The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has elected two new members to its board of directors: Ann Reed and Mike Servold. Reed is VP of merchandising for The Kroger Co.’s Fred Meyer Stores Division, based in Portland. She is responsible for merchandising for 132 stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington that employ more […]
Tag: West
Posted in, West
FPFC Donates $10K To Support Typhoon Relief In The Philippines
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council (FPFC) has made a contribution of $10,000 through The Philippines Red Cross to support relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Thousands of Filipinos were killed during the storm that struck earlier this month and millions have been left homeless and without food. In addition to providing temporary […]
Posted in, National
Roman Meal Co. Board Chairman Honored By University Of Washington
Charles Matthaei, chairman of the board at Roman Meal Co., was presented with the 2013 University of Washington Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award at the Veterans Day celebration and ceremony at the Medal of Honor Memorial, University of Washington (UW) Seattle, on Monday. Matthaei was recognized for his naval service and a lifetime of philanthropy, civic […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Independent Store News, West
Gelson’s Debuts First Store In 12 Years In Long Beach
Long Beach, Calif., residents have a new shopping option, and they’re excited. A new Gelson’s Markets opened its doors Thursday. The first customer in the door had waited in line since before 3 a.m. The line to get in included hundreds by opening time. “This is our first new store in 12 years and we’re […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Good Earth Tea Revamps Brand
Good Earth Teas Inc., maker of bold herbal tea fusions, has relaunched the brand, complete with new product names, revamped fusions as well as a new look and feel. Built around Good Earth’s “Tea Untamed” mantra, all aspects of the brand now embody the belief that tea is potent and powerful and, like life, should […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Bell-Carter Foods Finalizes Executive Team
Bell-Carter Foods Inc., a leader in the specialty condiment business and the nation’s largest table olive producer, has made some new hires and is growing its executive team. Matthew L. Amigh is CFO, Doug Reifsteck is EVP of operations and Tom Rickard is VP of retail sales. CEO Tim T. Carter and VP of Strategy, […]
Posted in, National, West
Idaho Potato Commission Appoints Three New Commissioners
The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) has appointed three new commissioners who will each serve a three-year term. Peggy Grover of BenchMark Potato in Rexburg; Ritchey Toevs, a grower residing in Aberdeen; and Tommy Brown of Lamb Weston in Pocatello were formally sworn in at the IPC’s October commission meeting in Sun Valley. The commissioners were […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified Grocers Holds Newly Designed Fall ‘Sell-abration’ In California
Unified Grocers combined its Expo and Extravaganza this fall in a new show experience designed to drive sales through the holidays and beyond. The show was held Oct. 23-24 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Unified’s new Sell-abration event is dedicated solely to products and to moving cases at retail. This mid-sized show featured a […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
C&K Market Selling Pharmacies To Focus On Core Business
By mid-November, C&K Market Inc. says it will sell its pharmacies. C&K owns 15 pharmacies that operate as Pharmacy Express, Tiffany’s Drugs and Chetco Pharmacy & Gifts in communities in southern Oregon and Northern California. “In a move to strengthen our operations, we plan to focus exclusively on our core business of operating community grocery […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s Specialty Lemon Bags Named PMA Impact Award Finalist
Frieda’s Specialty Lemon Bags for 1 lb. Seedless Lemons and Meyer Lemons were selected as a finalist in the 2013 PMA Impact Award, which recognizes excellence in packaging, in September. The bags are among 30 finalists selected from a total of 86 entries this year. The PMA Impact Award recognizes trendsetters that create and deliver […]
Posted in, National, West
Co-Sales Expands Fresh Division
Co-Sales and Cashman-Edwards Inc. have merged their businesses and Andrew B. Cashman and his staff will join the Co-Sales management team to expand the company’s produce/fresh division in the Intermountain region. As Co-Sales’ new director of produce, Cashman will combine his 23-year-old produce company with Co-Sales. “Cashman-Edwards Inc. and its principals are very excited for […]
Posted in, West
Interactive Grape Display At Broulim’s Fresh Foods Drives Sales
In a particularly effective back-to-school merchandising strategy, Broulim’s Fresh Foods in Rigby, Idaho, enticed shoppers to “Make It A Grape School Year!” when it constructed an interactive school bus display using Welch’s grapes. The display was built as part of a back-to-school promotional display contest sponsored by Associated Food Stores and C.H. Robinson, in which […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Fry’s President Dies At 58
The president of Fry’s Food & Drug Stores Inc. has died unexpectedly of a heart attack, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. Mr. Jon Flora, 58, died Friday, Fry’s pharmacy technician and Arizona State Rep. Jonathan Larkin told the Journal in an exclusive interview. Larkin confirmed Fry’s employees learned of Flora’s death Friday afternoon. “It’s such […]
Posted in, National
NGA To Hold Best Bagger Congressional Competition On Tuesday
The National Grocers Association (NGA) will hold its second annual National Best Bagger Congressional Competition on Tuesday. The event will begin at 5 p.m. on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Andrew Borracchini, NGA’s 2013 Best Bagger National Champion, will compete against his member of Congress, Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington State. Borracchini, who was featured […]
Posted in, Store News, West
C&K Market Launches Digital Coupons For Loyalty Program Members
C&K Market Inc. is now offering digital manufacturer coupons published by Zavers by Google for its All Access Rewards loyalty program members. Members can easily find manufacturer coupons on the websites for C&K’s Ray’s Food Place, Shop Smart, Lo Bucks or C&K Market banners and redeem them at any of the company’s retail stores—no printing […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Boyd’s Becomes First U.S. Roaster To Launch Harvested By Women Certified Coffee
Women play a major role in coffee production throughout the world, but they often have little or no control over the economics of coffee transactions. This all changes with the new Harvested by Women certification, which gives women in coffee-producing countries more financial investment in the production process from bean to cup. Boyd’s Coffee says […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Independent Store News, West
Bristol Farms CEO: Santa Monica Store ‘Can’t Be Matched’
Location opened Wednesday Bristol Farms is known for being unique, but the Carson, Calif.-based grocery chain may have outdone even itself with its new Santa Monica store, which opened Wednesday in a former Albertsons at 3105 Wilshire Blvd. Bristol’s President and CEO Kevin Davis told The Shelby Report at the store’s grand opening celebration that […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Valley Fruit & Produce Hires Director Of Marketing
Jin Ju Wilder has been named Valley Fruit & Produce’s director of marketing. This is a new position for the company. Wilder brings 20 years of produce industry experience to the planning, development and implementation of Valley’s marketing strategies, external and internal communications and public relations activities, according to Carrie La Londe, CFO at Valley. […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified Posts $11.3M Loss In 3Q
Unified Grocers Inc., the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western U.S., has reported an $11.3 million net loss for the company’s third fiscal quarter; that’s compared to earnings of $1.2 million for the same period in 2012, according to the Los Angeles-based cooperative. Losses before patronage dividends and income taxes were $14.6 million for […]
Posted in, Suppliers, West
Day-Lee’s Gyoza Eating Contest Hosting Championship Eaters Next Month
Day-Lee Foods Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Meat Packers Inc. and a leader in high-quality frozen Asian foods, is back as the title sponsor for the world famous Nisei Week Gyoza Eating Championship. The annual Day-Lee Foods World Gyoza Eating Championship, co-sponsored this year by Kikkoman, challenges eaters to chow down as many […]