US: Brookshire Grocery expanding its Fresh banner in Texas
The Brookshire Grocery Company has purchased land in Longview, Texas, with plans to build a new Fresh by Brookshire store, reports local affiliate KLTV.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Instacart launches produce stipend program in D.C.
The San Francisco-based delivery service announced that the Good Food at Home initiative is through a collaboration with Partner for a Healthier America, Building Bridges Across the River and Martha’s Table. Residents of the 7th and 8th wards in D.C. will receive $60 a month for three months in Instacart Health Fresh Funds, which can be used to order fruit and vegetables on Instacart.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
U.S. Food Waste Pact launches with ReFED, Walmart, Del Monte, others
Food waste nonprofit ReFED and the World Wildlife Fund announced the U.S. Food Waste Pact. The pact’s signatories include major grocers like Aldi and Walmart as well as other food supply chain participants like Sodexo USA, Aramark and Del Monte Fresh Product.
Source: wastedive.com
US: Wegmans updates planned store openings in Pennsylvania, New York
The 88,000-square-foot store in Yardley, Pennsylvania, is slated to open its doors on March 20, 2024, Rochester, New York-based Wegmans said. Located at 925 Vansant Dr. in Yardley, the new store will feature Wegmans’ typical breadth of fresh food offerings, including an expansive produce department with hundreds of fruits and vegetables. In New York, Wegmans confirmed published reports that its first Long Island store - in the eastern Suffolk County community of Lake Grove - won’t open until early 2025 because of delays in permit approvals.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Fresh Express supports consumers' 2024 wellness resolutions with annual Fresh Intentions Challenge
For the fifth year running, Fresh Express®, the brand leader in value added salads, invites consumers to commit to the #FreshIntentions Challenge, a 30-day online and social campaign that helps support wellness intentions for the new year. By providing daily inspiration, information and incentives, Fresh Express is making it easier - and more fun than ever - for consumers to make healthy choices and achieve their 2024 goals.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Schnucks is giving shoppers an express lane to local produce
Fresh off a successful pilot of technology that rapidly notifies shoppers when locally grown produce arrives in stores, Schnuck Markets has decided to roll out the capability to more of its supermarkets next year.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Meijer to open 1st store in Cleveland next month
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer will soon add the city of Cleveland as a store destination as it readies to open Fairfax Market, the grocer’s first small-format market outside of Michigan. The new 40,000-square-foot market will be located at 2190 E. 105th Street and is slated to open January 16.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
Record UK grocery sales predicted: stage set for bumper £13bln Christmas
Kantar reported: "Take-home grocery sales are expected to surpass £13bln for the first time ever this December. Our latest figures showed that sales grew by 6.3% over the four weeks to 26 November 2023 to reach £11.7bln. Brussels sprouts are now 4.3% cheaper than 12 months ago so there’s no excuse for people not to enjoy them".
Source: kantar.com
Ending the year on a low: Woolworths New Zealand helps customers save on their holiday groceries
Food inflation begins to ease with some key fruit and vegetable lines like avocados, lettuce and tomatoes now available at lower prices than this time last year, along with selected meat including Woolworths Own Brand 1kg 18% fat New Zealand Beef Mince.
Source: countdown.co.nz
Belgium: Okay Compact opens new store in heart of Halle
On Wednesday 6 December, Okay Compact, the city store of local supermarket Okay, will open a new establishment on Molenborre in Halle. You can find a broad selection of fresh products: fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, bread and pastries, etc.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
November in Estonian supermarkets: Dairy cheaper, meat and bread pricier
According to the latest price information released by the Estonian Institute of Economic Research (EKI) potatoes had also gotten a few cents more expensive per kilo since last November, however other vegetable prices dropped. Head cabbage saw the biggest, nearly 25% drop in price on year from 57 to 43 cents per kilo. Carrot prices also fell by 8%, from €1.27 to €1.17 per kilo, while cucumber prices dropped 11% on year.
Source: news.err.ee
UK: iSqueeze adds pineapple slicing machine to range
Self-service juice machine provider iSqueeze has added Isla, a pineapple slicing machine, to its range. The supplier claims the machine is the first to offer shoppers ready-to-eat, freshly sliced pineapple in the UK. It costs £17,500 outright excluding VAT, or £450 per month on contract hire with full maintenance cover. It is available for varying fruit sizes, with a 600g pineapple costing shoppers £3.49, compared to an average pre-cut 300g pineapple’s price of £2.30.
Source: betterretailing.com
IFA launches Christmas produce campaign as minister announces make-up of Agri Food Regulator board
The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) launched its Christmas Campaign in north Dublin, in the heart of the country's horticulture sector that produces seasonal vegetables for the traditional Christmas dinner. The campaign features the various sectors that produce what appears on the table for Christmas Day.
Source: meathchronicle.ie
Australia: Woolworths Group confirms CEO will appear at Senate inquiry on supermarket prices
Comments attributable to Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci: “We are very aware of the pressures facing many Australian families. We welcome the opportunity to explain to the senate how we are working to balance the needs of our customers, our team and our suppliers in the context of economy-wide inflationary pressure.” Woolworths’ Fruit & Vegetable and Meat categories are in deflation, with prices falling.
Source: woolworthsgroup.com.au
Deliveroo unveils the UK's most divisive festive dish - The ‘Christmas Sproutwich’
Deliveroo launches the ‘Christmas Sproutwich’, the UK’s most divisive festive sandwich which pays homage to the controversial round leafy green vegetable.
Source: deliveroo.co.uk
UK: Morrisons outlines mission to reduce, reuse, recycle, and replace ‘problematic’ plastics
Morrisons has set its sights on reducing, replacing, or eliminating plastic and promoting reuse and recycling in its stores - aiming for the complete elimination of ‘problematic plastic’ and 30% recycled content for all its own-brand primary plastic packaging by 2025. Since its 2017 baseline, Morrisons claims to have reduced its plastic packaging by 17.5% in 2022, totalling an average of 9,680 tonnes of plastic removed every year. It attributes the change to recent projects, including the expansion of its loose fruit and vegetable products - reaching up to 75 varieties across 332 stores.
Source: packagingeurope.com
UK: Introducing our Christmas Feast Rescued Box £18.99
Earth & Wheat reported: "Inside each Christmas Food Box, you'll find a delightful assortment of rescued vegetables, baked bread, and an array of delicious fruits PLUS an activity pack and recipe cards. What’s in the Box: A generous 6.5kg of 9 veg, 2 bread types, 2 fruits."
Source: earthandwheat.com