Last updated on January 4th, 2016 at 04:31 pm
Supermarket News In Brief…
An Ayer, Massachusetts, Shop ’n Save recently opened, creating 60 new jobs for the community. The store replaces what used to be Hannaford, but the Maine retailer-distributor now supplies the store. The store is owned by Mike Szelest. The store also is partnering with local farmers. The Ayer store is part of the IRSSC (Independent Retailers Shared Services Cooperative), which also helped secure financing for another independent operator in Litchfield, Maine…
Stavis Seafoods of Boston, a family-owned, international seafood wholesale and distribution company, has appointed seafood veteran Brett Heidtke to serve as the company’s new operations director. Heidtke has more than 15 years of experience leading seafood production and operational facilities; Stavis says Heidtke will help optimize the company’s two Boston processing facilities as well as its Miami location. This addition is part of a larger, aggressive growth plan that includes securing new business opportunities, enhancing customer service and capitalizing on strategic investments such as the Stavis Seafoods Fresh Center and the company’s expanded Miami facility…
The federal government is proposing new eligibility standards for retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the first quarter of 2016. The rule will implement provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill, which require retailers to stock more varieties of products in four food categories: meat, poultry or fish; bread or cereal; vegetables or fruits; and dairy. Additionally, retailers will be required to offer perishable foods in three categories rather than two. According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), “the rulemaking also proposes changes to address depth of stock, redefine staple and accessory foods, and amend the definition of retail food store to clarify when a retailer is a restaurant rather than a retail food store.” A release of the proposed rule in early 2016 will be followed by a comment period and publication of a final rule, which will specify an effective date for the new eligibility standards.
