The California Grocers Association (CGA) has hired Dane Hutchings as its government relations manager, effective immediately. In this position, Hutchings will be responsible for bill tracking and analysis, regulatory analysis, member relations and grassroots development. In addition, he will work with CGA members to develop positions and draft advocacy messages and represent the organization before […]
Tag: West
Posted in, National
Agri Beef Co. Adds Ground Beef Processing Facility
Agri Beef Co., producer of premium Northwest beef brands Snake River Farms, Double R Ranch and St. Helens, has expanded its Washington beef processing facility in Toppenish, Wash., to include a grind operation. The new grind facility is co-located with the company’s beef production facility for efficiency. Agri Beef will now grind its own retail […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Shamrock Farms To Build New Dairy Manufacturing Plant In Va.
Shamrock Farms, one of the largest family owned and operated dairies in the country, will construct a new $50 million state-of-the-art dairy manufacturing facility in Virginia. The announcement was made during a ground-breaking ceremony in Augusta County, Va., with the governor of Virginia, Augusta County Economic Development representatives and Shamrock Farms executives. This national expansion […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, West
Costco Plans To Expand Headquarters In Issaquah, Wash.
The Puget Sound Business Journal is reporting that Costco Wholesale Corp. is negotiating with city officials in Issaquah, Wash., to add as much as 1.5 million s.f. to its corporate headquarters through a new development agreement, according to Keith Niven, Issaquah’s economic development director. “They are trying to chart a path for their future,” Niven […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Fresh & Easy Giving Customers Free Bagels For Daylight Savings Time
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market says it is hosting a bagel giveaway today to help customers cope with losing an hour of sleep due to Daylight Savings time. Customers can redeem a coupon for a free bag of six fresh&easy Plain or Everything Bagels, no purchase necessary, while supplies last. The giveaway began Sunday. “While […]
Posted in, National
MAGA President Pays Tribute To Founder: ‘The Dream Will Never Die’
“We have more political influence as an organization than many of the other trade associations across the country,” said Steve Soto, president and CEO of the Mexican American Grocers Association (MAGA). “That’s not bragging. It’s a fact.” Soto was welcoming attendees to the 2013 National Hispanic Conference at the Palm Springs Hilton Resort in Palm […]
Posted in, New Products, West
First-To-Market Fruit And Veggie Pops For Kids Debut Friday
Ruby’s Rockets, the fruit and vegetable pops with probiotics made especially for kids, will launch Friday at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif. These all-natural ice pops for kids, tweens and teens offer a healthy alternative to sugary, artificial treats and are a convenient, low-calorie snack, according to a news release. Ruby’s mom, Broadway/TV/film […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Beverage News, New Products, West, Whole Foods
Slimrock Cocktail Mixers Provide Low-Calorie Option
A new cocktail mixer is hitting the market. New Slimrock cocktail mixers replace high-caloric, sugary ingredients with natural sweeteners and add fruit extracts to create a low-calorie drink option. Exotic flavor combinations range from Guavapolitan and Mango Margarita to Cucumber Ginger Citrus and Prickly Pear Passion-Fruit. “With Slimrock we have created a very innovative product,” […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Ian’s Rolling Out New Products, Packaging At Natural Products Expo
Elevation Brands LLC and Ian’s are unveiling new products and packaging at Natural Products Expo West—signaling, it says, a strong declaration for the allergy-friendly food company’s product and marketing strategy under the new tagline “Friendly Foods For Life!” Best known for its 34 SKUs of allergy-friendly convenience foods, the new look supports a more powerful […]
Posted in, National
World Alliance International Retail Conference Keynotes National Business Leaders
National retail leaders and the brands of Home Depot, Nintendo, Lego and Ghirardelli are registered for the 2013 Retail Merchandising & Marketing Conference, to be held April 27-30 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Representatives from 13 countries as far away as Russia will attend the international conference, to be hosted by the newly rebranded World Alliance for […]
Posted in, National, West
Nestle Hosts Its First Two On-Site Wind Turbines At Calif. Plant
Nestle is celebrating its first wind energy project in the world today with the hosting of two wind turbines at its Nestle Waters North America (NWNA) bottling plant in Cabazon, Calif. The turbines will provide wind power for 30 percent of the facility where the company produces its Arrowhead and Nestle Pure Life brand bottled […]
Posted in, National, West
Flowers Completes Acquisition Of Sara Lee, Earthgrains Assets In Calif.
Flowers Foods Inc. has completed its acquisition of the perpetual, exclusive and royalty-free licenses to the Sara Lee and Earthgrains brands for sliced breads, buns and rolls in the state of California from BBU Inc., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. In October 2012, Flowers […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Idahoan Foods Adds New Flavor To Lineup
Idahoan has added a new flavor to its line of Flavored Mashed Potatoes—Bacon & Cheddar Chipotle Mashed Potatoes. It’s the newest potato product to come out of the Idahoan test kitchens and comes in a 4-oz. pouch with four servings. It’s made with 100% Real Idaho potatoes and blended with real cheese, chipotle pepper and […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Safeway Debuts Its Own Debit Card To Avoid Bank Fees
Safeway has introduced a combined debit card and store loyalty card so that it can pull money directly out of a customer’s checking account without paying the hefty fees it incurs when customers pay with a bank’s debit card, the San Francisco Business Times reports. Those signing up for the program get a new Safeway […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
Stater Bros. Promotes Meyer To EVP Of Retail Operations
Stater Bros. Markets has promoted Dan Meyer to the position of EVP of retail operations. In this position, Meyer will be responsible for the retail operations of all 167 Stater Bros. Supermarkets as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the corporate training center. Meyer is a 42-year member of the Stater Bros. family. He […]
Posted in, National
Fresh Foods Panel Represents Whole Supply Chain
Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), moderated a breakfast panel during The NGA Show in Las Vegas earlier this week. Joining him on stage were Allen Milam, owner/president of four-store South Florida grocer, Milam’s Markets; Mike Bove, VP-perishables for Nash Finch Co.; Jan DeLyser, VP of marketing for the California […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National
Marley Coffee Being Distributed At Kowalski’s Markets, Bristol Farms
Marley Coffee, an artisan-roasted gourmet coffee, says that its products are now being distributed at all Kowalski’s Markets and Bristol Farms. St. Paul, Minn.-based Kowalski’s Markets is a family-owned business with nine stores that feature premium foods, gifts and a variety of in-store amenities. Selection of Marley Coffee’s 8-oz. bags of coffee may vary at […]
Posted in, National
Creative Choice Awards, Student Case Competition Winners Recognized
Attendees at the 2013 NGA Show felt a buzz of excitement Monday evening at the announcement of the 2013 Creative Choice Contest winners. The contest, made possible through a partnership with the Kellogg Co. and Unilever, honors the best advertising and merchandising in the grocery industry. All entries were judged by a panel of industry […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Sheridan: Independent Grocers Keep The American Dream Alive
“The independent grocer represents the American Dream fulfilled, and it is your entrepreneurial spirit that keeps our communities vibrant,” said Joe Sheridan, president and COO of Wakefern Food Corp. and chairman of the National Grocers Association (NGA) board, as he shared the stage with NGA President and CEO Peter Larkin on Feb. 10 at the […]
Posted in, National
NGA Opens 2013 Show, Launches Tech Resources For Independents
The National Grocers Association (NGA) kicked off the 2013 NGA Show with an opening general session on Sunday, highlighting the organization’s achievements and successes as well as the challenges facing the independent grocery industry. NGA President and CEO Peter J. Larkin discussed the successes of the organization over the past year, including recruitment of 175 […]