Lake Worth, Florida-based Green Life Farms, a controlled-environment agriculture grower, has announced its partnership with Cheney Brothers Inc., a family-owned and -operated regional food distributor. Green Life Farms will be the exclusive butterhead lettuce supplier to more than 5,000 Cheney Brothers customers. Green Life Farms operates two hydroponic greenhouses in Florida, with 11 more greenhouses in […]
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 inPackaging News, Home Page Slider, Plant-Based News, West
PeaTos Goes Plant-Based With A New Packaging Design And Mascot
Los Angeles, California-based PeaTos has announced the brand is going all plant-based and has unveiled an updated look featuring the new face of PeaTos, “sassy” female character, DJ_P. This news comes as the salty snack category is expected to reach $29 billion in 2022 “’For decades, the category has been dominated as a monopoly by PepsiCo subsidiary Frito-Lay, meaning […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Goya Donates Food To Aid Relief Efforts In Ukraine
Jersey City, New Jersey-based Goya and Goya Europa, the European arm of Goya Foods Inc., will distribute hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to the people of Ukraine in response to the international call for critical aid. Through the company’s facilities and distributors throughout Europe, the company is positioned to provide humanitarian aid and […]
Posted inBeverage News, Home Page Slider, International Foods, Southwest
Faire La Fête Increases Sales Thanks To Oklahoma Investors
First Growth Brands Inc. and its champagne brand Faire La Fête are growing fast, largely in part to early financial backing by Oklahoma-based investors. In 2018 and early 2019, a number of them saw potential in the brand and became early backers, while continuing their support through 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. The beverage’s sales have […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
NPFDA Recognizes Two Protein Leaders During Awards Reception
The St. Marys, Georgia-based National Protein and Food Distributors Association honored two industry leaders during its awards reception Jan. 26 at the Annual Protein Convention in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Laurie Pate, president of Foodlinx in Brentwood, California, was awarded the NPFDA Member of the Year Award. Joe Monroe, general manager of Columbia Meats in […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Home Page Slider, West
Albertsons Companies Announces Review of Strategic Alternatives
The Boise, Idaho-based board of directors of Albertsons Companies Inc. has commenced a board-led review of potential strategic alternatives aimed at enhancing Albertsons’ growth and maximizing shareholder value. The review will include an assessment of various balance sheet optimizations and capital return strategies, potential strategic or financial transactions and development of other strategic initiatives to complement […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Mondelēz’s SnackFutures Announces Start-Ups Selected For CoLab Class
SnackFutures, the Chicago-based Mondelēz International Inc. innovation and venture hub, has announced the 10 brands selected to participate in the CoLab class of 2022. The global snacking leader’s start-up engagement program is a collaborative effort between entrepreneurs and global experts to drive mutual growth through a 12-week curriculum. Each start-up also receives a $20,000 grant. The 2022 […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Slider, National
Needler Jr. Receives NGA’s Thomas K. Zaucha Award
The National Grocers Association, the trade association representing the independent grocery industry, presented the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award to Michael Needler Jr., president and CEO of Fresh Encounter Inc. The award, sponsored by Mondelēz International Inc., is presented annually to an independent retailer that demonstrates persistence, vision and creative entrepreneurship throughout the year. […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, West
Natural Delights To Push Medjool Date Sales For Ramadan With Displays
Yuma, Arizona-based Natural Delights is offering its two-, five- and 11-pound window boxes again this year to meet the need for Ramadan consumption. April kicks off the holiday, but shoppers are going to be looking for Medjool dates in bulk when peak sales season begins in the month leading up to the holiday. Medjool dates are considered […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Home Page Slider, National
Voortman Unveils Two New Cookie Varieties In Smaller, Poppable Size
Burlington, Ontario-based Voortman is rolling out two new sugar-free cookie varieties – Vanilla Shortbread and Iced Oatmeal – in a smaller, poppable size that give consumers a new way to snack when they’re craving something sweet. The treats are available at retailers nationwide. “Our new Voortman Sugar Free Mini Cookies tap into a growing desire among consumers for great-tasting, […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Amazon Fresh, Home Page Slider, National, Whole Foods
Dunnhumby Reports Americans Perceive Food Inflation Higher Than Reality
Dunnhumby, a global leader in customer data science, has released its findings from its two-year worldwide study of the impact of COVID-19 on customer attitudes and behavior across 23 countries. The ninth wave of the dunnhumby “Consumer Pulse Survey” found that U.S. consumers are now more worried about rising food prices, the economy and their own personal finances […]
Posted inPackaging News, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
SpartanNash Enhances ‘Our Family’ Cheese Line As Growth Expands
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has given its Our Family cheese products – including shreds, slices, snack bars, bites and parmesan – a new design and taste that are available in the dairy section of SpartanNash-supplied retailers. “During the pandemic, Americans had to get creative to keep meals at home interesting. Given the versatility of cheese, as both […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Rosie Launches Retailer-Branded Mobile App For Independent Grocers
Ithaca, New York-based Rosie has launched its first retailer-branded mobile app for independent grocers. The first retailers to launch on the Apple and Google Play stores with their branded app are Crop’s Fresh Marketplace, a single store operator located in Pennsylvania, and Gerrity’s Supermarkets, located in Pennsylvania with nine locations. Rosie is on pace to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Southeastern Grocers Foundation Donates $250K For Relief In Ukraine
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc., together with the SEG Gives Foundation, has announced a donation of $250,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross to support Ukraine and its citizens as they fight to defend the country. Beginning Feb. 28, SEG will also donate 100 percent of the proceeds from its private label Ukrainian […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Launches ‘Feeding More Together’ Donation Campaign
Lakeland, Florida-based Publix, along with its customers, is working to help put food on the tables of neighbors in need through the “Feeding More Together” donation campaign. This program supports food banks throughout the Southeast in two ways: with nonperishable food items and with fresh produce purchased from Southeastern farmers. Customers can donate any dollar amount […]
Posted inGelson's, Home Page Slider, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Gelson’s Celebrates Mardi Gras With Crawfish And Shrimp Boil
Encino, California-based Gelson’s is highlighting a new dish for the Mardi Gras holiday festivities – Gelson’s Crawfish and Shrimp Boil. The chef-inspired recipe is an homage to the Big Easy delicacy, packed with crawfish, extra-jumbo shrimp, Andouille sausage, fresh vegetables, Cajun garlic butter sauce and broth. Order online at gelsons.com/crawfishboil or pick up in-store from the self-serve […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Home Page Slider, West
American Seafoods Announces CEO Transitions
Seattle, Washington-based American Seafoods Group, a provider of sustainable protein and an at-sea processor of wild Alaska pollock and Pacific hake, has appointed Einar Gustafsson to CEO, effective upon completion of his transition. Gustafsson will succeed Mikel Durham. “Einar brings to American Seafoods proven senior leadership and exceptional strategic capabilities in developing and growing worldwide seafood […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Slider, Northeast
C&S Wholesale Grocers Celebrates Grand Union Store Openings
Keene, New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. has brought the Grand Union supermarkets back to shoppers in New York state and Vermont. GU Markets, an affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers, will operate these stores. “The Grand Union stores are back and better than ever. We have taken an iconic brand that everyone loved and leveraged our best-in-class retail strategies […]
Posted inExecutive News, Home Page Slider, Southwest
Texas Fresh Food Brokers Hires Steen As Senior Business Manager
Lubbock, Texas-based Texas Fresh Food Brokers has hired Jason Steen, a long-time meat executive with the United Family of Stores, as senior business manager. Steen worked for United for 28 years in various positions, including one of his last roles as business manager of meat and seafood before moving over to the grocery team. “Jason’s reputation, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Beverage News, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Schnucks Welcomes Northwest Coffee Café To Webster Groves, MO Store
As part of the company’s initiative to find more local suppliers, Schnuck Markets Inc. welcomes Northwest Coffee Roasting Co. to its store in Webster Groves, Missouri, where the artisan coffee roaster will operate a café that will offer espresso shots, lattes, drip coffee, egg wraps and smoothies. The 788-square-foot retail shop is open daily serving customers from […]