SALISBURY, NC - Food Lion Feeds is launching its annual Gala Apple Bag campaign as part of its continued efforts to help reduce food insecurity throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating footprint. Food Lion customers can purchase specially marked Gala apple bags from Sept. 17 through Oct. 7 or make a cash donation to support community hunger relief organizations. Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 by Food Lion to address food insecurity.

Approximately 6.8 million U.S. households experienced very low food security in 2023, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, meaning families skipped meals or ate less meals due to limited finances.

Since launching in 2014, the Gala Apple Bag campaign has provided the equivalent of more than 40 million meals* based on the generosity of Food Lion customers.

“This campaign is about neighbors helping neighbors,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion, in the recent release. “Each Gala apple bag purchased, and every dollar donated at the register adds up to nourishing meals for families. We are proud to not only partner with our valued customers but community organizations to help fight hunger in the towns and cities we serve.”

Proceeds from the sale of Gala apple bags along with customer donations will benefit hunger relief organizations that are awarded grants through the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation. Each year, the foundation, the philanthropic arm of Food Lion, awards more than $1 million in grants to community partners nourishing neighbors in need in the towns and cities Food Lion serves.

To help reduce food insecurity, customers can purchase a specially marked Gala Apple Bag or contribute cash donations while checking out in-store or online via Food Lion To Go. Customers can also use the digital keypads at checkout to donate a specific dollar amount or round up their purchases.

The Gala Apple Bag campaign is among many efforts coordinated by Food Lion Feeds throughout the year to reduce food insecurity. For more information on Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to ending hunger, visit foodlion.com/feeds.

ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods Holding Corp., one of America’s largest foodservice distributors, announced the launch of Fall 2025 Scoop™, the company’s latest line-up of new, Exclusive Brands products designed to help operators elevate profitability and streamline operations. Today, operators across the industry are facing an ongoing “profitability paradox,” the challenge of expanding menus with profit-boosting, innovative, and limited-time offerings, while managing increased food and operational costs. Fall Scoop helps operators tackle this challenge by delivering 18 highly versatile, on-trend products that can be used in a variety of recipes across multiple menu dayparts to help operators grow their menu with fewer SKUs. US Foods’ latest offerings give operators what they need to refresh their menu, cut waste, and boost margins.

“The number one strategy operators use to boost profits is adding new and limited-time offerings to the menu, but for the 80% of operators who identify food costs as their biggest operational challenge it can be difficult to strike the right balance,” said Stacey Kinkaid, vice president of product development and innovation at US Foods, in the recent release. “Whether it’s a brand-new signature dish, a refreshed favorite, or a customizable add-on, our goal is to help operators do more with less because we understand there is value in the versatility of products that operators can use in many different recipe ideas across the menu.”

Product versatility not only drives menu innovation but creates value for the operator by helping them streamline inventory management needs and manage food costs. While versatility has always been central to Scoop product innovation, Fall Scoop 2025 takes it one step further by delivering various on-trend usage ideas and interactive recipe solutions. These suggestions inspire menu innovation, while helping operators envision product cross-utilization across menu dayparts, recipe ideas, and customer preferences.

Fall 2025 Scoop includes products that save time and labor, transcend dayparts, and are on-trend for operators, chefs and customers alike. Highlights of these versatile profit drivers include:

• Monarch® Corn Ribs: A transformation of classic corn on the cob into innovative, visually appealing “corn ribs,” made popular on social media. By quartering cobs lengthwise, these pre-cut, individually quick-frozen, unseasoned corn ribs eliminate the labor-intensive and potentially hazardous task of cutting tough, round cobs. Deep-fry to crispy perfection or char on the grill for a smoky finish. Elevate with an endless array of sauces, spice rubs, dips or vibrant garnishes for an appetizer, side dish or base for a lunch or dinner offering.
• Rykoff Sexton® Diced Dragon Fruit: This tropical ready-to-use product is making a vibrant splash across menus nationwide. Beloved by Gen Z diners for its bold and trendy pink color, the subtly sweet, versatile flavor creates eye-catching breakfast bowls, vivid desserts or striking cocktails and mocktails.
• Cross Valley Farms® Ribbon Cut Hash Brown Potatoes: These ribbon-cut russet potatoes deliver a back-of-house appearance, while a distinctive size and shape provide versatile uses across the menu from breakfast to dinner. Deep-fry the potatoes to achieve crispy ribbon hash browns that can be used as a traditional breakfast side, burger topping or as the base for an innovative potato waffle recipe.
• Chef’s Line® Beef and Pork Ragu: Just in time for cooler months and as consumers look for comforting menu options, this labor-saving sous vide product is a hearty addition to menus no matter the time of day. The eight-hour cooking process ensures meat tenderness and depth of flavor that can be featured in a base for a pasta dinner, a midday sandwich or even a breakfast hash.
• Cross Valley Farms® Pineapple Pico De Gallo: A ready-to-use product that elevates any dish with Latin-inspired flavor. This fruit-forward, slightly spicy blend is perfect as a dip, a tropical butter sauce, pineapple chutney or inspiration for tropical cocktails and mocktails.
• Chef’s Line® Garlic and Herb Cheese Filled Muffin: Filled with Boursin™ cheese, infused with garlic and herbs and topped with zucchini, tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, chives, parsley and dried garlic, these muffins are ideal for breakfast, brunch or a gourmet side dish. Enjoy it solo, use it for sandwiches or pair with soups, salads or entrées across menus.

To view the full lineup of Fall Scoop™ products, visit the company’s website at usfoods.com/fallscoop.

GLENNVILLE, GA - Bland Farms®, America’s leading grower of sweet onions, is proud to announce a season of exceptional recognition. The company has earned the 2025 Grocery Insights Category Leadership Award in both Onions and Sweet Potatoes, while Director of Sales Sloan Lott has been appointed Chairman of the Board for the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC).

These honors spotlight Bland Farms’ enduring leadership in the produce aisle—driving retail innovation and shaping the industry’s future.

“For decades, our family has been committed to delivering fresh, exceptional quality produce from our fields to tables nationwide,” said Troy Bland, CEO of Bland Farms, in a recent release. “To be recognized in two categories—and to see Sloan lead SEPC under the banner From Fields to Families; Nourishing Our Nation—is a milestone that reflects our team’s passion and the values we live by.”

As the industry celebrates these achievements, Bland Farms reminds retailers and consumers that Vidalia® Sweet Onion season is still going strong through the end of September. Retail partners are encouraged to place final orders now to keep shelves stocked with America’s favorite sweet onion before the season closes.

With deep roots in Georgia and expanded operations in Peru and Mexico, Bland Farms continues to lead category growth and ensure year-round availability. From the world-famous Vidalia® Sweet Onions to the celebrated Sand Candy® Sweet Potatoes, Bland Farms remains committed to delivering fresh flavor, trusted quality, and produce innovation to both the industry and families across the nation.

ORANGE, CA - National Guacamole Day, which took place on September 16, was celebrated by consumers and industry members alike. Plus, with shoppers going in search of the perfect game day accompaniments, WHOLLY® GUACAMOLE is one brand that should be on your radar.

"For many football fans, chips and dips are non-negotiable for a great game day. The newest data from WHOLLY GUACAMOLE shows guacamole is the undisputed MVP," says Chris Monahan, Brand Manager. "But on game days, we also know that people want to spend more time with family and friends, and less time in the kitchen. WHOLLY GUACAMOLE gives fans a delicious, convenient, high-quality, pre-made dip with 100 percent Hass avocados and no preservatives added that's ready to go. With our convenient bowls and mini cups, you can skip the stress of preparing food and get straight to enjoying the game and the company."

In a survey of over 2,000 Americans conducted by Toluna on behalf of WHOLLY, the brand found that 86 percent of consumers feel that dips and chips are must-haves on game day, ranked higher than even soda and beer, at 78 percent. Guacamole reigns supreme as the highest-ranked dip on game day (23 percent) out of 9 dips (ranch, cheese dip, salsa, etc).

WHOLLY makes it easy for everyone to enjoy delicious, high-quality guac instantly, the company noted in an announcement. These pre-packaged, convenient products—in 2 oz minis, 7.5 oz bowls, or 15 oz bowls—have ingredients shoppers can actually pronounce, no added preservatives, and the goodness of hand-scooped avocados.

Other benefits from WHOLLY GUACAMOLE include:

• Guac = good stuff to put in your body. Forty-three percent say they’d choose plant-based or dairy-free snacks on game day for a more inclusive spread
• Thirty-two percent will ask someone to run to the store for more if they run out of their favorite dip on game day—it’s worth potentially even missing part of the game to grab their favorite dip like WHOLLY
• Over a fourth of Americans (27 percent) say the most stressful part about hosting a football party is the time it takes to prepare the food and snacks. WHOLLY is the convenient solution to day-of party planning. It's ready to go when consumers are—no slicing, mashing, or worrying about browning avocados

For all of these reasons and more, be sure to keep WHOLLY GUACAMOLE stocked during football season and beyond.