Fox Packaging has eliminated Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from all its flexible packaging options. This milestone reinforces its commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility and its partnership with customers. The use of PFAS in flexible food packaging has become a topic of concern, particularly in the context of fresh produce. As of this year, several states […]
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 inIndependent Store News, New Seasons Market, West
New Seasons Market To Open Milwaukie Marketplace Store
New Seasons Market will hold a store grand opening March 27 in the Milwaukie Marketplace shopping mall at 10830 SE Oak St. in Milwaukie, Oregon. The festivities will begin with a bread-breaking ceremony at 10 a.m., featuring Milwaukie Mayor Lisa Batey, store manager Joe McCarthy and New Seasons Market Milwaukie Marketplace’s food recovery partner, Clackamas Service Center. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Amazon Fresh, Grocery Store Layout, Northeast, Whole Foods
Whole Foods To Open ‘Daily Shop’ Format Store In NYC
Whole Foods Market is introducing a new, quick-shop store format to provide customers in urban neighborhoods with easier access to fresh offerings. The new format – Whole Foods Market Daily Shop – will initially launch on the Upper East Side in Manhattan with additional locations in New York City to follow. The first store, located […]
Posted inH-E-B, Independent Store News, Southwest
H-E-B, Chairman Butt Commit $1M To Support Wildfire Recovery Efforts
As wildfires continue to sweep throughout the Texas Panhandle, Charles Butt and H‑E‑B will make a $1 million donation and provide needed support to help area residents and first responders with wildfire recovery efforts. Leading the way to support these efforts, H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt made a $500,000 donation to the STAR Fund (State of […]
Posted inAssociation News, Hugo's Family Marketplace, National
NGA Reveals 2024 Creative Choice Award Winners
The National Grocers Association (NGA), along with sponsoring partners Kellanova and Unilever, have revealed the winners of its annual Creative Choice Awards, which recognizes the best marketing and merchandising programs among independent grocery retailers. Recipients of the Creative Choice Awards will receive national recognition at The NGA Show March 10-12 at the Caesars Forum Convention […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National
IGA, AppCard Partner To Improve Shopping Experience
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has begun a strategic partnership with AppCard, a personalized marketing and shopper analytics solution for independent grocers. This collaboration marks a milestone in both companies’ commitment to enhancing the customer shopping experience and driving greater loyalty in the independent grocery sector. Under this new partnership, AppCard will become a member of […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Thanks Congress For Protecting SNAP
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is thanking members of Congress for protecting grocers and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants in the FY 2024 agriculture appropriations bill by eliminating a provision that could have caused widespread disruptions and undercut SNAP’s effectiveness. A proposal dropped from the final bill would have sharply limited the types of […]
Posted inCenter Store, Southeast
Alabama Brands Unite As Fenwick Acquires Wickles Pickles
Fenwick Food Group, a division of Fenwick Brands Inc., a consumer packaged goods investment firm, has acquired Dadeville, Alabama-based Wickles Pickles. According to Fenwick, the opportunity was timely, with the Wickles brand hitting a point where investment and additional resourcing was needed for scale. As investors operate in mainstream retail outlets with Moore’s Marinades and […]
Posted inProduce News, Harris Teeter, Southeast
Titan Farms’ New Website Powering Peach Promotion
Titan Farms, a grower, packer and shipper of fresh peaches and vegetables in South Carolina, has launched a new website, designed to be an immersive hub for peaches. “We are delighted to unveil the new Titan Farms website, a digital platform that truly embodies our commitment to delivering not just the finest peaches, but also […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
NJFC Reveals 2024 Leadership Class
The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) introduced the 2024 Leadership Development Class before members during its annual meeting. Jessica Scaduto of Foodtown/Food Circus serves as chair of the Leadership Development Program and Matthew Lipowski of Bimbo Bakeries USA is vice chair, both graduates of the program. “We eagerly anticipate mentoring this upcoming group of rising […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, Perishables, West
Afresh Focused On Fresh Product Fulfillment For Grocers
“When we looked at the grocery landscape, we came to believe that fresh was the future of this industry.” That’s how Nathan Fenner, co-founder of San Francisco, California-based Afresh, described the reasoning behind starting the technology company. Afresh’s mission is to eliminate food waste and create greater food accessibility. The A.I.-powered software optimizes order forecasting […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National
AFFI-CON 2024 Posts Record-Setting Attendance
Nearly 1,600 professionals from more than 500 different companies attended AFFI-CON 2024, the frozen food industry’s premier annual event Feb. 24-27 in San Diego. “AFFI is committed to fostering industry growth through data, insights and programming such as AFFI-CON,” said Alison Bodor, president and CEO of The American Frozen Food Institute “This event provides a […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Acquisition Of Northeast Produce Is Lipman’s 12th In 20 Years
Immokalee, Florida-based Lipman Family Farms – an integrated network of growers, fresh-cut processors and distributors of produce – has acquired Northeast Produce, marking its 12th acquisition over the last 20 years. The Northeast Produce facility in Plainville, Connecticut, will continue to operate and serve customers under the Lipman umbrella. “We are thrilled to welcome Northeast […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southeast
ECRS Welcomes Red Pepper To API Ecosystem
Boone, North Carolina-based ECRS has partnered with Red Pepper to extend customer marketing and insights through the tech company’s shopper engagement platform. Red Pepper’s offering consolidates customer-centric marketing and equips retailers with a 360-degree view of shopper insights and analytics by integrating marketing and sales data between ECRS’ CATAPULT and Red Pepper. The collaboration will […]
Posted inH-E-B, Independent Store News, Southwest
Accent On International At New H-E-B Store In Katy, TX
The 117,000-square-foot store that H-E-B opened Feb. 21 at 24924 Morton Ranch Drive in Katy, Texas, features one of the grocer’s largest international sections. The store offers curbside and home delivery services, with the curbside area featuring 11 covered spaces. Shoppers also can enjoy its walk-up Seafood Boil stand in front of the store, where […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Amazon Fresh, Northeast, Whole Foods
Unique Snacks Celebrates Double-Digit Growth in 2023
Unique Snacks, a sixth-generation family-owned and operated snack company, continued to grow its brand and expand the availability of its signature snacks in 2023. Among other achievements, the business grew its brick-and-mortar distribution sales by 18 percent year-over-year, generated 20 percent year-over-year growth in Amazon sales and launched a new snack category: Puffzels, a gluten-free, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Northeast
Utz Brands Introduces Mixed Minis Pretzels
Utz Brands has added a product to its growing lineup of snack food offerings: Utz Mixed Minis Pretzels. Responding to consumer demand, the new pretzels bring a new twist to classic Utz pretzels in the form of three mini shapes – including twists, rings and waffles – with three distinct flavors: Sea Salt, Garlic Butter and […]
Posted inIndustry Leaders Speak, Northeast
Private Label Blended Oils: From Idea To In Stock
Sponsored content By Kevin Cyr, director of retail sales, Catania Oils As the edible oil market continues to experience significant volatility, retailers are feeling the sting of high prices. Many are considering alternative options to straight oil, hoping to find a solution that is simultaneously profitable and appealing to consumers on inflation-induced budgets. At Catania […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Dierberg’s, Independent Store News, Midwest
Dierbergs Begins Donation Campaign For Healthcare In Sudan
Dierbergs has begun a register donation campaign that aims to make a positive impact on healthcare in The Nuba Mountains in Sudan. Through April 8, customers will be able to donate to African Mission Healthcare through Dierbergs Heart of Nuba campaign. Tom Catena, an American doctor, helped to establish Gidel Mother of Mercy Hospital, a 435-bed […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National
Ahold Delhaize USA Joins White House Challenge To End Hunger
Ahold Delhaize USA and its local brands – Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop – have announced new commitments to support nutrition education for children as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. As part of this commitment, which is in addition to […]