Forager, a company focused on connecting local farmers with grocers to bring consumers healthy, locally sourced food, announced a new pilot partnership with Bashas’ Family of Stores across Arizona to significantly expand the number of suppliers and product offerings of locally sourced food. In partnering with Forager, Bashas’ is continuing its focus on building a state-of-the-art local sourcing program that can accommodate an increased number of vendors, and enable ‘hyperlocal’ sourcing across their brands.

“Partnering with Forager will support our expansion of suppliers and products

The owners of Habelman Bros. Company in Tomah, WI, and L&S Cranberry LP in St. Lucien, QC, announced the formation of the Cranberry Cooperative of the Americas. These two leaders in the category of fresh cranberry supply have united under the CCA banner in order to leverage their respective years of experience and knowledge in the growing, handling and packaging of fresh cranberries to best-serve the requirements of retail buyers throughout the world.

CCA has commissioned The Cranberry Network LLC of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and Graystone Limited LLC of East Wareham, MA, to serve as its

Last week, Sprouts Farmers Market opened a new distribution center in in Aurora, marking its first center in Colorado and its sixth across the country. Sprouts’ ability to offer fresh, high-quality produce at a great value is supported through its network of distribution centers, direct grower relationships, and enhanced quality controls.

The 135,000-square-foot facility was built for Sprouts and includes 55 degree and 34 degree storage and fruit-ripening rooms that are ideal for the variety of fresh produce Sprouts offers. The center services 45 of the chain’s more than 360 stores, including

On any given Sunday (or Monday, or Thursday — and sometimes Saturday), Taysom Hill, one of the most versatile professional football players in the league, could be playing quarterback, fullback, tight end, receiver, kickoff returner or punt blocker — jumping in wherever his team needs him. Coincidentally, the Idaho native has a lot in common with his home state’s most popular food: the potato, the most versatile vegetable in the produce aisle.

Hill filmed five short, humorous videos promoting Idaho potatoes. The 30-second spots launched Dec. 20 and ran through Feb. 7 on streaming platforms

Hy-Vee Inc. will host its second Best of Local Brands summit in May to expand and enhance the product offerings at its more than 275 retail stores in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The first quarterly summit was held in February where 52 new brands were selected to become available to Hy-Vee customers in the coming months.

Hy-Vee is currently accepting submissions for its “Best of Local Brands” summit online in the following categories of retail-ready products: produce, grocery, deli, general merchandise, frozen, dairy, and health and beauty

Sunview Marketing International of California Inc. has hired Bryan Roberts as its director of retail development.

“The creation of this new position is another example of Sunview’s deep commitment to our customers and is an additional step in demonstrating our grape category leadership," said Mitch Wetzel, vice president of sales and marketing. "Brian will be working closely with customers across the country to provide them with insights, strategies, tactics, and service as we look towards the 2021 Central Valley grape season that will kick off in July.”

Roberts has strong roots in the