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Better Bean Co. Achieves B Corp Status
The Better Bean Co., a pioneer of refrigerated beans, has become a Certified Benefit Corporation (B Corp). The designation is awarded to companies that use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems, and meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. “From the beginning, we were committed to using the highest-quality natural and organic non-GMO ingredients sourced within our region,” said Better Bean’s founder, Keith Kullberg. “We create positive relationships with our employees, vendors and customers, and offer them a level of transparency that speaks to our common goal of creating social change and ... |
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Hy-Vee Strengthens Commitment to Sustainable Seafood
Hy-Vee Inc., an employee-owned company of 235 stores in eight Midwestern states, announced the addition of a Responsible Sourcing Commitment to its comprehensive Seafood Procurement Policy. The policy and commitment were developed in partnership with FishWise – a nonprofit organization focused on supporting sustainability through environmentally responsible business practices. To protect marine resources and ensure future seafood supplies, Hy-Vee has committed to sell responsibly sourced fresh and frozen seafood that is rated Green or Yellow by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, certified to an environmental standard equivalent to these ratings, or is sourced from credible, time-bound improvement processes ... |
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The Kugel Co. Re-Brands as Locker Family Recipes
The Kugel Co. LLC announced the re-branding of the company to Locker Family Recipes. Kugel, the classic noodle dish passed down from generation to generation, has made its way from Aunt Nonie’s kitchen in Passaic, N.J., to the freezer aisle. The company created the first pre-baked homemade kugel that is ready to eat anytime, anywhere. The re-branding of the company focuses on CEO Michelle Locker’s vision to widely share her cherished family recipes. Each kugel flavor features a heartwarming story of one of Locker’s relatives – evoking memories of times when families slowed down to eat together and tell stories.Locker ... |
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Food Forecast: More Hybrids, Exotic Oils, Fermented Fare and Sea Veggies in 2014
While the Cronut stands out as 2013’s most popular food hybrid (a croissant-doughnut blend pictured right), culinary experts predict that other food mash-ups and more exotic foods will take center stage this year, all trends that stand to influence gourmet packaged food offerings. “Chefs will continue playing ‘mad scientist’ and dreaming up new food mash-ups in 2014. They might also ditch olive oil for more exotic oils like avocado, hazelnut and benne seed, and marine vegetables like sea beans and plankton might take kale’s crown,” according to an Andrew Freeman & Co., report quoted in a New York Daily News ... |
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Spain Unveils Stricter Bottled Olive Oil Rules
The informal olive oil cruet that sits on most restaurant tables in Spain will soon be replaced by labeled, sealed and non-reusable bottles under stricter oil bottling rules, which took effect last week. While improved hygiene is one objective of the new rules, The New York Times reports the ultimate goal of the world’s largest olive oil producer is to build stronger recognition for its brands and accelerate exports to markets such as the United States, where Italian olive oil reigns.Spain acted independently after several non-olive-oil-producing European nations put the kibosh on stronger bottling and label legislation across the 28-nation ... |
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The Cook’s Warehouse Store Wins Regional Display Contest
Atlanta-based The Cook’s Warehouse’s store in Ansley Mall in Midtown Atlanta has won the Southeastern Region’s award in the 2013 Le Creuset Doufeu Christmas Display Contest. The award is given to a retailer for Best Holiday Display. The display featured a gingerbread house made by the staff of the Ansley Mall store with the Le Creuset merchandised in front. The Cook’s Warehouse is a gourmet cookware store and cooking school with four stores in the Midtown, Decatur and Brookhaven areas of Atlanta, and the East Cobb County area of the suburbs. It offers more than 15,000 products for the kitchen and operates ... |
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Back to Nature Foods Acquires SnackWell’s Business
Back to Nature Foods Co. LLC has acquired the SnackWell’s cookies and snacks business from Mondelez Global LLC. Terms and conditions of the transaction were not disclosed.Back to Nature Foods is a portfolio company of Brynwood Partners VI L.P. Brynwood VI and Mondelez Global formed the Back to Nature joint venture in 2012 through an innovative structure, whereby Brynwood VI acquired operating control while Mondelez Global retained a minority position in the new company. Since the acquisition, Brynwood VI has effected a smooth transition of the business, accelerated new product introductions and increased marketing focus.SnackWell’s was originally launched by Nabisco ... |
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Emerald Expositions to Acquire GLM, Owner of NY NOW
Emerald Expositions has agreed to acquire George Little Management (GLM) from Providence Equity Partners for $335 million, subject to certain adjustments at and after closing.GLM creates face-to-face buying, selling and networking platforms for designers, product developers, manufacturers, retailers and operators through more than 20 leading trade shows, including NY NOW. GLM also produces four of the largest 100 trade shows in the country.The transaction is anticipated to close this month subject to customary regulatory approvals. The acquisition will be funded with approximately $200 million of debt and a $140 million equity investment from Onex Partners III. Emerald was acquired by ... |
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Plum Organics Founder to Keynote Winter Fancy Food Show
Neil Grimmer, co-founder and president of Plum Organics, a fast-growing producer of organic foods for babies, toddlers and children, will be the keynote speaker at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. Grimmer will talk about how his passion to ensure healthy eating “from high chair to the lunch box” has helped Plum skyrocket from startup to a $93-million brand in just six years. “Plum is a premier example of how specialty food companies can embrace social initiatives without sacrificing business success. We are delighted Grimmer will be sharing his insights,” said Ann Daw, president of the Specialty Food ... |
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Askinosie to Take 'Chocolate University' Students to Tanzania
Askinosie Chocolate, in partnership with Drury University, selected 13 Springfield, Mo., high school students for its upcoming Chocolate University program. The students, along with Shawn Askinosie, founder and CEO of Askinosie Chocolate, will travel to Tanzania, where Askinosie Chocolate sources a portion of its cocoa beans, in August. Through its Chocolate University program, Askinosie Chocolate has developed a relationship with the Mwaya Secondary School in the Kyela district of Tanzania over the past four years. During the trip, the Chocolate University students will participate in the cocoa business firsthand by meeting with the farmers and aiding with community development projects ... |
