As part of Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28, Fresh Encounter donated $81,000 to eight local food banks and 21 mental health organizations. The donation, which included customer donations and a gift from Fresh Encounter, is part of the Findlay, Ohio-based grocer’s efforts to address food insecurity and promote mental well-being, with total contributions for the […]
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 inCenter Store, Midwest
Post Holdings To Shutter Cereal Plant In Lancaster, OH
Citing the need to reduce capacity in its production network, Post Holdings Inc. has announced plans to close its cereal manufacturing plant in Lancaster, Ohio, by the end of September. Production capabilities at the plant, which has about 200 employees, will be transferred to other Post Consumer Brands manufacturing locations. The company has engaged in […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Opening Fairfax Market Jan. 16 In Cleveland
Meijer plans to open Fairfax Market, its first small-format neighborhood concept store outside of Michigan, on Jan. 16 at 2190 E. 105th St. in Cleveland. Located in the Cleveland Innovation District, the 40,000-square-foot market will address food insecurity, support economic development and provide a grocery destination for residents of Fairfax and other neighborhoods, as well […]
Posted inHy-Vee, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest
Hy-Vee, Hormel Foods Giving Away Holiday Hams
Hy-Vee Inc. is continuing its annual partnership with Hormel Foods, food pantries and local first responders to give away 5,000 Hormel Cure 81 Hams this season across the grocer’s eight-state region. Part of Hy-Vee’s “Hams for the Holidays” program, the initiative will provide 25,000 meals through 10 Feeding America member food banks in the Midwest. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Grocers of New England, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AGNE Praises ReposiTrak For FSMA 204 Records Progress
Associated Grocers of New England (AGNE) has advanced its efforts to comply with FDA’s FSMA 204 food traceability law through automation with the ReposiTrak Traceability Network. The ReposiTrak solution enables the exchange and maintenance of FDA-required data between the co-op’s suppliers, distribution center and retail locations. “AGNE services the needs of independent retail grocers of […]
Posted inBeverage News, Southeast
Bluebird Hardwater Expands Into Tennessee
Bluebird Hardwater, which combines premium spirits with ultra-purified water, has entered the Tennessee market, with a presence in Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville. Available in whiskey, vodka or tequila, Bluebird Hardwater can be found in two other states – Florida and New York. The canned beverages come in four-packs and can be purchased at select liquor stores. […]
Posted inExecutive News, Northeast
Big Y Taps D’Amour For District Director
Big Y Foods Inc. has appointed Christian P. D’Amour as district director for 16 markets throughout Connecticut. D’Amour’s responsibilities will include staffing, training and development, operations and sales strategies. He will report to Nicole D’Amour Schneider, VP of supermarket operations. D’Amour began his career at Big Y at age 14 as a part-time service clerk. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, West
Safeway, MrBeast Donate $450K To Local Nonprofits
Safeway partnered with digital creator MrBeast on his latest YouTube challenge, which resulted in donations of more than $450,000 in groceries, electronics and paper goods to local nonprofits. Available to watch now, the “Survive in a Grocery Store” video shows MrBeast challenging a contestant to see how many days he can live inside a Safeway […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Cardenas Markets Opening New Store In Las Vegas
Heritage Grocers Group is expanding its footprint in Nevada by opening a new 40,000-square-foot Cardenas Markets store Dec. 6 at 4105 S. Buffalo Drive in Las Vegas, bringing the company’s store count to 115 locations in six states. “The Heritage team is excited to expand its presence in the Las Vegas market with the opening […]
Posted inPiggly Wiggly, Beverage News, Southeast
A-GAME Beverages To Enter Southeast Piggly Wiggly Stores
A-GAME Beverages Inc.’s beverages are arriving in shelves in 265 southern Piggly Wiggly locations spanning across Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Louisiana. More than half of Piggly Wiggly’s stores will carry a lineup of six flavors, formulated with sea salt for natural electrolytes and eight essential vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. “A-GAME is so excited that our product will be sold in Piggly […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Northeast
Fachner Elected Board Chairman At J&J Snack Foods Corp.
Gerald B. Shreiber, founder of J&J Snack Foods Corp., has decided to transition from his role as chairman of the board. Dan Fachner, who has served as J&J Snack Foods Corp.’s president and CEO since 2021 and a member of the board of directors since 2022, has been elected to serve as board chairman. Shreiber […]
Posted inBeverage News, Northeast
Ocean Spray Introduces Zero Sugar Juice Drinks
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. has launched Ocean Spray Zero Sugar Juice Drink, the first beverage from the company with no sugar and artificial sweeteners. The Zero Sugar Juice Drink will be available in its classic Cranberry flavor and Mixed Berry, a new flavor to the brand’s beverage portfolio. “From full flavor blends to refreshing diet […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Inno-Pak Acquires Albany Packaging
Inno-Pak LLC, a Delaware, Ohio-based designer, manufacturer, importer and supplier of innovative, eco-friendly packaging for prepared and takeout foods, has acquired Albany Packaging Inc. Albany specializes in the design and manufacture of custom and stock folding paperboard cartons, including bakery boxes and food packaging items such as trays and takeout boxes. Albany has a manufacturing […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Northeast
NJFC Loss Prevention Conference, Expo Addresses Security Issues
The New Jersey Food Council, in partnership with the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association and the Delaware Food Industry Council, addressed the most pressing security issues in the food industry Nov. 2 at the 2023 NJFC Mid-Atlantic Loss Prevention Conference and Expo. Under the theme of “Protecting Our Communities and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Southeast
Sedano’s Supermarkets Begins Annual Giveaway
Miami-based Sedano’s Supermarkets is giving back to its local community during its annual Season of Giving through giveaways and charity events. On Nov. 4, Sedano’s began its Season of Giving in partnership with The Li’l Abner Foundation, an organization providing children with tools and resources to enrich their education. Throughout the annual Season of Giving, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest
Sam’s Club To Open New Facilities In St. Louis, Minneapolis
Sam’s Club, a division of Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart Inc., has shared plans to open two new distribution centers in early 2024 outside St. Louis and Minneapolis. The new facilities are part of a multi-year growth plan to transform the supply chain at Sam’s Club and evolve network and end-to-end capabilities. In addition to bringing new jobs to […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
The Giant Co. Donates $597K To Fund Mobile Food Pantry
The Giant Co. is partnering with Geisinger and Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO) to pilot a mobile food pantry that will serve food-insecure people living in the Central Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania. The Giant Co. is committing $597,000 to fund the mobile pantry to cover startup costs for the initiative. Expected to launch in early 2024, the mobile food pantry will aim to provide fresh, healthy food […]
Posted inCenter Store, National
NAOOA To Begin Olive Oil Testing Study
The North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) has announced plans to commission a comprehensive olive oil testing study. The association has also invited other industry stakeholders to provide strategic and financial support for this project. The announcement comes as drought in Europe and elsewhere in the Mediterranean has caused lower yields and tightening global olive oil supplies. These market […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Top Three Ways To Reach Five New Meat Consumer Segments
Sponsored content By Michael Uetz, managing principal, Midan Marketing Earlier this year, Midan Marketing released our Meat Consumer Segmentation 3.0 research, giving a snapshot of today’s meat consumers. One way to get to know the five new segments is to understand how they each feel about three of the top drivers that have a growing […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
IGA Launches Holiday Ugly Sweater Shopper Sweepstakes
The IGA Holiday Ugly Sweater Sweepstakes from the Independent Grocers Alliance is a chance for shoppers to earn extra holiday spending cash and discover new recipes. More than 100 $25 IGA gift cards are available, with every participant receiving the IGA Holiday Recipe Book that features sponsored recipes from American Egg Board, Coca-Cola, Dan-O’s Seasoning, […]