Gourmet News

NGA Announces Senior Staff Executive Promotions

Published January 4, 2024

The National Grocers Association announced promotions for three key senior staff executives, all NGA veterans.

In announcing these promotions, NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara said, “NGA is fortunate to have a strong and committed group of senior leaders who bring their experiences and expertise to bear every day for the benefit of our membership. Their unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions have been instrumental in NGA’s success, and I am confident their continued leadership will help drive this organization to new heights.”

Jonathan Downey is now chief operating officer and senior vice president. Downey is a nearly four-year veteran of NGA, having joined the organization in early 2020 to lead industry relations and business development. Today he is responsible for membership growth, events, administration, and business development, including helping associate member companies achieve their business growth goals by engaging with NGA’s members. Downey is a long-time trade association executive, having previously worked for the Consumer Brands Association, a leading trade association representing consumer package goods companies. Additionally, Downey is a Certified Association Executive through ASAE.

Christopher Jones is now chief government relations officer & counsel and senior vice president. Jones is a six-year veteran of NGA, having joined in 2017 from the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as legislative director for a senior member of congress on the Agriculture Committee. Jones leads NGA’s government relations, legal, and political operations, ensuring NGA’s member companies have a strong and influential voice in before Congress and federal agencies. He also leads the organization’s historic efforts to revive and enforce the Robinson-Patman Act and other important antitrust laws, key to ensuring Main Street and regional grocers can compete on a level playing field for the benefit of consumers.

Laura Strange is now chief communications and engagement officer and senior vice president. Strange is a 10-year veteran of NGA, having joined NGA in 2013 from the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served as the communications director for a senior member of congress on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Within NGA, Strange leads internal departments responsible for all press and public affairs engagement, member communications, marketing, as well as member engagement and retention. Strange also leads important member programs such as NGA’s share groups, the NGA Creative Choice Awards program sponsored by Kellanova and Unilever and the NGA Best Bagger competition, sponsored by PepsiCo.

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Steeped Offers Alternative as Compostable Gourmet Coffee Bags

Published January 3, 2024

Steeped Coffee, a Certified B Corp, is celebrating National Gourmet Coffee Day this Jan. 18 with a non-traditional ask for gourmet coffee lovers: reduce your coffee waste. Steeped is leading a movement to reduce the world’s dependence on non-recyclable, single-serve coffee pods, and has pioneered a revolutionary single-serve brewing method that preserves the full flavor of gourmet coffee while being fully compostable and requiring no brewing machinery.

More than 10 billion single-serve coffee pods end up in landfills each year. The number of pods consumed since 2009 could wrap around the planet more than 500 times. With a process brewed similar to tea, Steeped is helping to make quality coffee from hundreds of top brands accessible and sustainable. Steeped Packs contain craft-roasted, freshly ground pre-portioned coffee that is triple nitro-sealed to guarantee each perfect, “barista-approved” cup. The company’s Guilt-Free Packing is commercially compostable, from the outer packaging to the inner Steeped Brew Bags.

“At Steeped, we are changing the way people view single-serve coffee, delivering all of the benefits with none of the barriers,” said Josh Wilbur, founder and CEO. “We are proud to help drive a global movement to reduce our impact on the planet.”

Steeped was honored in 2023, making the 2023 Inc. Magazine’s Best in Business list, USA Today’s 10Best List and Good Housekeeping’s list of top coffee makers. More than 500 top roasters across the country now use the company’s revolutionary Steeped Brewing Method. Steeped Packs are available for purchase online, at grocery stores or through hospitality, office and other wholesale providers.

“Steeped doesn’t take its barista-approved standards lightly and we’ve worked closely with industry leading experts to validate every aspect of the Steeped Method from freshness, quality, extraction, shelf life, and most importantly, consistent taste to bring the most authentic specialty experience directly to single-serve coffee lovers,” Wilbur said. “We are proud of the incredible partnerships we’ve forged with the industry’s top specialty coffee roasters, including names like Counter Culture, Addictive and Cat and Cloud.”

Steeped Coffee features include:

● 100 percent specialty coffee: quality coffee ethically sourced directly from farmers

● Steeped Brew Bag: non-GMO filters that regulate ideal water-in and maximum flavor-out

● Guilt-free packaging: made using plant-based renewable and compostable materials

● Nitro sealed: removes oxygen, stopping the clock on freshly ground beans

● Pre-portioned single-serve: only brew what you use, reducing wasteful consumption

● Precision ground: consistent water-cooled grinding to the micron

● Just add water: single-serve convenience with no machines required

● Barista approved: tested by multiple independent specialty coffee Q-graders for freshness, quality, and taste

Steeped, Inc. based in San Francisco, is a Certified B Corp and Benefit Corporation focused on every detail from farm-to-cup and beyond, to bring people the most convenient, quality, ethically sourced, and sustainably packaged products available. Steeped is the new standard in coffee helping to make quality coffee more accessible through its proprietary technology and Steeped Brewing Method that is licensed to over 500 of the top specialty roasters around the globe. Steeped delivers 100 percent freshly roasted, precision ground, and nitro-sealed specialty coffee pre-portioned within Steeped Brew Bags. Steeped Coffee is the simplest way to make a perfect cup of coffee by just adding water, with no machine needed. Welcome to Coffee Simplified.

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Kit NA Brewing Launches Starter Pack for Dry January

Published December 29, 2023

Kit NA Brewing, a non-alcoholic beer company celebrating inclusivity and connection, is working this season to assist resolutioners and Dry January participants to get their proverbial “K*t” together. Now through January, with a unique and inspirational Dry January experience that breaks away from the traditional, Kit NA Brewing redefines Dry January and makes it a month of holistic well being, fun, and charity with a limited edition “Kit,” available at kitna.beer.

While many embark on Dry January to detox and rejuvenate, Kit NA Brewing is taking it up a notch with a special package that’s bound to get everyone excited. Dubbed the “K*t”, this exclusive Dry January offer is available to consumers who donate through the brand’s website throughout the month of January and while supplies last. All proceeds will go to Kit NA’s mental health organization partner, Sound Mind Live, fostering awareness, conversation and community around mental health through the power of music.

“While Get Your K*T Together is all about being yourself, Kit NA Brewing is also committed to educating the masses about the non-alcoholic fun to be had,” said Will Fisher, co-founder of Kit NA Brewing. “Throughout December and January, we’ll have Kits that help make the Dry January experience one to celebrate and remember, all the while giving back to an important cause and raising awareness for mental health.”

Get Your “K*t” Together is not just a slogan; it’s a movement. Kit NA Brewing encourages everyone, whether you’re a seasoned Dry January participant or new to the concept, to join this revolution of self-improvement and make a difference. Enjoy great non-alcoholic beer, inspire yourself with motivational messages, and support a worthy cause. Get Your K*t Together with Kit NA Brewing this Dry January! For more information, please visit https://www.kitna.beer/.

Kit NA Brewing, founded in 2021 by co-founders Rob Barrett and Fisher, is a non-alcoholic brewery that enables consumers to have a beer that is true to them. Their dedication to creating exceptional NA beer has earned them worldwide recognition and numerous awards. Kit NA Brewing’s mission is to provide high-quality craft beer without the buzz, allowing individuals to enjoy a true craft beer experience without compromise.

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