Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has signed an agreement to invest in Plenty Unlimited Inc., an indoor vertical farming company, as part of their $400 million Series E funding round subject to a regulatory approval. Walmart’s equity investment is part of a broader strategic partnership to utilize Plenty’s indoor vertical farming technology platform to deliver fresh produce […]
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 inSupply Chain News, Home Page Slider, Northeast
ADUSA Supply Chain’s ADvantage Program Celebrates First Year
Scarborough, Maine-based ADvantage, ADUSA Supply Chain’s supplier collaboration program, is turning 1 year old this year. The program now includes more than 200 consumer packaged goods suppliers partnering with Ahold Delhaize USA companies to innovate supply chain management practices and ensure customers of Ahold Delhaize USA’s local brands can access the products they need through […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, West
Associated Food Stores Kicks Off ‘Feeding The Hungry’ Food Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah-based Associated Food Stores and more than 200 member retailers are kicking off Feeding the Hungry, a collaborative effort between local, independently-owned retailers, AFS-sponsored vendors and local food pantries. The drive takes place Jan. 26 through Feb. 8. The campaign has two main components – the first, an icon drive held within […]
Posted inCenter Store, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Duncan Hines Partners With Dolly Parton To Create Baking Collection
Duncan Hines, a brand of Chicago, Illinois-based Conagra Brands Inc., is launching a new line of Southern-inspired desserts with Dolly Parton. This will include cake mixes and frostings inspired by some of Parton’s favorite family recipes like coconut cake and banana puddin’ cake. “I have always loved to cook and, growing up in the South, I especially love […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Opens New Location In Monroe, GA
Publix Super Markets will open its second store in Monroe, Georgia, on Feb. 2. The new store is located at 900 Pavilion Parkway in the Monroe Pavilion shopping center; it will be open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. This 48,300-square-foot store will bring 160 new jobs to the area. It will have traditional grocery, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Midwest
Hy-Vee Expands Into Indiana; Names Store Location In Zionsville
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee Inc. is finalizing its plans to expand into Indiana. The company is set to secure approximately 26 acres at the southwest corner of Whitestown Parkway and S. County Road 700 E. in Zionsville, a suburb of Indianapolis. The company is currently working through its due diligence process for the location. Plans […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Executive News, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Alert Innovation Appoints Balfe As Chief Legal Officer
Boston, Massachusetts-based Alert Innovation has appointed Seanna Balfe as its new chief legal officer and general counsel. Balfe joins the Alert Innovation team with more than 20 years of legal experience. In her new role, Balfe will manage the legal function and serve as a member of Alert Innovation’s executive leadership team. She also will provide operational guidance across […]
Posted inNortheast, Association News, Home Page Slider
NJFC Accepting Applications For 2022 Scholarships
Eligible students can now apply for the 2022 New Jersey Food Council Scholarship Program. NJFC will be offering 28 scholarships totaling $92,500. The scholarship amount has increased this year by $20,500 due to the addition of four Glass Gardens ShopRite scholarships of $2,500 each, the Ben and Abe Glass Memorial Scholarships of $5,000 each […]
Posted inDeli News, Home Page Slider, National
IRI Report Discusses 2021 Deli, Dairy, Bakery Statistics
The IRI has released a new deli, dairy and bakery report, highlighting the highs and lows that the industry endured toward the end of 2021. The report claims that the fourth quarter of 2021 was disrupted by high levels of COVID-19 cases, high inflation and continued supply chain challenges. “Americans are very aware of inflation, with […]
Posted inC-Store News, Home Page Slider, Southwest
7-Eleven Launches 7NOW Gold Pass
Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven has introduced 7-Eleven Delivery through its 7NOW app. With the new 7NOW Gold Pass subscription delivery service, customers can get their delivery fee waived on a choice of more than 3,000 products. For $5.95 a month and no added delivery fee, the company says that customers can get their orders in about 30 minutes, adding that the 7NOW […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Supply Chain News, West
SpartanNash Extends Distribution Footprint with California Partnership
SpartanNash is expanding its distribution footprint with new operations in Stockton, California. The expansion, executed through SpartanNash’s long-standing partnership with Coastal Pacific Food Distributors Inc., enhances SpartanNash’s coast-to-coast supply chain capabilities. It also supports the company’s environmental, social and governance priority to reduce fleet mileage and greenhouse gas emissions. “Many of the national food retailers we distribute to are […]
Posted inPlant-Based News, Beverage News, Dairy News, Home Page Slider, West
Califia Farms Expands Dairy-Free Line With Plant Milks And Creamers
Los Angeles, California-based Califia Farms will be releasing new dairy-free beverages, expanding the brand’s existing product offering of plant milks, creamers, brewed-to-blend coffees and barista products using ingredients like almonds, oats and coconuts. The new Zero Sugar Oatmilk and Oat+Almond Plantmilk blend meet the needs of those seeking lower sugar or calorie options, while Cookie Butter Almondmilk […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Home Page Slider, National
NCA’s 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo Registration Now Open
The NCA’s Sweets & Snacks Expo has opened registration for the 2022 show, taking place May 23-26 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, attendees can anticipate hundreds of the world’s best candy and snack makers displaying their latest innovations. The show will kick off with the annual Most […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Northeast
BJ’s Wholesale Club Opening Location Jan. 28 In Lansing, MI
Westborough, Massachusetts-based BJ’s Wholesale Club, an operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States, will open a new club on Jan. 28 in Lansing, Michigan. The opening will bring the retailer’s U.S. locations to 226. The club is located at 825 N. Marketplace Blvd. It will have a BJ’s Gas location on-site and offer members everyday […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Blue Star Foods Will Receive $5M Investment From The Lind Partners
Miami, Florida-based Blue Star Foods Corp., an integrated environmental, social and governance seafood company, has entered into a securities purchase agreement with Lind Global Fund II LP, an investment entity managed by The Lind Partners LLC. Blue Star will issue and sell a convertible note in the principal amount of $5.75 million, which includes a 15 […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Slider, National
Consumer Demand For Food Transparency Remains Strong
The Food Industry Association and NielsenIQ released the “Transparency in an Evolving Omnichannel World” report, revealing continued high demand among consumers for transparency from food retailers and manufacturers, particularly in a more omnichannel marketplace. According to the report, 64 percent of shoppers say they would switch from a brand they usually buy to another brand that provides more […]
Posted inPlant-Based News, Home Page Slider, Southwest
Silk Unveils New Plant-Based Nextmilk Beverage
Broomfield, Colorado-based Silk has added a new plant-based beverage called Silk Nextmilk. This offering is formulated to meet dairy-lovers’ taste expectations through a blend of plants designed to deliver on key attributes of dairy milk, like taste and texture. Silk Nextmilk is a source of six key nutrients found in dairy, including calcium, vitamin D, […]
Posted inProduce News, Home Page Slider, West
Crystal Valley Foods Finalizes West Expansion
Crystal Valley Foods has finalized the acquisition of additional bays on the Los Angeles Wholesale Terminal Market, adjacent to its current location. This expansion has doubled the facility’s space, creating additional cold storage capacity and room for increased inventory and products. In order to truly be bicoastal and to help with its nationwide distribution, the […]
Posted inDeli News, Association News, Home Page Slider, National
IDDBA Welcomes Prach As Education Director
The Madison, Wisconsin-based International Dairy Deli Bakery Association welcomes Heather Prach as its new education director. Prach comes to the association with retail experience in both operations and as a supplier. Most recently she helped large retailers and entrepreneurs alike with branding and marketing as a key account manager for Yerecic Label. Prach transitioned an […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Food Lion Awards Grants To Nonprofits For Feeding Initiatives
The Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has distributed more than $400,000 in grants to 160 nonprofit organizations across the retailer’s 10-state footprint. The grants will support the organizations’ efforts to combat food insecurity and provide nutritional education to their communities. A full list of organizations receiving the grants can be downloaded here. […]