Standard Meat Co. has begun construction of its fifth protein processing plant at 1101 NE 23rd St. in Fort Worth, Texas. This 166,000-square-foot plant will occupy a renovated, historic 1955 meat processing facility in Fort Worth’s northside, a short distance from the Standard Meat Co. headquarters at the Fort Worth Stockyards. With the new plant, […]
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, Center Store, Midwest
Cheerios Brings Back Heart-Shaped Cereal, New Packaging
Cheerios is bringing back its heart-shaped Cheerios in honor of American Heart Month with new packaging, featuring names of those who may inspire customers to make heart healthy choices. In addition to special-edition boxes with names like “Mom,” “Friend,” “Grandparents” and “Family” in English and Spanish available throughout February, consumers can also order personalized yellow boxes […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, ShopRite
ShopRite Of Chester Adds Paradise Salad To Store Shelves
The ShopRite of Chester is partnering with Three Meadows Farm and the Somerset Hills Learning Institute, a private nonprofit program that offers a broad spectrum of services and education to children, adolescents and young adults with autism, to bring the farm’s Paradise Salad to store shelves. Paradise Salad is the first product sustainably grown, harvested […]
Posted inAssociation News, Bravo Supermarkets, National
Education Agenda Drives 2024 NGA Show
With more than 30 educational workshops and sessions led by a lengthy roster of industry experts, the 2024 NGA Show will offer specialized content for independent grocers. Hosted by the National Grocers Association and Clarion Events, the 2024 NGA Show is scheduled for March 10-12 at Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. “The education […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Southeastern Grocers Finalizes Fresco y Más Sale
Southeastern Grocers Inc. has completed its strategic divestiture of Fresco y Más to Fresco Retail Group. The grocer will continue to own and operate Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores. “The successful sale of Fresco y Más marks an important milestone on our path forward,” said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers. “As […]
Posted inExecutive News, West
Grocery Outlet Names Chikkala As EVP, Chief Operations Officer
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has appointed Ramesh Chikkala to the newly created position of EVP and chief operations officer, effective Jan. 22. This appointment marks a milestone as Grocery Outlet continues to scale its business and add additional supply chain and business technology experience to its organization. In his new role, Chikkala will lead the […]
Posted inPackaging News, Dairy News, Midwest
Hiland Dairy Cultured Products Sport New-Look Packaging
Hiland Dairy recently unveiled new packaging with colorful, high-quality graphics for its cultured products, including cottage cheese, sour cream and dips. Launched in December, the packaging will begin appearing soon on store shelves. Shoppers will note the farmer-owned ribbon now sits atop the Hiland logo, set against the backdrop of the rolling green hills of […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Tyson Foods Opens Bacon Plant In Kentucky
To support an expansion of its bacon production capabilities, Tyson Foods has opened a new $355 million plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The 400,000-square-foot plant is expected to produce two million pounds a week of Jimmy Dean and Wright Brand bacon retail products and bacon used in foodservice, areas that represent more than $1 billion […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Health & Wellness, Northeast
Tops Unveils Expanded Specialty Pharmacy Program
Tops Friendly Markets has launched a specialty pharmacy program to provide more convenient and personalized care for customers living with chronic and complex medical conditions. The Tops Markets Specialty Pharmacy Program will allow them to access specialty medications at the pharmacy. Specialty medications include those that can be complex to administer, have a high cost […]
Posted inBig Y Foods, Executive News, Independent Store News, Northeast
Big Y Appoints Nicole D’Amour Schneider As SVP
As Big Y Foods’ recently appointed SVP of retail operations and customer experience, Nicole D’Amour Schneider has assumed responsibility for the chain’s retail division, namely Big Y Supermarkets, Big Y Express gas and convenience stores and Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. A third-generation D’Amour family member, she also oversees the Big Y Pharmacy […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast, ShopRite
ShopRite Store Boosts Curbside Services Via Phononic Tech
ShopRite has implemented Phononic’s 2nd Generation Active Cooling Solutions (ACS) freezer and refrigerator totes to pick, store and stage online orders and save space at one of its stores in New York. The HFC-free, cooled totes also operate without traditional refrigerants, using technology that is more sustainable and cost effective. According to Phononic, advancements in […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Foodtown, Northeast
Foodtown Of Bushwick Holds Grand Opening In Brooklyn, NY
Allegiance Retail Services opened a Foodtown banner store Jan. 12 at 54 Noll Street in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, New York. Owned by co-op member Shady Widdi, the 15,000-square-foot supermarket is positioned as a key player in the community’s ongoing renaissance. Joseph Fantozzi, COO and president of Allegiance Retail Services and Foodtown, said developers […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Health & Wellness, Southeast
AGBR Sponsors Southern University’s Basketball Nutrition Center
Associated Grocers Inc. (AGBR) has partnered with the Southern University Men’s Basketball team to sponsor its nutrition center, becoming the team’s exclusive grocery partner. The station is located within the men’s team locker room and is available to players throughout the season and while they are on campus. “I am incredibly excited and grateful for […]
Posted inFresh Thyme, Independent Store News, Midwest
Fresh Thyme Market Partners To Help Emerging Local Brands
Fresh Thyme Market, a community-focused grocer, is the first grocery partner of Naturally Chicago’s Locally Made Retail Access Program. This partnership, combined with other community efforts, helps Fresh Thyme Market expand its local assortment on shelves and gives back to the communities it serves. Through the partnership with nonprofit Naturally Chicago, Fresh Thyme Market curates […]
Posted inGiant Food, Corporate Store News, Northeast
Giant Food Opening New Supermarket In Bethesda, MD
The new supermarket Giant Food is opening Jan. 26 at 5320 Zenith Overlook in Bethesda, Maryland, will replace a nearby location and include a pharmacy, Ledo Pizza Corner Shoppe and Ben’s Chili Bowl. Other amenities of the Bethesda Giant Food include full-service meat and seafood departments, an expanded gourmet cheese selection, extensive prepared food offerings, […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Augmodo Prevails In FMItech Pitch Competition
FMI – The Food Industry Association selected Seattle-based Augmodo as the winner of its third annual FMItech Pitch Competition at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference on Marco Island, Florida. Three finalists, which also included Greenchoice and Grocery Shopii, presented their food retail technology start-up solutions, with attendees voting on the winner. “This competition inspires discovery […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Coborn's, Northeast
Persons To Follow Curci At Helm Of Northeast Grocery
John Persons, Northeast Grocery Inc.’s chief operating officer, has been named by the board of directors to succeed the retiring Frank Curci as CEO of the company, effective Feb. 26. Headquartered in Schenectady, New York, NGI is the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets. “The 43 years I have spent in […]
Posted inCoborn's, Executive News, Independent Store News, Midwest
Coborn’s Shares Executive Leadership Promotions
Coborn’s has announced several executive leadership moves that will take effect in February as the Minnesota-based grocer aims to enhance its “strategic focus on continued growth, financial health and overall success.” Emily Coborn Wright, who has a diverse background in various roles, will become SVP of growth initiatives, concentrating in the areas of liquor, pharmacy, […]
Posted inAlbertsons, Corporate Store News, West
Albertsons’ Annual Supplier Program Seeking Diverse Brands
Applications are being accepted for Albertsons Cos. Supplier Diversity Program, which is designed to discover, support and give diverse-owned suppliers the opportunity to expand their businesses with the grocer and its stores. The application process is open to diverse-owned suppliers, which include small and mid-size businesses that are at least 51 percent owned, controlled and […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Installs ReposiTrak’s Food Traceability Network
SpartanNash has implemented ReposiTrak’s Traceability Network, a food tracking program that advances efforts to create a more transparent supply chain. With ReposiTrak, hundreds of the company’s suppliers that harvest or handle products on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Traceability List will be required to exchange data with SpartanNash and the thousands of retailers […]