introduction of H-E-B Organics will significantly increase the availability and affordability of organic products in Texas, according to the grocer. The new line will focus on everyday pantry staples like canned tomatoes and vegetables, cereal, crackers, […]
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
Brookshire’s Inaugural Fresh 15 Raises More Than $80K For Charity
Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has donated more than $80,000 to charity from funds raised through its inaugural Fresh 15 road race, held at its new concept store, Fresh by Brookshire’s, in Tyler, Texas. The race was held March 1 and featured a 15k, 5k and kids’ 1k, along with post-race entertainment and food. BGC partnered […]
Posted in, Southeast, Suppliers
Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign Under Way For 2014
The Alabama Grocers Association, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association recently kicked off their 2014 Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign. In attendance at the kickoff, in addition to members of the Alabama legislature, were Dianne Bentley, first lady of Alabama, Daniel Autry, chief of staff and chief […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Bi-Lo Holdings Announces Banner Conversions For 10 Georgia Stores
Bi-Lo Holdings, parent company of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarket chains, has decided to convert seven existing Harveys stores to Winn-Dixie stores and three existing Winn-Dixie stores to Harveys stores. These stores are part of the pending acquisition of 134 operating stores from Delhaize Group. “We carefully evaluated the market areas around each store and […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Executive News, National
Two Supervalu Board Members Step Down Following Safeway Deal
Supervalu on Thursday said that two of its directors, Mark Neporent and Lenard Tessler, have stepped down from the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Neporent and Tessler were both appointed to the board in 2013 as designees of Symphony Investors LLC, a Cerberus Capital Management L.P.-led investor consortium, under the terms of the tender […]