Beginning this month, consumers will find Greenridge Farm artisanal sausages in Costco stores in 13 states, including Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas and Iowa. The products will be available in 3-lb. packages at Costco vs. its standard 14-oz. packages available at neighborhood grocery stores. Greenridge Farm […]
Author Archives: Shelby Report Staff

The Shelby Report newsroom covers the grocery industry for retailers, wholesalers and suppliers. Staff reports include store openings, executive appointments, company announcements and industry event coverage. Since 1967, The Shelby Report has covered supermarkets, grocery chains and independent grocers through five regional editions.
First Six Months Of Vermont GMO Law Will Be Educational
Nearly 100 retailers and food trade members attended a jam-packed talk by Assistant Vermont Attorney General Todd Daloz, who said that although the new GMO law takes effect July 1, the first six months, until Dec. 31, will be a time of educating retailers and food producers of the impact of the law. Daloz said […]
Fairway Group Files Prepackaged Chapter 11 Reorganization
Fairway Group Holdings Corp., parent company of Fairway Markets, a New York City food retailer, has reached an agreement with its lenders on the terms of a reorganization that will eliminate approximately $140 million of debt and provide financing to restructure the company’s balance sheet. The group filed a Joint Prepackaged Chapter 11 Plan of […]
Final FDA Menu Labeling Rule Raises NACS & FMI Concerns
Late last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final guidance on menu-labeling regulations, with a final date of May 2017 for compliance. After reviewing the final document, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) determined that the May 2017 compliance date is about the only language the FDA updated from its draft guidance. […]
Boston Licensing Board To Allow For BYOB
The City of Boston’s Licensing Board unanimously voted last week to amend its rules and regulations and allow BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) in Boston. “I see this as an opportunity to bring increased economic activity to neighborhoods across Boston, and I thank the Licensing Board for taking up this measure that has great potential […]
Specialty Food Sales Hit Record High In 2015
The specialty food industry is now a $120.5 billion industry, largely fueled by the growth of small businesses. According to the Specialty Food Association (SFA), specialty food sales at retail grew to $94 billion in 2015, a 19.7 percent jump since 2013, driven by product innovation and wider availability of specialty foods through mass-market outlets. […]
Sheetz To Hire 8,000 Employees, And More…
C-Store News In Brief… On the heels of investing more than $15 million in 2016 to increase employee wages, Sheetz plans to hire more than 8,000 employees companywide. The initiative aims to increase the company’s total employee count and full-time positions by creating and filling jobs at stores throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio […]
Hormel Designs Line To Meet Needs Of Cancer Patients, And More…
New Channels News in Brief… For people battling decreased appetite and energy, unintentional weight loss and fatigue while undergoing cancer treatment, Hormel Foods has introduced Hormel Vital Cuisine, a line of packaged ready-to-eat meals, nutrition shakes and whey protein powders. The products are nutrient- and protein-rich, a huge benefit to patients who often battle a […]
H-E-B Historical Marker Unveiled In Kerrville, Texas
A historical marker commemorating the founding of H-E-B was unveiled in Kerrville, Texas, on April 26. Florence Butt founded the grocery company in Kerrville in 1905. Kerrville Mayor Jack Pratt presented a proclamation to Winell Herron, H-E-B group VP for public affairs, diversity and environmental affairs, during the ceremony. Texas State Rep. Andrew Murr was […]
#GreatAmericanCookIn Challenges Millennials To Eat In For One Week In May
ConAgra is encouraging Millennials to reap the money-saving benefits of cooking simple recipes from home by hosting the #GreatAmericanCookIn Challenge and asking people to pledge to “cook in” for one week during the month of May using brands such as Hunt’s tomatoes, Egg Beaters, Pam, Ro*Tel, Peter Pan Simply Ground Peanut Butter and Reddi-wip. In partnership with Chicago […]
NACS Urges Retailers To Comment To Protect C-Store SNAP Program
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) has launched a web page to make it easier for convenience stores to submit comments on the proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) is giving retailers until May 18 to file comments. According to NACS, if implemented, the proposed rule changes the requirements […]
RIHA Says Paid Sick Leave Bill Would Damage Rhode Island Businesses
The Rhode Island Hospitality Association (RIHA) is urging its members to contact state legislators to oppose the proposed paid leave bill under review. Five states in the country have approved such a bill, including Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. According to the RIHA, the Rhode Island bill is more generous than any of the five other states. The […]
CVS Health Makes Overdose Reversal Drug Available At All N.H. Pharmacy Locations
CVS Health has made the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone available without a prescription at all CVS Pharmacy locations in New Hampshire. In addition to New Hampshire, CVS Pharmacy locations in 22 other states can now dispense naloxone to patients without an individual prescription. “Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid overdoses and […]
Weis Markets Launches Eighth Annual Paws For Pets Program, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… Weis Markets is launching its eighth annual Paws for Pets program, a company-wide initiative that collects monetary donations, pet food and supplies for local animal shelters and rescue organizations throughout May. Weis customers also can contribute to Paws for Pets while they shop by purchasing items on shelters’ wish lists […]
Move To Raise Tobacco Sales Age Picks Up Momentum, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… The Massachusetts Senate has approved raising the tobacco-selling age to 21 years old. In addition, the Portland City Council in Oregon approved tasking its Health and Human Services Committee to draft a similar proposal. California and Hawaii already passed laws to raise the smoking age to 21 years old… Retailer […]
Dunkin’ Donuts Expands Test Delivery In Metro Boston, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… Dunkin’ Donuts has expanded its test delivery service to the Boston metro area. Dunkin’ Donuts is partnering with delivery companies DoorDash and delivery app Favor to launch the service. Product delivery is aimed at less than 45 minutes. The company is continuing to evaluate a possible national rollout in the future. […]
Column: Going Beyond Technology To Empower Organizations
by Brian Miller, Intesource, a PROACTIS company Special to The Shelby Report Technology has long been a valuable asset in sourcing projects. Sourcing technology can enable organizations to be more transparent, foster innovation, drive meaningful improvements in process efficiencies and effectively manage costs. But not all solutions can deliver the specific results you’re after, and […]
Ben’s Soft Pretzels Franchise Eyeing Expansion Through Retail Partnerships
by Alissa Marchat/staff writer Growing from its first humble location in a farmers market booth to a budding national—and maybe even international—brand, Ben’s Soft Pretzels is taking the next steps in its development by partnering with Meijer and Walmart to open in-store locations. Founded in Indiana in 2008 by Ben Miller, an Amish baker; Brian […]
Publix’s Crenshaw Leads Companywide Day Of Service During Final Day On Job
On Wednesday, more than 4,500 Publix Super Markets associates across the company’s six operating states volunteered with more than 130 local nonprofit organizations whose focus is primarily on the plight of the hungry and homeless. Retiring CEO Ed Crenshaw spent his last day on the job leading the effort. This year’s companywide day of service […]
Most Successful CPG Brands Revealed
IRI has revealed last year’s most successful consumer packaged goods launches in its 2015 New Product Pacesetters report, an industry-recognized benchmark analysis of exceptional first-year CPG sales success for newly launched products. Thousands of new brands hit retail shelves last year, with 54 percent of all new product launches hailing from the food and beverage aisles, […]
