It’s hard to believe, but the holiday season is right around the corner, and it will be somewhat different this time around. Are you prepared for a better shopping event than predicted?

The end of last year’s holiday season saw fewer large gatherings. Traveling was minimal. Let’s face it, the 2020 holidays were at bit dismal, caused by the restrictions and fear of COVID-19.

As a result, grocery shopping was not as robust as prior holidays. Consumers also avoided going to stores by switching to online shopping for their food. That extremely changed the holiday shopping practices in a huge way

Wakefern Food Corp. marked its 75th anniversary during its annual meeting last week, when executives paid tribute to the family-owned businesses that comprise the cooperative and drive its success.

Chairman and CEO Joseph S. Colalillo, President and Chief Operations Officer Joe Sheridan, and Executive Vice President Chris Lane addressed Wakefern Members, shareholders, staff and store management during the company's meeting, which included an in-person and virtual audience.  
 
“As we reflect upon the rich legacy of our cooperative — and the history of our family businesses — we also focus on

Chief executives representing the new association being formed by the Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel will share an important update about the new organization on Oct. 28. The announcement, which will be broadcast live, will include members of the new group’s executive committee.

Burns and Stenzel will be joined by executive committee members Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms; Laura Himes of Walmart; Danny Dumas of Courchesne Larose USA Inc.; Dwight Ferguson of California Agricultural Leadership Foundation; Patrick Vizzone of ANZ

Grocery Outlet, an extreme-value retailer, announced a partnership with Instacart on a pilot program to make its bargain shopping experience available online for the first time ever.

The program is set to run for six months across 68 of Grocery Outlet’s California stores. Through Instacart, products from Grocery Outlet’s independently owned and operated stores will be available for same-day delivery. Grocery Outlet will offer daily essentials and staples for same-day delivery via Instacart, allowing customers to get what they need delivered quickly and affordably, while also maintaining the

Kroger partnered with produce supplier G&R Farms of Glennville, GA, earlier this year to raise $9,000 for scholarship and grant funds for FFA students in Georgia through the Growing America’s Farmer’s promotional program.

The Growing America’s Farmers program was the brainchild of third-generation family farmer Walt Dasher, a Vidalia onion grower from Georgia. In the program, a portion of the sales of designated products are donated to the National FFA Foundation who designates those funds to local FFA programs of the retailer’s choice to support students pursuing careers in production

Three Publix officers have been promoted, effective Jan. 1, 2022, to support the company’s growth and expanding initiatives: Chris Haake, business development director of grocery retail support, will be promoted to vice president of replenishment and purchasing support; Kyle Davis, director of warehousing, will be promoted to vice president of distribution; and Merriann Metz, vice president, general counsel and secretary, will be promoted to senior vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Davis, 59, began his career in 1988 at the Miami warehouse. He worked in various positions before