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Metz to Head Southern Glazer’s Central Region

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, has appointed Matthew Metz to the position of president, Central Region, effective February.

In this role, Metz will report to John Wittig, Southern Glazer’s chief commercial officer, and will be responsible for leading all business activities in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas markets.

“Over the years, Matt’s exceptional leadership skills and deep industry knowledge have brought tremendous value to Southern Glazer’s,” said Wittig. “In addition to his expertise and extensive skill set, Matt is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace culture and leaves a positive mark on everyone he works with. He is the perfect fit for this role and we’re looking forward to seeing the success and continued growth he brings to the Central Region.”

Metz began his 31-year career in the beverage alcohol industry in 1992 as a sales representative at Jim Beam in Michigan. He spent the next two decades at Jim Beam Brand Company, now Beam Suntory, in a variety of sales and strategy roles of increasing responsibility, with his last position being general sales manager of the American Region and Mexico. Metz joined Glazer’s in 2013 as senior vice president, sales & marketing for Texas. In his most recent role, he served as executive vice president, general manager, Texas.

Metz’s successor in Texas will be announced before February.

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly.

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Armored Fresh Takes Oat Milk Cheese on Tour

Armored Fresh, a food tech company specializing in alternative dairy products, has announced a coast-to-coast tour for buyers and culinary professionals within the grocery, food service and QSR channels. Commencing on Jan. 2, the Armored Fresh Oat Milk Cheese Tour will provide an opportunity for buyers to experience Armored Fresh’s new zero-dairy Oat Milk American Cheese Slices and additional innovations yet to be released. The nationwide tour will begin in New York and end in California with stops in all major metropolitan destinations.

“Our R&D and culinary teams have perfected our new zero-dairy Oat Milk Cheese Slices and we’re excited to share these game-changing options with industry food service professionals and retail buyers,” said Rudy Yoo, founder and CEO of Armored Fresh. “Our mission is to create renewed enthusiasm in the industry with our dairy-free, plant-based cheese that is more sustainable and has the same taste, creaminess, and melting properties that consumers experience from traditional dairy cheeses.”

The exclusive tastings will be hosted by Armored Fresh’s U.S. sales team. This will include a curated menu featuring the delicious Oat Milk Cheese Slices. Industry professionals who are interested in scheduling a meeting are invited to contact Tour@armoredfresh.com, for more details and availability.

Armored Fresh was founded with the mission to protect human health and the environment by delivering delicious plant-based cheeses at an affordable price. The zero-dairy company offers a robust portfolio of cheeses, including Cubed Cheeses, Oat Milk Slices, and Almond Milk Slices.

All of the company’s plant-based cheeses are a combination of innovative science and culinary art, crafted by Armored Fresh’s team of chefs and R&D scientists who work hand-in-hand to create zero-dairy options through the same process as dairy cheeses. Armored Fresh cheeses are available at select retailers nationwide, including Kroger, Fresh Thyme Market, Town and Country Foods, and Fred Meyer, as well as food service partners.

Armored Fresh specializes in developing delicious, alternative dairy products. The brand brings its innovative approach and award-winning zero-dairy cheeses that taste, melt, and replicate the mouthfeel of dairy-based cheeses nationwide. All Armored Fresh cheeses are non-GMO and made 100 percent from plants, and are comparable to traditional dairy options in terms of taste and nutrition. The company offers a portfolio of cheese alternatives, including cubes, slices, shreds and spreads. Visit www.armoredfresh.com for more information.

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Gopuff, Rapper Rick Ross Team for New Year’s Eve Specials

Rapper Rick Ross for GopuffGopuff, the app that gets you what you need in 30 minutes, and Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross are coming together to make this New Year’s Eve more Boss than ever. On Dec. 31, Ross is coming on board as Gopuff’s new Chief Delivery Boss to bring customers 21+ the best value on bubbly, party supplies and more, so they can ring in the new year in – attainable – luxury and style.

Ross said: “When Gopuff asked for my help in making sure all of their customers can throw Boss New Year’s Eve parties, I had only one request: we have to do it BIG! We’re bringing you Luc Belaire, 24¢ mini bottles of bubbly, and more – all delivered to your door in minutes on New Year’s Eve. It’s almost Too Good to Be True. Can’t wait to celebrate with Gopuff on Dec. 31.”

Gopuff FAM members shopping the Gopuff app or website can take advantage of several Boss New Year’s Eve Deals beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern on Dec. 31:

24¢ for select mini bottles of sparkling wine (limit two per customer)
24% off full-sized (750ml and 1.5L) bottles of Luc Belaire
50% off essential party supplies, including:
Confetti Cannons
Fool’s Gold Edible Glitter
Glow Sticks
Utz Cheddar Cheese Ball Barrel
Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider
Goslings Ginger Beer
Fever-Tree Ginger Ale
Basically, Red Cups
And more!
Plus, all Gopuff customers can get 15 percent off sparkling wines and Champagne when they purchase three bottles.

All offers are available while supplies last, in select markets and based on applicable state laws.

Nearly 80 percent of Gopuff customers said they plan to celebrate the new year at home and the number one beverage they plan to purchase for the holiday is Champagne. Whether customers are simply too busy to stop for supplies this season, run out of Champagne just before the ball drops, or forget a few important party essentials, Gopuff and its New Year’s Eve Chief Delivery Boss Rick Ross are here to save the day.

Gopuff remains committed to providing customers with high-quality essentials at affordable prices. Gopuff’s New Year’s Eve Boss Deals come on the heels of the company’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts, which brought customers 62% off FAM memberships, and $0.31 Halloween candy deals.

Earlier this year, Gopuff introduced new benefits for its FAM members, including lower-than-Walmart prices on hundreds of top-selling essentials, and introducing weekly deals for even greater savings. As a result, FAM members save an average of $25/month ($300/year).

Gopuff is the leading instant commerce platform, bringing thousands of everyday products to customers in minutes. Gopuff stores everything from household essentials and groceries to OTC medication and more within hundreds of micro-fulfillment centers and omnichannel retail stores across the United States and United Kingdom. Founded in 2013 by co-founders and co-CEOs Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola, Gopuff’s unique, vertically integrated platform offers customers a seamless and consistently fast shopping experience.

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