WEST DES MOINES, IA - Hy-Vee announced that it will transition all its in-store restaurant locations across the Midwest to Hy-Vee Market Grille locations with a brand-new menu that primarily focuses on breakfast and burgers. Beginning Feb. 4, all Hy-Vee restaurants will offer a new breakfast menu. A new lunch and dinner menu will roll out throughout the month of February.

According to a press release, the new menus will bring back fan favorites, like Hy-Vee Market Grille burgers, BLT and club sandwiches, and pork tenderloin sandwiches, while still offering popular items like wings and wontons.

Hash browns are also returning to the new breakfast menu.

Other traditional breakfast items will include omelets, biscuits & gravy, pancakes, French toast, and a breakfast burrito. Hy-Vee designed the new menus to offer a wider variety of choices for families, individuals, and breakfast groups at an affordable price.

Weekday hours for all Market Grille locations will be 6–11 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. for lunch and dinner. Breakfast will be available 6 a.m.–2 p.m. on the weekends with a special brunch buffet offered at select locations. All Market Grille locations will offer both dine-in and carry-out service, as well as third-party delivery. Most locations will have counter service where customers order at the counter and staff will bring their freshly made order to their table.

Transition will happen across Hy-Vee’s region in phases starting this week. After the transition, Hy-Vee will have a total of 221 Market Grille and Market Grille Express locations across the Midwest.

GUELPH, ON - GoodLeaf Farms, Canada's first and largest commercial indoor vertical farm operator, is pleased to announce Farm Credit Canada (FCC) as a new strategic investor. Partnering with FCC will strengthen GoodLeaf's important position in the country’s agricultural ecosystem by advancing innovation, food security, and providing locally grown, nutritious products to Canadians.

This investment follows a year marked by substantial capacity expansion and strong business growth, a press release stated. With more than 280,000 square feet of production capability across three farms, including recently commercialized farms in Alberta and Quebec, GoodLeaf has successfully broadened its operations across the country. The company also increased its national retail presence with more than 2,700 locations, driven by growing demand from major grocery and food service partners.

The funding round included participation by FCC and key existing shareholders, McCain Foods and Power Sustainable Lios. FCC's addition to GoodLeaf’s institutional shareholder base—which already features Export Development Canada (EDC)—underscores the strength of its capital foundation and institutional support, highlighting a uniquely robust platform for continued growth and innovation across Canada and beyond.

“This strategic investment by FCC signals another important milestone for GoodLeaf, bringing valuable expertise and capital to support the important role of vertical farming within the Canadian food system,” said Andy O’Brien, President and CEO of GoodLeaf Farms. “Our team and Farm Credit Canada have a shared vision to innovate Canada’s agricultural sector through shared knowledge, relationships, and expertise. We’re proud to have FCC as a partner and look forward to working together as we execute our strategy.”

Investing in Canada’s food production future

Today’s announcement emphasizes the rising popularity of microgreens, celebrated for their diverse and appealing flavor profiles, outstanding nutritional qualities, and convenience. Originally used solely as decorative flourish or meal garnish, microgreens have become essential ingredients in an array of healthy and delicious food and drink recipes and are widely valued as the star component of healthy salads.

To achieve its goal of providing Canadians coast-to-coast access to premium, sustainably grown greens 365 days a year, GoodLeaf Farms utilizes its cutting-edge vertical farming technologies that use 97 per cent less water than traditional methods. The company’s stacked growing system also maximizes land use efficiency, enabling more seeds per acre and reducing the growth cycle to as few as seven days.

“FCC is committed to supporting Canada’s agriculture and food industry through increasing productivity and innovation,” said Douglas Hewson, Vice President of Investment for FCC Capital. “We are pleased to invest in GoodLeaf as it pursues growth and innovation that has potential to create benefits across the sector. This growing business continues to demonstrate the ingenuity that is driving the future of food production in Canada, and we are excited to be part of its journey ahead.”

NAPLES, FL - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, is pleased to announce it has received a $15,000 Food and Nutrition Security Grant from the Collier Community Foundation. These funds will support the Brighter Bites 2024-2025 school year program across all Southwest Florida sites, serving 4,200 students and impacting over 1,800 families.

According to a press release, Brighter Bites offers programming in nine schools throughout Naples and Immokalee, Florida, in areas described as under-resourced.

Families that participate in programming receive up to 20 pounds of fresh produce bi-weekly along with nutrition education in the classroom and at home with the goal of creating healthy behavior change. Additional funding comes from Blue Cross Blue Shield - Florida Blue, NCEF, Publix, SEG Romay Davis, Southern Specialties, and Lipman Family Farms.

“We are very grateful for the support of Collier Community Foundation for our Southwest Florida program,” said Rich Dachman, Chief Executive Officer of Brighter Bites. “Together, we are increasing food access, improving nutrition security, and supporting the development of healthy habits.”

The Collier Community Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Selected organizations receive grant dollars from the Foundation’s discretionary funds. These funds were gifted by donors who believe in the Community Foundation’s ability to mobilize resources to address the community’s greatest needs.

SUNBURY, PA - Weis Markets announced this week the promotion of Bob Gleeson to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company.

As COO, Mr. Gleeson will oversee the company’s merchandising, marketing, advertising, store operations, information technology, asset protection, and pharmacy departments. He will also have oversight of the supply chain departments including distribution, transportation, and manufacturing. He will continue to report to Jonathan H. Weis, Chairman, President and CEO of Weis Markets.

Mr. Gleeson joined the company in 2018 and was promoted to Vice President of Fresh Merchandising in July 2019, a press release explained.

He was promoted in March 2021 to Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing. Earlier in his 32-year career, he worked in increasingly senior leadership positions, including Vice President of Center Store, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, and Division President for SuperValu.