Sponsored Content For years, maybe even decades, you’ve been told that you need to “go digital” with your store’s marketing. Well, it’s 2022 and I’m willing to bet that you’ve taken at least one, if not a handful, of your marketing tactics in a digital direction. So, here are two questions you’re likely to ask […]
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 inPlant-Based News, National
Acosta Report Finds 40% Of Shoppers Buy Plant-Based Products
Acosta, a global integrated sales and marketing services provider, released its latest research report, “Plant-Based Eating: Trend or Fad?” The report explores consumers’ increased interest in purchasing plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. According to Acosta’s research, 40 percent of today’s shoppers buy alternative meat and/or dairy products, citing health as their key motivating factor. “Consumers’ […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Hydroponic Farm Company Says Lettuce Shortage Is A Global Crisis
Advanced Container Technologies Inc. has announced that GrowPods, transportable modular hydroponic farms, can help reduce the global lettuce shortage. The crisis began back in 2020. According to Growing Produce, California lettuce growers faced hotter-than-average temperatures and crop diseases that led to a shortage of iceberg and romaine lettuce. These tight conditions bled into 2021. Mintec reported that lettuce increased in price 67 […]
Posted inDairy News, Southwest
Food King, Partners Donate Milk For Lubbock Meals On Wheels
Food King, Gandy’s Dairy and Kemp’s Ice Cream donated and delivered 18,400 “Giving Cow” milks June 16 to the Lubbock Meals on Wheels and its recipients. Lubbock Meals on Wheels prepares, packages and delivers hot meals to more than 800 vulnerable people each weekday. Between the rising cost of food and packaging, along with ongoing […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Golf Tournament Raises $1.25M For Food Organization
Meijer held its 2022 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give June 16-19 at the Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. Jennifer Kupcho won the event, which surpassed its increased fundraising goal. Tournament officials announced the event generated $1.25 million for the Meijer Simply Give program, surpassing its increased goal. This donation will help stock the shelves of 262 food pantries the retailer […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast, Supply Chain News
Giant Food Deploys Two Electric Vehicles For Customer Deliveries
Giant Food, a greater Washington D.C. regional grocery chain, has deployed two new electric Giant Delivers vehicles. The electric step-van vehicles join Giant’s fleet of 128 vehicles based in Hanover, Maryland, making daily deliveries to customers throughout Giant’s markets of Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. The deployment was made possible through a grant awarded […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, West
OLIPOP Launches Limited-Edition ‘Minions’ Banana Cream Flavor
Oakland, California-based OLIPOP has announced a partnership with Illumination and Universal Pictures to create a limited-edition Banana Cream flavor, timed with the global theatrical release of “Minions: The Rise of Gru” on July 1. Gopuff, a CPG delivery company, will also be selling single cans in select markets beginning in mid-June. The flavor will be available […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast
Little Leaf Farms Raises $300M In Capital To Continue Its Growth
Devens, Massachusetts-based Little Leaf Farms has raised $300 million in new capital, with equity financing led by The Rise Fund and debt funding from Bank of America. The capital will support the growth and expansion of farms and distribution, making Little Leaf Farms’ local lettuces accessible to more than half of the country’s population by 2026. Immediate expansion and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Price Rite Partners With Feed The Children On Food Donation
Keasby, New Jersey-based Price Rite Marketplace has extended its Feeding Minds & Bodies initiative in partnership with Feed the Children for the eighth year. This initiative, benefiting an estimated 22,000 individuals through eight community events, will not only supply families with fresh food and personal care essentials but also provide the educational tools children need. Since […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
International Marketplace Bounces Back In Point Roberts
Ali Hayton, owner of Point Roberts International Marketplace, went through a difficult 2021. When she last spoke to The Shelby Report in April of that year, she had lost a substantial amount of foot traffic and revenue due to the Canada-U.S. border closure that stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic. Point Roberts, a small town near […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Entrepreneurs Launch Nabaco’s NatuWrap To Extend Produce Freshness
Gary Beall and Rusty Phillips have teamed up with experts in the produce industry to accelerate the growth of San Marcos, Texas-based Nabaco Inc. Nabaco manufactures a revolutionary safe and edible coating, called NatuWrap, that extends the shelf life of produce. The patented, sustainable NatuWrap coating keeps moisture in, while keeping oxygen and unwanted microorganisms out. The odorless, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southeast
Southeastern Grocers Expands Supplier Program With ReposiTrak
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc. is using ReposiTrak MarketPlace to increase its purchasing from businesses with diverse and underrepresented ownership. With ReposiTrak MarketPlace, Southeastern Grocers is implementing an automated solution that makes it easier for diverse and underrepresented suppliers to introduce their product offerings and special certifications, with no associated costs. “Working with ReposiTrak to tailor […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Sam’s Club Celebrates Independence Day With $8 Membership Offer
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Sam’s Club is offering its club membership for less than a fourth of the everyday price, for a limited time, and offering members savings on seasonal merchandise. According to the warehouse retailer’s recent survey, approximately 70 percent of its members are planning to attend or host a cookout or gathering to celebrate Independence Day […]
Posted inDairy News, Midwest
AgCertain Industries Acquires Maytag Dairy Farms
Ames, Iowa-based AgCertain Industries Inc. has acquired Newton, Iowa-based Maytag Dairy Farms, manufacturer and marketer of Maytag Blue Cheese as well as other specialty artisanal food and beverage products. Midwest Growth Partners, a shareholder of AgCertain Industries and the previous owner of Maytag Dairy Farms, has expanded its investment in AgCertain Industries by facilitating the […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
IRI: Meat Volume Remained Pressured As Inflation Persists
To document the ever-changing nature of the marketplace, IRI, 210 Analytics and Marriner Marketing have continued to team up to bring the latest trends and analysis relative to meat department sales, including fresh and processed items. The average price per pound in the meat department across all cuts and kinds, both fixed and random weight, […]
Posted inDairy News, West
Rogue Creamery Ranked Oregon Business’ 2022 Best Green Workplaces
Central Point, Oregon-based Rogue Creamery has been ranked No. 1 in Oregon Business Magazine’s annual list of the 100 Best Green Workplaces in the state. Though the cheesemaker has consistently made the list for 13 years in a row, this is the first year Rogue Creamery earned first place. Oregon Business annually showcases companies and nonprofits […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Dairy News, Harris Teeter, Northeast
Cabot Creamery Launches Boxed Mac & Cheese At Harris Teeter, Publix
Waitsfield, Vermont-based Cabot Creamery Co-operative boxed Mac & Cheese has launched in Harris Teeter and Publix locations. The boxed Mac and Cheese takes 10 minutes to prepare and comes in three flavors: Seriously Sharp, Pepper Jack and classic Yellow Cheddar. Made with organic pasta and aged Cabot Cheddar, the product has 10 grams of protein per […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
CBA Reports Steep Wholesale Prices Show Cost Pressures For CPG
The Consumer Brands Association warned that manufacturers continue to face steep production costs as the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers hover near historic levels. The May Producer Price Index showed a 10.8 percent year-over-year rise, still near record highs. On a monthly basis, PPI rose 0.8 percent. For food specifically, wholesale prices rose 12.6 percent, […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Wheaties Recognizes Simone Biles On 100th Anniversary Box
In honor of its 100th anniversary, Minneapolis-based Wheaties is featuring gymnast Simone Biles as the finale box of its Century Series and year-long commemorative celebration. Biles’s accomplishments include a record-breaking seven National All-Around titles, three consecutive and five overall World All-Around Titles, seven Olympic medals and pioneering four gymnastic skills named in her honor. But […]
Posted inProduce News, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Mr Greens Partners With Pepper To Launch Mobile Ordering Platform
Mr Greens has launched mobile and web ordering for customers powered by Pepper, an e-commerce platform for food distributors, to provide a faster, reliable and modern ordering experience. Mr Greens’ clients include restaurants, hotels, country clubs, caterers, grocery stores and retail outlets across the U.S. The company is expanding with five distribution centers in Miami, Plant […]