Gourmet News

Black Rifle Coffee Appoints Mondzelewski as CMO

Published April 24, 2023

Black Rifle Coffee Company has appointed Chris Mondzelewski as chief marketing officer, effective May 1.

In this newly created position, Mondzelewski will be responsible for developing and executing all aspects of BRC’s marketing strategy to drive business growth and market share across all channels including direct-to-consumer, wholesale, the bagged coffee and ready-to-drink product portfolio, and retail coffee shops.

Mondzelewski brings over 20 years of consumer marketing, business and leadership experience, most recently serving as the chief growth officer of Mars’ $12B+ Global Petcare business. Throughout his almost 12-year tenure at Mars, he consistently grew his responsibilities, holding multiple marketing and business development leadership roles in which he led transformative growth and operational improvement strategies across numerous brands.

Prior to joining Mars, he held marketing roles at Kraft Foods, where he launched several successful campaigns, including the most successful innovation & campaign in recent Kraft Cheese history. Before his business career, Mondzelewski was a Marine for five years, deploying in support of Operation Desert Freedom.

“I am excited to have Chris join our team. He brings great value to the company as a marketing leader with a demonstrated track record and a strong personal connection to the military and first-responder community,” said founder and CEO Evan Hafer. “Following our successful entrance into the FDM (Food, Drug and Mass) market, the unmatched growth of our ready-to-drink coffee and the evolution of our outposts, there’s great opportunity for Chris to leverage his expertise to capitalize on our strong brand momentum. I look forward to collaborating with him and continuing our path to profitable, sustainable growth.”

In addition, BRC announced that Chief Retail Officer Heath Nielsen is leaving the company. Co-CEO Tom Davin, who has deep experience innovating retail growth strategies for category-defining brands, will assume Heath’s responsibilities.

Co-CEO Tom Davin added, “As we shared on our last earning’s call, our outposts saw notable growth year-over-year. I look forward to collaborating with Chris as we continue to optimize existing outposts and look to continue to build upon our 26 company-owned and franchise locations.”

Black Rifle Coffee Company is a veteran-founded coffee company serving premium coffee. Founded in 2014 by Green Beret Hafer, Black Rifle develops its roast profiles with the same mission focus learned while serving in the military. BRCC is committed to supporting veterans, active-duty military, first responders and the American way of life.

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Southeastern Grocers Raises Funds for Children’s Hospitals

Published April 24, 2023

Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is collaborating with nine Southeast children’s hospitals to raise essential funds in support of the pediatric care facilities specialized and emergency services that provide critical care for local children and their families every day.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 2 million children and adolescents are admitted to hospitals in the United States each year. To support these vital community resources, through April 25, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers are encouraged to donate $1, $5 or round up their total grocery bill while shopping at their neighborhood stores. All donations made during the program will support the local children’s hospital partner and aid young patients and their families as they work towards healing and recovery.

Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “At Southeastern Grocers, we are dedicated to giving back to our local communities and believe every child deserves access to the best possible care. We are proud to join like-minded individuals to make a significant impact in the lives of local children with this initiative. Our heartfelt hope is that, together, we can make a meaningful difference and support the invaluable work of these remarkable hospitals.”

The contributions collected during SEG’s community donation program will be donated directly to the following nine children’s hospitals to support each facility’s pediatric specialty programs, family centered support, therapeutic activities, research, child advocacy and other vital programs:

Wolfson Children’s Hospital (Jacksonville)
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children (Orlando)
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida (Fort Myers)
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (St. Petersburg)
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (Miami)
Studer Family Children’s Hospital (Pensacola)
Children’s of Alabama (Birmingham, Alabama)
Children’s of Mississippi (Gulfport, Mississippi)
Ochsner Hospital for Children (New Orleans)

Since the program’s inception in 2021, SEG has raised more than $858,000 for its children’s hospital partners and remains committed to providing ongoing support to deserving hospitals in the communities it serves.

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HelloFresh Launches ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’-Themed Treats

Published April 24, 2023

HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal kit company, has teamed up with Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” in theaters May 5, to bring out-of-this-world flavors and recipes to kitchens across the galaxy. With the launch of a new limited-edition Guardians Recipe Adventure series and Guardians Snack Adventure kit, HelloFresh customers and Guardians of the Galaxy fans can enjoy recipes inspired by the film.

For the first time, Guardians fans across America can create HelloFresh versions of two tasty intergalactic snacks, Zarg Nut Bites and Mango Milky Fizz, with the new Guardians Snack Adventure kit. Inspired by the space-worthy snacks found on Knowhere, the Guardians new headquarters, these snacks feature:

Zarg Nut Bites – Crushed pretzels, salted cashews, sweet Thai chili sauce, and chocolate chips come together for a salty, crunchy snack with a bit of sweet heat.
Mango Milky Fizz – This otherworldly drink features apricot jam, coconut milk, seltzer, and mango bits for bubbly and subtly sweet drink. Pairs nicely with Zarg Nut Bites.

Each Guardians Snack Adventure kit includes pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards to make two servings of Zarg Nut Bites and Mango Milky Fizz at home. In addition, the Snack Adventure kit also comes with collectible milk cartons and a jar—complete with cosmic designs straight out of Knowhere — to keep these snacks from getting mixed up with Earthly foods when stored in the pantry or fridge.

Consumers can claim the limited-edition Guardians Snack Adventure kit by visiting www.HelloFreshAdventure.com. Additional Guardians Snack Adventure kits will become available the following two weeks on Monday, April 24, and Monday, May 1, at 12 PM EST. All Guardians Snack Adventure kits are available to claim on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last and without a HelloFresh subscription.

“At HelloFresh, we know that our customers like to get adventurous with their cooking, which is why we’re excited to bring the out-of-this-world flavors inspired by Marvel Studios’ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ straight to their kitchens,” said Kirsten Walpert, VP of Brand and Creative, HelloFresh US. “This fun new collaboration demonstrates how home cooking with friends and loved ones can be an exciting adventure and a memorable bonding experience that you can enjoy with your given or ‘chosen family.’”

HelloFresh is also introducing six meals through an exclusive Guardians Adventure recipes series, each themed to members of the beloved band of galactic misfits. Designed to be enjoyed with either your given or “chosen family,” each hero-inspired meal takes home cooks on a flavorful adventure. Recipes are available now to HelloFresh customers and include:

In Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits are settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn’t long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket’s turbulent past. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life—a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

The film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot and Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter and Maria Bakalova.

James Gunn is the director and also wrote the screenplay. Kevin Feige produces with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nikolas Korda, Simon Hatt and Sara Smith serving as executive producers. Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” opens in U.S. theaters on May 5.

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