Harrisonburg, Virginia-based Farmer Focus received a $3.6 million grant as part of the second round of the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion program. The grant will support a $17.8 million expansion of Farmer Focus’ organic chicken processing facility in Harrisonburg. By doubling processing capacity over the next two years, this investment will enable Farmer Focus […]
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, Northeast
Cleancult Debuts Carton-Packaged Home Care Products
New York-based Cleancult has announced its largest retail expansion to date into more than 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide. Through this new class of trade, Cleancult will bring its paper-based refill cartons of hand soaps, dish soaps, all-purpose cleaners and laundry into the homes of more customers. Cleancult supports Walmart’s goal to avoid or reduce one billion metric […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southeast
DS Smith Testing Packages To Withstand G-Force Pressure
Atlanta-based DS Smith reveals new research that is underway into destructive G-force pressures on packages. To help understand the tough environment that packages withstand to reach consumers in perfect condition, DS Smith is experimenting with “accelerometers.” The devices track the package through its journey and provide data that can explain damage it sustains. The DS […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Side Delights Showcases Potato Products At SEPC Show
The Fresh Solutions Network will exhibit its branded Side Delights’ fresh potatoes, as well as a new line of spuds March 4 at the SEPC’s Southern Exposure trade show in Orlando, Florida. SEPC’s Southern Exposure show highlights the latest innovations within the fresh produce industry. “We’ve exhibited at SEPC’s Southern Exposure for over a decade. We are […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Red Lobster Launches Frozen Seafood Product Line
Orlando, Florida-based Red Lobster has launched its first line of seafood products available in retail locations. Inspired by guest favorites, the retail entrées include Cheddar Bay Biscuit Shrimp and Coconut Shrimp Bites. The lineup of new seafood products builds on the current retail line of Cheddar Bay Biscuit offerings and features, including: Cheddar Bay Biscuit Cod and Parmesan Crusted Garlic with Herb Stuffed Shrimp. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Stop & Shop Begins Annual Childhood Cancer Donation Campaign
Quincy, Massachusetts-based Stop & Shop has begun its annual “Help Cure Childhood Cancer” campaign to support two of the nation’s leading pediatric cancer care centers: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund in Massachusetts; and MSK Kids, the pediatric program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Since the campaign’s inception decades ago, Stop & Shop and its customers have contributed more than […]
Posted inFeature, Grocery Store Equipment, Southeast
Grocery Shopii Working To Address Changing Consumer Behaviors
When Katie Hotze, founder and CEO of Grocery Shopii, was asked what’s keeping retailers up at night, she said “changing consumer behaviors.” Hotze, who attended the recent FMI Midwinter Executive conference with some Grocery Shopii colleagues, said grocery retailers got the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic. “They’re the ones who kept the lights on and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
Riksen To Oversee All Accounting Functions At SpartanNash
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has promoted Todd Riksen to VP, corporate controller and principal accounting officer. Riksen oversees all company accounting functions and reports to Jason Monaco, EVP and CFO. “Todd has provided incredible leadership to our finance organization as we navigated a company-wide turnaround these past couple of years,” Monaco said. “He and his team will continue to […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Produce Consumptions Unchanged Despite Price Increases
FMI – The Food Industry Association released the “Power of Produce 2023” report March 3 at the Southeast Produce Council’s annual Southern Exposure event, revealing produce department sales grew 4.8 percent to $74.5 billion in 2022, even as inflation increased the price of fruits and vegetables. More consumers are turning to valued-added produce – pre-cut and washed – and packaged […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
WP Produce Showcases Desbry Line Of Tropical Fruits, Roots
WP Produce, a Miami-based and family-owned grower, packer and shipper of Desbry brand tropical fruits and roots, returns March 2-4 to the annual SEPC Southern Exposure tradeshow and conference in Orlando. During the expo, WP Produce will showcase its line of tropical fruits and roots sourced from throughout Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America. “SEPC’s flagship Southern Exposure is a very […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
The Giant Co. Announces 2023 Healing The Planet Grant Program
The Giant Company, in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, has announced the return of its Healing the Planet grant program. This year, $300,000 will be awarded to projects that address food waste prevention, reduction and recovery across its operating area in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. “In the past two years of our grant program and […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Super Markets Reopens Location In Tampa, FL
Publix Super Markets has reopened a store at the Gandy Shopping Center in Tampa, Florida. The 59,409-square-foot store offers departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, seafood, meat and fresh produce, as well as a full-service bakery, deli and pharmacy. Additional offerings include a Pours area and burrito, pizza and pasta bars. There also is upstairs […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast
Seafood North America Expo Names Keynote, Shares Agenda
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America has named its keynote speaker, Megan Greene, and plenary speaker, Thea Lee, who will headline conference program featuring more than 30 educational sessions. The event, produced by Diversified Communications, will take place March 12-14 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Greene, a global economist, will present, “Economic Update for […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IGA Acquires Management Consulting Service, What Brands Want
The Independent Grocers Alliance has entered into an agreement to acquire the management consulting service, What Brands Want. As part of that acquisition, owner Michael La Kier will lead IGA’s Red Oval partner relationships as VP of brand development. “After building What Brands Want for the past 10 years, I’m excited for the next phase of […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger To Invest $770M In Employee Wages, Benefits
Cincinnati, Ohio-based The Kroger Co. has announced a more than $770 million incremental investment in its employees during 2023. The company will use this money to raise average hourly rates, improve healthcare options and build new training and development opportunities. “Our associates enable our success, and we are committed to investing in theirs,” said Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Fareway Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For Iowa Store
Fareway Stores hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony March 1 for a new store at 9080 Mills Civic Pkwy. in West Des Moines, Iowa. The 21,00-square-foot-store provides a full-service butcher counter, a large grocery selection with fresh-cut produce and locally sourced items, in addition to a variety of craft beer, fine wines and top-shelf spirits. The […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Inflation Pulls January Meat Dollars Below Year Ago Levels
To understand market impact, IRI, 210 Analytics and Hillphoenix have shared a new monthly update to understand the latest meat department trends. The average price per pound in the meat department across all cuts and kinds, both fixed and random weight, stood at $4.49 in January. Prices only increased slightly year-on-year, at 2.6 percent, continuing […]
Posted inNortheast, Independent Store News
ShopRite Introduces Fresh To Table In-Store Experience
Three ShopRite locations have recently debuted Fresh to Table, a store-within-a-store concept where customers can find fresh foods, ingredients and easy-to-prepare meal solutions in a variety of grab-and-go formats. Two Connecticut stores, the ShopRite of Norwich at 634 W Main St. and the ShopRite of New London at 351 N Frontage Road, and one Pennsylvania location, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, West
USC FIM Program Honors Curry As 2023 Executive Of The Year
The University of Southern California’s Marshall Food Industry Management program will honor Kevin Curry as its 2023 Executive of the Year. Every year, the USC Executive of the Year award is presented to a food industry executive who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to education. Curry is a Food Industry Management Program graduate and […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Tyson Ventures Seeks Upcycling Startups For Annual Demo Day
Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tyson Foods, is accepting applications for participants in the second annual Tyson Demo Day. The event will be held July 11 at its headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. This year’s theme of upcycling innovation aims to identify breakthrough upcycling technologies to help the company and the industry reach sustainability […]