Ray Sprinkle, chairman of the board of directors for the Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates, is excited about the organization’s future. “ROFDA’s undergone some change. We really are excited to have Jeff [Pedersen, president] on board with his leadership and his experience, bringing some new ideas to the organization,” said Sprinkle, who also is […]
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 inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Blue Star Foods Submits Application For Salmon Aquaculture Farm
Miami, Florida-based Blue Star Foods Corp. announced that its subsidiary, Taste of BC Aquafarms, has submitted an application for an aquaculture license to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Taste of BC Aquafarms is seeking approval for a land-based recirculatory aquaculture system salmon farm. The proposed facility, located in Campbell River, British Columbia, would annually produce 1,500 […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southwest
EPac Flexible Packaging Expands Internationally Into Europe
Austin, Texas-based ePac Flexible Packaging will be adding a second sales and manufacturing location in the U.K. EPac Sheffield will serve CPG brands of all sizes throughout Northern England, Scotland and Ireland. When combined with sites in Poland, France and the previously announced site in Austria, ePac has growing coverage for Europe. “Since opening our first […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
Dunnhumby Appoints O’Grady As President, Americas
Chicago-based Dunnhumby has announced the appointment of Matt O’Grady as president of the Americas region. In this role, O’Grady will be responsible for delivering the company’s growth strategy across North America and South America, and will report to Dan Olley, CEO. “We are extremely pleased and fortunate to have Matt join us to lead our Americas’ […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Superior Grocers Expands Into California’s Central Valley
On Dec. 3, Superior Grocers opened a store at 115 S. West St., the former Palace Foods Depot, in Tulare, California. The grocery retailer, which primarily operates in Southern California, has expanded into the Central Valley. The new store features a large selection of produce, grocery, meats, beer and wine. Plans for the addition of […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Winn-Dixie Hosts Community Giveaways Ahead Of Grand Opening
On Dec. 14, Winn-Dixie will hold the grand opening ceremony for a store at 100 Little Cypress Drive in St. Johns, Florida. The celebration will have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. with live entertainment and sampling. Following the grand opening, activities will continue from 2-6 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 2-7 p.m. on Dec. 16 […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southwest
Affiliated Foods Adds Storewise Technology To Member Stores
Amarillo, Texas-based Affiliated Foods Inc. has partnered with Overland Park, Kansas-based Storewise to add its platform to more than 800 member stores across nine states. The partnership will enable independent grocers working with Affiliated Foods Inc. to access the Storewise platform to deliver analytics and automation, including its new feature, dynamic sales reporting. Participating retailers […]
Posted inBakery News, National
St Pierre Groupe Appoints Wagstaff As Managing Director
St Pierre Groupe has announced David Wagstaff as its new managing director, following a buy-out process, which saw the business join the Grupo Bimbo portfolio earlier this year. Wagstaff, who has led St Pierre’s U.S. operation for more than two years, has been appointed to take the reins immediately. He has more than 30 years […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
D&W Fine Pack Implements Recycled Plastic Products
Wood Dale, Illinois-based D&W Fine Pack has announced a multimillion-dollar investment in sustainability technology at its manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This new extrusion technology, slated to debut in January, is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and gives the company the capability to make food packaging products from 100 percent post-consumer recycled PET, incorporating […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Kapi Kapi Growers Introduces Oro Pineapples
Miami, Florida-based Kapi Kapi Growers meets retail and foodservice demand with the addition of its new Oro Pineapple. This new product will be offered alongside Kapi Kapi’s traditional and crownless pineapple varieties, as well as their premium quality bananas. Derived from the Spanish word for gold, Kapi Kapi’s Oro Pineapples has a high-shell color to catch shoppers’ […]
Posted inInternational Foods, Northeast
Buitoni Launches Two New Flavors Of Refrigerated Ravioli
Stamford, Connecticut-based Buitoni has announced new flavors of refrigerated ravioli featuring twists on familiar dishes. According to Buitoni, pasta is enjoyed weekly by more than 50 percent of Americans, and more than 75 percent agree that they are interested in trying new varieties. The new Pepperoni & Cheese Ravioli and Chicken Parmesan Ravioli varieties will offer […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Square Roots, Gordon Food Service Opens Facility In Kentucky
Square Roots and Gordon Food Service have announced the opening of a new climate-controlled, indoor farm in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Since establishing their strategic partnership in 2019, Square Roots and Gordon Food Service have been building indoor farms together across the continent with the ultimate aim of bringing locally-grown food to customers at a global scale. In the past […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Voices Opposition To NLRB’s Proposed Employer Rule
FMI – The Food Industry Association filed a regulatory comment letter on behalf of the food industry and joined a coalition of employer organizations in voicing opposition to the National Labor Relations Board’s new proposed joint employer standard. The joint employer standard is used to determine when two or more businesses share direct and indirect responsibility of a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Holds Holiday Toy Giveaway Dec. 10
Vallarta Supermarkets will be hosting holiday toy giveaway events on Dec. 10 at select locations from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. across California. Kids 12 and under can visit one of the Vallarta California locations to receive a free toy along with sweet treats, while supplies last. Vallarta’s in-house bakery will have mini conchas and champurrado for sample. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Federal Trade Commissioner Bedoya Visits Buche Foods
On Dec. 2, Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya visited the Buche Foods store in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to see how a lack of antitrust enforcement is harming independent grocers and their consumers. Bedoya met with RF Buche, fourth-generation grocer and president of GF Buche Co., and his team. Also in attendance was District 27 […]
Posted inBeverage News, Southwest
BuzzBallz Receives Several Awards For Cocktail Products
Carrollton, Texas-based BuzzBallz was recently awarded two Pr%f Awards for its Chili Mango and Espresso Martini Cocktails. Chili Mango won a gold tasting medal and double gold design/total packaging medal, and Espresso Martini won a silver tasting medal and gold design/total packaging medal. The annual Pr%f Awards competition is powered by Food and Beverage Magazine, […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Harris Teeter Donates $30K To Nonprofits In North Carolina
Harris Teeter will donate $30,000 in gift cards to nonprofits in Moore County, including the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina – Sandhills and other local organizations. This donation will support recovery efforts after a long-lasting power outage. “We are deeply rooted in supporting our communities during times of crisis,” said Danna Robinson, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
New Seasons Market Recognized As Most Admired Company
Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market was recognized as the ninth “Most Admired Company” in the state by the Portland Business Journal, selected by 271 state’s top executives. Joining New Seasons Market – and more than 100 honorees – on the list are organizations like Columbia Sportswear Co., Intel and Nike, as well as the grocer’s peers in […]
Posted inCenter Store, Association News, National
IHA Occasions Report Examines Consumers’ Purchasing Plans
Consumers are embracing key life moments after the COVID-19 pandemic and are planning to continue doing so in the year ahead and beyond, according to the International Housewares Association’s 2023 Occasions Report. Results from the survey suggest that housewares retailers and suppliers should consider their role as gift providers for not only major life events but for […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Northeast
JOH Names Four Executives To Company Positions
Billerica, Massachusetts-based JOH has appointed several executives to positions within its company. Steve Grabar has been named as the account executive/account manager in the Great Lakes Division. Grabar has been part of the food industry since 1976, when he started as a retail sales representative at Benson Mitchell Food Brokerage. He worked his way up […]