New Wave Foods announced a strategic distribution agreement to officially launch its New Wave Shrimp to North American restaurants and foodservice companies. Under a non-exclusive agreement with Dot Foods, the largest foodservice industry redistributor in North America, New Wave Foods is accelerating its go-to-market efforts by providing foodservice companies with immediate and convenient access to its plant-based shrimp.

US Foods announced the opening of the US Foods Scholars application period. US Foods Scholars provides financial support and development opportunities to culinary and hospitality students who demonstrate tremendous promise and achievement but require assistance to take the next step of their career. With the addition of Birmingham, Ala., Daytona Beach, Fla. and Portland, Ore., the program now reaches nine markets. This year, up to 18 students will receive $20,000 each to support their continued culinary or hospitality education, in addition to training opportunities with US Foods culinary professionals.

Sysco has announced the addition of three new toolkits to its Foodie Solutions platform: Brunch, Protecting Your Business and Turning Your Tables. As more restaurants reopen their dining rooms, these are the latest in a series of carefully curated tools to help customers respond quickly to shifting business requirements and trends resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

SpartanNash announced it has realigned its BRT Indianapolis and Managed Freight Minnesota teams into one organization and rebranded as SpartanNash Logistics. The centralized third-party transportation logistics solution will enable SpartanNash to better serve its more than 150 corporate-owned retail stores in nine states, independent and national account customers nationwide, U.S. military commissaries and exchanges and third-party logistics customers.  

Sysco announced it has reduced its outstanding debt by a total of $1.1 billion. The company repaid the remaining $700 million in outstanding borrowings under its long-term revolving credit facility that expires on June 28, 2024. In addition, Sysco’s United Kingdom-based subsidiary, Brake Bros Limited, repaid £300 million of its £600 million in aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding under its commercial paper program, equating to approximately $417 million in debt reduction.

US Foods has launched its Spring 2021 Scoop, “Hungry for Better,” which features products that cater to consumers’ growing interest in dining options that support their planet, their communities and themselves.

BHI, a full-service commercial bank, announced that its Food & Beverage Group has arranged a total of $61.6 million in two new financing transactions for clients Teasdale Latin Foods and Resnick Distributors.

Foodservice shutdowns due to the pandemic led to an 11.8% decrease in net sales and an 18.9% decrease in gross profit for 2020.

US Foods announced that effective March 1, Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores will be rebranded as US Foods CHEF’STORE. US Foods acquired Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores in April 2020 to accelerate growth in the cash and carry market. This change will combine the power of the US Foods brand with the assortment, pricing and customer service of Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores and pave the way for an enhanced customer experience.

Sysco introduced nine innovative concepts through its Cutting Edge Solutions platform. These new and differentiated products are available exclusively from Sysco and provide foodservice operators with unique menu offerings, innovative meal solutions and environmentally friendly cleaning and beverage products.