Kansas City, Kansas-based Balls Food Stores and David Ball, its chairman, CEO and president, have announced five senior management changes that they say reflect the company’s commitment to employees, customers and communities. Scott Bayne has been promoted to chief operating officer. Bayne, who has more than 44 years of food industry experience, has been with […]
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 inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Slider, Midwest
SpartanNash Contract Extended By U.S. Defense Commissary Agency
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash says the U.S. Defense Commissary Agency has extended its contract to provide private label products to all DeCA commissaries through Dec. 15, 2025. “We are proud and grateful that DeCA has entrusted SpartanNash with a three-year contract extension as we work to strengthen our partnership in service of America’s military heroes and their […]
Posted inCOVID News, Home Page Slider, National
Catalina Reports Shopping Behavior For CPG Brands Continues To Shift
Two years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, Catalina has continued to monitor its Buyer Intelligence Platform to track the pandemic’s impact on buying behavior at grocery stores across the U.S. Many categories that experienced high growth during the pandemic’s first year have retreated partially, but remain […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Giant Eagle Adopts SmartSense IoT Framework Across All Supermarkets
Boston-based SmartSense, part of Digi International – a global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity solutions – has expanded its relationship with Giant Eagle Inc. SmartSense protects Giant Eagle’s 215 pharmacies and provides digital task management for its 175 grocery properties and 92 convenience stores. With the latest phase of IoT deployment including 32,000 new SmartSense digital […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, West
Cornell-Sun World Partnership Releases New Grape Varieties
Two newly released grape varieties, developed between Cornell AgriTech and Bakersfield, California-based Sun World International, a global fruit genetics and licensing company, offer new flavors for consumers and better growing characteristics for farmers. Sugrafiftytwo, an ultra-early ripening green seedless grape variety with a muscat flavor, and Sugrasixty, a midseason red variety with large berries and a […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Slider, Southwest
North Texas Food Bank, DoorDash Partner To Deliver Meals To Seniors
The North Texas Food Bank is partnering with DoorDash to distribute meals to seniors experiencing hunger who face barriers to accessing food, such as immobility, lack of transportation or remote location. As part of its Project DASH initiative, DoorDash drivers deliver boxes from food banks to homes, providing food banks with additional resources to assist seniors and other […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Wisconsin Grocers Association Board Elects New Officers
The Wisconsin Grocers Association has elected Jim Hyland, Bob Jaskolski and Kevin Metcalfe to serve on its board of directors. WGA officers serve for a term of one year. At each of the WGA board meetings, the group reviews programs and activities of the association, including events, membership programs, services and member benefits and government […]
Posted inPlant-Based News, Home Page Slider, Southwest
Meati Debuts Its Whole-Cut Meat Alternative Product Lineup
Boulder, Colorado-based Meati has launched its first national consumer offerings: the Meati Classic Cutlet and Meati Crispy Cutlet – with a Steak Filet option available later this spring. All cuts are made of mycelium, a superfood protein similar to the root structure of mushrooms. Meati’s official market debut marks the largest step in the company’s mission to deliver scalable, high-quality and minimally […]
Posted inDeli News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Mann Packing Co., Mezete Partner To Create Mediterranean Products
Mann Packing Co., a subsidiary of Coral Gables, Florida-based Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., has partnered with Mezete, a ready-to-eat food brand, to bring a line of popular hummus products to American shoppers nationwide. True to authentic and gourmet Eastern Mediterranean flavors, Mezete products contain natural ingredients with no preservatives that are ready-to-eat, long-lasting and do not require refrigeration. […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Save Foods’ Latest Trial Boosts Shelf Life Of Strawberries
Miami, Florida-based Save Foods says that a recent trial on strawberries revealed promising results whereby Save Foods’ research and development team managed to extend the shelf life of the fruit. Fresh strawberries have one of the highest levels of waste of all fresh produce, with an estimated 64 percent of strawberries lost before they are […]
Posted inBeverage News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Splash Beverage Group Launches TapouT In Winn Dixie Locations
Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Splash Beverage Group and its brand, TapouT, will begin distributing the beverage in 485 Winn-Dixie stores in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. Founded in 1925, Winn-Dixie grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies operate over 529 stores serving communities throughout five southeastern states. Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. is a subsidiary of Southeastern Grocers, […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Southeast, Sustainability News
Publix Employees Go Green For Week Of Service
During its week of service March 20-26, more than 6,200 Publix employees across the company’s operating areas will be volunteering at over 220 state parks and nonprofit organizations focused on environmental sustainability. Launched in 2015, Publix Serves is one of the company’s community programs uniting its more than 230,000 associates in community service efforts. “Our […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Southeastern Grocers Named A ‘Most Trusted Company’ By Newsweek
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc. has been featured as the top supermarket in the retail space in Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Trusted Companies 2022.” Southeastern Grocers is ranked third among 32 businesses and is one of 400 U.S. companies recognized for customer and employee trust. This award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, West
Roth’s Fresh Markets Acquires Chuck’s Produce And Street Market
Salem, Oregon-based Roth’s Fresh Markets has acquired the Vancouver, Washington retailer, Chuck’s Produce and Street Market. Chuck’s Produce and Street Market operates two locations in Vancouver’s Mill Plain and Salmon Creek communities and has built its success on a commitment to providing fresh, local food with a focus on friendly neighborhood service. Chuck’s Produce and […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Death Wish Coffee Co. Launches Limited Edition Blend And Packaging
Saratoga Springs, New York-based Death Wish Coffee Co. has launched a new blend called “Run the Day” that combines Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee beans with Indian Robusta to create a complex, medium roast coffee. This marks the launch of the first-ever Grind for Good blend, which will support the Girls Gotta Run Foundation, a nonprofit organization that empowers […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Retail Business Services Hosts First Innovation Discovery Days
Quincy, Massachusetts-based Retail Business Services has wrapped its first Innovation Discovery Days where employees from Retail Business Services’ Retail Innovation Center of Excellence and IT, alongside colleagues from ADUSA Supply Chain, Peapod Digital Labs and each of Ahold Delhaize USA’s local brands, evaluated solutions from 17 start-ups for their potential to enhance the omnichannel retail experience. “As […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
The Fresh Market Launches First Rewards Program
Greensboro, North Carolina-based The Fresh Market has unveiled its first rewards program called “The Ultimate Loyalty Experience.” Guests of The Fresh Market can join the company’s rewards program to “Sign up & Save,” receiving exclusive savings on products, earn rewards and can get a free slice of birthday cake during their birthday month. Available in […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, West
Weee! Raises $425M In Series E Round Financing
Fremont, California-based Weee! has secured $425 million in Series E financing led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Greyhound Capital also participated in this round alongside the company’s existing investors. The capital will be used to expand Weee!’s platform offering across new and existing ethnicities, and scale grocery and food delivery services to new geographies providing more […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Slider, Midwest
AWG Reports Annual Reports At Shareholders Meeting
Kansas City-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. reported record consolidated company sales of $10.8 billion, an increase of 1.68 percent on a comparable basis over 2020 and distributed $247 million in year-end patronage, following the AWG Annual Shareholders Meeting on March 21. AWG’s cooperative sales were $9.8 billion, up 1.39 percent. The total distribution of cooperative benefits […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Ardent Mills Opens New Facility In Gibsonton, FL
Ardent Mills has opened its new Port Redwing Mill in Gibsonton, Florida. The mill builds upon Ardent Mills’ growth plan by strengthening supply chain agility, increasing efficiency and product consistency and expanding the ability to meet customer needs. The 150,000-square-foot mill has the ability to produce up to 1.75 million pounds of flour per day and […]