The Texas International Produce Association is expanding its career networking program, Encouraging Discovery & Growth in Education –”EDGE.” EDGE is the next step of the original “Aggies for Fresh” program launched in 2017. The program is designed to offer students information, exposure and connections to help them identify career paths and hire-ready roles in the fresh […]
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 inCenter Store, Northeast
Nylabone Makes Valentine’s Day Donation To American Humane
Neptune City, New Jersey-based Nylabone, a brand in the central garden and pet company portfolio, has announced a $10,000 donation to American Humane in support of its Pups4Patriots program. The contribution, which coincides with Valentine’s Day, honors the companionship U.S. military veterans and their service dogs share. The donation will benefit American Humane’s mission to connect […]
Posted inFeature, Northeast
Upside Gives Retailers Ability To Personalize Cash-Back Incentives
The app from Washington, D.C.-based technology company Upside rewards cash back to users through partnerships with retailers. The scope of its services includes all aspects of retail, but the grocery industry in particular has used it to draw customers through the doors. “What’s unique about Upside is we work directly with the retailer,” said Tyler […]
Posted inCenter Store, National
Yellow Wood Partners Acquires Unilever’s Suave Brand
Yellow Wood Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, has signed an agreement with Unilever to acquire its beauty and personal care brand, Suave, in North America. The transaction is anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of 2023. “We are excited to have created a strong working relationship with Unilever in this transaction. Yellow Wood’s intense […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
January eGrocery Sales Dip From Year Ago To $8.4 Billion
The U.S. online grocery market finished January with $8.4 billion in total sales, down 1.2 percent compared to last year, according to the monthly Brick Meets Click/Mercatus grocery shopping survey fielded Jan. 30-31. The drop in total online grocery sales was driven by ship-to-home sales, which declined 15 percent to $1.3 billion. Pickup posted the strongest gains, […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southeast
Beaver Street Shares New Packaging Design At Seafood Expo
Jacksonville, Florida-based Beaver Street Fisheries will return to the Seafood Expo North America Show March 12-14 in Boston with new product innovations and package designs. In addition to its recently launched Seafood Festival Steamer Pot all-in-one bag seafood boil, it will be unveiling new packaging for its shrimp, scallops and shellfish lines, as well as recent skin pack […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Smithfield Donates 240K Protein Servings To Food Banks
As the presenting sponsor of the annual rivalry games known as the Commonwealth Clash, Smithfield united with the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech to recognize two local Virginia food banks for their commitment to providing communities with accessible nourishment through food pantries and meals. As an extension of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes program, the brand donated more than 60,000 pounds of protein – more than […]
Posted inMarketing News, National
Survey Shows Grocery Prices Straining Household Budgets
More than half of American households say grocery prices are straining their budgets, according to a nationwide survey by marketing research company Decision Analyst Inc. The firm, based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, recently conducted a study titled “Consumer Foresight: Beyond The Pandemic, Into Economic Uncertainty.” Among the study’s areas of focus was the effect of […]
Posted inBashas', Corporate Store News, West
Bashas’ Showcases Valentine’s Day Offerings, Products
Chandler, Arizona-based Bashas’ and Food City have shared items, offerings and products available to customers for Valentine’s Day. Bashas’ will hold chocolate-dipping events with long-stemmed strawberries from 2-6 p.m. on Feb. 14. The live chocolate-fountain strawberry-dipping demonstrations will take place throughout the four-hour event, and freshly dipped berries will be available for purchase in four-packs. […]
Posted inProduce News, Snacks Brands, West
Blue Diamond Growers Prepares For National Almond Day
Sacramento, California-based Blue Diamond Growers is preparing for National Almond Day on Feb. 16 with celebrations and discounts.There will be a state proclamation declaring Feb. 16 as California Almond Day. Blue Diamond Growers is also offering a one-day-only special of 20 percent off all products at the Blue Diamond Nut and Gift Shops in Sacramento, Modesto, and Chico, as well as […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Donates 158M Meals In 2022
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion and its foundation donated 158 million meals in 2022, an increase of 6 million meals over 2021. Contributing to that total, Food Lion employees volunteered more than 17,000 hours, which equates to more than 5 million meals based on various organizations’ meal equivalent formulas. The support comes at a time […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Releases 2022 ESG Report
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has released its environmental, social and governance report for 2022. This second annual ESG report outlines the company’s practices, as well as investments made in the previous year. The 2021 ESG report was focused on product standards, the cornerstone of Natural Grocers’ sustainability principles. Natural Grocers decided to emphasize its dedication […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Association News, Frozen Food, National
Harris Teeter, SpartanNash To Keynote NFRA Conference
The National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association will hold its 31st annual executive conference April 17-19 at the Tempe Mission Palms in Tempe, Arizona. Retailer keynote speakers include Tammy DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter, and Tony Sarsam, CEO of SpartanNash. The three-day event brings frozen and refrigerated food industry professionals together to network and learn about consumer insights on industry […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Big Y Offers Discounted Education Rates With Fisher College
Springfield, Massachusetts-based Big Y Foods has partnered with The Fisher College Graduate Professional Studies department. Through its corporate advantage program, Fisher College will offer online courses for Big Y Foods employees to provide them with new skills and knowledge. Fisher College will offer discounted tuition rates for Big Y Foods employees and their immediate family members and […]
Posted inDairy News, Executive News, Midwest
Prairie Farms Dairy Honors Mullins For 42 Years Of Service
After a 42-year career with Prairie Farms Dairy, industry executive Ed Mullins retired on Dec. 31. This followed his decision in late 2021 to step down as CEO and EVP to assume a new role as senior executive officer in 2022. A celebration of his career was held last week in Edwardsville, Illinois, where hundreds […]
Posted inPackaging News, West
PAC Machinery Showcases Sustainable Packaging At ProMat Expo
PAC Machinery will showcase its automatic bagging machines, including new options in sustainable packaging, at the 2023 ProMat Expo, to be held March 20-23 at McCormick Place in Chicago. PAC will be at exhibit N8321, showcasing the Rollbag R785, R1285, R3200 Fulfillment Automatic Bagger and the Rollbag R3200XL, along with sustainable bag options including a curbside recyclable paper mailer, options from the Recylene line of […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southwest
Sysco Launches ‘Recipe For Sustainability’ University Program
Houston, Texas-based Sysco Corporation, a global foodservice distribution company, has launched its new ‘Recipe for Sustainability’ program. Through this program, Sysco will collaborate with top universities to explore innovations that will accelerate climate action and lead the industry towards a more sustainable future. Students at Arizona State University and Pennsylvania State University will have the […]
Posted inPackaging News, Plant-Based News, West
Good Natured Introduces Plant-Based Packaging In Hawaii
Good Natured Products Inc., “d.b.a good natured,” has announced its distribution through Sustainable Island Products, a distributor of compostable packaging products in Hawaii. According to the company, plant-based, BPI-certified compostable products from good natured are up to 99 percent plant-based and comply with single use packaging regulations that started going into effect across many counties in Hawaii […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
Survey Indicates Greater Reliance On Online Grocery Shopping
New York-based Chicory has released findings from its 2023 Online Grocery Shopping Report. The annual report, which features results from a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. consumers, analyzes the key characteristics and behaviors of grocery shoppers. Insights include online order frequency, average basket value, retailer preferences, cart composition and shopping challenges. “While online grocery adoption has […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Southeast
SEPC Shares Next Generation Leadership Academy Participants
The Southeast Produce Council has announced the inaugural class of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, a leadership development program designed for up-and-coming leaders. This year-long program will provide participants an approach to leadership ideals and methodologies. Participants will develop leadership skills and prepare to navigate industry challenges with a growth mindset. The SEPC’s academy will […]