WEST DES MOINES, IA - Hy-Vee announces that Kathryn Mazza, who previously served as Senior Vice President of Hy-Vee’s retail media network RedMedia, has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Hy-Vee, and President of RedMedia.

Mazza joined Hy-Vee in February 2024, bringing with her nearly 20 years of experience in marketing and retail media, most recently as Vice President of Media/GM Retail Media for DICK’S Sporting Goods. As President of RedMedia, Mazza will oversee the continued growth and development of Hy-Vee’s retail media network, launched in 2023, a press release stated.

In its first months of operation, RedMedia has already garnered accolades from The Mars Agency and Media, Ads + Commerce for its innovative capabilities and ROI.

“Kathryn has already demonstrated tremendous leadership when it comes to helping the market recognize the power of Hy-Vee’s brand,” said Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s Chairman and CEO. “Kathryn is the right leader to help bring our retail media and marketing efforts together to create even more value for our customers and our vendor partners. She has the skillset and capabilities to expand and advance our efforts and campaigns into the future.”

Mazza is a member of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle and is the executive sponsor for the Minnesota Lynx Changemakers program, a first-of-its-kind venture focused on building the next generation of leaders.

“I look forward to continuing the strong marketing efforts we’ve been known for at Hy-Vee and best positioning our brand and value messaging with our customers,” said Mazza. “Another top priority of mine will be further strengthening our vendor and supplier partnerships as we plan for the future.”

The move comes as Hy-Vee President Donna Tweeten retires on Jan. 24 after a 35-year career at the grocery chain. Her retirement plans were publicly announced in October 2024. Tweeten previously held the position of Hy-Vee’s Chief Marketing Officer and RedMedia President before being promoted to Hy-Vee President.

IRVING, TX - Everyone knows it’s simply not game day without guac. To help fans get ready for their watch parties, Avocados From Mexico is teaming up with iconic tight end, Rob Gronkowski (aka Gronk).

Together the always good duo have pulled out all the stops—like a giveaway of a limited-edition Guac Pack, a fun Gronkamole Challenge, recipe inspiration, and more—to get guac on every game day table this football season.

Limited Edition Guac Packs Giveaway

Just in time for kickoff, the brand is bringing fans a chance to snag the first-of-its-kind, limited-edition Guac Pack.

Avocados From Mexico’s Guac Pack is the accessory you didn’t know you needed for game day! The insulated pouch lets you store your freshly made guac, ensuring you can keep your head in the game—and your favorite snack right by your side. The product’s pockets are perfect for carrying your go-to seasonings and tortilla chips, without the need to ever take your eyes off the television.

Just like a certain coveted championship trophy, this special prize is only available for a select few. Fans can enter a chance to win a limited edition Guac Pack by visiting BigGameGuac.com.

Gronkamole Challenge

Being the instigator of delicious moments for fans, Avocados From Mexico has paired the Guac Pack drop with the Gronkamole Challenge—a fun video stream hosted by Gronk himself—that will air starting Jan. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Avocados From Mexico’s YouTube channel.

Gronkowski brings to life campy ways to enjoy guac in the only way Gronk can: a challenge that puts his guac-eating skills to the test.

Tune in to the Avocados From Mexico’s YouTube channel on Jan. 29th to find out how much Gronk loves guac, and enter to win a limited-edition Big Game Guac Pack.

Guacline

To engage fans in new and exciting ways, Avocado From Mexico launched Guacline: a first-of-its-kind interactive experience powered by generative AI technology where fans can receive a personalized video call with Gronk.

Guacline is a platform that creates a two-way interaction with Gronk’s avatar making the experience personal, memorable, and highly shareable.

This isn’t just a video call—it’s a next-level connection powered by generative AI Technologies, redefining how fans interact with their favorite icon in preparation for putting on a winning game day spread. At the end of the call, fans can “Gronk and roll” on their own game day snack after downloading their recipe, ensuring the process feels truly interactive from beginning to end.

Shopper Campaign

• As part of the brand’s national shopper marketing campaign, in-store displays will feature Gronk getting ready for game day with his favorite "Gronkamole” recipe featuring buffalo sauce.
• Life-sized standees, branded packaging and promotional displays will show consumers that no matter their guac style, it’s Always a Good Bowl with Gronk
• Big Game savings: Customers can get $1.50 rebate when they buy four Avocados From Mexico, an opportunity they won’t want to fumble.
  Exciting prizes: During the promotion, shoppers will have a chance to win Gronk-tastic prizes, and more!

To explore what is happening across AFM for the big game fans can visit BigGameGuac.com.

DELTA, CANADA - A partnership between BC Hydro and WINDSET FARMS® has enabled the local vegetable producer to expand its Delta facility, making it Western North America's largest LED-lit greenhouse powered by renewable electricity from BC Hydro.

"Our clean, affordable electricity is a tremendous advantage for British Columbia, helping to ensure that the products we produce are low carbon, making them more competitive domestically and internationally," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. "Congratulations to Windset Farms for seizing on that advantage and partnering with BC Hydro to expand production and grow your greenhouse operations with clean, renewable energy."

Windset Farms recently completed two one-million-square-foot greenhouses equipped with systems designed for energy efficiency and sustainability, a press release stated. The new greenhouses ensure a year-round supply of vegetables to major grocery chains in Western Canada, including Costco, Loblaws, Sobeys, and Save-On-Foods to name a few.

With support from BC Hydro, Windset Farms has upgraded its new and existing greenhouses from a distribution system to a higher-powered transmission system.

"There's a real push from retailers and consumers to have locally grown produce and to make that possible, it all came down to the availability of power," said Steven Newell, CEO of Windset Farms. "Knowing we've got the electricity we need gives us and our retail partners certainty of assured locally grown, B.C. supply, year-round."

BC Hydro also provided $4.8 million in LED lighting incentives to Windset Farms, allowing a complete switch from energy-intensive high-pressure sodium lighting to energy-saving LEDs. This upgrade means the Delta greenhouses now boast 19 hectares of lit production, making it the largest lit greenhouse vegetable facility in Western North America, and reducing electricity consumption by about 55 percent.

BC Hydro and Windset Farms have collectively initiated new studies to address future project phases. The studies will focus on energy-efficient lighting, battery applications, and load-displacement solutions, including on-site generation from renewable sources.

"Our agriculture industry plays a vital role in all British Columbians' lives, providing locally grown fruits and vegetables to feed families, and positively impacting our economy by employing thousands of British Columbians," said Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "We admire Windset Farms' commitment to building a sustainable agricultural business, and we are excited to name them a Clean Energy Champion."

Windset Farms would like to send a heartfelt thank you to BC Hydro for recognizing their commitment to energy conservation and innovation by awarding them the Clean Energy Champion designation.

SALINAS, CA - Taylor Farms, North America’s leading producer of ready-to-eat salads and healthy fresh foods, announced the launch of six New Chopped Salad Bowls this month.

“Consumers know and love the Taylor Farms brand for our chopped kits,” said Charis Neves, Director of Innovation and Product at Taylor Farms. “That delightful eating experience is available in a variety of product sizes to meet consumers wherever they are from our Chopped Kits to our Mini Chopped Kits, and new Chopped Salad Bowls.”

“The dressings and delicious flavors are consistent across all platforms,” added Chelsea Perkins, Product Manager at Taylor Farms. “Consumers can enjoy their favorite Taylor Farms chopped salad on the go, with crunchy chopped vegetables, added protein, and delicious toppings—with a compostable fork for convenience.”

Each salad bowl contains less than 400 calories and at least 10 grams of protein for a delicious meal.

As the release outlined, the New Taylor Farms Chopped Salad Bowls are:

• Caesar Chopped Salad Bowl – A new addition to our Caesar family - Taylor Farms Chopped Caesar Salad bowl includes crunchy romaine lettuce, grilled white chicken, nutty parmesan cheese and herb seasoned flatbread strips. Toss in our creamy, Parmesan-forward Caesar dressing for a satiating salad on the go.
• Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Bowl – We developed more ways to enjoy one of our favorite salad kit flavors. Our new Sweet Kale Chopped Salad bowl features crisp romaine lettuce, kale and red cabbage, our classic poppyseed dressing, grilled white meat chicken, a sweet and savory blend of cranberries and pepitas with crumbled feta cheese to balance out the sweetness.
• Maple Bourbon Chopped Salad Bowl – A crowd-pleaser salad bowl flavor made with our Taylor Farms famous maple bourbon vinaigrette, grilled white meat chicken, smoky bacon, frosted almonds over a bed of chopped romaine lettuce, carrots, and cabbage.
• Wedge Chopped Salad Bowl – Blue cheese lovers unite! A chopped twist on a classic wedge, this salad includes chopped vegetables, piquant blue cheese crumbles, crispy fried onions tossed in a creamy blue cheese dressing.
• Everything Chopped Salad Bowl – Made with creamy everything seasoned ranch dressing over crisp romaine, carrots, and red and green cabbage with grilled white meat chicken, sharp white cheddar cheese, and garlic crouton crumbles for extra crunch. Top it off with a sprinkle of our everything bagel seasoning for a meal in minutes.
• Nashville Hot Chopped Salad Bowl – This Tennessee-inspired bowl combines crisp chopped romaine lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots with grilled white meat chicken, zesty pepper jack cheese, and seasoned crouton crumbles. Drizzle it all with our tangy, creamy Nashville hot ranch dressing for a spicy and satisfying salad that’s ready in less than a minute.

Taylor Farms Chopped Salad bowls are available now!

Compostable Fork

According to a press release, Taylor Farms new Chopped Salad Bowls will now include forks made from PlantSwitch’s CompostZero resin.

“We challenge ourselves in our business to be responsible with our resources, and this is one step to help decrease plastic in our system,” Lisa Anthony, Director of Packaging Procurement. “We are excited to replace over 100 million plastic forks next year and to continue looking at other applications within our packaging portfolio.”

These forks offer a bio-based alternative to conventional plastic that is certified compostable in both home and industrial compost. CompostZero is made using cellulose from upcycled agricultural waste streams, enabling a truly circular supply chain.