This Lenten season, the Cardenas Markets Foundation has provided $20,000 to 40 local nonprofits that assist the homeless, provide refuge for abused women and neglected children and offer immigration aid services. “This Lenten season we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the communities where we operate by giving back to those most in need,” […]
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 inAssociation News, Southeast
‘Buy Alabama’s Best’ Focus Of AGA Sampling Event
The Alabama Grocers Association (AGA), the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association (AFMPA) held a media briefing and sampling event for the Buy Alabama’s Best campaign March 20 on the Capitol lawn in Montgomery. Speakers included Gov. Kay Ivey; State Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate; AFMPA President Melinda […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Maintains Energy Star Partner Status
For the 23rd consecutive year, Food Lion has received the Energy Star Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The grocery retailer is the only company in the U.S. to receive the distinctive honor for so long. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sponsors the annual […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Marketing News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Taps Hendrix To Drive Growth Of RedMedia
Hy-Vee has hired Jessica Hendrix as EVP and chief marketing officer of Hy-Vee, as well as president of RedMedia, its retail media network. She will oversee the grocer’s marketing efforts and help drive RedMedia’s growth and strategic operations. Hendrix will begin her position at Hy-Vee on April 16, reporting to Donna Tweeten, Hy-Vee president. With […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, Midwest
Groves To Guide Seaboard Foods As President, CEO
Seaboard Corp. has promoted Chad Groves as president and CEO of its pork segment, Seaboard Foods, to succeed Peter Brown, who will be retiring, effective June 30. Brown joined Seaboard Foods in January 2021 after more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in the protein industry, including positions with Butterball and High Liner Foods. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG, Instacart Expand Partnership For E-Commerce, Smart Carts
Instacart and Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) have expanded their partnership to offer e-commerce and same-day delivery solutions, including Caper Carts, Instacart’s AI-powered smart carts, to member retailers. With more than 800 AWG member retailer locations using Instacart, this extended collaboration simplifies access for an additional 2,300 member retailer locations to join Instacart’s technology suite. “We’ve witnessed the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, Produce News
IGA, EmpowerFresh Help Independent Grocers With Produce Solutions
EmpowerFresh Co., a Kansas City, Missouri-based provider of AI-driven inventory management and retail optimization solutions for the produce department, has announced a strategic partnership with the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA). This partnership signifies a commitment to revolutionizing the retail produce landscape by providing cutting-edge technology and support to IGA’s independent retail members. “At the Independent […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southeast
Sysco Recognizes Fire Department For Employee Bridge Rescue
Sysco has filled two Louisville, Kentucky, firehouse pantries and donated $20,000 toward their annual award banquet in a gesture of thanks for their bridge rescue of a Sysco delivery partner. Sysco President and CEO Kevin Hourican was joined by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill in honoring the firefighters and first […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Online Toolkit Offers Guidance For GusNIP Recipients
Nutrition incentive practitioners looking for grocery retailer partners can find resources in a new toolkit available to GusNIP grantees. The toolkit was put together to help GusNIP grant recipients, or grantees, acclimate themselves to the challenges involved in partnering with grocery stores. It contains 54 resources, including project planning guidance, information on point-of-sale technology and […]
Posted inC-Store News, Southwest
Yesway Plans For Expansion In Oklahoma, Texas
Yesway is expanding its presence in Oklahoma, with its portfolio of stores in the state expected to stand at 15 locations by the end of 2024. In addition to its five Oklahoma-based Allsup’s stores, the company recently celebrated the grand openings of its newest stores in Broken Bow and Thackerville, with two more locations slated […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Report: Frozen Seafood Trends Upward In February
Seafood prices decreased for fresh and frozen in February, according to Circana and 210 Analytics. However, at an average price per pound of $9.30, the cost for fresh seafood remained significantly higher than the average price per pound for the three biggest animal proteins of chicken, pork and beef. Salmon prices at retail declined in […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southeast, Sustainability News
DS Smith Introduces Shop.able Carriers For Grocery Shopping
DS Smith has introduced Shop.able Carriers, a line of recyclable, reusable boxes for supermarkets that replaces plastic shopping bags. They help provide consumers with a more sustainable and convenient packaging solution for grocery shopping. The durable, stackable boxes – designed and manufactured by sustainable fiber-based packaging producer DS Smith – feature the company’s patented, food-safe and water-resistant […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Market Of Choice Introduces Royal Ranch’s Carbon-Neutral Beef
Independent, family-owned Market of Choice is Oregon’s first grocer to partner with Royal City, Washington-based Royal Ranch to bring its carbon-neutral beef to market. Market of Choice customers can now purchase USDA Choice cuts from Royal Ranch, available in its full-service and self-service meat departments at all 11 stores statewide. This partnership brings together two multi-generational family-owned, purpose-driven businesses […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National
LOC Software Introduces ThriVersA For POS Solutions
LOC Software has launched ThriVersA, the latest evolution of its back-office and point of sale (POS) solutions. “LOC Software has taken a measured approach to the cloud,” said CEO Gilles Lapierre. “We listened to our customers and aligned our strategy with their needs and their roadmap for digital transformation.” ThriVersA represents a new chapter in its […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National
NCA Names PIM Brands As 2024 Advocate Of The Year
The National Confectioners Association has named PIM Brands and its president and CEO, Michael Rosenberg, as the 2024 NCA Advocate of the Year. For the first time in its history, NCA’s Advocate of the Year award was presented to an individual and an NCA member company simultaneously. This award recognizes people and organizations that go […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National
NFRA Opens Registration For Annual Convention
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association has opened registration for the 2024 NFRA Convention, taking place Oct. 5-8 at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland. As the premier event for the frozen and refrigerated foods industry, 1,500 anticipated attendees will conduct more than 5,000 business meetings over the course of three days. […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Midwest
Ansys Offers Mars New Approach To Packaging Development
Mars has begun a new collaboration with Ansys to reimagine the packaging innovation process through digital technology. Chicago-based Mars, the maker of household brand names including M&M’S, Royal Canin and Snickers, is set to use the new simulation approach to perform virtual testing and prototyping, initially beginning across its snacking portfolio. The groundbreaking multi-physics simulation […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
AWG, EmpowerFresh Partner To Help Member Retailers
EmpowerFresh, a provider of innovative solutions for the retail industry, is partnering with Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), the nation’s largest cooperative food wholesaler serving independently-owned supermarkets. Through the new partnership, EmpowerFresh helps AWG members manage inventory, forecast and replenish orders using advanced AI-driven order and ad writing tools integrated into key internal data systems for more […]
Posted inGiant Food, Northeast, Online Grocery Technology
Giant Eagle Expands Delivery Partnership With DoorDash
Giant Eagle has expanded its partnership with DoorDash to make on-demand grocery delivery available through all corporate Giant Eagle supermarkets and Market District locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia. This expansion comes after Giant Eagle and DoorDash began their partnership in 2022 to pilot the service in select stores in Ohio. Now, consumers […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
Price Chopper/Market 32, Upside Expand Partnership
Upside has entered into a long-term agreement and an enhanced tech integration with Schenectady, New York-based Price Chopper/Market 32. This comes after their initial collaboration resulted in 500,000 incremental transactions from 50,000 customers. “Thanks to Upside, we’ve made significant progress in attracting new customers and encouraging our existing ones to consolidate their food shopping with […]