New Channels News In Brief…
The board of the Specialty Food Association has named Philip Kafarakis president of the not-for-profit trade association. Kafarakis brings more than 30 years of food industry experience in brand management, membership development and strategic planning. Since May 2013, Kafarakis served as chief innovation and member advancement officer for the National Restaurant Association. Prior to that, Kafarakis spent 10 years with McCormick & Co. in Hunt Valley, Md., a $4 billion public food company. Kafarakis also has held executive leadership positions at Cargill, Jones Dairy Farm and Kraft…
The average family is expected to spend more freely on school and college supplies this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics. Total spending for K-12 and college is expected to reach $75.8 billion, up from last year’s $68 billion. Families with children in grades K-12 plan to spend an average $673.57 on apparel and accessories, electronics, shoes and school supplies, up from last year’s $630.36 for a total of $27.3 billion, according to the survey. That’s an increase of 9.6 percent from last year’s $24.9 billion…
LiDestri Food and Drink has changed its name to better reflect the company’s capabilities as a modern contract manufacturer, as it simultaneously launches LiDestriFoodandDrink.com, a new website. Company officials said the firm’s previous name, LiDestri Foods, reflects an era when the company was almost exclusively a contract manufacturer of pasta sauces and salsas. The new name reflects the addition of fast-growing divisions for beverage and spirits in recent years and the expansion of the company’s offerings in dips, sauces and salsas. The new website was an initiative of Stefani LiDestri, who transitions this week from chief marketing officer to co-president of the company alongside her brother, John LiDestri. Giovanni LiDestri will remain CEO for the foreseeable future and continue to oversee manufacturing operations. “We’re very proud of how our company has evolved and grown while staying steeped in our roots. I treasure the partnerships that have brought us to this point,” Stefani LiDestri said. “Both our new website and our new name exemplify our company’s character: Where tradition meets innovation.”
