Six The Giant Co. stores have become Blue Zones Project Approved, making the grocer the first in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley to receive the distinction and marking a step toward improving community well-being in the region. The approved stores are located at: 3300 Lehigh St., Allentown; 3070 Tilghman St., Allentown; 3926 Linden St., Bethlehem; 2174 West […]
Category: Grocery News
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, News
2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo Wraps Vegas Debut With Record Innovation Field
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo wrapped its first run in Las Vegas, drawing 17,500 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center for four days of new product launches, education and category-level dealmaking. Hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the show ran May 18-21, with the Supplier Showcase serving as a […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
State Of Treating 2026: What’s Driving Confectionery Consumers
Nearly every American household still reaches for chocolate, candy, gum or mints at some point in the year — but how, where and why they buy is shifting in ways independent grocers can lean into. That was the core message from Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, who presented the National Confectioners Association’s seventh annual […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, New Products, News
Mars Snacking Maps Category Playbook For Grocers At Sweets & Snacks
Halloween is no longer a six-week season, the meal is increasingly being replaced by the snack, and roughly two-thirds of in-store confectionery purchases still ride on impulse. Those were among the headline messages Mike Gilroy, VP of industry engagement at Mars Snacking, shared with The Shelby Report at this week’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Snacks Brands, West
NCSA Recognizes Candy Execs At Sweets & Snacks Expo
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) presented Anton Vincent, president of Mars Snacking North America and Global Ice Cream at Mars Inc., with the 2026 Kettle Award May 19 during the awards’ 80th anniversary celebration during the Sweets & Snacks Expo. The NCSA also recognized Elaine Wu, co-founder of Amos Sweets and SVP of Amos […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Northeast, Wegmans
Wegmans’ Bakery Department Free Of Artificial Colors, Flavors, Preservatives
Wegmans Food Markets has shared that every product found within its in-store bakeries meets its “Food You Feel Good About” standard, meaning all bakery items are made without artificial colors, dyes, flavors or unnecessary preservatives. The milestone caps a long effort that began in 2016, when Wegmans first removed trans fats and high fructose corn […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, News, Snacks Brands, West
Billie-Ann Plastics Wins Ruby Award For Sustainable Packaging Innovation
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named Billie-Ann Plastics Packaging Corp. as the winner of the 2026 Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation for its RPET Clear Cylinder with Optional Snap In/Snap On Top and Printing. The award was presented during the Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony May 18 in Las Vegas. Created in 2018, […]
Posted inSoutheast, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Organic Natural
New Sprouts Opens Along Southwest FL Coast
Sprouts Farmers Market opened a new store May 15 in Naples, Florida. The store sits at 5351 Airport Road North in Naples, along Florida’s southwest coast. According to Sprouts’ website, it operates 63 stores in the Sunshine State. Sprouts noted on its Facebook page that it held “coast to coast” grand openings on May 15, […]