US Foods to Open Fourth Foodservice Store
US Foods Holding Corp. will open a CHEF’STORE in Spartanburg, S.C. Located at 300 W. Blackstock Road, the 33,000-square-foot foodservice store will join three existing locations across South Carolina.
CHEF’STORE is a one-stop-shop for restaurant operators, food industry professionals, community groups and at-home chefs to stock up or replenish ingredients and supplies in various sizes and offerings. The store will offer more than 4,000 restaurant-quality products at competitive prices, including fresh meat, produce, dairy, deli items and frozen seafood. Customers will also be able to shop for baking ingredients, beverages, catering essentials, janitorial supplies and other restaurant essentials. CHEF’STORE is open to the public seven days a week and no membership is required.
The three existing locations are in Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Columbia. The new Spartanburg foodservice store is scheduled to open in Fall 2022.
US Foods acquired Smart Foodservice Warehouse stores in April 2020 to accelerate growth in the cash and carry market and rebranded all Smart Foodservice Warehouse stores to US Foods CHEF’STORE in February of 2021. With the addition of the Spartanburg location, US Foods will have 83 CHEF’STORE locations across the continental United States.
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Lifeway Foods Expands Humanitarian Efforts for Ukraine Relief
Lifeway bottle proceeds benefit Ukraine relief.
Lifeway Foods, U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products to support the microbiome, continues to stand with the people of Ukraine by expanding humanitarian relief efforts to support those in need. Building on the company’s ongoing efforts, Lifeway will release a specially marked charity relief bottle with 100 percent of profits going toward humanitarian aid for Ukraine relief with a commitment of up to $1 million.
Lifeway has spearheaded several fundraisers, including the recent Chicago Chefs Cook for Ukraine presented by Lifeway, which raised $700,000 for World Central Kitchen, founded by Chef José Andrés. The fundraiser brought together 73 of Chicago’s top chefs for a tasting event to raise funds for Ukrainian relief. Lifeway is also currently working with the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago, US-Ukraine logistics companies, local European Consulates, as well as countless volunteers to get vital donations to Ukraine.
“Lifeway was founded with a mission to bring an ancient Slavic superfood, kefir, to the U.S. It afforded my family the opportunity to participate in the American dream, fulfill entrepreneurial aspirations and pursue basic human freedoms,” said CEO Julie Smolyansky, a former refugee from Kyiv. “We, as a company, are devoted and committed to supporting humanitarian efforts and providing aid for those in need, including relatives of Lifeway employees that have been directly impacted. The courage of the Ukrainian people is an inspiration to us all and we are proud to support those impacted as long as necessary to help recover and restore wholeness.”
As a staple product in Ukraine and one of Lifeway’s customer favorites, Lifeway’s Plain Whole Milk Kefir will be offered as a special charity relief item and is anticipated to be available beginning in June.
“We are grateful for our many retail and distribution partners for their enthusiastic response in bringing this special product to shelves across the United States and for their commitment to stand with the people of Ukraine,” said Smolyansky.
For further information on Lifeway’s efforts or to donate to Ukraine relief, please visit: https://lifewaykefir.com/ukraine.
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Hellman’s Enlists Casey Wilson to Spice Up Campaign
Hellmann’s is celebrating the launch of its Spicy Mayonnaise Dressing by teaming up with actress and comedian Casey Wilson to introduce the “Get Spicy” campaign, which encourages people to add some spice to their life in the kitchen and beyond.
Wilson, best-selling author and co-host of the hit podcast “Bitch Sesh,” will serve as the official Spicy Ambassador and share her own tips on how she gets spicy in her daily life, while encouraging people to “get spicy” with their own routines. In her role, Wilson will oversee the #GetSpicy contest on Twitter which invites people to share their tips using the hashtag #GetSpicy. Every tip entered into the #GetSpicy contest will have the chance to be featured on limited-edition bottles of Hellmann’s and Best Foods Spicy Mayo that will be sold in stores this summer. Wilson will choose two winning tips, one for Hellmann’s and one for Best Foods bottles and the winners will also receive the ultimate “spicy” night out, including dinner at a restaurant of choice, an overnight hotel staycation, and chauffeured car service.
“I’m honored and humbled to be THE official Spicy Ambassador, a role I take very seriously,” said Wilson. “Hellmann’s new Spicy Mayo makes it so easy to get spicy in the kitchen and I’m here to help make it just as easy to add a bit of spice to everyone’s lives with a few ideas of my own. Like starting in the bedroom, where I’m most notorious for getting spicy… with a 20-minute nap in the middle of a Tuesday. That’s right, just 20 minutes is all you need to get spicy.”
To enter the contest, U.S. residents must follow Hellmann’s or Best Foods on Twitter and then post a written tip for how they “Get Spicy” using #getspicy and either #hellmannscontest or #bestfoodscontest from May 10-22. The contest’s official rules can be found on here.
In addition to the contest, people can get a customized spice rating using Hellmann’s SpicyMeter on Twitter. When users like the Hellmann’s SpicyMeter tweet, the SpicyMeter will scan their behaviors and send a custom message from Casey Wilson, letting them know how much spice they’re bringing to their Twitter feeds.
“The launch of Hellmann’s new Spicy Mayonnaise reminds us that a little spice has the power to transform our favorite meals into something more flavorful and exciting,” said Ben Crook, Senior Marketing Director for Hellmann’s North America. “Together, with our Spicy Ambassador Casey Wilson, we hope to inspire everyone to Get Spicy in the kitchen and beyond.”
Flavored with a delicious sriracha pepper blend and made with real chili peppers, Spicy Mayo delivers mild-to-medium spice to enhance any meal – from traditional mayo dishes such as sandwiches, wraps, and burgers – and much more. The new product will be available in an 11.5 oz squeeze bottle for $4.49 (SRP) at local retailers beginning this month.
For more information about NEW Hellmann’s Spicy Mayonnaise Dressing, signature recipes, contest rules, and the “Get Spicy” campaign, visit www.timetogetspicy.com.
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