Company Happenings
Sprouts Spring Social
Senior Client Manager, Gary Gallo, and the Nature’s Path Team hosted a Sprouts Spring Social for all employees at the Sprouts Headquarters Office. The team kept Sprout's employees energized throughout the day with all organic bowls featuring Nature’s Path cereal and granola and tasty breakfast parfaits from our client, Straus Family Creamery.
Industry Updates
Nestlé Transitioning to New Model
According to a recent press release from Nestlé USA, the company plans to "exit its company-owned frozen direct-store-delivery (DSD) network for its pizza and ice cream businesses and will transition to a warehouse model."
UNFI CBD Policy
UNFI has decided to only sell non-consumable CBD products in limited states with a number of supplier provisions. UNFI is not selling any food, beverage, or dietary supplement containing CBD.
Whole Foods to Open NY Bodega
Whole Foods Market recently opened a bodega-like convenience store in Chelsea, New York, dubbed the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop. The quick alternative to the grocery store focuses on local products with the added convenience of self checkout.
Hemp Farm Bill Impacts for 2019
The USDA intends to issue regulations in the Fall of 2019 in order to accommodate the 2020 planting season. For the 2019 planting season, the 2018 Farm Bill provides that States, Tribes, and institutions of higher education can continue operating under authorities of the 2014 Farm Bill.
Industry Insights
Impact Group's proprietary access to customized data insights and reports from our data partners below help to make us a leading industry expert.
Millennials Push Pet Food
Customized pet food and the increased convenience with which it can now be sourced have pet owners (millennials especially) redefining the fare they’re serving their furry friends. 
Latest Pet Food Trends
Are your pets eating better than you? Natural pet foods are on a growth trajectory with many products having strong dollars growth. 
Pet Food Promotions
See how different pet food brands stack up against each other in Mass Channel promotions.
Impact Insights
Impact Group places a strong emphasis on closely following the biggest industry trends and analysis to better serve and inform our partners, clients and employees.
Coffee Premiumization
Nuanced flavor characteristics, direct-trade/fermented beans and in-home roasting are just a few of the latest trends brewing in the coffee industry as c onsumers seek a more rewarding experience out of their morning cup.
Farm to Bowl
Move over kibble, pet owners can now subscribe to services that deliver freshly prepared, human-grade organic pet meals to their doorstep that are customizable with add-ins and meal toppers.
Small Format Store Growth
O ne of the biggest drivers of grocery store expansion is small format markets. The modern lifestyle dictates quick, convenient meal solutions, and small focused retail concepts may best satisfy the demand. 
Impact Events
Maverick Trade Show
Impact Group had the largest booth presence for any broker or manufacturer at the Maverick trade show earlier this month and received great feedback on the display items from the store and category managers. This was a great relationship building event for our clients to interact with Maverick and their team.
UNFI Show - Long Beach, CA
Impact Group team members from Southern & Northern California were out in force at the 2019 UNFI Autumn Buying Showcase May 8 th and 9 th. The show was well attended with over 800 exhibitors. UNFI estimates 1,500 customer attendees had the opportunity to sample new product innovation and order Holiday items.
Albertsons Holiday Shows
Select Albertsons divisions have announced they will once again hold in-house Holiday Shipper Shows this summer. Check with your client manager for news and information about participation in their given region. These events have been great Q4 sales drivers in the past!
WAFC - Palm Desert
Another fantastic WAFC is in the books, and by all accounts, 2019's event was a great success and a lot of fun. Days filled with lightning fast meetings, nights of dancing and mingling with industry friends, balanced by interesting speakers and great entertainment! 
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