Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

BRONX, N.Y. -- Stella D'oro Co. here said yesterday that it has signed a strategic distribution agreement with Snyder's of Hanover to handle direct store delivery of the Stella D'oro cookie and breadstick product line. Although Snyder's will be handling the Stella D'oro line in select geographic territories in much of the eastern United States, Stella D'oro will continue to operate its one-step DSD system in the metro New York market.

BRONX, N.Y. -- Stella D'oro Co. here said yesterday that it has signed a strategic distribution agreement with Snyder's of Hanover to handle direct store delivery of the Stella D'oro cookie and breadstick product line. Although Snyder's will be handling the Stella D'oro line in select geographic territories in much of the eastern United States, Stella D'oro will continue to operate its one-step DSD system in the metro New York market.

WASHINGTON -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) yesterday expressed support for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) new guidance for the early food safety evaluation of biotech foods. However, the trade group urged FDA to consider how the guidance might apply to plant-made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) and plant-made industrial products (PMIPs) in particular.

WASHINGTON -- The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) yesterday expressed support for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) new guidance for the early food safety evaluation of biotech foods. However, the trade group urged FDA to consider how the guidance might apply to plant-made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) and plant-made industrial products (PMIPs) in particular.

LONDONDERRY, N.H. -- The world's leading organic yogurt manufacturer, Stonyfield Farm, Inc., is joining forces with Paris-based Groupe Danone to form a European venture called Stonyfield Europe. The new organic dairy firm will be co-owned with 20 percent equity interest by Stonyfield Farm, Inc. and 80 percent equity interest by Groupe Danone.

NEWARK, Del. -- The Produce Marketing Association's (PMA) representation of floral retailers and suppliers has prompted national coalitions to include the trade association, based here, to lead national initiatives including promoting the industry to consumers and controlling costs and inefficiencies in the distribution channel.

CHICAGO -- The Perishables Group here has inked an agreement with Bi-Lo/Bruno's to provide the necessary data and tools for a customized perishables performance tracking and category development program.

ROBESONIA, Pa. and CARTERET, N.J. -- Two major grocery distributors in the Northeast U.S. are joining forces. Cooperative food distributor Associated Wholesaler's Inc. (AWI) in Robesonia, Pa. is merging with White Rose Food, the largest independent wholesale food distributor in the New York City metropolitan area, sources told Progressive Grocer on Friday.