Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food has hired Brian Wanner as VP of human resources, effective May 9. In his new role, Wanner will be responsible for leading end-to-end human resources functions, including spearheading the development and evolution of a human resources strategy that continues to foster a culture of inclusion, learning and engagement. Previously, Wanner served as […]
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 inMarketing News, Southeast
The Fresh Market Launches Free Food Sweepstakes For Loyalty Members
Greensboro, North Carolina-based The Fresh Market’s has launched its “Win Free Fresh Food and More for One Year” sweepstakes. The grocer is inviting guests to “sign up and save” through June 28 as each transaction a loyalty member makes will count as an entry to win. The Fresh Market will select 160 members, one from each store, to be […]
Posted inProduce News, Marketing News, Southeast
Dole Launches Astrology-Based Salad Recipe Series
Beyond ingredient variety, nutritional value, taste and ease of preparation, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Dole Food Company Inc. has added another selection criteria to the 12 recipes featured during its “Healthier by Dole” salad recipe series in May: the alignment of the stars. The produce leader has released a dozen original recipes linked to the specific astrological […]
Posted inDairy News, Midwest
Anchor Dairy Launches Organic Carbon Zero Certified Butter
Chicago-based Anchor Dairy, the consumer brand of the New Zealand-based dairy co-operative Fonterra, has launched its Organic Carbon Zero Certified Butter. The trend toward both clean label and sustainable products continues to increase and consumers are taking these factors into consideration when making purchasing decisions. Audited and verified by Toitū Envirocare, an independent certifier that […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Giant Food Named Title Sponsor Of The National Capital Barbecue Battle
For the seventh consecutive year, Maryland-based Giant Food will be the title sponsor of the 30th annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle. After taking place virtually for the past two years, the event will return in-person June 25-26 in Washington, D.C., and will benefit the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore. The two-day event along iconic Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues, between […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, West
Calavo Growers Announces Departure Of CFO Matute
Santa Paula, California-based Calavo Growers Inc., an avocado-industry provider of value-added fresh food, has announced Mariela Matute, CFO, will be leaving for a CFO role at another company. She will remain with Calavo through May 19 to assist with the transition. Brian W. Kocher, Calavo’s president and CEO, will assume the role of the company’s […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Avocados From Mexico Introduces Guactail For Cinco De Mayo
Irving, Texas-based Avocados From Mexico is showing consumers new ways to celebrate with avocados this Cinco de Mayo with the introduction of Guactail. To bring the Guactail to life, Avocados From Mexico teamed up with author, food and wine expert Antoni Porowski to create the Guactail. The drink takes a spin on a fruit-forward daquiri […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National
NGA Urges Swipe Fee Reform, Calls For End To Anticompetitive Tactics
The National Grocers Association called on lawmakers to fix the “broken” U.S. card payments system and stem the rising tide of swipe fees that compound the impact of inflation and cost merchants and consumers billions of dollars annually. NGA submitted a statement for the record to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary in advance […]
Posted inPackaging News, Northeast, Sustainability News
NJFC Releases Statement On Plastic Bag Legislation And Implementation
The New Jersey Food Council and Linda Doherty, president and CEO, issued a statement May 4 in response to the recent plastic bag legislation passed. “After many years of being in the middle of policy discussions on single-use paper and plastic bags, and polystyrene, this landmark plastic legislation, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy on Nov. […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Packaging News
Consumer Insights Inspire Occasion Innovation Through Packaging
Sponsored Content There is no denying that consumers are spending more time at home since the start of the pandemic. New patterns of eating and snacking at home have taken hold. This creates an opportunity to exercise a different kind of innovation, one that meets new occasions with the tried-and-true beloved brands, packaged in different […]
Posted inProduce News, National
IRI Report Shows Fresh Produce Sales Increased From 2020
To document the changing nature of the marketplace, IRI, Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics and Marriner Marketing have teamed up to continue to bring the latest trends and analysis relative to fresh produce sales. This is the sixth in a series of reports presented by IRI, discussing inflation trends. Fresh produce prices are up from last year, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
Cognira To Provide AI Promotion Solution For Cub Locations
Cognira has announced a new relationship with Stillwater, Minnesota-based Cub to manage the company’s promotions with the help of Cognira’s Artificial Intelligence Promotion Solution. Cub is one of the largest grocers in the Midwest, operating 80 grocery stores and pharmacies. Modernizing the promotion management process is a part of Cub’s vision to discover a solution that can better plan, […]
Posted inDairy News, West
Häagen-Dazs Launches City Sweets Collection Nationwide
Oakland, California-based Häagen-Dazs ice cream, with the help of singer and actress Leslie Grace, has announced the nationwide availability of its new City Sweets collection. City Sweets is a new collection of flavors inspired by recognizable street food desserts. From street vendor pretzels and crispy churros to waffles and New York’s classic black and white […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National, Supply Chain News
Rising Retail Prices Will Increasingly Test Consumers’ Appetite For Meat
U.S. consumer demand for retail meat remains exceptionally strong despite higher prices stemming from increased production costs and supply chain limitations. However, once the full effects of producer price inflation finally hit retail meat cases, consumer demand for meat will be tested again, according to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. “Retail meat prices will […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Tyson Foods CEO Reports Beef Prices Driven By Demand And Inflation
A combination of market forces, including consistently strong demand for finished beef, constrained production due to labor shortages caused by the global pandemic and record inflation, have been driving current beef prices, according to Donnie King, president and CEO of Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods. He made these remarks in a prepared testimony delivered to the […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Executive News, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix VP Litz To Retire At End Of May
Lakeland, Flordia-based Publix has released that Chris Litz, VP of product business development for meat, seafood, bakery, grocery refrigerated and frozen, will retire from the company, effective May 31. “Over the years, Chris has led and supported strategic efforts to improve our operations and service to our customers,” said Kevin Murphy, president. “We appreciate his […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Inline Plastics Expands Footprint With New Facility In Gladwin, MI
Inline Plastics, a manufacturer of high-quality PET (polyethylene terephthalate) food packaging, has opened a new manufacturing plant in Gladwin, Michigan, at the former Cam Packaging facility. The announcement was made recently at the company’s corporate headquarters in Shelton, Connecticut. The Michigan facility is already up and running under its new Inline banner. “We are excited […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, Northeast
Gotham Greens, Grateful Dead Launch Grateful Greens
On the heels of Gotham Greens’ 10th anniversary celebration, the New York-based company has launched a new series of musical marketing partnerships featuring some of the most iconic bands and musicians that connect fans to their communities. Gotham Greens has entered into a partnership with the band, the Grateful Dead, on a limited-edition packaging and […]
Posted inBeverage News, Executive News, Northeast
The Vita Coco Company Announces Leadership Title Changes
The New York-based Vita Coco Company has announced new titles for the company’s co-CEOs Mike Kirban and Martin Roper. Kirban will assume the title of executive chairman of The Vita Coco Co. He will continue his daily work overseeing the company’s strategic growth and development. Roper will continue as CEO and his current role managing the company’s […]
Posted inProduce News, Marketing News, West
California Avocado Extends Advertising Campaign
The California Avocado Commission is extending its advertising campaign – “the best avocados have California in them.” This season’s ads feature visuals that point to the “CA” in the middle of the word “avocados,” and audio and other ads that call out the play on words in their tag lines. Consumer media is targeted to […]