In line with its initiative to expand into high-value specialty ingredients, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has acquired a majority stake in Avolio, an Ugandan supplier of bulk crude and edible avocado oil. Avocados are one of the few fruits from which oil can be extracted from the pulp. Avolio leverages this to create value […]
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 inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Achieves Donation Goal Of 1.5B Meals
Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion’s hunger-relief platform, has achieved its goal of providing 1.5 billion meals to address food insecurity across its 10-state footprint. According to the Salisbury, North Carolina-based grocer, the goal was achieved through a collective effort and combination of product, financial and equipment donations; disaster relief and recovery efforts; associate volunteer hours; […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, H-E-B, Southwest
Joe V’s Smart Shop Opens 12th Location, Second Store In Dallas
Continuing its expansion across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Joe V’s Smart Shop has opened a store at 7700 Samuell Blvd. in Dallas, the second location in the city and 12th in Texas. Part of the H-E-B family of brands, Joe V’s Smart Shop works to reduce costs throughout its operations and passes those savings on […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, News, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Expands International Footprint With New U.K. Market
Whole Foods Market opened its first new U.K. location since 2014 on March 25 at 120 King’s Road, SW3 in the Chelsea area of London. “I am thrilled to open the doors of our first Whole Foods Market in the U.K. in more than 10 years here on King’s Road, an iconic street and London […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Adds Neighborhood Heroes Discount To Rewards Program
SpartanNash has launched the Neighborhood Heroes Program, an initiative providing students, educators, active-duty military and veterans, nurses and first responders with a 50 percent discount on an annual online shopping membership at company-operated stores. With a membership, these community members will receive a variety of benefits, including: Unlimited free grocery pickup, including same-day; 10 percent […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks Markets Begins Renovating Store In Mahomet, IL
Schnucks Markets Inc. has begun remodeling its store at 202 Eastwood Drive in Mahomet, Illinois. The project is expected to be completed this fall. Schnucks acquired the 38,000-square-foot location, which has 74 employees, in 2020. The store will remain open daily during the renovation, and customers can continue to use Schnucks Delivers through Instacart. Highlights […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Hy-Vee, Midwest
Hy-Vee RedMedia Expands Advertising With Instacart’s Carrot Ads
Hy-Vee RedMedia will enhance its advertising capabilities by using Instacart Carrot Ads, creating a more personalized experience across Hy-Vee.com. Instacart’s Carrot Ads solution will deliver advertiser demand from more than 7,000 brands, helping Hy-Vee create more relevant experiences that drive personalized customer recommendations and product discovery. The integration will give Hy-Vee RedMedia access to Instacart’s […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Board Member Hung Selected As A Director To Watch
KeHE Distributors Board of Directors member Karen Hung has been selected by Private Company Director magazine as a 2025 “Director to Watch.” Hung, the CEO and founder of Silver Rock Consulting, a global management consulting firm, was appointed to the KeHE board in 2020 after a nationwide search for candidates. “This recognition is a testament to Karen’s […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National, News
FMI Report: Meat Sales High As Americans View Meat As Part Of Healthy Lifestyle
Meat sales hit a record high of $104.6 billion in 2024, pounds sold increased 2.3 percent compared to 2023, and consumers on average buy meat more than once per week (Circana) – keeping meat the largest fresh department in grocery, according to the 20th annual “Power of Meat” report released March 24 at the Annual […]
Posted inBakery News, Midwest
Wonder Expands Product Line With New Snack Cakes
Wonder has expanded its product line by introducing several snacks cakes and other items. “For generations, Wonder bread has been a staple in American households, bringing families together over meals and memories,” said Ashley Hornsby, director of brand management. “With the launch of our new treats, we’re excited to bring that same sense of nostalgia and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Food City, Southeast
K-VA-T Food Stores Selects SymphonyAI For Customer Analytics
K-VA-T has implemented SymphonyAI’s CINDE Connected Retail platform to deepen customer insights across all key business functions, including supply chain, merchandising, shelf planning, assortment and promotion optimization. With CINDE Connected Retail, K-VA-T is expanding its customer data-driven operations with greater speed to insights at scale internally and in collaboration with its CPG supplier ecosystem. With […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News
USDA Accepts Pasturebird’s Petition To Update Pasture-Raised Definition
Pasturebird has successfully petitioned the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update its definition of “pasture-raised” meat and poultry. After years of advocating for a clear and common-sense definition, Pasturebird and Perdue Farms helped shoppers distinguish “free range” from “pasture-raised” chicken. The new animal-raising labeling guidelines require that “pasture-raised” animals must be on pasture […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Festival Foods, Midwest, News
Festival Foods Recognizes 2024 Business Partners Of The Year
Festival Foods has recognized Johnston’s Bakery, Upshop, Molson Coors and PepsiCo Beverages North America as its 2024 Business Partners of the Year. These four companies have shown a commitment to Festival’s values, while also working collaboratively to provide a best-in-class guest experience. Johnston’s Bakery, a Wisconsin-based company, has partnered with Festival Foods for more than […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Deli News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News, Produce News
FDA Extends Date For FSMA 204 Compliance
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shared its intention to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) by 30 months. The FDA will extend the compliance date using appropriate procedures at a later time, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register. The FDA stated that it is […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Dunnhumby Introduces AI-Powered Retail Media Solution
Dunnhumby has introduced an offering within its retail media ecosystem, partnering with Osmos, a specialist in advanced ad-serving technology, on the dunnhumby Retail Media Platform. The integration comes at a time when retailers are seeking to maximize the value of retail media networks. By incorporating Osmos’ capabilities into its retail media offering, dunnhumby offers retailers […]
Posted inNews, Corporate Store News, Midwest
The Fresh Market Celebrates 8th Chicago-Area Store Opening
The Fresh Market recently held a grand opening for a new store in Algonquin, Illinois, marking the grocer’s eighth location in the greater Chicago area and its fourth opening in the last five months. Officials from the local chamber of commerce, village government and Northern Illinois Food Bank representatives were on hand to celebrate the […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Giant Food, News, Northeast
Giant Food Opens New Supermarket In Bowie, MD
The store Giant Food will open March 28 at 810 Fairmont Drive in Bowie, Maryland, replaces a nearby location at 3500 NW Crain Highway, which will close March 27. All staff members were offered the opportunity to transfer to the nearby store, and customers will not experience an interruption in service, according to the company. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Hy-Vee, Midwest
Hy-Vee Surpasses $1M In Support Of Hope For The Warriors Program
Hy-Vee raised $1.3 million in 2024 in support of Hope For The Warriors through its Hy-Vee Homefront initiative. Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit that provide services to help post-9/11 veterans, service members and military families. Hy-Vee operates more than 570 business units across nine Midwestern states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest, News, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Shares Progress In Corporate Responsibility Report
SpartanNash has published its 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report, providing details on how the company continues to strengthen its “People First” culture through advancements in employee safety, development, engagement, sustainability and governance. “The progress we’ve made is a testament to the dedication of our associates and leaders in shaping a vibrant ‘People First’ culture,” said SpartanNash […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer To Open 3 Northeast Ohio Supercenters May 8
On May 8, Meijer will open three supercenters – each totaling 159,000 square feet – in the northeastern Ohio cities of Austintown, Medina and Richmond Heights, increasing its store count in the state to 58. The stores will feature an assortment of fresh produce and grocery staples, including bakery, meat, seafood and deli departments, floral area, garden center, […]