The online grocery market in the U.S. declined 3.1 percent in September versus last year, ending the month with $7.5 billion in sales, according to the latest monthly Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey. Declines in frequency and spending per order contributed to the drop, while an expanded base of monthly users softened the slip […]
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 inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest
Grants From Seaboard Foods, CoBank Support FFA Chapters
Seaboard Foods has awarded grants to three high school agricultural education programs to buy equipment for their ag mechanics classes, with a matching donation by CoBank. The recipients, which received grants totaling $22,500, included: $10,000 to Beaver FFA Chapter in Beaver, Oklahoma; $5,000 to Hennessey FFA Chapter in Hennessey, Oklahoma; and $7,500 to Elkhart FFA […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Produce News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores To Carry Wild About Sprouts Products
Rä Foods’ Wild About Sprouts brand is continuing its national expansion through a distribution agreement with Harps Food Stores. Wild About Sprouts products come in six varieties – alfalfa, broccoli, clover, clover and alfalfa, clover and broccoli and alfalfa, broccoli and kale. The company’s patented COLD-GROWN process and “out-of-the-box” packaging provide flavor, freshness and safety. […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
August Is Tough Month For Seafood Sales At Retail
Fresh and frozen seafood prices were lower this August than last, according to Circana, 210 Analytics and Elanco. Fresh shellfish had the deepest cuts in price, but all areas show very favorable conditions to consumers in August and improvements over the latest 52-week look. Inflation in powerhouse salmon has come down substantially. In August, prices […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Upside Expands Into Mobile Payments, Refreshes Branding
Upside has begun a series of product and brand identity changes, including mobile payment options and a refreshed logo to enhance food retailer and user experiences. “While our core remains unchanged, our company’s product evolution and rebranding signify the strides we are taking in this new phase of growth and our unwavering dedication to delivering enhanced value […]
Posted inPackaging News, Produce News, West
Superfresh Growers Introduces Recycled Apple, Pear Bags
Superfresh Growers has introduced the apple and pear industry’s first fruit bag made from post-consumer recycled plastic. Post-consumer recycled plastic is made from things people recycle daily – plastic bottles, milk jugs and other bags – all sourced from USA recycling centers and can be continuously recycled. Superfresh Growers PCR bag is SGS Global Services […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Fox Packaging Names Doxey As Director Of Sales
Fox Packaging has named Jen Doxey as director of sales, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the produce industry. Doxey will have an emphasis on developing and executing strategic sales plans, building long-term customer relationships and leading high-performing teams. She will be responsible for overseeing the sales operations of Fox Packaging and Fox Solutions and […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
NAPAR Rebrands As Produce Distributors Association
Originally founded in 1989, NAPAR (National Association of Perishable Agricultural Receivers) has been rebranded into the Produce Distributors Association. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it is the first organization of its kind that solely advocates for fresh produce distributors. Initially an east coast-based organization made up of terminal market members, a key goal of the organization is […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southwest, Sustainability News
Johnson To Oversee Sustainability At Accredo Packaging
The API Group Inc. and Accredo Packaging, a Sugar Land, Texas-based manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions, have appointed Treijon “Trei” Johnson as director of sustainability. Using his background in developing sustainable packaging solutions, Johnson will focus on refining and implementing a strategy that builds on the foundation of sustainability success at Accredo Packaging. Johnson will […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Produce Sales Rise In August As Prices Dip
Retailers invested in fruit prices in August as the average price per pound for fruit decreased by 2.1 percent over year-ago levels, according to the monthly report produced by Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association. August produce sales The five August weeks generated $74.3 billion total food and beverage sales, up 1.7 […]
Posted inExecutive News, Private Label Brands
PFSbrands Taps Black For Chief Operating Officer
PFSbrands has named Steve Black as its first COO, setting the stage for the next 25 years of growth. Despite recent challenges in the marketplace, including COVID-19, inflation and supply chain disruptions, PFSbrands is committed to strategic growth and shareholder returns for the 100 percent employee-owned company. “We’ve been in a calculated multi-year search for […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, Merchandising News, Midwest
SpartanNash Elevates Smith In Floral Merchandising
SpartanNash has promoted Andy Smith to senior director of merchandising in produce/floral. In his new role, Smith will oversee all aspects of SpartanNash’s produce and floral merchandising to include retail, category management, distribution and procurement. “I’m pleased to promote Andy from within to fill this critical role on the merchandising team,” said Bennett Morgan, EVP […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, Southwest
Whole Foods Adds Coffee To ‘Sourced for Good’ Program
Thirteen blends of Whole Foods Market brand coffee will now include the Sourced for Good seal, marking the first grocery-aisle expansion of the third-party certification. All Whole Foods Market brand coffees also carry a third-party certification for sourcing from Rainforest Alliance or Fair Trade. They must be organic or Non-GMO Project Verified and meet the […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast
Hannaford, Research Institute Launch Seafood Guide
Hannaford Supermarkets and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute have introduced a Gulf of Maine Seafood Guide designed to help familiarize customers new to America with fresh local offerings while further developing the market for sustainable seafood. The guide, which was developed by GMRI and translated by House of Languages in Portland, is available at […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Midwest
Hy-Vee Rolls Out Resource For Insulin Access
Hy-Vee is launching a new resource to help customers with diabetes who are covered under commercial/private insurance save on insulin products. Using a manufacturer-sponsored savings card, eligible participants with commercial/private insurance (or those without insurance who pay in cash) can get a 28-day supply of insulin for as low as $35 per month at a […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest, Sustainability News
Meijer, Flashfood Redirect 10M Pounds Of Food Waste
Meijer announced it has diverted 10 million pounds of potential food waste through the Flashfood app, making it the first retailer nationwide to reach the milestone. “Food is at the core of what we do, and we’re always looking for ways to cut down on landfill use because it’s the right thing to do for […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Does Your Produce Department Meet The Gold Standard?
Sponsored content Few things are more important to a successful produce department than having beautiful, high quality fruit on display. That’s especially true when it comes to bananas. Studies have shown that having low quality bananas on display is one of the main reasons consumers change retailers. And since bananas are one of the most […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
Peapod Digital Labs Adds Mobile App For Ahold Delhaize Brands
Peapod Digital Labs has launched a native mobile application for Ahold Delhaize USA brands on its proprietary PRISM platform. Stop & Shop and Food Lion were the most recent brands to begin the new mobile shopping experience, which was launched earlier this year for Giant Food and The Giant Co. Previously, the mobile app for […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, National
Study Touts Corrugated Packaging Industry’s Sustainability Leadership
The corrugated packaging industry has achieved substantial reductions in the environmental impacts of a corrugated cardboard box, according to a new life cycle assessment. The study shows a 50 percent per unit reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2006-20, tackling the most urgent and predominant causes of a changing climate. The LCA, conducted for the […]
Posted inFestival Foods, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Festival Foods Opening Store In Chippewa Falls
Skogen’s Festival Foods will open a new location Oct. 6 at 1109 Chippewa Crossing Blvd. in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. “We have been working on coming to the Chippewa Falls community for a long time and we are very excited to finally open this store,” said Mark Skogen, president and CEO. “It’s an honor to join […]