The National Restaurant Association® (NRA) is accepting applications for the 2017 FABI Awards, its annual celebration of the year's most impactful food and beverage products. Award recipients will be recognized at NRA Show®, which runs May 20-23, 2017, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Steaz is experiencing changes in its top ranks. As the company marks the departure of co-founder Steven Kessler, it welcomes the addition of Jody Cook, who assumes the new role of vice president of sales.

Through an investment expected to total $10 million, the plant will be updated with state-of-the-art equipment, allowing the company to add vitamin gummies and other fortified products as well as organic and natural fruit snack items to its product portfolio.

Jerome J. Chasko has joined Palsgaard as Technical Sales & Business Development Manager. Based in Palsgaard’s US headquarters located in Morris Plains, N.J., Mr. Chasko leads business development, sales and technical service efforts in the Midwest and Canada.

On March 31, 2017, current AdvancePierre Chief Executive Officer John Simons will retire and will be succeeded by Sliva. Simons will remain a member of AdvancePierre’s Board following the transition.

Hillside's capabilities include incorporating nutraceutical ingredients into confectionery delivery systems, a growing trend in the nutraceutical space.

Led by Jim Merryman and the OFD executive team, the investment funded the retirement buyout of several long-serving OFD managers and will enable OFD to accelerate investments in additional capacity at its Albany plants and elsewhere in North America. Headquarters and company management will remain in Albany.

Conagra Brands, Inc., formerly known as ConAgra Foods, Inc., has completed the previously announced separation of its Lamb Weston business. The company’s name change has also become effective.

Under the terms of the agreement, SpartanNash will acquire Caito’s produce distribution business, fresh cut fruits and vegetables business, the company’s newly constructed Fresh Kitchen facility which is designed to process and package fresh-prepared foods, and the logistics business of BRT.

Dr. David Ryder, an accomplished brewer, will join City Lights Brewing Company in the newly created position of "Chief Innovation Officer."