Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos., along with the Albertsons Cos. Foundation, observed June 6 as “Nourishing Neighbors Day.” To commemorate the occasion, the foundation announced the recipients of three multiyear Nourishing Neighbors spark grants totaling $9 million to nonprofits that are spearheading programs designed to create long-term solutions for moving people out of food insecurity. “Our grocery stores, […]
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 inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Latest News, Southeast
AWG Opens All-In-One Distribution Hub In Hernando, MS
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. held a ribbon-cutting event June 5 for its All-In-One Distribution Hub in Hernando, Mississippi. The facility, which totals more than one million square feet of space and is some 80 feet tall throughout, features advanced intelligence, automation and an expanded variety of offerings to improve system-wide distribution and logistics performance. The […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Midwest
Storewise Acquires Software Company MarginMAX
Overland Park, Kansas-based Storewise has announced the acquisition of MarginMAX, a software company that enables independent grocers to manage direct store delivery and wholesaler items through a suite of cloud-based applications, including a vendor portal, pricing engine and receiving application. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. MarginMAX’s software platform more than doubles Storewise’s visibility […]
Posted inNorthgate Market, Independent Store News, West
Northgate Gonzalez Market Co-President Gives Keynote Address
Miguel González, co-founder of Northgate González, delivered the keynote address May 20 during the multicultural graduation ceremony at the University of La Verne in Anaheim, California. “Share your gifts with the world,” González said. “When you reach the top, remember to be humble and give back to the generations that gave to you and will […]
Posted inCenter Store, Executive News, Midwest
SpartanNash Names Pasch As VP, Center Store Merchandising
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has hired Brandon Pasch as VP of center store merchandising, effective immediately. Pasch will play a role in advancing the company’s merchandising transformation, developing strategy and driving results in a major segment of SpartanNash’s business. “Brandon is a skilled leader in merchandising, with extensive experience across many categories within the retail and grocery industry,” […]
Posted inHugo's Family Marketplace, Independent Store News, Midwest
Hugo’s Family Marketplace Holds Store Opening In Fosston, MN
Hugo’s Family Marketplace, along with Hugo’s Wine & Spirits and Hugo’s Xpress in Fosston, Minnesota, will be celebrating its grand opening through June 16. On June 9, the store will hold an open house and ribbon cutting from 1-6 p.m. with representatives from the mayor’s office and the EDC of Fosston. The retailer will have samples […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
Little Leaf Farms Plans To Open New Greenhouse In Fall 2023
Devens, Massachusetts-based Little Leaf Farms has plans to open a new greenhouse in McAdoo, Pennsylvania this fall. This will be the fifth greenhouse for Little Leaf Farms, and the brand’s second greenhouse in Pennsylvania. With the expanded capacity of 10 additional acres of indoor production of fresh, sustainably grown lettuce, Little Leaf Farms will increase its retail presence to […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Peter Pan Seafood Increases Food Safety With Automation
Bellevue, Washington-based Peter Pan Seafood, producer of wild Alaskan seafood, is featuring a user-friendly platform to ensure regulatory and financial compliance for every fresh, canned and frozen seafood product created at its four Alaskan facilities. “For more than 100 years, Peter Pan Seafoods has taken pride in its reputation for producing the highest quality seafood products from […]
Posted inPackaging News, West
Novacart USA Appoints Noce As General Manager
Richmond, California-based Novacart USA has announced that Tom Noce has been appointed the new general manager. Noce succeeds Joe Miglia, who retired April 30 after about 30 years of service. Noce joins Novacart with extensive experience in manufacturing and the plastics forming industry. His background also includes work with food packaging for several private and […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Launches Annual Campaign For Summer Meals
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion Feeds has launched its fourth annual “Summers Without Hunger” campaign, which aims to address food insecurity by helping to provide 16 million meals this summer. Through the campaign, which runs through June 27, customers have the opportunity to make a difference by making a $5 cash donation at checkout in-store […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Summer Of Sockeye Salmon Kicks Off In Bristol Bay, AK
The anticipated annual wild sockeye salmon season in Bristol Bay, Alaska, has officially commenced and fishermen are gearing up for what is expected to be among the top five strongest in the last 20 years. The 2023 harvest, which runs through September, has an estimated haul of about 37 million fish. This means plenty of wild sockeye salmon in […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Olli Salumeria Introduces First Preservative-Free Salami
Oceanside, California-based Olli Salumeria has launched the first preservative-free salami in the North American market. This week, Olli Salumeria announced its new curing process and formula that eliminates added nitrates and nitrites, producing salami that is free of all preservatives. Most modern salami has added nitrates and nitrites, either as a synthetic or through natural sources such as […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer LPGA Classic Partners With Diverse-Owned Businesses
The Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give will feature more than a dozen local diverse-owned restaurants at J. Brewer’s, a premium hospitality experience on the fourth fairway of Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. Throughout tournament week on June 15-18, Meijer will collaborate with local, diverse-owned food and beverage restaurants and vendors to supply experiences for spectators. “Our purpose […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Instacart Introduces AI-Powered Food Inspiration Search Tool
San Francisco-based Instacart has launched Ask Instacart, an AI-powered search tool designed to assist with customers’ grocery shopping questions by offering personalized recommendations throughout the shopping experience. By using the language understanding capabilities of OpenAI’s ChatGPT API and Instacart’s own AI models and catalog data that spans more than a billion shoppable items across more than […]
Posted inFeature, West
Exclusive Interview With Tom Hanks Ahead Of IDDBA Appearance
Tom Hanks, known for larger-than-life roles in “Forrest Gump,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “Cast Away,” will be the keynote speaker for the second day of the IDDBA Show. Shelby Publishing EVP Bob Reeves, who shares a personal connection with the award-winning actor, was able to interview him ahead of the event. His history with Hanks, […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southwest, Sustainability News
Walmart Introduces Sustainable, Waste-Reducing Options
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has announced new sustainability steps to reduce the amount of packaging waste associated with online orders. This includes moving from plastic to recyclable paper mailers, right-sizing cardboard box packaging, giving customers the option to consolidate shipping on e-commerce orders, opting out of single-use plastic bags for online pickup orders and last mile delivery […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Consumers Increase Produce Purchases Due To Favorable Prices
The April Circana sales results and survey of primary grocery shoppers underscore that economic pressure on income continues to result in consumers moving around dollars between channels, products and brands. Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association have teamed up to document the impact on sales patterns in fresh produce. April fresh produce sales […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Bravo Supermarkets, Northeast
CTown Supermarkets Opens New Location In Manhattan, NY
CTown Supermarkets opened a new location June 2 at 1660 Madison Ave. in Manhattan, New York. The supermarket offers more than 7,000 square feet of groceries for the Spanish Harlem community. The new location expands CTown Supermarkets’ store count within New York City neighborhoods, where the brand was established in 1975. Founded as “true neighborhood supermarkets,” all […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Pharmacies, OrderInsite Solutions Partner For Hurricane Season
Nashville, Tennessee-based OrderInsite, a technology platform for pharmacies to manage, monitor and master their prescription drug inventory, is helping Lakeland, Florida-based Publix pharmacies prepare for hurricane season. OrderInsite’s automated technology will help the grocer implement an action plan at a corporate level so pharmacies in the impacted regions can focus on customers. It’s important for […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Northeast
The Hershey Co. Introduces Kisses Candy With Milk Filling
Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Hershey’s has introduced new Hershey’s Kisses Milklicious candies, featuring a chocolate milk filling packed into the center of a milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses candy. Hershey’s Kisses Milklicious chocolates build on the permanent Kisses portfolio. The candy is wrapped in light-blue foils that are adorned with glasses of milk. “Inspired by the special tastes of childhood, Hershey’s Kisses Milklicious […]