Southern Glazer’s Acquires Horizon Beverage Group
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits—the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol—today announced the successful closing of its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Horizon Beverage Group, Inc., one of New England’s premier alcohol distributors, including all of Horizon’s operations and wine, spirits and beer portfolio. Effective immediately, Horizon’s operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will operate under the name Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company.
The acquisition marks an exciting expansion for Southern Glazer’s, adding Massachusetts and Rhode Island as the 46th and 47th markets in its U.S. footprint, alongside operations in Canada and the Caribbean.
“With this acquisition, we’re combining Horizon’s deep regional expertise with Southern Glazer’s advanced technology and robust resources,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “We are excited to bring customers and suppliers enhanced tools, data insights, and service offerings that position us to meet and exceed their needs in these vital markets.”
Both Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets will operate as part of Southern Glazer’s East Region, led by Scott Oppenheimer, East Region president.
“We are grateful to Horizon’s employees, customers, and partners for so many years of success, and this transition represents an even brighter future for all,” said Bob Epstein. “We’re confident that Southern Glazer’s strength and scale will not only support a smooth integration, but also create new opportunities for growth and success.”
“We’re committed to maintaining the exceptional service that Horizon is known for while bringing the added benefits of being part of the Southern Glazer’s family,” added Jim Rubenstein. “This partnership ensures stability and growth for all stakeholders and strengthens our ability to deliver value across the board.”
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. In 2024, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.
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NatureSweet Donates 3.5M Pounds of Produce to Food Banks
NatureSweet is proud to announce the donation of 3.5 million pounds of fresh produce to food banks throughout North America in 2024, providing vital support to those in need. The donated tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers were distributed to food banks in both the United States and Mexico, providing more than 2.9 million meals.
“Amid a year marked by record inflation and soaring food prices, we are committed more than ever to offering nourishment to families facing financial hardship,” says Rodolfo Spielmann, president and CEO of NatureSweet. “Our donations of fresh produce will not only feed but also uplift those who are struggling, providing much-needed relief during these difficult times. We are incredibly proud to support food banks both locally and across the continent. We will continue our efforts to provide fresh, nutritious NatureSweet produce to those in need, now and in the years ahead.”
In 2024, approximately two million pounds of produce were donated to the San Antonio Food Bank, which has been instrumental in providing food to families in San Antonio, where NatureSweet is headquartered. According to the SAFB, this donation has helped provide 1.9 million meals to local families. NatureSweet was honored by the SAFB in 2022 with the “Hunger Fighter of the Year” award for its ongoing contributions to the Gift of Food initiative. More than one million pounds were donated to Bancos de Alimentos de México, a network of food banks in Mexico that helps vulnerable communities.
As part of its continued mission to fight hunger, NatureSweet remains dedicated to strengthening its partnerships with food banks and enhancing its support for communities in need across North America.
NatureSweet, the leading brand in snacking tomatoes, is your single-source solution for greenhouse-grown vegetables. As the largest vertically integrated controlled environment agriculture company in North America and greenhouse grower, NatureSweet owns over 1,400 acres of greenhouse space.
With a dedicated team of approximately 9,000 Associates, we carefully grow, harvest, and package a variety of fresh vegetables, both organic and conventional, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers. Available in major retailers across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, our produce is handpicked at peak freshness to ensure superior quality. Committed to making a positive social, environmental, and economic impact, NatureSweet’s purpose is to transform the lives of millions of agricultural workers through a scalable and profitable business model. Our dedication to sustainability and social responsibility is reflected in our B Corp, Fair Trade and Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) certifications.
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HelloFresh Introduces Ready Made Meals
Just in time for New Year’s resolutions, HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal kit company, is introducing wholesome new offerings for home cooks who want easy, homemade meals with little to no prep–especially on their busiest days. Whether choosing from a delicious meal ready in three minutes with no cooking required, or a simplified recipe that involves just five minutes of prep and minimal cleanup, getting a nutritious, quality meal on the table has never been easier or more convenient.
For those who want a flavorful, chef-crafted meal fast, the heat-and-eat Ready Made Meals are the perfect addition to mealtime. Ready in just three minutes, this new offering is the fastest way to get a nutritious meal on the table and is the ideal option for those who are on-the-go, or for nights when time isn’t on their side. From hearty classics, like Beef Bolognese and the Southwest-Style Chicken Bowl, to globally inspired recipes, like Butter Chicken and Udon Stir-Fry, Ready Made Meals can make eating well a breeze for home cooks who prioritize convenience without wanting to sacrifice quality.
“Ready Made Meals are an essential and exciting new way we are bringing nutritious, convenient mealtime options to our HelloFresh customers in the New Year,” said Kristin Bryan, senior director of culinary innovation at HelloFresh. “Whether navigating a packed workday or balancing family commitments, these meals were developed to be the perfect solution to staying nourished without compromising on quality, offering a delicious, home-cooked meal in minutes.”
For the home cook looking for virtually no prep time in the kitchen, Prep & Bake Meals are a new offering that simplifies mealtime by providing fresh ingredients that come pre-chopped and require only five minutes or less of preparation. Featuring delicious recipes like Onion Crunch Chicken and a Creamy Mushroom Ravioli Bake, the menu will include three Prep and Bake Meals to choose from each week for HelloFresh customers. Prep and Bake Meals are designed to deliver the ease and satisfaction of a wholesome, home-cooked meal without the hassle of cleanup that usually comes with it.
New 15-Min Meals, like Chicken Gyoza Salad and Cilantro Beef Burrito Bowl, provide fresh, flavorful dinners from fridge to plate in just 15 minutes or less. Designed as quick, three-step recipes that require minimal prep and cleanup, these quick yet delicious meals offer a home cooked meal in about the time.
This New Year, HelloFresh makes it easy to eat well with quick home-cooked meals that present a better alternative to options like takeout, frozen, or heavily processed meals. With a focus on simplifying mealtime to support a more balanced lifestyle, HelloFresh customers can start their year stress-free by spending less time worrying about what’s for dinner and more time enjoying a delicious meal with the people they love.
To sign up for HelloFresh and learn more about the wholesome new offerings, visit www.hellofresh.com.
HelloFresh is the world’s leading meal-kit company, providing customers with fresh, high-quality ingredients to cook delicious meals at home. By delivering pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes directly to customers’ doors, HelloFresh helps busy individuals and families enjoy home-cooked meals without the hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping. HelloFresh was voted the Most Trusted Meal Kit Delivery Service in America from 2021 through 2023 by Newsweek. For more information, visit www.hellofresh.com or follow HelloFresh on Facebook, X, Instagram, or TikTok.
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