Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has promoted Masiar Tayebi to EVP, chief strategy and information officer. Tayebi was hired in April 2021 as EVP, chief strategy officer. “SpartanNash is more focused than ever on being the most customer-focused, innovative food solutions company,” said Tony Sarsam, CEO. “Our innovation through technology goes hand-in-hand with the overall strategy of the company, making Masiar […]
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 inProduce News, West
Pacific Trellis Fruit Launches Black Jam Grapes
Los Angeles, California-based Pacific Trellis Fruit is ramping up programs for an exclusive black seedless variety of grapes. “JAM grapes deliver that jam flavor taste and are similar to the Concord variety in flavor and appearance, however, they are 100 percent seedless and have thinner skin,” said Josh Leichter, CEO. “They have been very well received […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Salmon Manages Growth While Overall Seafood Has Highs, Lows
Inflation, COVID-19, supply chain and other issues continue to change shopping and consumption patterns. These measures have resulted in prolonged unit and volume pressure across most categories, particularly for seafood. IRI, 210 Analytics and Elanco have partnered together to bring the latest trends and analysis relative to seafood sales at retail. September seafood inflation was […]
Posted inCenter Store, Southeast
Savannah Bee Company Named Finalist At 2022 Grace Awards
The Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence Awards named Savannah Bee Company a finalist for Industry Partner of the Year. The GRACE Awards were held at the Georgia Aquarium on Sept. 27 with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and awards with about 500 guests in attendance. The ceremony featured Andre Dickens, Atlanta’s mayor, who gave […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Encourages Coin Circulation As Challenges Persist
FMI – The Food Industry Association is encouraging all Americans to assist in increasing coin circulation in October during “Get Coin Moving” Month to support businesses that rely on coins for everyday cash transactions. Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI president and CEO, highlighted the ongoing disruptions to coin circulation in a statement, saying: “The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel Grocery Named Wholesaler Of The Year, Celebrates Anniversary
London, Kentucky-based Laurel Grocery has been named The Shelby Report of the Southeast and The Shelby Report of the Midwest’s 2022 Wholesaler of the Year. The wholesaler is also celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022. Join us in the pages that follow as we learn about its history and how it serves independent grocers today. To […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Expands House Brand With Coconut Oil
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers has added Organic Extra Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil to its line of Natural Grocers Brand Products, the company’s house brand. Available in three sizes (17.5 ounce, 32 ounce, 48 ounce), this organic staple joins the Natural Grocers Brand Product line, established in 2016, which includes more than 800 products, available at Natural […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
Edible Garden Appoints Pawlowski To Board Of Directors
Belvidere, New Jersey-based Edible Garden AG Inc. has appointed Deborah K. Pawlowski to its board of directors, effective Oct. 14. Pawlowski has also been appointed to the audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees of the board and has been appointed as chair of the compensation committee. “We are pleased to welcome Deborah Pawlowski to the Edible […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Columbia Grain International Expands Footprint With New Facility
Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Grain International has expanded its footprint with the opening of a packaging facility in Nebraska. According to a survey from the Food Industry Association in the second quarter of 2022, 70 percent of retailers reported that supply chain turmoil is continuing within their businesses. Columbia Grain International has broadened its footprint across the supply chain, streamlining its operations as a supplier […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
SEPC Partners With Nonprofits To Aid Hurricane Disaster Relief
Due to the need for disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Ian, the Southeast Produce Council has made a $10,000 donation to Samaritan’s Purse and its three Disaster Relief Units in Florida – Fort Myers, Englewood and Punta Gorda. “We are so very grateful for the gracious support of the Southeast Produce Council. It […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Giant Food Donates $766K To Prevent Food Insecurity
Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food has donated $765,977 to help address food insecurity among children within the communities it serves. From June 16-Aug. 7, Giant held its new customer giving campaign, “Nourishing Our Youth.” During the campaign, customers were given the option to round up their grocery purchases to donate to their local public schools’ food programs. One […]
Posted inBeverage News, West
Veryfi Analyzes Consumers’ Coke, Pepsi Shopping Patterns
San Mateo, California-based Veryfi analyzed the receipts of Coke and Pepsi buyers to discern consumer shopping patterns showing that Coke buyers are loading up their shopping carts with PepsiCo’s snack food brands, and are also favoring Pepsi’s Gatorade over Coke’s Powerade. This latest installment of Veryfi Insights analyzes data spanning more than 20 U.S. grocers nationwide to examine brand […]
Posted inDairy News, Midwest
American Egg Board Launches Eggcelerator Lab
The Chicago-based American Egg Board has launched the Eggcelerator Lab, a network of innovation and insights capabilities, resources and expertise designed to bring new egg-based ideas to market. “The Eggcelerator Lab is aligned with the American Egg Board’s mission to drive demand for U.S. eggs and egg products, while unlocking new potential value for customers […]
Posted inDairy News, Northeast
Heritage Kulfi Expands Distribution In Retail, Foodservice
Heritage Kulfi, a family-owned business based in Princeton, New Jersey, has been expanding since its recent marketplace debut in 2022. The brand is now available in specialty and gourmet grocers, natural markets and regionally focused outlets, including South Asian, Middle Eastern and East Asian stores and growing. It is also gaining popularity among foodservice operators and […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest
Purina, St. Louis Blues Unveil Doghouse Penalty Box For Season
Ahead of the start of the 2022-23 NHL regular season, the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club has unveiled the Purina Doghouse, a new moniker for the away team’s penalty box at Enterprise Center in downtown St. Louis. Visits to the Purina Doghouse will trigger a $100 donation each time a player visits the away team penalty box from […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
Hormel Foods Appoints Aakre As SVP Of Brand Fuel
Austin, Minnesota-based Hormel Foods Corporation has appointed Scott Aakre as SVP of brand fuel. Aakre’s appointment follows the company’s announcement of an operating model evolution that includes a new retail segment, powered by a brand fuel center of excellence. Brand Fuel will be the hub for innovation, consumer and shopper insights, brand diagnostics and supporting technology […]
Posted inPackaging News, Amazon Fresh, Snacks Brands, Southwest, Whole Foods
Tajín Holds Contest For Variety Pack Artwork, Names Winner
Houston, Texas-based Tajín International Co. recently concluded the Fan Pack Design Contest in a private ceremony where Cristina López won a grand prize of $10,000, receiving $5,000 and donating $5,000 to the nonprofit organization Amigos de las Americas. Tajín also unveiled the Variety Pack – new packaging with the winning design. In June, Tajín launched a contest to select the new […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
The Fresh Market Surpasses 1M Loyalty Club Members
Greensboro, North Carolina-based The Fresh Market is celebrating its rewards program reaching more than one million members. The Ultimate Loyalty Experience launched in March and last week marked reaching the milestone in less than seven months. The company researched best in class loyalty programs and tailored the Ultimate Loyalty Experience to meet the needs of its guests. The […]
Posted inDairy News, Southwest
Vital Farms Begins ‘Keeping It BS-Free’ Brand Campaign
Austin, Texas-based Vital Farms has announced its new brand campaign titled “Keeping it BS-Free.” This campaign challenges viewers to rethink widespread practices including misleading labels like cage-free, hollow corporate initiatives and poor worker conditions. This is the latest effort to support Vital Farms’ stakeholder community, including its crew members, customers and consumers, suppliers and farmers, stockholders and […]
Posted inCenter Store, West
Bounty, Brit + Co Partner For Paper Towel Design Competition
San Francisco-based Brit + Co, in partnership with Procter & Gamble’s Bounty, recently concluded a National Design Competition through which eight finalists will see their work featured on the new Brit + Co and Bounty paper towel collection themed, “A Clean Fresh Start.” “Brit + Co was created to give women a daily spark of […]