Schnuck Markets has announced the first class of diverse-owned companies selected for its Schnucks Springboard business accelerator program.
The initiative aims to foster growth and success among diverse-owned entrepreneurs by providing comprehensive support, including education, resources and access to the Schnucks customer base.
Ten companies have been chosen to participate in the program, which offers business development training, networking opportunities and $5,000 in equity-free funding. Additionally, selected businesses will have the chance to secure in-store product trials at select Schnucks locations in 2025, subject to meeting specific requirements.
The 10 businesses selected for the program are: Bella’s Pet Products, DREAM Pet Food, Hugo Coffee Roasters, Mickey’s Popcorn, MOTASTE, Phathead BBQ Sauce, Pop Pop Hurray, Sandwich Goat Seasonings, Show Me the World and YÜJ Granola.
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“Using our resources and relationships, we honor our responsibility to strive for equity for not only our teammates and customers but also for our many diverse-owned suppliers,” said Adrian Moore, Schnucks’ senior director of merchandising enablement and supplier diversity.
“We look forward to working with the proprietors of these companies and to providing the inside knowledge and tools that can help them take their products and sales to the next level.”
The selected companies were chosen in partnership with the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council based on their business stability, incremental sales opportunity, strategic vision and corporate responsibility.
The program aligns with Schnucks’ broader diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, “Unity Is Power,” which focuses on creating a more inclusive and equitable community.
Last year, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis honored Schnucks with the Civic Leadership Award for these efforts. Schnucks was also recently named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024 by Newsweek.
