US Foods announced the launch of US Foods Ghost Kitchens, a program designed to guide restaurant operators every step of the way when opening their own operation, helping them easily add a new revenue stream. With the addition of this program, US Foods customers now have access to exclusive resources developed to streamline the process of starting a ghost kitchen, including proprietary technology to help identify menu opportunities, a detailed playbook to guide decision making, dedicated marketing support, webinars and one-on-one consultations with US Foods specialists.

The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) reaffirms the safety of frozen foods after Chinese officials reported frozen proteins tested positive for coronavirus.

Deep Indian Kitchen, the #1 frozen Indian food brand in the country, has announced the launch of its new direct-to-consumer website featuring its most popular Indian dishes and free 48-hour shipping across the U.S. As more consumers discover the safety and convenience of online grocery shopping and increasingly search for authentic global flavors to enjoy, Deep Indian Kitchen’s e-commerce platform aims to meet these consumer needs.

After several delays due to COVID-19, John Soules Foods, the City of Valley, and the Chambers County Development Authority (CCDA) announce that construction on the new John Soules Foods facility in Valley, Alabama, has begun.

Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) remains committed to doing the right thing by extending appreciation pay to Sept. 11 for its more than 14,000 retail and logistics employee-partners as a thank you for them doing their best every day to serve customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This $1 more per hour is an extension of the pay increase that started March 24.

Giant Food, the Washington D.C. area's leading regional grocery chain, is teaming up with Avocados from Peru (AFP) to donate a trailer of over 40,000 pounds of Avocados from Peru, also known as summer avocados, to Feeding America network members Capital Area Food Bank in Northeast Washington, D.C., and the Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore, Md. Both deliveries will take place on National Avocado Day, Friday, July 31, 2020.

As part of its commitment to team member safety and continually evolving efforts to protect workers from COVID-19, Tyson Foods is launching a new, industry-leading monitoring program and expanding its occupational health staff, including a new chief medical officer position.

Perdue Farms and the Food Bank of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, N.C. have unveiled a new refrigerated tractor-trailer to support the organization’s distribution of food within the 15 counties the food bank serves in northeast North Carolina. The tractor-trailer was funded through a $100,000 grant by Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, in conjunction with the company’s 100th anniversary.

Raley’s announced they will provide an appreciation award to every hourly store, distribution center, pharmacy, production bakery and support center team member. The reward amount will be $500 for full-time team members and $250 for part-time team members. 

On our latest From the Cold Corner Podcast, I sit down with Neil Russell, VP of corporate affairs at Sysco, for details about the company’s constantly evolving strategies during the pandemic.