What refrigerated soup has to do with the future of grocery stores

The refrigerated soup category grew 18 percent last year, according to IRI, and Panera saw sales of its grocery store line of fresh soups jump 27 percent. That growth is indicative of the convergence of consumer demand for food with cleaner ingredients and a more holistic way of looking at health that’s driving an uptick in sales for a number of perimeter-store, fresh-prepared categories. “I think fresh is one of the biggest tools stores have to inoculate themselves from an e-commerce side,” said Chris DuBois, an IRI analyst. “It’s part of the trend toward convenience. The stock-up trip of old is gone.” Read more at Forbes…

Whether it’s chips, crickets or vegetables, Pennsylvanians are buying more organic food than ever

Sales of organic food in Pennsylvania have increased by about 10 times over the last decade, making the state second to only California in sales of organic products. That’s thanks to the state’s high concentration of farms, farmers markets and specialty stores like Mom’s Organic Market, plus its proximity to wholesale distribution systems in New York. Read more at The Inquirer…

New Whole Foods cultivates mini mushroom farm in produce section

In the produce section of a new Whole Foods Market store in Bridgewater, New Jersey, is a vertical mini-mushroom farm built by New York startup Smallhold. The mushrooms growing in the enclosed glass case have been grown on nearby farms and brought to the mini-farm for the last stage of growth. “It's a glowing box. It has lights in it. It attracts the eye. It attracts people to the produce aisle. And kids love it,” said Adam DeMartino, co-founder and COO of Smallhold. Read more at Supermarket News…

Raisin Rack markets 40 years

What started as a store selling bulk grains, beans, dried fruits and vitamins in 1978 has since expanded twice and now carries a variety of organic food, supplements and gluten-free and vegan foods.  The Canton, Ohio-based store is celebrating 40 years in business this month. Read more at Canton Rep…

Organic milk market sours for Sonoma County dairy farmers

So many dairy farmers have transitioned to organic production seeking premium price and to meet consumer demand that the country is now awash in organic milk, causing prices to fall and contracts to be jeopardized. Read more at Argus Courier…