The Southeast Produce Council has announced its lineup of speakers for upcoming Southern Innovations, Sept. 22-24. Held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, the conference will continue to build upon SEPC’s “What’s New?” platform, which debuted during last year’s conference. The sessions and speakers for the expo are: Keynote Speaker […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Fareway, The Children’s Charity Partner For Round Up Campaign
Fareway Stores Inc. is partnering with Variety – the Children’s Charity to conduct the sixth annual Round Up at the register from July 4-23 at all 130 store locations. Customers will have the opportunity to round up to the next dollar or provide an additional donation on their grocery bill to help fund Variety’s mission. […]
Posted inDairy News, West
Tillamook Named Official Ice Cream Of Six Flags Park
Tillamook, Oregon-based Tillamook Ice Cream has been named the “Official Scoopable Ice Cream” of Six Flags’ theme and water park locations nationwide. Tillamook Ice Cream is available in eight flavors, including Butter Pecan, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Cookies & Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip, Oregon Strawberry, Rocky Road, and Vanilla Bean. Tillamook Ice Cream is made with […]
Posted inBeverage News, National
Diageo, The Vita Coco Co. Collaborate For Canned Cocktail Line
Diageo and The Vita Coco Company have announced their collaboration to launch a line of canned cocktails crafted with a blend of Captain Morgan rum and Vita Coco coconut water. “Cocktail drinkers are looking for convenient ways to enjoy high quality classic tropical drinks, especially rum-based ones,” said Debra Crew, president, Diageo North America. “As […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Southeastern Grocers Raises $1.25M In Support For Folds Of Honor
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc. has donated $1,255,000 to Folds of Honor. The grocer held its fifth annual community donation program from May 25 through July 5 in support of the organization and its mission to provide educational scholarships. The fifth tour of giving launched with an initial commitment of $100,000 from the grocer’s charitable arm, […]
Posted inDairy News, International Foods, Southwest
LALA Introduces ‘Licuados’ Breakfast Smoothies
Dallas, Texas-based LALA U.S. is introducing authentic licuados – traditional Mexican breakfast smoothies containing milk, fruit and oats – to dairy cases in Walmart and Hispanic-specialty grocers this month. “LALA Licuados are the perfect way to start your morning,” said Matt Okeson, head of marketing, research and development for LALA U.S. “With the goodness of […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Executive News, Northeast
The Giant Co. Names Williams As Director Of Non-Foods
Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based The Giant Company has named Ted Williams as director of non-foods. In this role, he will be responsible for areas like health and personal care, seasonal, general merchandise, pet supplies, candy and baby. A 30-year industry veteran, Williams previously worked in Ahold USA as a category management business consultant and with Giant Food as the […]
Posted inProduce News, West
SAVRpak Debuts Moisture Control Technology To Triple Produce Shelf Life
San Juan Capistrano, California-based SAVRpak has launched its SAVRpak Drop-In, the first moisture control technology that extends the shelf life and freshness of produce up to three times. The technology does this by eradicating the No. 1 cause of premature molding, wilting and spoilage of peel-less and packaged produce, including berries, leafy greens and mini cucumbers: condensation. Trials […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southeast
Tosca Acquires Bristol Manufacturing’s Cheese Box Division
Atlanta, Georgia-based Tosca has acquired Bristol Manufacturing’s cheese box division. The acquisition includes two facilities in Springfield, Missouri, and Canton, New York, allowing Tosca to add capacity for future growth, expand its geographic reach and insource all of its wash and reconditioning services for the Tosca 640 cheese containers. Bristol Manufacturing is a reconditioning and repair company […]
Posted inBeverage News, Southwest
Sonic Launches Hard Southern Sweet Tea And Hard Slush
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Sonic is introducing Hard Southern Sweet Tea and Hard Slush in retail stores in September. Following the success of the Hard Seltzer lineup, the new beverages will be available at select retail stores in at least 38 states. Hard Southern Sweet Tea offers a taste of tea with a hint of lemon. At […]
Posted inDairy News, Northeast
Ben & Jerry’s Joins Hiring Program For At-Risk Youth
New York-based Ben & Jerry’s has announced its participation in Unlock Potential, an employment program for young people who are at greatest risk of incarceration. Through it, employers aim to use hiring to advance racial equity, recruit the next generation of corporate leaders and help disrupt the poverty-to-prison pipeline. “The importance of second-chance employment efforts […]
Posted inDairy News, Midwest
Land O’Lakes Launches Cheese Line In Wisconsin
Land O Lakes Cheese can now be found in the dairy case section of the grocery store with seven products in select retailers. Wisconsin farmers supply the milk that is shipped to the Land O’Lakes Kiel, Wisconsin plant, where it is made into cheese. After decades of hand selecting the cheese being produced in Kiel, senior cheese grader Steve Schnell can buy the […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Jet-Puffed Marshmallows Launch Glow-In-The-Dark Packaging
Chicago-based Kraft Heinz and its brand, Jet-Puffed, is launching Camp S’mores packaging this summer. The new packaging features a glow-in-the-dark bag that that the company hopes will create “for s’more exciting campfire fun for the whole family.” “As we gear up for…summer and prime marshmallow roasting season, we wanted to give fans a way to […]
Posted inDairy News, West
Alden’s Organic Gives Away Scoops For National Ice Cream Month
To celebrate National Ice Cream month in July, Eugene, Oregon-based Alden’s Organic is giving away 10,000 scoops of organic ice cream. Consumers will have opportunities to win through giveaways hosted on the Alden’s social media accounts. To complete each prize pack, the family-owned brand Edward & Sons, will also be providing organic ice cream cones […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest
Convenience Is King To Today’s Meat Consumers
By Michael Uetz, managing principal, Midan Marketing, strategic meat marketing, research and creative communications agency. Fall is once again right around the corner, bringing with it school, homework and extracurriculars that push the average consumer’s schedule into overdrive. On top of that, inflation is at an all-time high, adding one more layer of stress to […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Harris Teeter Launches Backpack Boosters Round Up Campaign
Matthews, North Carolina-based Harris Teeter has launched its Backpack Boosters Round Up Campaign to help provide nutritious meals and school supplies to students in need. Through Aug. 23, shoppers are invited to round up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar to support this effort. The funds collected through Backpack Boosters will benefit local food bank […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Verloop Named Executive Director, CEO Of California Walnut Board
The California Walnut Board and the California Walnut Commission have named Robert Verloop as executive director and CEO, effective July 11. The CWB and CWC represent more than 4,500 California walnut growers and nearly 90 handlers, producing more than 1.4 billion pounds of walnuts in 2021 that ship to 50 countries. “We are excited to […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Center Store, Southwest
Peak Rock Capital Affiliate Sells TNT Crust To General Mills
Austin, Texas-based Peak Rock Capital has announced the close of its sale of TNT Crust to General Mills Inc. Headquartered in St. Charles, Missouri, TNT is a provider of partially baked and self-rising pizza crusts. TNT serves a blue-chip customer base, including foodservice distributors, national pizza chains and retail brands. “Peak Rock has played a critical role […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Walmart Concludes 2022 Annual Open Call Event
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart had more than 1,100 businesses pitch products to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants June 28-29 at its ninth annual Open Call. Preliminary results indicate that more than 330 of those pitches resulted in a deal for businesses to sell their items to Walmart customers through placement on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves. Additionally, […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southeast, Sustainability News
DS Smith, University Of Georgia Partner To Support Local Wildlife
DS Smith, a leading paper and packaging producer, and the University of Georgia are coming to the rescue of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats, southeastern gopher tortoises and other critical animal species that call Southeast Georgia home. They are among hundreds of rare, threatened or endangered species that UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources identified […]