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Updated UNFI Selling Show Schedule for 2024 Released

United Natural Foods, Inc. has released its updated selling show schedule for 2024. As part of UNFI’s mission to help customers and suppliers win in the marketplace, each UNFI selling show will now showcase the full spectrum of products and services that better aligns with customer buying behavior, instead of focusing shows exclusively on natural and organic or conventional products. These new shows will support both the natural and conventional supplier as well as all grocery retail customer channels and positioning.

Sandy Douglas, UNFI’s chief executive officer said: “With the start of every selling show season, we look forward to connecting with our partners around the country to share insights, discuss industry trends, and explore new ways to create value and help drive their growth. We appreciate the hard work of our suppliers and customers and look forward to continuing to support them with supply chain efficiency and the industry’s leading selection of products, insights and go-to-market services, all of which will be on display at our upcoming shows.”

New 2024 UNFI Selling Show Schedule:

The company will hold the following four shows in 2024:

  • Spring and Summer West Selling Show in San Diego, CA on Feb. 7-8
  • Spring and Summer Central and East Selling Show in Orlando, FL on Feb. 20-21
  • Holiday and Winter East Selling Show Uncasville, CT on June 4-5
  • Holiday and Winter Central and West Selling Show in Minneapolis, MN on Aug. 6-7

For more information on UNFI selling shows, customers or suppliers can visit: https://www.unfi.com/shows-events or email events@unfi.com.

Inaugural Circle of Excellence Awards

UNFI also announced plans for its inaugural Circle of Excellence awards, which will recognize the outstanding performance and growth of UNFI customers and suppliers. UNFI’s Circle of Excellence awards honor the innovation, diversity of market positioning, size, and geography of customers and suppliers across the country. The Company will select customer winners in local independent, regional chain, and national account categories and suppliers in both emerging and established categories.

Customer awards will be presented at UNFI’s February shows in San Diego and Orlando. Supplier awards will be presented at the Company’s June show in Connecticut. All customer and supplier winners will be recognized across UNFI’s selling shows, featured on UNFI’s website, and mentioned in the Company’s post-show press releases.

UNFI is North America’s premier grocery wholesaler delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to more than 30,000 locations throughout North America, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, eCommerce providers and foodservice customers. UNFI also provides a broad range of value-added services and segmented marketing expertise, including proprietary technology, data, market insights and shelf management to help customers and suppliers build their businesses and brands.

As the largest full-service grocery partner in North America, UNFI is committed to building a food system that is better for all and is uniquely positioned to deliver great food, more choices, and fresh thinking to customers. To learn more about how UNFI is delivering value for its stakeholders, visit www.unfi.com.

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Taco Bell at Home Introduces Crunchwrap, Quesadilla ‘Craving Kits’

Taco Bell fans have long taken to social media to recreate their favorite menu items at home, but their creations never taste quite the same without the brand’s  ingredients. Taco Bell at Home has introduced the first Crunchwrap Supreme and Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla “Cravings Kits,” featuring proprietary Taco Bell restaurant ingredients, seasonings and sauces essential to making these fan-favorites at home. The Craving Kits are the latest offerings from Kraft Heinz’s Taco Bell at Home line designed to make it easier than ever for fans to recreate and personalize their takes on beloved menu items.

“A partnership founded on a mutual obsession with their consumers, Kraft Heinz and Taco Bell created the Taco Bell at Home line to bring signature and crave worthy Taco Bell offerings and flavors straight to the grocery aisle and allow fans to make Taco Bell their way,” said Danielle Coopersmith, associate director of marketing for Taco Bell at Home. “Grounded in this core mission, our innovation strategy focuses on creating new products inspired by beloved Taco Bell classics that encourage fans to customize their at-home creations and take them to new heights.”

Perhaps the most iconic menu item in Taco Bell’s history, the Crunchwrap Supreme has taken the internet by storm with product videos – especially fans creating their own versions – garnering more than 50 million views on TikTok as of December. The quesadilla was one of Taco Bell’s best-selling menu items in 2023, and the chipotle sauce adds a kick to the comforting and consistent classic. Now, whether cooking solo for the first time, entertaining a crowd, or just in need of crunchy, cheesy goodness after a long day, fans can treat themselves to Taco Bell-approved versions of both.

“Our release of the Cravings Kits – the first of several Taco Bell at Home innovations planned for this year – is a great example of how Kraft Heinz is delivering against its goal to lead the future of food,” said Alan Kleinerman, vice president of disruptive innovation at The Kraft Heinz Company. “As we kick off 2024, we’re focused on finding the white spaces at retail where we can make an impact for fans and develop products we know they will be excited to try. Our partnership with Taco Bell is a great example of this.”

Now rolling out exclusively in Walmart stores and online nationwide, each Cravings Kit includes four servings of essential ingredients – just add a protein, any personalized additions to customize the creation, and enjoy from the comfort of your home. The Cravings Kits join a growing portfolio of products that make it possible to experience Taco Bell anywhere, anytime.

Taco Bell is a registered trademark owned and licensed by Taco Bell IP Holder, LLC.

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NGA Announces Senior Staff Executive Promotions

The National Grocers Association announced promotions for three key senior staff executives, all NGA veterans.

In announcing these promotions, NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara said, “NGA is fortunate to have a strong and committed group of senior leaders who bring their experiences and expertise to bear every day for the benefit of our membership. Their unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions have been instrumental in NGA’s success, and I am confident their continued leadership will help drive this organization to new heights.”

Jonathan Downey is now chief operating officer and senior vice president. Downey is a nearly four-year veteran of NGA, having joined the organization in early 2020 to lead industry relations and business development. Today he is responsible for membership growth, events, administration, and business development, including helping associate member companies achieve their business growth goals by engaging with NGA’s members. Downey is a long-time trade association executive, having previously worked for the Consumer Brands Association, a leading trade association representing consumer package goods companies. Additionally, Downey is a Certified Association Executive through ASAE.

Christopher Jones is now chief government relations officer & counsel and senior vice president. Jones is a six-year veteran of NGA, having joined in 2017 from the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as legislative director for a senior member of congress on the Agriculture Committee. Jones leads NGA’s government relations, legal, and political operations, ensuring NGA’s member companies have a strong and influential voice in before Congress and federal agencies. He also leads the organization’s historic efforts to revive and enforce the Robinson-Patman Act and other important antitrust laws, key to ensuring Main Street and regional grocers can compete on a level playing field for the benefit of consumers.

Laura Strange is now chief communications and engagement officer and senior vice president. Strange is a 10-year veteran of NGA, having joined NGA in 2013 from the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served as the communications director for a senior member of congress on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Within NGA, Strange leads internal departments responsible for all press and public affairs engagement, member communications, marketing, as well as member engagement and retention. Strange also leads important member programs such as NGA’s share groups, the NGA Creative Choice Awards program sponsored by Kellanova and Unilever and the NGA Best Bagger competition, sponsored by PepsiCo.

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