FMI – The Food Industry Association announced its 2023 board of directors elected at its annual Midwinter Executive Conference in Orlando, Florida. The new slate will guide the implementation of FMI’s 2023-approved strategic plan during a time of rapidly evolving industry challenges and opportunities and reflects the breadth of the product supplier and retailer/wholesaler communities. The outgoing board […]
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 inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
Peapod Digital Labs Seeks Diverse-Owned Brands For Showcase
Chicago-based Peapod Digital Labs is seeking participation in a virtual program aimed at showcasing products from underrepresented suppliers to Ahold Delhaize USA. Peapod is partnering with ECRM and RangeMe to host a series of four virtual events throughout the year. Merchants from the brands of Ahold Delhaize USA will meet with potential new suppliers to […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
TIPA Opens Viva Fresh Expo Registration Jan. 25
General registration for the 2023 Texas International Produce Association’s Viva Fresh Expo will open on Jan. 25. TIPA’s event will return March 30-April 1 to the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. Attendee registration for the event will be open online at vivafreshexpo.com/attendees. Not only does Viva Fresh shine a light on the importance of […]
Posted inExecutive News, Southeast
Grocery Shopii Appoints Stahl As VP, Sales
Davidson, North Carolina-based Grocery Shopii has appointed Lesia Stahl as VP of sales. This expansion to Grocery Shopii’s leadership team will empower the company to focus on new growth strategies to capitalize on current growth momentum. Stahl has been focused on technology that enhances the shopper journey and drives loyalty for retailers. Her industry background includes […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Sun Capital Affiliate Completes Acquisition Of Fresh Origins
Boca Raton, Florida-based Sun Capital Partners has announced its affiliate has completed the acquisition of San Marcos, California-based Fresh Origins, a grower and shipper of microgreens and edible flowers for foodservice and retail customers across the U.S. Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1996, Fresh Origins offers more than 600 varieties of […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Celebrates Seven Food Industry Executives
FMI–The Food Industry Association has announced its 2023 Executive Leadership Awards recipients. The awards were presented Jan. 21 at FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference Awards luncheon in Orlando, sponsored by Unilever. “The recipients of the 2023 Executive Leadership Awards constitute a masterclass in food industry leadership,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI president and CEO. “Their time-tested skills and […]
Posted inCenter Store, Executive News, Midwest
Sargento Foods Appoints New Platform Development Leadership
Plymouth, Wisconsin-based Sargento Foods has promoted Rod Hogan and Holly Baumgart to new roles on the new platform development team within innovation. The company believes these changes will progress the innovation goals that are important to achieving the company’s vision. Hogan has assumed the role of SVP of new platform development. Since joining the Sargento Family in 1995, […]
Posted inCenter Store, Northeast
Mantis Introduces Small Batch Barbecue Sauces
Scarsdale, New York-based Mantis BBQ has introduced a new line of barbecue sauces to support The Kidney Project. Three varieties, Mantis Original, A Whisper of Chile and a Haunt of Ghost, were showcased Jan. 15-17 at the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas. During his son’s battle with kidney disease, co-founder Andy Mantis searched for a transplant and solutions to help his […]
Posted inBeverage News, West
Talking Rain Beverage Co. Begins Flavorful Giving Campaign
Seattle, Washington-based Talking Rain Beverage Co. has launched a new program, Flavorful Giving, an initiative to inspire consumers to “Live in Full Flavor” – the company’s motto. Throughout 2023, Sparkling Ice will partner with a different charitable organization every month, focusing on topics including youth development, veteran care, wellness and education. This marks the most inclusive corporate social […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Center Store, Southeast
Pastene Expands Distribution Into Publix Locations
Canton, Massachusetts-based Pastene is expanding its distribution to more than 1,300 Publix Super Markets. Currently sold in the Northeast, products will be found in Publix stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. “This Publix launch is an exciting opportunity to introduce the Publix customer to Pastene’s rich flavor and superior quality,” said Chris Tosi, Pastene’s co-owner and CEO. “We’re […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Marketing News, National
Incisiv Shares Findings From Retail Innovation Survey
Incisiv and Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions have announced the findings of an executive survey, titled “State of the Industry: Innovation in Retail.” The study found that 17 percent of retailers can be considered true innovation leaders, despite the majority recognizing the critical importance of innovation for future growth. The study, which surveyed 233 retailers, found that innovation leaders […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Wheaties Extends Packaging Partnership With Simone Biles
Minneapolis-based Wheaties has extended its partnership with Simone Biles to launch the gymnast’s second Wheaties box cover, which will feature her adoption story – the catalyst for her support and advocacy for kids in foster care. Biles’ first Wheaties box cover was announced in June as the finale box of the 100th anniversary century series and year-long […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., National, Online Grocery Technology
Kroger Utilizes Cloud Technology To Increase Productivity
Google Cloud and Deloitte are collaborating with Kroger to help the grocery chain use cloud technologies to increase employee productivity across its 2,800 stores nationwide. Kroger recently deployed a variety of Google Cloud data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning tools under an application framework co-developed by Deloitte and Kroger. The tools are already empowering […]
Posted inH-E-B, Innovator of the Year, Southwest
H-E-B Named 2022 Southwest Innovator Of The Year
H-E-B has been named The Shelby Report of the Southwest’s 2022 Innovator of the Year. In the special section below, we celebrate the milestone with an in-depth look at H-E-B’s culture, partners and offerings that make it so beloved in its home state of Texas. To read news about the company from The Shelby Report, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Midwest
Former NGA Board Chairman Dierberg Dies At 88
The Missouri Grocers Association shared in a newsletter Jan. 20 about the death of longtime grocer Roger Dierberg. Dierberg, who died Jan. 18, was a third-generation grocer and former EVP of Dierbergs Markets. He had joined the company in 1969 from McDonnell Aircraft and went on to help make Dierbergs the company it is today. […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Tyson Foods Brings Back Heart-Shaped Chicken Nuggets
Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods is bringing back its “Nuggets of Love” heart-shaped chicken nuggets in celebration of Valentine’s Day. A recent survey by Caravan found that 84 percent of Americans say heart-shaped foods are a fun way to show love on Valentine’s Day and more than half have happy memories of sharing chicken nuggets with […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Association News, National
Kroger’s VP De Paoli To Speak At PLMA Conference
PLMA has announced that Juan De Paoli, VP of Our Brands at The Kroger Co., will take the stage at its annual meeting and leadership conference March 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. De Paoli will speak at a breakfast session on March 24. “We are pleased to welcome Juan De […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Survey Reports Record Year For Seafood, Highlighting Salmon
High inflation, continued supply chain challenges and fluctuating restaurant engagement resulted in another year of record food and beverage sales, reaching $753 billion in 2022. However, unit sales dropped for the second year in a row but remained ahead of 2019. Unlike volume, units are measured consistent across all categories. According to IRI, 210 Analytics […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National
Save A Lot Contributes 130K Food Bags To Charities Nationwide
Save A Lot donated more than 130,000 bags of high-quality food to local charities fighting hunger as part of its Bags for a Brighter Holiday effort. Throughout November and December, Save A Lot customers supported local communities by purchasing pre-assembled bags of food that were donated to numerous local and regional food banks and pantries. […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest
CEO McMullen Discusses Kroger’s Purpose At NRF Big Show
Rodney McMullen, CEO of Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., joined Matthew Shay, National Retail Federation president and CEO, for a conversation on the grocer’s purpose of “Feeding the Human Spirit” at the NRF Big Show. McMullen discussed how Kroger continues to serve customers and employees in an ever-changing, competitive grocery industry. “Fundamentally, we know the grocery business […]