Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has announced the promotion of Ileana McAlary from SVP to EVP, chief legal officer and corporate secretary. McAlary was hired in November 2021 and oversees the company’s expanding legal, government affairs, compliance and aviation team. She also serves as corporate secretary of its board of directors and president of the SpartanNash Foundation. “Ileana and her team have […]
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 inPackaging News, Sustainability News, West
Traditional Medicinals Introduces Compostable Tea Wrapper
Rohnert Park, California-based Traditional Medicinals, a botanical wellness company, has announced a new compostable, plastic-free tea wrapper, the first compostable tea wrapper to receive a Biodegradable Products Institute certification. After more than 10 years of development with ProAmpac, Traditional Medicinals will transition to the BPI-certified wrappers starting with 10 organic teas in 2023. The company has also […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Weis Markets Donates $425K To AHA’s ‘Life Is Why’ Campaign
Donation generated by in-store customer donations and a company contribution Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets donated $425,000 to the American Heart Association’s “Life is Why” campaign. “Weis Markets and its customers have worked together to donate more than $2.4 million to the American Heart Association since we first partnered with the organization in 2019,” said Maria […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
National Watermelon Promotion Board Shares New Research
Winter Springs, Florida-based National Watermelon Promotion Board has partnered with Nutrition Impact on a research project to “determine intake of watermelon and assess association with diet quality, energy and nutrient intake and physiological parameters in children and adults.” A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Analysis, the study found that total diet quality was higher […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Beverage News, Southwest
NuZee Signs Private Label Agreement With Wakefern Food Corp.
Richardson, Texas-based NuZee, a coffee co-packing company, has announced its first private label agreement with Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer-owned cooperative. Under ShopRite’s private label brand Bowl & Basket, NuZee packed and shipped three single serve coffee brew-bag items: Breakfast Blend, French Roast and Colombian. The Bowl & Basket single-serve coffees launched recently in about 250 ShopRite […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast
Tuna Company Leads Call For Restoration Of Endangered Species
SFP study finds loss of biodiversity in longline tuna fisheries Boston-based Thai Union Group PLC, a seafood producer of shelf-stable tuna products, has announced its commitment to only source from vessels that are implementing best practices to protect ocean wildlife from bycatch. Thai Union’s action is based on research by Sustainable Fisheries Partnership on the risks to […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
California Avocado Commission Hires Splane As VP, Marketing
The California Avocado Commission has hired food industry veteran Terry Splane as VP of marketing. Splane fills the role vacated by Jan DeLyser, following her retirement last month. He has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the foodservice and retail channels, most recently as head of partner success and strategy for […]
Posted inProduce News, West
FirstFruits Marketing Installs Advanced Cherry Production Line
Yakima, Washington-based FirstFruits Farms is making strides in the fresh produce industry with the construction of an advanced cherry production line at its facility in Prescott, Washington. The production line will feature advanced technology offering total automation, putting FirstFruits Farms at the “forefront of retail integration.” “As a company, we are constantly looking to improve our […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southwest, Sustainability News
Hope Foods Receives Plastic Neutral Certification
Boulder, Colorado-based Hope Foods has been named a plastic neutral certified product, partnering with rePurpose Global to remove and properly process nature-bound plastic. rePurpose Global leads plastic recovery initiatives across five countries and three continents. Hope Foods’ participation includes a focus on an impact project in Chennai, India, co-processing multi-layered plastic in order to offset the amount […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Carolina Pride Introduces Stack Pack Zero Sugar Bacon
Greenwood, South Carolina-based Carolina Pride, a regional producer of bacon, hot dogs, sausage and lunchmeats, has introduced two sizes of thick-cut, zero sugar bacon under its Carolina Pride Meats brand. According to the company, these new items “honors a 100-plus year heritage of delivering true Southern taste” to consumers. The new packaging highlights key product attributes and […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
Tops Offers Little Leaf Farms’ Sustainable Fresh Lettuces
Williamsville, New York-based Tops is offering customers a sustainable produce option through Little Leaf Farms’ fresh lettuces. Little Leaf Farms’ hydroponic greenhouses use sunlight and captured rainwater to grow lettuce, which is harvested and delivered to stores within 24 hours, improving shelf life. “We get lots of calls and emails from Little Leaf Farms fans, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
IGA Honors Excellence And Innovation Award Recipients
The Independent Grocers Alliance honored a host of members and partners from across the globe at events during The NGA Show Feb. 26-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. IGA presented innovation awards to independent grocery retailers, manufacturing and service provider partners and licensed distribution centers, which highlighted a range of best practices and innovations, including excelling […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Southeast
Food Giant, Meat Depot Unite To Open Store In Food Desert
Food Giant is set to debut a new store in the Five Points West area of Birmingham, Alabama, after a five-year supermarket hiatus for the community. The grocery chain is joining forces with Meat Depot to re-establish food security for the community by occupying the former Winn Dixie building at 2220 Bessemer Road. Both retailers are […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
AWG Brands Celebrates Record Year
Annual sales achieve 17.9 percent increase AWG Brands, the private brand owned by Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, delivered a 17.9 percent sales increase from the previous year. AWG Brands consists of four brands: Always Save, Best Choice, Clearly by Best Choice and Best Choice Superior Selections. According to the company, each brand holds a specific position in […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Tops Begins ‘Rip It, Win It, Live It Up’ Monopoly Game
Williamsville, New York-based Tops has begun its “Rip It, Win It, Live It Up” Monopoly game. Customers have the chance to win the grand prize of either five years of free groceries or $20,000 of any gift cards the customers choose, in addition to other prizes and offers. The grocer is also offering a second […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Southwest, Supply Chain News
Kroger, Gatik Collaborate On Autonomous Box Trucks
Trucks will be used to transport fresh products Gatik has announced a commercial collaboration to transport customer orders within Kroger’s Dallas distribution network. Under the collaboration, Gatik’s medium-duty autonomous box trucks will transport fresh products from a Kroger fulfillment center in Dallas, Texas, to multiple retail locations. Gatik’s autonomous trucks feature a cold chain-capable 20-foot […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Firework, The Fresh Market Awarded Best Live Video Strategy
San Mateo, California-based Firework, in partnership with The Fresh Market, has been recognized with the Best Live Video Strategy Award at the Digiday Video and TV Awards. The partners were awarded for their Thanksgiving Video Commerce Campaign, the duo’s livestream and shoppable video campaign. “Firework takes great pride in helping forward-facing brands like The Fresh Market bring their […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Organic Natural, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Distributors, Rodale Institute Partner For Organic Farming
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has signed an exclusive partnership with Rodale Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding the regenerative organic agriculture movement through research, farmer training and education. The collaboration between KeHE and Rodale Institute will support the advancement of organic farming and regenerative practices and products in the food industry. These practices prioritize building soil health […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast, Supply Chain News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Implements Process Improvements, New SAE Technology
United Natural Foods advancing initiatives to improve its supply chain Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has announced further actions to improve its supply chain capabilities and overall customer experience as part of its four-part transformation agenda. These actions include improved operating procedures, increased associate training programs and the deployment of technological improvements, such as […]
Posted inPackaging News, Albertsons, West
Albertsons Reveals Redesign Of Open Nature Brand
Open Nature brand debuts new dairy-free plant-based products Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies has introduced the redesign of its Open Nature brand as it hopes to become the brand of choice for health-conscious shoppers. Open Nature, which is part of Albertsons Cos. Own Brands portfolio, provides shoppers with foods made with ingredients that are free from unnecessary additives. As customers explore […]