United Supermarkets and Kellogg’s joined forces June 7 to donate $25,000 to Amarillo, Texas-based Snack Pak 4 Kids. As part of the Nourishing Neighbors initiative and the Feed the Love campaign, this donation will go to help Snack Pak 4 Kids in its mission to fight food insecurity across the Amarillo community. “We are blessed to be able to help our community […]
Author Archives: Treva Bennett
Senior Content Creator
After 32 years in the newspaper industry, she is enjoying her new career exploring the world of groceries at The Shelby Report.
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
RangeMe Deal Days Boosts Speed, Reduces Risk Of Sourcing
San Francisco-based RangeMe, the world’s largest product discovery and sourcing platform will host RangeMe Deal Days, a new series of events to accelerate B2B commerce between retailers, foodservice operators and brands. These events consist of specific periods of time throughout the year during which buyers can enjoy discounts on wholesale purchases. “Independent retailers are always looking to differentiate themselves with unique product assortments,” […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Celebrates 60 Years Of Innovation
Sixty years ago, Hendrik and Fred Meijer pioneered the American supercenter when they opened a store in Grand Rapids, Michigan, called “Thrifty Acres.” While that innovative concept has grown into a retail phenomenon, Meijer remains a strong family company that is always committed to its customers and the communities it serves, continuously improving the shopping experience and supporting community […]
Posted inDairy News, Bakery News, Deli News, National
Organizers Pleased With Turnout For 2022 Expo
The smiles said it all. That’s what Whitney Atkins, VP of marketing for IDDBA, said about the IDDBA 2022 expo on its closing day, June 7, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. “I think that’s where I would start – the smiles, people just happy to come back together after a hard […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Hires Crane As VP Of Finance – Food Distribution
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has named Greg Crane as VP of finance – food distribution. Crane will serve as finance business partner to Bennett Morgan, SVP and chief merchandising officer, and support the food distribution leadership team. Crane’s role, effective June 6, includes leadership over budgeting, forecasting, monthly results analysis and risk and opportunity assessment activities for the food […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Tony Sarsam
The president and CEO of SpartanNash shares his thoughts on the current state of the industry and what the future holds for independent grocers. The pandemic, a widespread labor shortage, supply chain issues, high fuel prices and now conflict in eastern Europe have created a perfect storm that’s driving inflation. What can be done to […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Village Beach Market In Vero Beach Striving To Be ‘Simply Better’
Village Beach Market in Vero Beach, Florida, is a three-generation legacy of the Keen family. Jason Keen runs it, having taken over after his father, Jerry, died three years ago. His grandfather started the business in 1951, and Jerry Keen took the reins when he was 20. “He lost his dad when he was only […]
Posted inInnovator of the Year
The Fresh Market Known For ‘Impeccable Guest Service’
Voted the Best Supermarket in America for a second consecutive year by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards – based on value, selection and service, The Fresh Market’s “impeccable guest service” helped the specialty grocer achieve the honor. Brian Johnson, SVP of store operations and support, has made it his mission to continue improving […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Gen Z And The Future Of Grocery
by Jim Dudlicek / NGA Director, Communications and External Affairs Gen Z – young people born between 1997 and 2012 – are the most racially and ethnically diverse of any generation. They are the first generation that has entirely grown up with the Internet. There are 67 million of them, and they are the future […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Amazon Fresh, Beverage News, National, Produce News, Whole Foods
Presence Unveils Key Trends, Predictions For Consumers In 2022
In the past few years, there’s been a shift as consumers have become more focused on better-for-you products and prioritizing their health and wellness needs. They are also better informed today than ever before. People have become more conscious of the way they shop, consume and dispose of everyday items. “The new generation of consumers […]
Posted inProduce News, Albertsons, National
Gotham Greens Expanding In Key Growth Markets Across U.S.
New York, New York-based Gotham Greens, a Certified B Corporation and indoor farming pioneer that operates one of the largest networks of high-tech hydroponic greenhouses in North America, will double the size of its greenhouse capacity from 600,000 square feet to more than 1.2 million square feet in 2022. Development is currently underway for new greenhouse […]
Posted inInnovator of the Year, Southeast
The Fresh Market’s Marketing Innovations Guide To ‘Top of Mountain’
Kevin Miller came to The Fresh Market as chief marketing officer after having served in the same role for 4.5 years at Natural Grocers, where he had learned a lot about the grocery industry. The job of CMO at The Fresh Market was “an opportunity to further apply some of that knowledge. It was a […]
Posted inInnovator of the Year, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Southeast
New Concept Store Leads Way To Future For The Fresh Market
Shoppers begin their experience of The Fresh Market before they reach the door, as the entrance is decorated with flowers and plants to match the season or an upcoming holiday. “We really want to set the tone when the guest comes out of their car – a kind of anticipation of what they’re going to […]
Posted inInnovator of the Year, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Southeast
Sharing Stories Of The Fresh Market And Its Team Members
The Fresh Market Magazine was created during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to bring the store to the specialty retailer’s guests, sharing its stories while they stayed home more, according to Gloria Reardon, director of products, occasions and meal solutions. “I would say our brand is a very experiential brand – you have to […]
Posted inInnovator of the Year, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Southeast
The Fresh Market Builds On History Of Innovation
The Fresh Market is all about fresh, but it’s also about innovation. Founders Ray and Beverly Berry were innovators when they opened their first store in Greensboro, North Carolina, on March 5, 1982. Inspiration struck during a trip to Europe, where they experienced the charm and essence of the local food markets. Innovation came as […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Home Page Slider, Northeast
CFA Leader Says Labor Shortages Biggest Challenge For Food Retailers
The economy in Connecticut appears to be lagging behind the U.S. average, and a lack of fiscal discipline at the state and local levels continues to be an issue. According to the “2021 Report on Business Climate by State” produced by the Tax Foundation, Connecticut’s business climate is ranked 47th in the U.S. and has […]
Posted inInnovator of the Year, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Southeast
Much Time, Tasting Went Into The Fresh Market’s The Square
Diane Cleven has had “the most lucky career in the world.” The VP of deli/CMS/sushi/bakery at The Fresh Market came to the company about 22 years ago, when owner Ray Berry and his son persuaded her to leave the specialty distributor for which she was working. Cleven joined The Fresh Market because she “fell in […]
Posted inMarket Profile, West
Fresh Foods Specialty Grocer Finds Niche Along The Coast
For independent grocer Jon Welsh, serving customers and the community are what he loves most about his job. Welsh owns and operates Fresh Foods specialty grocery stores in Cannon Beach and Manzanita, along the Oregon coast. While the IGA affiliate stores do a robust business during tourist season, Welsh said the rest of the year […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Northeast
Employees, Community Remain Essential To LaBonne’s Markets
From butchers to business owners, LaBonne’s Markets in Connecticut is six generations strong. A timeline on its website marks the milestones: George LaBonne had a small market and delivered on his horse and buggy in 1900; his son, George Jr., also a butcher, worked with his father until the 1920s when he, his wife and […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
5 Questions For Tom Charley
The vice president of Pennsylvania’s Charley Family Shop N’ Save shares his thoughts on the current state of the industry and what the future holds for independent grocers. Charley recently testified before the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice Antitrust Division on how anticompetitive tactics by dominant retailers in the grocery marketplace leads […]