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Beverages

Metz to Head Southern Glazer’s Central Region

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, has appointed Matthew Metz to the position of president, Central Region, effective February.

In this role, Metz will report to John Wittig, Southern Glazer’s chief commercial officer, and will be responsible for leading all business activities in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas markets.

“Over the years, Matt’s exceptional leadership skills and deep industry knowledge have brought tremendous value to Southern Glazer’s,” said Wittig. “In addition to his expertise and extensive skill set, Matt is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace culture and leaves a positive mark on everyone he works with. He is the perfect fit for this role and we’re looking forward to seeing the success and continued growth he brings to the Central Region.”

Metz began his 31-year career in the beverage alcohol industry in 1992 as a sales representative at Jim Beam in Michigan. He spent the next two decades at Jim Beam Brand Company, now Beam Suntory, in a variety of sales and strategy roles of increasing responsibility, with his last position being general sales manager of the American Region and Mexico. Metz joined Glazer’s in 2013 as senior vice president, sales & marketing for Texas. In his most recent role, he served as executive vice president, general manager, Texas.

Metz’s successor in Texas will be announced before February.

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly.

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Gopuff, Rapper Rick Ross Team for New Year’s Eve Specials

Rapper Rick Ross for GopuffGopuff, the app that gets you what you need in 30 minutes, and Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross are coming together to make this New Year’s Eve more Boss than ever. On Dec. 31, Ross is coming on board as Gopuff’s new Chief Delivery Boss to bring customers 21+ the best value on bubbly, party supplies and more, so they can ring in the new year in – attainable – luxury and style.

Ross said: “When Gopuff asked for my help in making sure all of their customers can throw Boss New Year’s Eve parties, I had only one request: we have to do it BIG! We’re bringing you Luc Belaire, 24¢ mini bottles of bubbly, and more – all delivered to your door in minutes on New Year’s Eve. It’s almost Too Good to Be True. Can’t wait to celebrate with Gopuff on Dec. 31.”

Gopuff FAM members shopping the Gopuff app or website can take advantage of several Boss New Year’s Eve Deals beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern on Dec. 31:

24¢ for select mini bottles of sparkling wine (limit two per customer)
24% off full-sized (750ml and 1.5L) bottles of Luc Belaire
50% off essential party supplies, including:
Confetti Cannons
Fool’s Gold Edible Glitter
Glow Sticks
Utz Cheddar Cheese Ball Barrel
Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider
Goslings Ginger Beer
Fever-Tree Ginger Ale
Basically, Red Cups
And more!
Plus, all Gopuff customers can get 15 percent off sparkling wines and Champagne when they purchase three bottles.

All offers are available while supplies last, in select markets and based on applicable state laws.

Nearly 80 percent of Gopuff customers said they plan to celebrate the new year at home and the number one beverage they plan to purchase for the holiday is Champagne. Whether customers are simply too busy to stop for supplies this season, run out of Champagne just before the ball drops, or forget a few important party essentials, Gopuff and its New Year’s Eve Chief Delivery Boss Rick Ross are here to save the day.

Gopuff remains committed to providing customers with high-quality essentials at affordable prices. Gopuff’s New Year’s Eve Boss Deals come on the heels of the company’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts, which brought customers 62% off FAM memberships, and $0.31 Halloween candy deals.

Earlier this year, Gopuff introduced new benefits for its FAM members, including lower-than-Walmart prices on hundreds of top-selling essentials, and introducing weekly deals for even greater savings. As a result, FAM members save an average of $25/month ($300/year).

Gopuff is the leading instant commerce platform, bringing thousands of everyday products to customers in minutes. Gopuff stores everything from household essentials and groceries to OTC medication and more within hundreds of micro-fulfillment centers and omnichannel retail stores across the United States and United Kingdom. Founded in 2013 by co-founders and co-CEOs Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola, Gopuff’s unique, vertically integrated platform offers customers a seamless and consistently fast shopping experience.

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Elmhurst 1925 Brings Fan Favorite OatNog Back for Holidays

Elmhurst 1925 proudly announces the return of OatNog, just in time for the festive season – and makes a special guest appearance in country music sensation Walker Hayes’ latest music video, “Fancy Like Christmas.” Back on shelves this holiday season at retailers nationwide, it’s the perfect choice for anyone craving the nostalgic and delicious flavor of eggnog without the dairy.

A fan-favorite that year-after-year flies off shelves, OatNog is back by popular demand this holiday season, hitting stores across the country, including Publix, the newest addition to its seasonal retail lineup. Crafted to whisk you into a holly jolly mood from the first sip, Elmhurst’s OatNog is a blend of cozy holiday spices, whole grain oats and buttery cashews that’s so decadently creamy, you won’t believe it’s dairy-free.

“We’re so excited to be bringing back OatNog for the holiday season,” said Heba Mahmoud, senior director of brand marketing and innovation at Elmhurst 1925. “Year after year, our OatNog has been a clear hit with consumers. Winter’s really a time for cozy gatherings where we share these indulgent treats with friends and family. Whether shoppers are vegan, plant-based or just trying to eat healthier, we wanted give them permission to indulge in these festive traditions, so we crafted our dairy-free OatNog as a cleaner and more nutritious option. It’s got the creamy, cozy flavor everyone loves, but with less sugar and zero junk ingredients.”

Elmhurst continues to deliver exceptional seasonal products, driving substantial growth in the market. Following the groundbreaking success of the nationwide launch of OatNog in 2021 and its sustained strong sales in 2022, the brand anticipates a renewed surge in consumer demand for this festive favorite. Alongside the return of Pumpkin Spice Oat Creamer and the introduction of Apple Pie Spice Seasonal Blend, Elmhurst is poised for another season of strong consumer interest in OatNog.

In a heartwarming twist, country music star Hayes, a fan of Elmhurst 1925, showcases his affection for OatNog by pouring himself the beverage in his latest holiday music video, “Fancy Like Christmas,” for a kick of seasonal flavor adding to the excitement surrounding this delightful dairy-free beverage, and further resonating with his followers on Instagram and YouTube.

Elmhurst’s commitment to delivering outstanding plant-based beverages is evident in its careful selection of simple ingredients, ensuring that those opting for dairy-free options don’t miss out on the seasonal excitement. OatNog, renowned for its indulgent holiday appeal, offers an unbelievably creamy, rich taste with minimal sugar and no dilution. Crafted with only six simple ingredients, it’s vegan, gluten-free, Non-GMO Project Verified, dairy-free, and OU Kosher, pleasing even the most fervent dairy enthusiasts.

Like all Elmhurst products, OatNog is crafted through a unique HydroRelease method, maintaining the full nutrition of the source ingredient without added gums or emulsifiers. This zero-waste process upcycles waste into renewable energy and is powered by 100 percent renewable hydroelectric power, championing sustainability every step of the way.

As a part of Elmhurst’s ongoing recycling program, currently saving approximately 10,000 mature trees annually, all cartons are 100% recyclable, made from FSC certified paperboard, and transitioned from plastic to paper-based shipping materials for direct-to-consumer orders now using primarily PCR materials for molded fiberboard trays and scrap corrugate as protective filler.

Elmhurst OatNog will be available for purchase at various nationwide retailers, including Publix, World Market, Sprouts, Wegmans, Thrive Market, New Seasons Market, Giant, PCC Community Market and additional locations soon, priced at $6.99 for 32 fluid ounces.

Elmhurst’s plant-based products are available in natural and traditional grocers nationwide, including Sprouts, Wegmans, Publix, Kroger, Ralph’s, King Soopers, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Smith’s Food & Drug, Roundy’s, Bristol Farms, Gelson’s, Fairway, Shaws, Giant, Erewhon and more, along with online availability at Elmhurst1925.com and Amazon.com. To explore Elmhurst’s plant-based milks, visit Elmhurst1925.com.

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