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AmericasMart Names Best of Atlanta Gourmet Products
AmericasMart Atlanta announced the winners of its annual Best of Atlanta awards celebrating the top gourmet food products in its permanent and temporary collections. The awards were adjudicated during the Atlanta Gourmet Market in September. Winners were designated based on taste, overall appeal and packaging/presentation as selected by industry experts Melissa Libby, founder of Melissa Libby & Associates and gourmet industry public relations specialist; Hil Harper, founder of “Gentleman South” and restaurant critic; and Deborah Geering, columnist and local food expert for Atlanta Magazine. The winners were: The Orchards Gourmet’s Glazed Pecans for Best Candy Non-Chocolate and Pecan Peanut Butter Meltaways ... |
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UNFI Acquires Trudeau Foods
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the equity interests of Trudeau Foods LLC from Trudeau Holdings LLC, a portfolio company of Arbor Investments II LP. Trudeau Foods is the largest Minnesota-based distributor of natural, organic and specialty food products. Upon closing, Trudeau Foods became a wholly owned subsidiary of UNFI. “This acquisition is the latest step in our strategy to grow our market share and deliver a complete basket of specialty, natural and organic products to our customers,” said Steve Spinner, UNFI’s president and chief executive officer. “We are excited to ... |
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Survey: Food e-Vangelists Looking to Impact Global Food System
A shift in power is taking place in the food industry led by a group of increasingly influential consumers who want to impact the way food is raised, grown, packaged and sold. Global public relations agency Ketchum released results from its third global Food 2020 survey, which sheds light on this vocal subset of food influencers – dubbed Food e-Vangelists – who are making an impact on the hottest food issues today. “In our third year of fielding this survey, we are seeing consistent and important trends about consumers’ interest in the food system and what they have come to ... |
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Yogurt Chain, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Continue Co-Branding
U-Swirl Inc., parent to U-SWIRL International Inc., the owner and franchiser of U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt cafes, has added Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory gourmet retail chocolate stores to two existing locations in Las Vegas. The stores represent the 10th and 11th co-branded locations among the U-Swirl brands, with two additional co-branded locations expected to open this year. “As the frozen yogurt industry develops, we expect this opportunity to clearly demonstrate that co-branding the two concepts adds value to the business and complements the seasonality of yogurt sales,” said Terry Cartwright, chief operating officer. “It is an important part of our long-term ... |
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New Company Successfully Launches Cooking Bases at NPEE
Goddess Gourmet successfully launched its new line of all-natural, fresh-frozen, gluten-free recipe-ready Flavor Bombs to a national audience during the Natural Products Expo East (NPEE) trade show in Baltimore. “We had an overwhelmingly positive response from both retailers and distributors during the show,” said Giovannina Bellino, founder of Goddess Gourmet. “The show confirmed our belief that both retailers and distributors are looking for new and innovative products for their customers. Our tasting samples were a big hit as people were given the opportunity to experience what Flavor Bombs can do and how they can be used,” she said. Flavor Bombs ... |
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Starbucks Trademarks Fizzio Beverage Machine
After testing its handmade sodas for only a few months in Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Starbucks plans to trademark both its sparkling beverages and the machines used to make them. Both the drinks and the machine are called Fizzio.While some speculate that trademarking the machine could indicate Starbucks intends to market its machine for at-home beverage making, spokesman Zack Hutson told Bloomberg Businessweek, “There are no plans to sell at-home.” The trademark only “pertains to the in-store test. We take steps to protect our IP. This is a normal course of doing business.” Although Hutson said consumer response to the ... |
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Heineken Develops At-Home Brewing System
Dutch brewer Heineken is developing a new at-home beer-making system that the company plans to unveil later this month.In collaboration with designer Marc Newson, Heineken’s research and development team is responding to customers’ growing demand for home brewing systems, according to a report in Drink Business Review. “We’ve started working on an exciting project which will be revealed later on this year, and are looking forward to seeing how consumers will embrace this innovation,” Newson said.François-Xavier Mahot, Heineken’s global innovation senior director, said Heineken identified an opportunity to create a premium but playful at-home drinking experience.“The success of products such ... |
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Meyer Corp.’s Longtime President Retires
Robert A. Rae, president of Meyer Corp., has retired after 27 years of service, and the housewares company has named Mitchell Loring to succeed him.Prior to his appointment, Loring was executive vice president of sourced products. In addition, Phil Barberi has been promoted to vice president of product development.Rae’s career spanned 50 years in home furnishings, primarily in housewares. Prior to joining Meyer, Rae spent 20 years in department store retailing with buying positions at May Co. and Macy’s California. He was promoted to DMM of Macy’s West Cellar and then became head of housewares product development for Federated Department ... |
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Brownie Brittle Recognized as Second-Fastest Growing Company in Florida
Sheila G. Mains has been recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as one of the most influential women in business in the state, and her company Brownie Brittle as the second-fastest growing company in Florida.The South Florida Business Journal recognized Mains at its recent Florida Fast 100 Awards ceremony. “I am truly blessed and humbled by the awards I have been honored with this summer. I know hard work pays off, and it is deeply moving to be recognized for everything I have sacrificed to make this company a success,” said Mains.The selection process for both awards included the ... |
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Kyocera Launches New Consumer Products Division
Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corp. has launched a new consumer products division that combines the strengths of its advanced ceramic cutlery and kitchenware product line units. The integration of the Application Products Division of Kyocera Tycom Corp. into Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corp. will optimize the strengths of both organizations and facilitate the expansion of Kyocera’s North American Advanced Ceramic cutlery and kitchenware business. The combined enterprise will streamline the operations for greater efficiencies while positioning the new Consumer Products Division for continued growth and success.Kyocera customers and business partners can expect even higher levels of service with no changes in daily ... |
