Associates of Fry’s Food Stores and Smith’s Food and Drug in Arizona have ratified a new labor agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99. “Fry’s is pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates. The agreement offers our associates a competitive compensation package,” said Fry’s President Steve McKinney. “This agreement comes […]
Tag: West
Posted in, Independent Store News, Industry News, Online Grocery Technology, West
Mi Pueblos In NorCal Offering All Western Union Services
Mi Pueblo Food Centers has partnered with Western Union to offer shoppers access to Western Union Money Transfer®, money order and bill payment. The services are available at Mi Pueblo stores in the Bay Area, Monterey Peninsula and Central Valley of California. The collaboration is part of Western Union’s efforts to strengthen its independent retail […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Market Profile, West
’14 Wyo. Profile: For Independent Operators Jim & Carmen Diehl, Biz And Community Go Hand In Hand
Jim and Carmen Diehl are true independent supermarket operators, running three stores in the northeast corner of Wyoming and helping to keep their small towns viable. Jim and Carmen each have been in the industry for more than 30 years and own Diehl’s Supermarket in Moorcroft, Joe’s Food Center in Upton and Paradise Foods in […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Suppliers, West
Sprouts COO, Olsen’s IGA To Be Honored At Arizona Food Marketing Alliance Banquet
The Arizona Food Marketing Alliance (AFMA) will host its annual Excellence in Leadership Awards Banquet on Oct. 17 at the Phoenix Downtown Sheraton. AFMA has been hosting this event since 1965. This year’s ceremony will honor Jim Nielsen, COO of Sprouts Farmers Market, as the Retailer of the Year; Paul Ratner, off-premise general sales manager […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Stater Bros., LifeStream Blood Bank Partner For Drive That Begins Monday
Stater Bros. is partnering with LifeStream Blood Bank in an ongoing effort to boost local, life-saving blood reserves. Each month, San Bernardino, Calif.-based Stater Bros. hosts blood drives at selected supermarkets. For October, blood drives will be held at the following Stater Bros. Supermarket locations: • Oct. 6, 11365 Bryant St., Yucaipa, 1-6 p.m. • Oct. 13, […]
Posted in, Albertsons, West
Stukenberg Named Retail Marketing Director At CAC
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) announced Tuesday that produce veteran Connie Stukenberg has returned to the commission staff full-time as retail marketing director. Stukenberg, who had worked on CAC’s merchandising staff from 2000-09, then continued her affiliation with the commission as part of her own business consultancy, CS Sales and Marketing for Results. She rejoined […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Organic Natural, West
Natural Grocers Will Open Eighth Oregon Store In Eugene Sept. 23
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will open its eighth Oregon location in Eugene on Sept. 23 at 201 Coburg Rd. “Natural Grocers is excited to introduce itself to the Eugene community, where lifestyle and healthy living intersect for residents in so many different ways,” said Kemper Isely, co-president of Natural Grocers. “We know Eugene residents […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
United Fresh Honors Paramount Citrus As Industry Advocate Of Year
The United Fresh Produce Association honored Paramount Citrus as the Produce Industry Advocate of the Year earlier this week at The Washington Conference. Paramount Citrus has been a longtime leader in the public policy arena, serving on several of United’s boards and councils, including United’s board of directors. Additionally, Paramount Citrus executives have been major […]
Posted in, C-Store News, West
Circle K Constructing New Prototype Store In SoCal
Circle K, a division of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., recently broke ground on a new prototype store in Southern California. The 4,500-s.f. convenience store will be located at the corner of Sanderson and Esplanade avenues in San Jacinto. It willl feature a Mobil gas station with eight fuel pumps and a self-serve car wash. The new […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Southwest
American Born Moonshine Launches In Texas
American Born Moonshine has expanded to Texas, marking the brand’s first foray into the Lone Star State. Texas marks the latest state for American Born Moonshine’s continued expansion throughout the U.S. following numerous successful launches in the southeastern U.S. and California. “Texas has an incredibly rich heritage of moonshiners, especially in the East Texas region […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
C&K Broadens Store Offerings As Company Emerges From Bankruptcy
C&K Market is previewing what customers can expect in the future as it emerged from bankruptcy Aug. 10. “We’ve been in the stores, talking with customers and identifying how we can serve them even better,” said Karl Wissmann, C&K Market’s president. “With bankruptcy behind us, we’re in a position to enhance our stores. Customers can […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified Grocers Reports Sales Growth, Operating Income Improvement
Unified Grocers this week reported improved sales and operating income for its third quarter of fiscal year 2014 ended June 28 and for the year to date. The Commerce, Calif.-based wholesaler reported gross billings of $2.882 billion for the year, compared to gross billings of $2.778 billion for the same period last year (a 3.7 […]
Posted in, West
Memorial Services For Produce Pioneers Upcoming
Two pioneers of the western produce industry passed away over the weekend, just one day apart. Mr. Ed Baloian, patriarch of Baloian Farms of Fresno, Calif., a grower of peppers and mixed vegetables, died Saturday at the age of 92. He had suffered health problems over the last few years but had been at the […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
La Costeña Acquires Faribault Foods
La Costeña group, a privately held global leader in a wide range of packaged foods categories, has completed the acquisition of Faribault Foods, a privately held manufacturer of canned beans and vegetables based in Minneapolis. Faribault Foods will be combined with La Costeña’s U.S. affiliate, Arizona Canning, based in Tucson, Ariz. The combined companies will […]
Posted in, National
Registration Begins For NGA 2015 Show
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has opened registration for The NGA Show, to be held in Las Vegas on Feb. 8-11. “The NGA Show is exclusively designed for the independent supermarket channel offering over 30 educational workshops and general sessions geared specifically for independent grocers in addition to an expansive exhibit floor. The show also […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, West
Napa Valley Harvest Begins Today
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) trade association reports that the first of Napa Valley’s sparkling wine producers begin picking grapes today, two days earlier than the start of last year’s wine grape harvest. Although this past winter was one of the driest on record, Napa’s vintners and growers are predicting an abundant, high-quality harvest for […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Kettle Brand Introduces Non-GMO Popcorn
Kettle Brand, known for creating some of the most popular and original potato chip flavors with natural, non-GMO ingredients, is launching into another snack category this summer with the rollout of Kettle Brand Popcorn. In development for nearly a year, the line of five flavors includes: • Maple Bacon: Sweet maple with a deep smoky […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Newport Ave. Market’s Annual Charitable Golf Tourney Is Next Week
In its second year honoring the legacy of the Rude Rudy’s Golf Tournament and its commitment to feeding the hungry in Central Oregon, Newport Avenue Market’s Go Golf! Tournament participants will hit the links at Broken Top Golf Club in Bend on Tuesday, July 22. Proceeds will benefit the Hunger Prevention Coalition (HPC) of Central […]
Posted in, Grocery News, New Products, Organic Natural, West
La Tourangelle Launches First Artisan Cooking Spray Oil
Adding to its repertoire of gourmet oils, La Tourangelle, the company that utilizes a 150-year-old traditional production method with its artisan mill in Woodland, Calif., introduced its spray oils set July 15. Finding a gap in the market for a healthy, propellant-free, all-natural spray oil product, La Tourangelle CEO Matthieu Kohlmeyer said he decided it […]
Posted in, West
California Cantaloupe Board Debuts Summer Consumer Sweepstakes
The California Cantaloupe Advisory Board’s Summertime Yum & Cantaloupe Fun online sweepstakes promotion is now under way and is designed to draw more people to the organization’s website and social media properties. Last year the California cantaloupe industry established a new mandatory food safety program and launched an on-line education effort designed to increase confidence […]