Schnuck Markets Inc., in partnership with Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, is seeking a second cohort of local and diverse-owned businesses to participate in the Schnucks Springboard accelerator program.
Diverse-owned is defined as at least 51 percent owned, operated and managed by a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident that is a member of one or more of the following groups: woman, disabled, Black American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American, Hispanic American, LGBT and/or U.S. military veteran.
To apply, greater St. Louis, Missouri/Illinois metropolitan area business owners should visit schnucks.com/springboard prior to March 31.
To qualify, participants must:
- Own a privately-own company with a consumer packaged good product;
- Have retail sales;
- Offer a product that’s never been carried by Schnuck Markets; and
- Meet food safety and insurance requirements by Dec. 31, 2025, for participation in a shelf trial.
Those accepted will receive onsite business development classes at Schnucks’ St. Louis headquarters, as well as networking opportunities.
Businesses that meet all requirements, including third-party certification when applicable, also will get $5,000 of equity-free funding and an in-store product trial at select Schnucks stores in 2026.
“We look forward to welcoming our second cohort to Schnucks Springboard and, ultimately, introducing their products to our customers,” said Adrian Moore, Schnucks’ senior director of merchandising enablement and supplier diversity.
“We extend a special thanks to our partners at Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council for helping develop connections between corporations like Schnucks and businesses throughout our community.”
Schnucks Springboard began accepting applications for its first cohort in early 2024 and named the first 10 participants last summer. Their products soon will begin trial runs at select stores.
[RELATED: Schnucks’ Diverse-Owned Business Accelerator Selects First Class]
About Schnucks
Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets Inc. is a third- and fourth-generation, family-owned grocery retailer that operates 114 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. It has nearly 12,000 employees.
According to Forbes’ 2024 rankings, Schnucks is the 203rd largest privately-owned company in the United States and the 13th largest privately-owned grocer. Schnucks annually donates more than $15 million in food to pantries.