Gourmet News

Harris Teeter Launches Private Label RTE Entrees, Sides

Published September 18, 2024

Harris Teeter has launched HT Traders Ready Made Meals line of entrees and sides. Now available at all stores in the Fresh Foods section, shoppers can purchase a variety of different dishes at their neighborhood Harris Teeter, simply heat the preprepared meal at home in the microwave or oven and enjoy with their families.

“Our customers lead busy lives, and we at Harris Teeter understand the importance of convenience in the grocery shopping experience,” said Danna Robinson, director of corporate affairs at Harris Teeter. “Our new line of ready-made meals makes it easier than ever for our customers to indulge in a delicious meal made of the fresh, high-quality ingredients Harris Teeter is known for.”

The HT Traders Ready Made Meals line includes individual and family-sized entrees as well as side dishes, all crafted with care. The prepared meals and sides include:

Chicken Alfredo, spaghetti, Italian sausage, macaroni and cheese and other pasta dishes.
Homestyle cooking such as Sunday pot roast, meatloaf with redskin potatoes and Yukon mashed potatoes.
Southwestern cuisine including blackened chicken strips, enchiladas and fajita chicken with yellow rice.

These meals are available across all locations and can be found in the deli section. Prices range from $6.99 for smaller side dishes, to $19.99 for larger family-sized entrees, with most individual meals priced at $9.99.

To keep up with the latest Ready Made Meals deals and promotions, visit harristeeter.com and stay connected on Instagram and Facebook.

For more news of interest to the grocery industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

KIND Snacks Appoints Industry Veteran Calderoni as CEO

Published September 17, 2024

Daniel Calderoni

KIND Snacks has appointed Daniel Calderoni as chief executive officer of KIND North America. Calderoni brings more than 20 years of global experience leading beloved consumer brands to KIND and will report to Blas Maquivar, global president of health and wellness, Mars Snacking.

We’re extremely pleased to welcome Daniel to KIND and the Mars Health & Wellness Leadership Team,” said Maquivar. “Daniel is highly regarded as a purpose and people-first leader, and we are excited that he brings a tremendous track record of growth to the KIND business.”

As CEO, Calderoni will lead KIND North America’s efforts to continue advancing the brand’s mission of crafting snacks that taste good, feel good and do good and building on the long-standing legacy of creating a kinder and healthier world.

“I believe an organization’s purpose should be its true differentiator,” said Calderoni. “That’s why I’m thrilled to join the leadership team at KIND Snacks, a brand whose products bring all KINDs of good to the world. KIND sparked the growth of an entirely new healthy snacking category back in 2004, and I’m eager to take part in leading the brand into its next chapter as we shape the future of snacking.”

Most recently, Calderoni served as the general manager for Mars Pet Nutrition in Canada, where he led the team since November 2022 out of the Mars Canada headquarters. Calderoni was responsible for overseeing the Canadian market for Pet Nutrition, managing a portfolio of brands such as PEDIGREE, and IAMS, while leading a passionate team of associates and serving over 9 million pet-owning households across Canada.

Prior to joining Mars Pet Nutrition in Canada, Calderoni served as vice president of emerging markets for pet nutrition in support of their global growth strategy. Calderoni has also served as General Manager of Pet Nutrition in the Southern Cone, which included Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. Before joining Mars, Calderoni held various roles in marketing at Unilever across Brazil, South Africa and China.

For more news of interest to the snacking industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Perricone Farms Acquires Natalie’s Orchard Island Juice Company

Published September 17, 2024

Perricone Farms, a premium craft juice company with deep roots in California’s citrus industry, has acquired Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, an award-winning juice company based in Fort Pierce, Fla. The merger unites two of the highest quality and most trusted names in the juice industry, strengthens both brands, and enhances the ability to serve customers with excellence in quality and customer service coast-to-coast.

The combined company will be able to take advantage of bi-coastal production facilities, improve its delivery capabilities, expand product offerings, and leverage its additional scale to ensure juices reach customers with the same uncompromising quality they have come to know and love.

“We are excited to add Natalie’s to the Perricone Farms family. Natalie’s commitment to producing the highest quality products, combined with unmatched customer service, aligns with the core values we have been providing in the marketplace for years. Working together, we will be stronger and will be able to provide greater value to our customers,” said Bob Rovzar, CEO of Perricone Farms. “This exciting merger offers new opportunities for growth and expansion, including entrance into new markets, developing innovative products, and strengthening relationships with customers, suppliers, vendors, and partners. Together, Perricone Farms and Natalie’s are now better equipped to ensure the continued success and growth of both brands.”

Over the decades, Perricone Farms and Natalie’s Juices have become industry experts at procuring and producing the highest quality juices. By unifying these two entities, we strengthen our undisputed reputation for being the best premium juice provider in the food service and retail channel.

“The impressive growth that has driven the success behind the Natalie’s brand for the past 35 years has been built on the brand loyalty and relationships we have established with our customers and consumers. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to serve them with the nation’s best-tasting juice—not because it was our job, but because we loved doing it,” said Natalie’s CEO, Marygrace Sexton, who founded the award-winning juice company, named after her daughter, over 35 years ago.  “We are excited for the future and the opportunities this partnership will provide our cherished Natalie’s family. Natalie’s has been built to last and will be providing you with authentic juices on a world-wide scale for generations to come.”

With the foundations for both companies built on a shared vision and values that have existed for generations, the combined company will remain devoted to a legacy that has been rooted in tradition and a commitment to exceeding expectations in quality and customer service.

For more news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.