Anne Allen

Another exciting acquisition has taken place in the specialty food industry. It was announced that Wisdom Natural Brands, parent company of the SweetLeaf® brand of natural sugar substitutes, has acquired Drizzle Honey. The transaction opens the door for United States distribution of Drizzle products at a time of strong growth in the honey category.

In celebration of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season, Galbani® Cheese is excited to unveil a new recipe that offers a fresh way to elevate your holiday feast. Ricotta Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Herbs utilizes the authentic Italian flavor of Galbani Ricotta to add a new level of creamy texture and unique flavor to a classic holiday dish. Galbani Ricotta is a product of Lactalis USA, a subsidiary of Lactalis Group, the world’s largest dairy company.“As the holidays bring family and friends together, people are always looking for ways to make their dishes stand out.

Food Lion's Holidays Without Hunger campaign, which runs until December 10, has helped contribute more than 44 million meals to Feeding America® since its inception in 2014.“At Food Lion, we believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager of Food Lion Feeds. “Every family deserves a nourishing meal with their loved ones during the holiday season.

Community fundraising is one way that retailers work to make the world a better place, and Winn-Dixie is no different. The retailer has stepped up with a substantial $170,000 donation to the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign."We are honored to continue our support of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer's incredible work to stand beside every fighter, thriver, and loved one impacted by the disease. This cause is personal to so many of us, and we remain committed to nurturing the well-being of our neighbors across the Southeast.

A beloved Scottish brand with deep roots in tradition and innovation, Walker’s Shortbread, is celebrating a significant milestone in its United States growth story. Sir Jim Walker, CBE, was awarded the prestigious 2024 Wallace Award by the American Scottish Foundation at the Annual Dinner in New York.

Antonina’s Gluten-Free Bakery has eagerly announced its new online store. The emerging bakery’s decision to launch e-commerce is part of a larger brand-building effort, as 81 percent of shoppers discover products online before buying them in-store.“We are focused on growing a retail brand that consumers want to engage with and that stores value having on their shelves,” said Robert Kidd, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Lineage’s recent operational success has been guided by an ambitious growth strategy, including the introduction of new cutting-edge facilities to uplift its network of cold storage warehouses. Supported by these strategic expansions, the company has unveiled a 0.5 percent revenue increase to $1.3 billion for the third quarter of 2024. "We are excited to report strong results for our first quarter as a public company, demonstrating our ability to perform well in various economic environments," said Greg Lehmkuhl, President and Chief Executive Officer.

With Winter Fancy Food Show behind us, companies are reflecting on their programs’ success. I spoke with Isabelle Schilt, Marketing Manager, to learn more.“At the show, we focused on our retail line and recent World Cheese Award winners, Alpenhorn and Brigand du Jorat,” Isabelle explained. “These two cheeses were the highlight of the booth.”And for good reason! Alpenhorn won Super Gold at the WCA and was ranked among the top four cheeses.

February can be a tough month; winter feels like it's dragging on and the dark evenings start to wear. Luckily, companies were not feeling the mid-winter slump and brought forth many product launches that kicked my own February blues to the curb. See what caught my eye below.Dunkin’® Cold Foam Creamers This velvety smooth topper is the ultimate indulgence for morning coffee. Offered in Extra Extra® and Chocolate, the cold foam creamers will perk up any Dunkin’ lover or daring coffee connoisseur.

IDDBA is well-known for producing collaborations that wow attendees, and the latest partnership between Fromager d'Affinois and Clyde's Donuts is no different. Facilitated through agent, Interval, another IDDBA member, the partnership is a fun and flavorful way to explore how bakery and dairy can come together.“As the specialty cheese industry continues to evolve, we’re seeing our cheeses take on new roles in consumers’ lives—not just on a cheese board, but in snacking, quick meals, and even in sweet pairings,” shared Fromager d'Affinois in a statement sent to Deli Market News.