In a move that expands its business in the convenience store channel, Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors is partnering with Foxtrot, a corner store and café that has locations nationwide. “We are thrilled to be selected by Foxtrot as their primary distributor for natural, organic and specialty products,” said Kristen Christopher, VP of alternate channels. “Foxtrot […]
Author Archives: Sommer Stockton
Digital Content Editor
Sommer joined The Shelby Report in January 2022 after graduating from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, with a B.A. and M.A. in Communications and Media Studies. As Digital Content Editor, she leverages her expertise in digital strategy and content creation to enhance The Shelby Report’s online presence and engage readers.
Committed to the grocery industry, Sommer also serves on an advisory committee with the National Grocers Association (NGA), advocating for independent grocers. She enjoys exploring emerging trends and delivering actionable insights to the Shelby community.
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Celebrates Independent Grocers At Food Expo
SpartanNash celebrated its independent grocers during the 2023 Food Solutions Expo July 26-27 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company presented 13 independent grocers with a 2023 Vision Award for year-over-year sales growth, growth in SpartanNash’s OwnBrands products and community engagement initiatives. “Our independent customers are integral to their local communities, […]
Posted inPlant-Based News, Midwest
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Releases New Plant-Based Product
Philadelphia Cream Cheese has expanded its first plant-based spread offering nationally with two additional flavors. As the original flavor outperforms the category, the brand will offer two new best-selling flavors as part of the nationwide launch: strawberry and chive and onion. “To be the first mainstream cream cheese brand launching a plant-based spread option with […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
SEPC, Society Of St. Andrew Distribute Produce In Macon, GA
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) partnered with the Society of St. Andrew to distribute free produce during its second annual community food distribution July 21 in Macon, Georgia. Reinforcing their SEPC Cares initiative, member volunteers joined the SoSA team, in collaboration with Atrium Hospital, to provide much-needed provisions for the community. “Thank you to the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Northeast
PFMA Adds Wawa’s Simonetti As New Board Member
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has added David Simonetti, senior director of store operations and business operations for Wawa Inc., as a new member to its board of directors. “What a great addition to our board; it is always a pleasure to welcome members of the food and beverage industries to [the] PFMA board […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Midwest
Storewise Introduces PriceFind For Competitive Pricing Insights
Overland Park, Kansas-based Storewise has introduced PriceFind, a new competitive pricing tool delivering visibility to competitors’ pricing on hundreds of key value items. As a result of this new tool, independent grocers will know where their KVI prices stand amongst certain regional and national players local to them. Key benefits of the new PriceFind tool by […]
Posted inPackaging News, Northeast, Sustainability News
Clearly Clean Launches Recyclable Food Tray Solution
Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania-based Clearly Clean Products LLC, a rolled-edge, recyclable food tray packaging company, has launched a full line of recyclable, overwrap food trays targeted specifically to grocery retailers and wholesalers. This solution, utilized primarily for poultry, meat, produce, seafood and deli, is a boxed program and features downgauged tray thicknesses to enable a quick, easy and […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Bristol Bay Celebrates Large Wild Sockeye Salmon Harvest
The cumulative wild sockeye salmon harvest through the end of July in Bristol Bay, Alaska, sits at 38 million fish, surpassing the forecast of 37 million. As anticipated, this season’s strong returns make 2023 one of the top five harvest seasons of the past 20 years – a follow-up to last year’s all-time record-breaking harvest. Bristol […]
Posted inDollar General, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Dollar General Donates $1M To Imagination Library
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has donated $1 million to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The grant is part of the DGLF’s 30th anniversary celebration in 2023 and will extend the Imagination Library’s work to provide free books to children from birth to age 5. “Access to quality print materials and books play a critical role […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, West
The Alkaline Water Co. Enters New Co-Packing Partnership
Scottsdale, Arizona-based The Alkaline Water Co. Inc. has further expanded its production capacity through a new co-packing partner in New York. A1 Beverages recently completed a new packaging and bottling production line and has plans to further expand capacity in 2024. The partnership is important to The Alkaline Water Co. for the continued growth of the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Bakery News, Midwest
Bimbo Bakeries USA Minimizes Waste With Zebra Technologies
Pennsylvania-based Bimbo Bakeries USA is using antuit.ai – now part of Illinois-based Zebra Technologies – to transform its organization by improving order accuracy and team visibility. With the Zebra antuit.ai “Predictive Ordering for Direct Store Delivery” solution, Bimbo Bakeries USA has also minimized waste by reducing forecast errors up to 30 percent, as well as achieving […]
Posted inC-Store News, Midwest
Casey’s Begins Fourth Annual ‘Cash For Classrooms’ Campaign
Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s is kicking off its in-store giving campaign to support back-to-school season for children. Through Sept. 5, customers can round up their purchases each time they visit a Casey’s store and join the cause. It has raised $3 million for students, families and educators since 2020. “Learning is the foundation to sparking curiosity and […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Mission Produce Appoints SpartanNash’s Sarsam To Board
Oxnard, California-based Mission Produce Inc. has appointed Tony Bashir Sarsam to its board of directors, effective Aug. 14. Sarsam has been appointed as an independent Class I director, with a term expiring at the company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. In connection with this appointment, Mission Produce’s board of directors has increased the size of […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Merchandising News, National
Study: Families Skip Meals Due To Financial Reasons
Thirty-six percent of U.S. families have skipped meals due to financial reasons in the last year, according to the fourth wave of the dunnhumby Consumer Trends Tracker study released Aug. 2. The quarterly study – now completing its first year – also found that 30 percent of Americans across all age groups reported they have skipped […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Corporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Celebrates Anniversary With Discounts, Giveaway
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers is highlighting its largest sale of the year in celebration of its 68th anniversary. To mark this occasion, customers are invited to an “Anniversary Celebration” on Aug. 17-19. “We are excited to celebrate another year of nurturing our customers with the best possible products at our ‘Always Affordable’ prices. We’ve come […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
MGA Recognizes 2023 Award Winners, Hall Of Fame Inductees
The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) recognized its 2023 award winners and Hall of Fame inductees July 30 at the association’s annual conference in Brainerd, Minnesota. MGA annually presents awards to those in the industry that demonstrate excellence, have made significant contributions and are highly respected by their peers. The 2023 awards were presented by MGA […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Northeast
Winn To Succeed Palmer As CEO Of C&S Wholesale Grocers
Keene, New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers has announced that CEO Bob Palmer will retire on Oct. 2, with Chief Operating Officer Eric Winn succeeding him. Palmer, who will continue to serve on C&S’ board of directors, will work with Winn in the months ahead to ensure a smooth transition. Since his appointment as CEO in […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Midwest, Nonfood Items
AWG’s Clearly By Best Choice Brand Adds Hair, Body Line
Clearly by Best Choice, a private brand of Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., has launched a new line of hair and body care products which are free from synthetic dyes and fragrances. The brand is entering the naturals hair and body care category with 11 new items. “We’ve seen this category double in […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Gelson's, West
Instacart Adds Customizable Storefronts, Shoppable Campaigns
San Francisco-based Instacart has introduced new capabilities for its enterprise e-commerce solutions that make it easier for retailers to customize their storefronts and launch shoppable campaigns for holidays or special occasions. Retailers can modify their homepages, create custom landing pages and build shoppable campaigns from a dashboard in Instacart Storefront and Storefront Pro. Stew Leonard’s is using […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
The Giant Co. Donates $100K To Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank
In honor of its 100th anniversary celebrations, Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based The Giant Co. employees joined Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank to volunteer and donate $100,000 to its Weekender Program, expanding food access for children in need across Berks and Schuylkill counties. “For nearly 100 years, The Giant Co. has been a purpose-led team that strives to connect families for a […]