AWG acquires Belle Foods, Rouses to take over six stores
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. and its group of grocers and operators submitted the winning bid last week at the Belle Foods bankruptcy auction in Birmingham, AL. In the next few weeks, Rouses Markets will take ownership of six former Belle Foods stores from AWG, a retail-owner cooperative of which Rouses Markets is a member.
This is Rouses Markets' first expansion into Alabama. The company currently operates 38 stores in Louisiana and Mississippi. Three new stores in Louisiana were also recently announced.
SPC names golf tournament for Tom Page
MYRTLE BEACH, SC — The Southeast Produce Council surprised one of its own with a very special honor Friday evening, Sept. 27, during the council's 2013 fall conference, held here at the Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes, Sept. 25-28.
Whole Foods' new rating system to offer enhanced standards for fresh produce
Whole Foods Market will launch a comprehensive rating system for produce and flowers sold in its stores to help shoppers make more informed purchases, the company announced Sept. 26.
Kroger names Steve McKinney president of Fry's Food Stores
The Kroger Co. promoted Steve McKinney to president of the Fry's Food Stores division.
McKinney, 57, has been vice president of operations at the company's Ralphs division since 2007. He succeeds Jon Flora, who passed away unexpectedly two weeks ago.
Champion Produce increases acreage, adds storage
Noting that the company’s onion acreage was increased slightly in 2013, Champion Produce Sales President John Wong said the Parma, ID, facility has also added 5,000 square feet in additional storage this year as well.
The new storage is computer programmed for temperature and humidity control, and Wong said it can be adapted for refrigeration if the need arises.
Murakami adds consumer pack and new codes for 2013
A new consumer pack machine and updated codes for traceability are among the changes at Murakami Produce in Ontario, OR, for the 2013-14 onion shipping season.
Grant Kitamura, general manager of the operation, said in early September the consumer pack machine is “faster and better.”
He continued, “We’re going with new codes this year, GTIN among them. We’ve had positive lot ID for a long time, and we know the grower, field, lot, date of pack and shipment date of all our onions.”
Weis Markets CEO resigns
Weis Markets Inc. today announced David J. Hepfinger, company president and chief executive officer, has left the company to pursue other interests. Company Vice Chairman Jonathan H. Weis replaces him as interim CEO, and Robert F. Weis remains as company chairman.
Pandol Bros. to kick off year-round blueberry program with the Chilean season
Pandol Bros. Inc., a leading marketer of table grapes based in Delano, CA, has added blueberries to its product line and will kick off its year-round blueberry program in November with fruit from Chile.
"Pandol is excited to begin the blueberry program this coming Chilean season," Greg Caveng, blueberry sales manager for Pandol Bros., said in a press release. "We feel there is an opportunity to build a strong year-round program."
Caveng will manage the blueberry product line out of Pandol's East Coast sales office in Gloucester, NJ.
McDonald's announces new initiative to offer fruits, vegetables with value meals
McDonald's is committing to offering value meal customers a choice of side salad, fruit or vegetable as a substitute for french fries as part of a new health initiative announced in New York City.
McDonald's is partnering with the Alliance of a Healthier Generation, founded by former President Bill Clinton and the American Heart Association, to increase customers' access to fruit and vegetables, the company said.
Becky Wilson promoted at Tom Lange Co.
Tom Lange Co. Inc. has promoted Becky Wilson to vice president of operations. Wilson has been with Tom Lange Co. since 1991 and previously served as its assistant vice president of administration.