Overcoming logistical hurdles to feed vulnerable communities: A case study by SA Harvest, DSV, and CHEP unite to deliver surplus produce across the Eastern Cape
SA Harvest reported: "SA Harvest, the NPO that has delivered 80mln meals by rescuing 20mln tonnes of food since its inception in October 2019, has once again joined forces with leading logistics partners to tackle the challenge of delivering nutritious food to communities facing severe food insecurity. Through a collaboration with DSV, CHEP, and Habata Farm, a complex operation was orchestrated to transport surplus spanspek melons and butternut squash from Habata in Kirkwood to the Missionvale Care Centre near Gqeberha".
Source: saharvest.org
'WHOLESALE. MORE THAN EVER': Successful continuation of the growth path in FY 2023/24
METRO reported: "In financial year 2023/24, METRO again made strong progress in strengthening its Food Service Distribution, in its online business and in optimising the store-based wholesale business. Sales in local currency grew by 5.9% and adjusted for currency and portfolio effects by 4.2%. All sales channels and segments contributed to the sales growth. Adjusted EBITDA decreased to €1,058mln in financial year 2023/24 (2022/23: €1,174mln)".
Source: newsroom.metroag.de
"Colruyt seeks buyer for French supermarkets"
Colruyt Group is reportedly looking to sell its 102 supermarkets in France, which are currently operating at a loss. The Belgian retailer indicated it dit not want to respond to these "rumours", reported by multiple sources. French news website L'Informé and news agency Bloomberg both reported rumours about a potential sale of the chain's French supermarkets.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Innocent Drinks and Hubbub team up in Devon initiative
Innocent Drinks and Hubbub have joined forces to encourage people in Devon to eat more fruit and vegetables. The partnership aims to provide more than 300 portions of fruit and veg. To kickstart this partnership, the company will fund Ready, Steady, Veg, a series of fruit and vegetable-focused cooking sessions at the St Thomas Community Food Hub in Exeter.
Source: exmouthjournal.co.uk
UK: M&S parsnips in store from retailer's first autonomous field trial 
M&S reported: "Lower carbon parsnips are available at select M&S Foodhalls across the country, grown autonomously in a trial funded by the M&S Plan A Accelerator Fund, which is available for innovation projects to enable rapid action towards net zero. Working with a long-term, family owned root vegetable supplier, Huntapac, the project involved using the latest farming technology and scientific methods to farm with a significantly lower environmental impact".
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
SPAR Gran Canaria opens new logistics centre for refrigerated and frozen products
The new logistics centre is located in El Goro industrial estate, close to the SPAR Gran Canaria head office. With the opening of this new logistics centre, SPAR Gran Canaria's storage space spans across 29,600m2 across three logistics centres on the island. The main logistics centre in El Goro, dedicated to dry goods, has a total area of 21,000 m2, with the dedicated fruit and vegetable warehouse in Mercalaspalmas covering 5,000 m2.
Source: spar-international.com
US: King Soopers strike put on 100-day pause
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 7, which represents about 23,000 King Soopers and City Market employees in Colorado, said in a press release that it had secured a return-to-work settlement with the Kroger-owned grocery chain. UFCW said the agreement with Kroger ensures that the supermarket chain "cannot implement any offer for at least 100 days, and will not lock workers out during that time."
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: GrubMarket acquires Bay Cities Produce to expand its footprint in the Northern California foodservice industry
GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of Bay Cities Produce, a trusted foodservice distributor based in San Leandro, California. For close to eight decades, Bay Cities Produce has been a leader in the foodservice sector, specializing in fresh-cut produce and prepared fruits and vegetables, and offering wholesale distribution to restaurants, schools and universities, government agencies, and retailers across Northern California.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Associated Food Stores celebrates record membership
Associated Food Stores (AFS) has reached a historic milestone, achieving the highest retail membership in its 85 years of operation, with 480 stores. AFS attributes this growth to both the strength of the company and its current members, as well as expanding opportunities in key regions, including Montana.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: ReposiTrak continues to deliver growth and increased profitability; second fiscal quarter revenue of $5.5mln and EPS of $0.08
ReposiTrak announced financial results for the second fiscal quarter ("FQ2 2025") ended December 31, 2024. Second fiscal quarter financial highlights: second quarter total revenue increased 7% to $5.5mln from $5.1mln. Quarterly operating expense increased 7% to $4.1mln from $3.9mln. Quarterly operating income increased 9% to $1.4mln from $1.2mln last year.
Source: businesswire.com
Walmart partners with Helios AI to climate-proof its global agri-food supply chain
Walmart has partnered with Helios AI to strengthen the resilience of its global agricultural supply chain against climate risks, following Helios's historic win at Walmart's 11th Annual Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas, in September 2024.
Source: newfoodmagazine.com
Cencosud to sell 54 Bretas supermarkets to Supermercados BH
Chile-based retail company Cencosud has agreed to sell its Bretas supermarket chain in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais to local player Supermercados BH for R$716mln (€119mln). The deal encompasses 54 supermarkets, eight petrol stations, a distribution centre, and other related assets in the state, the company added.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Convenience stores sue Pepsi and Frito-Lay, alleging price discrimination
PepsiCo and its Frito-Lay unit have been sued in U.S. court in California by convenience stores that claim they have been denied the same sales deals offered to major retailers such as Walmart and Albertsons, causing them to pay higher prices.
Source: reuters.com