Today in Food Commerce: The Last Howard Johnson’s Closes; Blue Apron Launches Walmart.com Offering

Today in food commerce, the final Howard Johnson’s location shuts down, while Blue Apron launches a meal kit selection on Walmart.com. Plus, Kroger launches a digital farmers market.

Final Howard Johnson’s Closes, Illustrating Restaurant Industry’s Transformation

Many restaurants have shuttered their doors permanently in the past couple of years, but this one may hit Americans especially hard — the final Howard Johnson’s has closed. Once ubiquitous, the chain’s last location, Lake George, New York, has been seen with a banner stating that the site is up for lease.

Blue Apron Launches Walmart eCommerce Offering as Meal Kits Diversify

As meal kit providers look to make the economics of the model work in the long term, many are expanding to additional categories and trying out new models. Blue Apron, for its part, has been supplementing its subscription business with partnerships with major retailers to offer one-time purchases. The company has launched a selection of single-purchase meal kits on the Walmart Marketplace.

Kroger Takes the Farm Stand Digital With Delivery Marketplace

Online farmers market company Market Wagon has announced the launch of a delivery-only local food marketplace in partnership with the United States’ leading pure-play grocer, Kroger. It’s called Kroger Farmers Market, and it’s located in Atlanta.