Karen Howard has served as CEO and executive director of Organic & Natural Health Association in Washington, D.C., since its inception in 2014. She has championed causes such as defining the term “natural,” promoting quality manufacturing, ensuring traceable sourcing, advancing regenerative farming, advocating for sustainable practices, addressing nutrient deficiencies and propelling vitamin D research and […]
Category: Bonus Content
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
South Florida Region Is Fastest Growing Market In State
The 2025 Florida State Economic Outlook from Comerica indicates the state’s economic expansion, which boomed in the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, will slow down this year but still outpace the national economy. The report said that “employment growth, a key pillar of Florida’s success in recent years, is set to moderate in 2025, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Feature, National, News, Private Label Brands
FMI Committees Doing Important Work On Private Brands, AI, Asset Protection
Doug Baker, VP of industry relations for FMI – The Food Industry Association, spoke to The Shelby Report during the association’s recent Midwinter Executive Conference on Marco Island, Florida. Baker touched on three topics that are of interest to FMI’s membership and the food industry as a whole – private brands, technology advancements and asset […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Hometown Market Committed To Community, Family Connection
Independent grocery stores play a vital role in rural communities, but inflation, competition from big-box retailers and other challenges are putting increasing pressure on their operations. Blake Schwartz, owner of Hometown Market in St. Paul, Nebraska, said labor issues specifically are greatly impacting independents in his state. With Nebraska’s minimum wage set to rise to […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Leading With Culture Of ‘Whispering Pines’
by Steve Black We’ve lived in the Rocky Mountains for the last 10 years. As we spend more time in the High Country – and when I go on my daily walks or sit out on the deck enjoying the views of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains and the sea of green pine trees stretching as […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Market Profile, Midwest
Nebraska Grocery Industry Faces Challenges, Opportunities Amid Economic Shifts
Nebraska’s grocery industry is at a crossroads as economic conditions shift and legislative policies evolve. Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association, highlighted for The Shelby Report key concerns facing independent grocers, including competition from dollar stores, rising labor costs and wholesale pricing challenges. Nebraska’s economy is experiencing modest growth, influenced by […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Amid Mounting Issues, Nebraska Legislation Seeks To Support Rural Independent Grocers
Nebraska’s rural grocery stores are facing increasing financial and logistical hurdles, but new legislative efforts seek to provide targeted support to sustain these essential businesses. Carlie Jonas, policy associate at the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Nebraska, has been involved in addressing these challenges. “We worked with one of the senators, Teresa Ibach, at […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
IGA CEO: ‘It’s the price of groceries, Stupid.’
Famously, Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign used the phrase, “It’s the economy, Stupid” as a point of focus for Bill Clinton when he ran for his first term in office. Meant to ensure the campaign didn’t get distracted from the key message, the polls and market research clearly showed that the number one issue facing voters […]