Forbes Magazine has ranked New Seasons Market as the No. 1 Oregon-based employer and retailer, as noted in a market research study conducted with Statista. The ranking, which was compiled by surveying 70,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 500 employees, also noted Fremont, California-based Lam Research and Issaquah, Washington-based Costco Wholesale as the top employers in Oregon. “Amidst so […]
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.
MGA Holds Annual Best Bagger Contest
The Minnesota Grocers Association held its 34th annual statewide Best Bagger Contest Aug. 27 at MGA’s office in St. Paul, Minnesota. Contestants came from across the state to compete for the title. The eight participants were judged on speed, style, attitude, proper bag-building technique and weight distribution between the bags. Contest attendees witnessed the art […]
SymphonyAI Retail CPG Appoints Choudhary As President
Dallas-based SymphonyAI Retail CPG has appointed Manish Choudhary as president. Chris Koziol, current president, will transition out of the role Aug. 31 after having led the organization through business transformation. “It has been an honor leading the transformation of SymphonyAI Retail CPG, and I am proud of the solid track record and foundation we have established to […]
Weis Markets, Kellogg Donate $20K To Second Harvest Food Bank
Weis Markets and Kellogg Company have announced a donation of $20,000 and a truckload of food to the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania. The gift is part of the retailer’s annual Fight Hunger program. “As a company that’s committed to the communities we serve, it’s incredibly special for us […]
Vital Farms Launches Restorative Pasture-Raised Eggs
Austin, Texas-based Vital Farms has launched restorative pasture-raised eggs, produced using regenerative agriculture principles such as perennial rotations and cover crops. Vital Farms collaborated with regenerative thought leader Understanding Ag for more than a year to transition five farms to a core set of tenets that promote rich, nutrient-dense soil. “We applaud Vital Farms for taking steps to help restore the natural […]
Constellation Brands Contributes $700K To Nature Conservancy
Victor, New York-based Constellation Brands has announced a two-year commitment of $700,000 to The Nature Conservancy. This contribution is intended to benefit watersheds in communities where Constellation Brands operates, contributing to the company’s water replenishment targets first announced in April. In February, the company announced a $200,000 donation to support TNC’s broader Global Resilient Watersheds program, which is focused on […]
Coborn’s Joins CEO Action For Diversity, Inclusion Coalition
St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Coborn’s has announced that Chris Coborn, chairman and CEO, has joined the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion coalition. The organization is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to drive action and change in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. By signing this commitment, the grocer’s joins a partnership of more […]
Food Lion Expands Pickup Service At 15 Additional Stores
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion has announced the expansion of its grocery pickup service to 15 stores in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee. The grocer is offering shoppers their first pickup for free. The 15 stores that now feature grocery pickup services are in Blue Ridge and Dawsonville, Georgia; Clarksville, Columbia, East Ridge, Nashville and Smithville, Tennessee; […]
The United Family Donates $500K Through Charity Classic
Lubbock, Texas-based The United Family and its vendor partners have raised $500,000 for nonprofits through its Jacky Pierce Charity Classic golf tournament, which took place on Aug. 28-29. Before the annual dinner on Aug. 28, checks were presented to 27 organizations. Since its inception, The United Family’s JPCC golf tournament has raised more than $5.5 […]
Stater Bros. Markets Names Calvin As SVP, CMO
San Bernardino, California-based Stater Bros. Markets has appointed Rebecca Calvin as SVP and CMO, due to the upcoming retirement of Dennis McIntyre. Calvin will begin her role on Sept. 26, reporting to Pete Van Helden, CEO. She will also serve on the company’s executive leadership team. Calvin will lead the company’s marketing efforts which include the […]
IFPA Announces 2023 Board Of Directors
The International Fresh Produce Association has announced the slate of new directors for the 2023 IFPA Board of Directors. The volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership and their board term will begin at the end of October. The IFPA Board of Directors is led by the officers of the executive […]
Bako Sweet Concludes Summer Merchandising Contest
Bakersfield, California-based Bako Sweet has concluded its retail merchandising contest that ran May 20-July 4. Produce managers from Sprouts Colton Distribution Center were challenged to create the most creative displays using the brand’s organic sweet potato bags and Traeger grill-themed bin to promote sweet potato consumption during historically low sales months. As a result, stores that […]
Whole Foods Adds Carbone Fine Food Pasta Sauce To Shelves
New York-based Carbone Fine Food is available at select Whole Foods Market stores across the U.S., expanding its footprint into several new areas. “As one of the fastest growing food brands in the U.S., Carbone is thrilled to broaden our reach with Whole Foods Market,” said Eric Skae, CEO. “As grocery sales continue to rise and consumers […]
Old El Paso Introduces Tortilla Pockets With Sealed Bottoms
Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Old El Paso is introducing its new Tortilla Pockets. The easy-to-hold soft flour tortillas have a sealed bottom for easy filling and less mess. Old El Paso is celebrating taco night with “Bachelorette” and mom Ali Fedotowsky-Manno to share her family’s taco fixings and how she keeps mealtimes mess-free. “At my house we call […]
Brooklyn Cured Redesigns Sausage Line
New York-based Brooklyn Cured has redesigned its line of fully cooked sausages to match the look of the new flavors the company launched earlier this year. The designs feature fonts, graphics and colors that reflect each flavor, inspired by craft beverage design. The new packaging will begin shipping nationally in October. “Our sausage flavors are fun and exciting, […]
Elmhurst 1925 Expands Distribution At Whole Foods Market
Elma, New York-based Elmhurst 1925 has announced that three of its products – Chocolate Milked Oats, Unsweetened Milked Oats and Unsweetened Milked Cashews – will be sold across all Whole Foods Market locations nationwide. “More than ever, shoppers are seeking plant-based alternatives with wholesome, recognizable ingredients,” said Heba Mahmoud, senior director of brand marketing. “We’re thrilled to […]
Harpak-ULMA Introduces Cigno Tray Sealer To U.S. Operations
Taunton, Massachusetts-based Harpak-ULMA has announced the availability of Cigno, an automatic compact tray sealer that increases productivity in small-to-medium-sized food operations. Cigno is designed for simplicity with streamlined installation, low staff and infrastructure requirements and a gas flush design that eliminates the need for vacuum pumps and compressed air. Cigno’s smart, connected design supports augmented reality […]
Perdue Farms’ Indiana Facility Achieves Zero Waste Certification
Perdue Farms announced that its food-producing facility in Washington, Indiana, has earned GreenCircle Zero Waste to Landfill certification, making it the first U.S. turkey processing facility and third Perdue facility to earn this important third-party environmental validation. During the audit period between May 2021-April 2022, GreenCircle validated that the Indiana operation diverted 100 percent of its waste from going to landfills […]
Meijer Expands General Merchandise, Apparel Supplier Event
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer has begun seeking submissions from local and diverse-owned businesses for its Supplier Diversity event focusing on general merchandise and apparel. Vendors must provide video submissions, describing their brand and products, by Sept. 18 to be considered for the virtual event this fall. “While we’ve made great strides to ensure our vendors represent our […]
Doritos Launches Triangle Tracker Program Through Snapchat
Plano, Texas-based Doritos is launching the Triangle Tracker, a nationwide hunt where any triangle in the real world can unlock exclusive experiences and rewards. Through the Snapchat AR lens that converts any triangle into Doritos and weekly TikTok challenges, Doritos is taking over famous triangular landmarks in New York, Atlanta and Memphis by partnering with brands like Guess Originals, Vivid […]
