Content about Food

May 20, 2013
Former Limited Brands exec to head Topco supply chain

Topco Associates LLC has hired former Limited Brands executive Paul Matthews as the company’s EVP and chief supply chain officer, reporting to president and CEO Randy Skoda.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — Topco Associates LLC has hired former Limited Brands executive Paul Matthews as the company’s EVP and chief supply chain officer, reporting to president and CEO Randy Skoda. 

Topco provides aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions for leading food industry member-owners and customers. Matthews will oversee procurement of the company’s corporate brand and perishable products as well as the company’s logistics, supply chain management and quality assurance areas.

May 15, 2013
Executive team changes at Hickory Farms

TOLEDO, Ohio — Hickory Farms, a leading provider of specialty foods and holiday food gifts, has made changes to its executive team.

The company has promoted VP of brand marketing Michael Holton to CMO. VP of supply chain Joe Loch has been promoted to VP of franchise and retail sales. Director of logistics Ty Hanline has been promoted to VP of supply chain. The company has also hired Davenport, Hanf & Company executive Joe Herman to be its interim CFO.

May 15, 2013
Kroger puts food waste to work

Kroger plans on putting food waste to good use with a clean energy production system that converts food that cannot be sold or donated into clean energy, which will help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.

Kroger plans on putting food waste to good use with a clean energy production system that converts food that cannot be sold or donated into clean energy, which will help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.

May 15, 2013
Supply chain improvements for BJ’s Wholesale

BJ’s Wholesale Club has tapped FoodLink, a fresh food commerce and traceability platform, to assist in the sourcing and purchasing of fresh produce across BJ’s 15-state chain.

LOS GATOS, Calif. — BJ’s Wholesale Club has tapped FoodLink, a fresh food commerce and traceability platform, to assist in the sourcing and purchasing of fresh produce across BJ’s 15-state chain.

May 9, 2013
300 food banks benefit from Walmart’s fight-hunger campaign

Walmart and its philanthropic arm, the Walmart Foundation, were busy working alongside notable food companies in April, as part of the corporation’s Fighting Hunger Together Initiative.

Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart and its philanthropic arm, the Walmart Foundation, were busy working alongside notable food companies in April, as part of the corporation’s Fighting Hunger Together Initiative. 

Between April 1 and April 30, more than 443,000 votes were cast for the more than 300 eligible Feeding America food banks and partner agencies as part of the campaign, which fights hunger in local communities. 

May 8, 2013
HoneyBaked digitizes its recruitment process

HoneyBaked has entered into a software licensing agreement with PeopleAnswers. Under the agreement, the food retailer will leverage the PeopleAnswers HR-focused business solution to upgrade its recruiting process.

DALLAS — HoneyBaked has entered into a software licensing agreement with PeopleAnswers. Under the agreement, the food retailer will leverage the PeopleAnswers HR-focused business solution to upgrade its recruiting process and increase employee retention and performance in its 111 company-owned stores.

May 7, 2013
Meijer’s Simply Give program raises $500K

Meijer and its customers helped to raise more than $500,000 for food pantries throughout the Midwest. Customers donated $184,230 during the retailer’s Simply Give Double Match Days. Meijer double matched all donations made from April 12-13, bringing the total donation amount to $552,690.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer and its customers helped to raise more than $500,000 for food pantries throughout the Midwest. Customers donated $184,230 during the retailer’s Simply Give Double Match Days. Meijer double matched all donations made from April 12-13, bringing the total donation amount to $552,690. 

May 6, 2013
GMA beefs up government affairs staff

Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, has announced the addition of two new directors to the association’s federal affairs staff, Nancy Kohler and David Prestwood.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, has announced the addition of two new directors to the association’s federal affairs staff, Nancy Kohler and David Prestwood.

May 2, 2013
Consumers Union takes aim at Trader Joe’s

Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, is taking aim at Trader Joe’s in a full page ad it took out in the Los Angeles Times.

LOS ANGELES — Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, is taking aim at Trader Joe’s in a full page ad it took out in the Los Angeles Times.

The union is calling out Trader Joe's for selling meat and poultry from animals raised on antibiotics. The ad highlights how the overuse of antibiotics by the meat and poultry industries on healthy animals is promoting the spread of drug resistant superbugs that threaten public health. 

May 2, 2013
Former ConAgra exec heads to Dick’s, ConAgra fills empty slot

Dick's Sporting Goods has named former ConAgra executive Andre J. Hawaux as its new EVP of finance and administration and CFO. Hawaux will oversee Finance, Legal, Strategic Planning and Risk and Compliance. He succeeds Timothy Kullman, who is retiring, in June.

Hawaux has more than 30 years of experience, most recently as president of consumer foods at ConAgra, one of North America's leading packaged food companies. Previously, he served as ConAgra Foods' EVP and CFO and was responsible for the company's finance and information system and services organizations.

April 29, 2013
Publix to balances scales with specialized software

Publix has selected Applied Data Corporation’s InterScale scales management software to transmit data to and from the barcode labeling scales in its stores.

Tampa, Fla. — Publix has selected Applied Data Corporation’s InterScale scales management software to transmit data to and from the barcode labeling scales in its stores. 
 
ADC is a leading provider of fresh item management (FIM), recipe management and scales management software for the grocery retail and food service industries. 
 

April 26, 2013
Annie's names organic food exec new SVP, strategy

Annie's, a leading natural and organic food company, has appointed Ed Aaron to the newly created position of SVP of strategic planning and investor relations.

BERKELEY, Calif. — Annie's, a leading natural and organic food company, has appointed Ed Aaron to the newly created position of SVP of strategic planning and investor relations.
 

April 24, 2013
Peapod, nonprofit help Hurricane Sandy families rebuild

As the six month anniversary of Hurricane Sandy approaches, online grocery service Peapod is teaming up with Family-to-Family, Inc. to launch a 90-day campaign to restock the kitchen cupboards of families still struggling from the effects of the storm.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — As the six month anniversary of Hurricane Sandy approaches, online grocery service Peapod is teaming up with Family-to-Family, Inc. to launch a 90-day campaign to restock the kitchen cupboards of families still struggling from the effects of the storm.

April 24, 2013
Target to give 25 school libraries makeover

Target Corp. will renovate libraries at more than two dozen schools in need across the country this year under a program that will also include book donations and technology upgrades, as well as the option to have a Target-supported food pantry built, the mass merchandise retailer said Wednesday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. will renovate libraries at more than two dozen schools in need across the country this year under a program that will also include book donations and technology upgrades, as well as the option to have a Target-supported food pantry built, the mass merchandise retailer said Wednesday.

April 22, 2013
Walmart giving surpasses $1 billion

Walmart and its foundation gave more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions throughout the last fiscal year, the company announced Monday.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart and its foundation gave more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions throughout the last fiscal year, the company announced Monday. 

It’s the most money and in-kind donations given by Walmart or any U.S. retailer in a fiscal year ever , according to the company. The growth in global giving was largely due to increased in-kind donations in the U.S. to local food banks and families impacted by disasters.

April 18, 2013
PepsiCo encouraged by Q1 results

PepsiCo reported a net revenue increase of 1% to $12,581 billion from $12,428 billion for the period ended March 23. Its net income declined by slightly more than 1 billion to $1,085 billion from $1,133 billion.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo reported a net revenue increase of 1% to $12,581 billion from $12,428 billion for the period ended March 23. Its net income declined by slightly more than 1 billion to $1,085 billion from $1,133 billion. 

However, on a constant currency basis, revenue increased 4%. 

April 17, 2013
Nutrition labeling goes digital

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) on Wednesday launched an interactive web-based tool for consumers that supports the Facts Up Front nutrition labeling initiative launched by GMA and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) in 2011.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) on Wednesday launched an interactive web-based tool for consumers that supports the Facts Up Front nutrition labeling initiative launched by GMA and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) in 2011.

With Facts Up Front, characterized by the trade group as the most significant reform of food and beverage labels in over 20 years, important information from the Nutrition Facts Panel on the back of food and beverage products are displayed in a simple and easy-to-use format on the front of products.

April 17, 2013
Nutrition labeling goes digital

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) on Wednesday launched an interactive web-based tool for consumers that supports the Facts Up Front nutrition labeling initiative launched by GMA and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) in 2011.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) on Wednesday launched an interactive web-based tool for consumers that supports the Facts Up Front nutrition labeling initiative launched by GMA and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) in 2011.

With Facts Up Front, characterized by the trade group as the most significant reform of food and beverage labels in over 20 years, important information from the Nutrition Facts Panel on the back of food and beverage products are displayed in a simple and easy-to-use format on the front of products.

April 16, 2013
Deloitte: Despite improving economy, shoppers keep belts tight

According to survey results by Deloitte, 94% of Americans indicate they will remain cautious and keep their spending for food, beverage and household goods at its current level, despite an improving economy.

NEW YORK — According to survey results by Deloitte, 94% of Americans indicate they will remain cautious and keep their spending for food, beverage and household goods at its current level, despite an improving economy.

Deloitte's 2013 American Pantry Study found that 92% of Americans said they have become more resourceful, and 86% say they are getting more precise in what they buy — attitudes that have remained consistent in the three years Deloitte has conducted the study, and across income levels.

April 15, 2013
Kool-Aid icon gets a brand refresh for summertime sales

Kool-Aid’s latest brand campaign, called "Smile. It's Kool-Aid," introduces a new look and feel for the brand as well as for its spokespitcher, Kool-Aid Man, in time for its launch of Kool-Aid Liquid Drink Mix.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kool-Aid’s latest brand campaign, called "Smile. It's Kool-Aid," introduces a new look and feel for the brand as well as for its spokespitcher, Kool-Aid Man, in time for its launch of Kool-Aid Liquid Drink Mix.

Owned by Kraft Foods Group, North America's fourth largest consumer packaged food and beverage company, Kool-Aid partnered with Saatchi & Saatchi New York and VSA Partners of Chicago to revamp its image. 

April 11, 2013
Kroger oversees massive charitable initiative in Louisville

Kroger on Thursday announced plans to bring together more than 4,800 associates at the Kentucky Exposition Center on April 16 to assemble an estimated 17,000 emergency food and personal care boxes for the metro community of Louisville, Ky.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced plans to bring together more than 4,800 associates at the Kentucky Exposition Center on April 16 to assemble an estimated 17,000 emergency food and personal care boxes for the metro community of Louisville, Ky.

April 5, 2013
Study: More Americans going organic

U.S. families are increasingly embracing organic products when they shop, according to a study conducted in mid-January by the Organic Trade Association.

WASHINGTON — U.S. families are increasingly embracing organic products when they shop, according to a study conducted in mid-January by the Organic Trade Association.

"More and more parents choose organic foods primarily because of their desire to provide healthful options for their children," said Christine Bushway, OTA's CEO and executive director.

April 4, 2013
Bi-Lo charity going to the dogs (and the cats)

Bi-Lo annouced that, through April 30, it will host its fourth annual Paws “Feed the Love” campaign.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Bi-Lo annouced that, through April 30, it will host its fourth annual Paws “Feed the Love” campaign. “Feed the Love” is a pet food drive in which food donations go to local-area food banks for families in need to be able to provide food for the four-legged members of their families.

April 4, 2013
Target team members get a new place for lunch/dinner

Asian fusion restaurant Ling & Louie's Kitchen is coming to Minneapolis and it will be located across the street from Target’s headquarters on Nicollet Mall.

Asian fusion restaurant Ling & Louie's Kitchen is coming to Minneapolis and it will be located across the street from Target’s headquarters on Nicollet Mall.

Normally, a restaurant opening in Minneapolis wouldn’t qualify as retail industry news. However, an exception can be made when the location is across the street from Target’s bustling downtown headquarters where it is likely to become the new hot spot for employees at Target as well as supplier companies who populate nearby buildings.

April 3, 2013
Food Lion launches campaign to support Feeding America

Food Lion has launched its "Hunger Has a Cure" campaign to support Feeding America and its network of local food banks.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has launched its "Hunger Has a Cure" campaign to support Feeding America and its network of local food banks. The two-week campaign, which allows customers to donate in $1 or $3 increments at the register, runs through April 16 and will help feed local families in need.