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: Supermarkets
Posted in, National
Whole Foods Greens-Up Cleaning Aisle
Just one year after launching its Eco-Scale rating system, more than 90 percent of the household cleaning products sales at Whole Foods Market pass its green cleaning test. With its exclusive tiered rating system, Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods requires something the U.S. government doesn’t—full disclosure of ingredients on all household cleaning product labels. According to […]
Posted in, National
Value, Technology, New Formats Shaping Grocery Industry
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) previewed the findings of its 2012 U.S. Grocery Shopper trends research on May 1 in a presentation by FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin, addressing participants at FMI2012, the Food Retail Show in Dallas. Seeking to help retailers shape their strategies for future growth, Sarasin identified and examined the implications […]
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, Marketing News, National
FMI Forms Partnership With TopSource To Provide Procurement Solutions
From FMI Show 2012 The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has formed a strategic business partnership with TopSource LLC, a sourcing company and wholly owned subsidiary of Topco Associates LLC. FMI and TopSource will work together on program initiatives to help food retailers and wholesalers identify business opportunities and better serve the needs of their customers. […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Southeast
Ga. Peach Season Launches with ‘Sweet’ New Campaign
Sweet Georgia Peaches soon will arrive in supermarkets, heralding the growing season that runs from mid-May to mid-August. This year, consumers in Georgia and Florida will be greeted with an updated public relations, advertising and social media campaign featuring the catchphrase, “Georgia Peaches, All Kinds of Sweet.” “A recent Perishables Group survey suggests that over […]
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, Center Store, National, New Products
IHOP Brings Full Line of Syrups to Grocery Shelves
IHOP has launched IHOP at Home® Syrups, a full line of syrups featuring Original, Lite, Sugar Free, as well as signature Rooty Tooty Fresh ’N Fruity® Strawberry and Rooty Tooty Fresh ’N Fruity Blueberry. “The launch of our new IHOP at Home Syrups marks another phase in our strategy to further bring IHOP awareness to […]
Posted in, Southeast
Kroger Again a Sponsor of Fiesta Atlanta
Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, will again support Fiesta Atlanta in 2012. The 6th annual Fiesta Atlanta will take place at Centennial Olympic Park on Sunday, May 6. Kroger continues to promote and serve the growing Latino community. Its display area at the festival will include a “Kroger Isle,” featuring an interactive area […]
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, National, New Products
Luna Introduces New Fiber Line
Luna® Fiber is a new high-fiber snack that provides the essential nutrients women need most. The soft-baked and fruit-filled bar is designed to curb hunger and satisfy women’s cravings between meals. “Most women want more fiber, but we found that women cite taste as the top barrier to eating more of it,” said Paula Connelly, […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Marketing News, National
Pretzel Crisps Star In Online Music Video
Snack Factory has launched its “One Snack” digital marketing campaign for its Pretzel Crisps®, 110-calorie, flat-baked pretzel crackers. The campaign kicked off April 25 with online video content for its 240,000-plus Facebook and Twitter fans. “We needed a way to better engage with our social media communities and on the web,” said Perry Abbenante, VP […]
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, National
John Dumais Receives N.G.A. Association Leadership Award
John Dumais, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Grocers Association (NHGA), has been presented the National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) Association Leadership Award for his dedication and continued service as a true community focused state association executive. A cornerstone of the industry for 40 years, Dumais has demonstrated unflagging leadership. He has, since 1974, been […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
ROFDA, Media Solutions Corp. Announce Partnership
Media Solutions Corp. (MSC) and Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) have announced their partnership to provide ROFDA member distributors new services to help their independent retailer customers to compete more favorably. “We founded MSC in July of 2011 and the very first call we made was to ROFDA to brainstorm how MSC could […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Northeast, Southeast
Chobani Moving Sales Headquarters to Charlotte, N.C.
The maker of the nation’s top-selling Greek yogurt brand is bringing its North American sales headquarters to Charlotte, N.C. The Charlotte Business Journal reports that New York State-based Chobani Global Holdings Inc. already has 17 employees in the area and plans to increase its staff to about 60 by the end of 2013. Average salaries […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Midwest, New Products, Perishables, Suppliers
Differentiating The Dairy Case: Benelact Launching New Line
Benelact Dairy is introducing the world’s first all-natural, reduced cholesterol dairy foods. At the FMI 2012 show in Dallas, Texas, April 30-May 3, the company will launch a line of butter and several cheese varieties with one-third less cholesterol than traditional butter and cheese. Branded and private label products are available globally. Benelact Dairy foods […]
Posted in, National
The J.M. Smucker Co. Promotes David Lemmon
The J.M. Smucker Co. has promoted David Lemmon to VP and managing director, Canada—effective May 1. Lemmon has been with the company for 17 years, and his leadership has been instrumental in successfully implementing the company’s growth strategy in Canada and helping the company achieve a leading market share position in several Canadian food and […]