Retail & FoodService

Quebeckers can soon stop in at IGA express, a new concept in small format neighbourhood markets that is unique in Quebec. Why the new store format? To meet the needs of people in a hurry or on the road and who refuse to compromise when it comes to the quality of what they're eating. …

Early feedback on the latest installment of FirstSource: Foodservice Seafood is overwhelmingly positive. Buyers and vendors spent three days discussing products, needs, trends, commodity forecasts and exploring opportunities to work together. Buyers used this time to understand new products available and to build networks with others in their category and channel, and vendors spent time learning the diverse needs of the marketplace, while offering innovative products to buyers. …

Nearly three out of 10 Americans plan to sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner this year that includes at least one prepared ready-to-eat dish from a retailer, restaurant or caterer, according to a recent Technomic survey. Over the past three years, the proportion of consumers telling Technomic that they would turn to a foodservice source for part of their Thanksgiving dinner has risen, from 23 percent in 2011 to 29 percent in 2013. …

SteadyServ Technologies (www.SteadyServ.com), an emerging technology company, announces the iKeg™ system, a mobile, SaaS-based inventory management solution for the beer industry. SteadyServ is now accepting partnership agreements with beer distributors and pre-orders from retailers, which sell draft, as well as, bottled and canned beer. iKeg accurately measures and reports the real-time inventory of draft kegs and automates the order and fulfillment process for draft beer, as well as, bottled and canned beer as well. …

Recent research shows that spicy food is a scorching hot trend these days (CEB Iconoculture). In the November issue of Food Technology magazine published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Senior Associate Editor Karen Nachay writes about the following unique spicy ingredients being used to turn up the heat. …