Niman Ranch is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its partnership with McCormack Ranch in Northern California by introducing its first value-added lamb products with gyros and merguez sausage. Since their collaboration began, Niman Ranch has worked with more than two dozen select family ranchers in California, the Pacific Northwest, Utah and Idaho. As with 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 inRetailer of the Year, West
New Seasons Markets Boasts Track Record Of Valuing, Supporting Staff
New Seasons Market, The Shelby Report of the West’s Retailer of the Year, strives to be the ultimate neighborhood grocery store. This goal is not only for customers but staff as well. “We take good care of our staff, and they take good care of our customers. The care our customers feel when they shop […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, West
WAFC Welcomes Van Buskirk To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains elected Mark Van Buskirk of The Save Mart Companies to the WAFC board of directors during a Nov. 4 meeting in San Diego, California. “We are excited to welcome Mark, an influential industry leader, to the WAFC board of directors,” said Paul Gianetto, WAFC president and chairman and SVP […]
Posted inProduce News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast
Ahold Delhaize Sells FreshDirect To Getir
Following a thorough review, Ahold Delhaize USA has entered into an agreement to sell its FreshDirect business to Getir, a pioneer in grocery delivery operating in key U.S. markets and globally. Ahold Delhaize USA said it made the sales decision in order to focus investments on its omnichannel businesses. It acquired FreshDirect, which was founded […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southeast
Fresh Del Monte Pioneers Plastic Banana Containers
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., a producer, marketer and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables based in Miami, Florida, is partnering with Arena Packaging to introduce reusable plastic containers for bananas. The invention aims to transform industry standards for the leading fruit in fresh produce, while reducing food waste, carbon emissions, operational costs and preserving […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
AWG, Upside Plan Profit-Generation Opportunities
Upside has begun a new partnership with Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. that will further expand the technology company’s growing network of 100,000 retailers nationwide and open opportunities for profit generation for AWG members. “Grocers across the nation are actively seeking innovative avenues to boost profits while catering to the preferences of their customer […]
Posted inCenter Store, National
Campbell’s Report: Thanksgiving Side Dishes Gaining Popularity
Campbell’s has released its 2023 State of the Sides, a food-focused report on holiday trends, top side dishes and new recipes. In addition, chocolatier Phillip Ashley has released a Holiday Sides Collection, a six-piece, soup-infused set of truffles inspired by Campbell’s holiday recipes. Campbell’s ‘State of the Sides’ report From traditional tastes to trending flavors, […]
Posted inCenter Store, Amazon Fresh, Southeast, Whole Foods
Yo Mama’s Foods Adds Three Alfredo Sauces
Yo Mama’s Foods, an all-natural, handcrafted pasta sauce company based in Clearwater, Florida, is launching new alfredo sauces in three flavors – Classic, Spicy and Garlic. Yo Mama’s Foods makes sauces that recreate the homemade, authentic tastes that would take hours over a stove to prepare. The shelf-stable alfredos have no added gums or fillers. […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI: Shoppers Optimistic Ahead Of Busy Holiday Meals Season
Despite ongoing concerns about high prices, shoppers are optimistic about their financial situations heading into the holidays and are finding ways to meet their holiday meal needs at the grocery store, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s new “U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends, Holiday Season” report. “While consumers are understandably concerned about their finances […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Supermarkets Opening First Store in LA’s South Bay Area
Marking its expansion into Los Angeles’ South Bay area, Vallarta Supermarkets is holding a grand opening Nov. 8 for a store at 110 E. Carson St. in Carson, California. To celebrate, Vallarta Supermarkets will give the first 300 customers reusable bags filled with groceries or gift baskets. “Our goal has always been to provide a […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Sprouts Taps Instacart’s FoodStorm For Catering Services
Sprouts Farmers Market has partnered with Instacart to launch FoodStorm, an order management system, to help streamline catering operations and modernize the handling of holiday inventory across the grocer’s more than 400 locations. Sprouts is now accepting pre-orders for the holiday season through its website, app and in-store with FoodStorm’s OMS. The addition of the […]
Posted inProduce News, National
FPAA Inaugural Expo Proves Fruitful For Buyers, Exhibitors
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas recently concluded its inaugural expo, an enhancement to the FPAA Convention, which was held for the 54th consecutive year. Known as the Southwest International Produce Expo, the gathering drew more than 500 attendees, buyers and exhibitors Nov. 2-4 to the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. Over […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Announces 2023 Leadership Program Class
The International Fresh Produce Association announced the incoming class for its 2023 Leadership Program during the graduation of the previous year’s fellows. The program, now in its 28th year, is a year-long journey where participants develop essential leadership and business skills through a series of customized trips. These trips are packed with face-to-face meetings, hands-on […]
Posted inExecutive News, West
Stater Bros. Markets Promotes Reed As SVP, CFO
Mike Reed has been promoted to SVP and CFO of San Bernardino, California-based Stater Bros. Markets. This move is due to the recent retirement of Dave Harris, former EVP of finance, CFO and principal accounting officer. The promotion is effective immediately. Reed will report to Stater Bros. Markets’ CEO and Chairman Pete Van Helden and be […]
Posted inExecutive News, Southeast
Catalina Names Hunter As President, CEO
Kevin Hunter has been named president and CEO at St. Petersburg, Florida-based Catalina, effective immediately. He also will serve on the company’s board of directors. A six-year veteran of the company, Hunter had been serving in this role on an interim basis for the past three months. Previously, he was chief commercial officer and head […]
Posted inExecutive News, National
Ahold Delhaize’s De Groot Shares Retirement Plans
Jan Ernst de Groot, chief legal officer and chief sustainability officer of Ahold Delhaize, has announced his intention to retire on May 31. De Groot started as chief legal officer at Ahold Group in 2015, building on a career of executive and board level roles at companies such as TNT Express and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. […]
Posted inCenter Store, National
Central Garden & Pet Acquires Pet Treat Company TDBBS
Walnut Creek, California-based Central Garden & Pet has acquired TDBBS from Bregal Partners. Based in Richmond, Virginia, TDBBS is a provider of premium natural dog chews and treats. The acquisition will expand Central Garden & Pet’s portfolio with bully and collagen sticks, bones and jerky and further strengthen Central’s e-commerce and digital capabilities. “We are […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Increases Customer Satisfaction Through Pick-Rate Accuracy
KeHE Distributors has increased customer satisfaction through its pick-rate accuracy after implementing a series of innovations focused on elevating customer experiences. In recent years, supply chain delays, food shortages and rising costs have caused an ever-evolving distribution landscape that KeHE has learned to navigate. The company found this as the perfect opportunity to embrace new […]
Posted inAssociation News, Southeast
Lt. Gov. Ainsworth Receives AGA’s Spirit Of Alabama Award
The Alabama Grocers Association presented Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth its Spirit of Alabama Award, recognizing his commitment to the state’s grocery industry. At the annual Alabama Food Industry Finest Luncheon Oct. 26 at The Club in Birmingham, Ainsworth addressed more than 120 people to discuss the accomplishments attained in the 2023 legislative session and his […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
FTC Chair Khan Tours PITCO Foods’ Distribution Warehouse
Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan toured a PITCO Foods facility in the San Francisco Bay Area of California to hold the latest in a series of roundtables discussing retail challenges and what Washington is doing to enforce the nation’s antitrust laws. The event took place at one of PITCO Foods’ grocery distribution warehouses, which services […]