The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) elected new officers and board members to lead the organization through the 2026-27 term, tapping a mix of multi-generational family farmers and large-scale production executives to guide its national advocacy agenda. Rob Brenneman of Washington, Iowa, was elected president. Brenneman owns and operates Brenneman Pork and has served on […]
Category: Featured News
Posted inC-Store News, Featured News, Grocery Store Equipment, Midwest, News
Huck’s Market Becomes First C-Store To Deploy AI-Native POS Chainwide
Huck’s Market has gone live with an artificial intelligence-native point-of-sale system at its flagship location in Carmi, Illinois, becoming the first c-store chain to deploy the technology in-store. The employee-owned 135-store Midwest chain partnered with Tote, an AI-native POS platform built for fuel and convenience retail, with a chainwide rollout planned for completion by the […]
Posted inProduce News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Opens Applications For Local Produce Supplier Summit
Wakefern Food Corp. is accepting applications from growers to participate in its annual Local Produce Supplier Summit on July 15 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, New Jersey. Qualified applicants will be invited to present to Wakefern’s procurement teams, participate in panels and explore retail partnerships across the cooperative’s eight supermarket […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, News, West
Oliver’s Market Plans Fifth Store In Santa Rosa, CA
Oliver’s Market, an employee-owned independent grocer, is under contract to purchase Farmer’s Lane Plaza at 1501-1591 Farmer’s Lane in Santa Rosa, California, where it will open a fifth location in a 35,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by Rite Aid. The deal is expected to close April 1, with construction beginning immediately and a 2027 opening targeted. […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NCA Report: U.S. Confectionery Sales Climb To $55B In 2025
Americans spent a record $55 billion on chocolate, candy, gum and mints in 2025, and the category shows no signs of slowing down, according to the National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) 2026 State of Treating report. Sales are projected to grow an additional $7.3 billion over the next five years, reaching $62.2 billion across all outlets […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News
AWG’s Save-A-Label Program Directs $106K To Nonprofits In 2025
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc.’s (AWG) Save-A-Label program contributed $106,508 to nonprofits and schools in 2025, supporting 997 organizations across a 17-state footprint. The program, which has run since 1987, converts UPC labels from AWG’s Best Choice Family of Brands into direct cash donations for qualifying organizations. How the program works Shoppers collect UPC labels from […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest
The United Family, Mrs Baird’s Honor 12 TX Teachers
The United Family and Mrs Baird’s Bread named 12 educators across Texas as December and January winners of their Teachers on the Rise programs, recognizing outstanding educators in the South Plains and North Texas regions. South Plains: United Supermarkets’ 15th Year The Lubbock-area program, now in its 15th year, has received more than 800 nominations […]
Posted inBeverage News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Royal Cup To Acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee
Royal Cup Coffee & Tea has signed an agreement to acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee Co. (NASDAQ: FARM) for $1.29 per share in an all-cash transaction, combining two B2B coffee suppliers with nearly 250 years of combined industry experience. The transaction is expected to close during Farmer Brothers’ fiscal fourth quarter ending June 30, pending approval […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, News, West
Jackson’s Debuts First Avocado Oil Variety Pack At Expo West 2026
Jackson’s launched its first 30-count Avocado Oil Variety Snack Pack during Natural Products Expo West, marking the brand’s entry into the club and bulk retail format with a multipack designed for family-sized purchasing occasions. The variety pack combines three of the company’s snack formats – Sweet Potato Chips, Kettle Potato Chips and Super Veggie Straws […]
Posted inProduce News, Featured News, News, Southeast
Healthy Family Project Raised $348K In 2025 For Food Security
Healthy Family Project gathered more than 200 produce industry professionals Feb. 27 for its annual Thank You Reception during the Southeast Produce Council’s 2026 Southern Exposure event in Orlando, celebrating a year of cause marketing campaigns that raised more than $348,000 for charitable partners. The funds benefited Feeding America food banks, the Foundation for Fresh […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
NPPC Honors Parker For Four Decades Of Pork Industry Leadership
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recognized John Parker with the Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award during the National Pork Industry Forum, honoring his 40-plus years as executive secretary of the Virginia Pork Council. The award was presented in partnership with the National Pork Board (NPB). Parker’s tenure shaped Virginia’s agricultural community, producer-funded promotion and research […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Market Profile, Midwest
Nebraska Grocers Grappling With General Sense Of Unease, Labor Costs
Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association, responded to questions from The Shelby Report of the Midwest about what’s happening in the state’s grocery industry. How would you characterize the overall health of the grocery industry in Nebraska right now, and what are the key factors driving performance in 2026? I […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, Finance News, Merchandising News, National, News, Walmart
Walmart To Deploy Digital Shelf Labels Chainwide Within A Year
Walmart is accelerating its rollout of digital shelf labels (DSLs) chainwide, with about 2,300 locations already using the technology and full deployment expected within the next year. Price updates are people-led, with employees reviewing and pushing approved changes through a secure system, typically outside of shopping hours, so prices remain stable and consistent during the […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, National, News
Target Commits $5B To Stores, Plans 300 New Locations By 2035
Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) unveiled a multi-year growth strategy this week that includes a $5 billion capital investment plan for 2026, more than 30 new store openings this year and a goal of 300 additional locations by 2035. The announcements, made at a financial community meeting March 3 and followed by a store investment release […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest
The United Family Opens First Albertsons Market In Lovington, NM
The United Family held a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 5 for a 50,000-square-foot Albertsons Market in Lovington, New Mexico, the company’s first location in the community. The store features a full pharmacy with drive-thru, meat service counter with fresh seafood, extensive beer, wine and spirits selection, full-service bakery with custom creations and a floral department offering delivery. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Finance News, Midwest, News
MGA Presents 2026 Legislator Of The Year Awards
The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) honored Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar) and Sen. Susan Pha (D-Brooklyn Center) as its 2026 Legislators of the Year during the association’s annual Legislative Dinner at The University Club in St. Paul. The lawmakers were recognized for their roles in securing continued funding for the MGA Foundation’s Carts to Careers initiative, […]
Posted inDairy News, Featured News, National, News
UNFI, Whole Foods Partner On Organic Dairy Emissions Program
Four companies across the organic dairy supply chain are working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the farm level. Organic Valley, Stonyfield Organic, UNFI and Whole Foods Market are collaborating to launch Verified Impact Units, or VIUs, derived from carbon insetting across the U.S. organic dairy supply chain. The initiative, built around Organic Valley’s […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Featured News, Finance News, Grocery Research, National, News
Report: 86% Of Supply Chain Leaders Feeling Tariff Impact
Trade policy uncertainty is forcing supply chain leaders into difficult choices across pricing, sourcing and inventory, according to a preview of RELEX Solutions’ third annual State of the Supply Chain report. The findings, drawn from a January survey of 514 retail, manufacturing, wholesale and supply chain leaders, show 86 percent have felt the effects of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Natural Grocers, News, Southwest
Natural Grocers To Host Spring Forward Savings Event March 7-10
Natural Grocers is running a four-day promotional event March 7-10 tied to the start of daylight saving time, offering discounts, wellness resources and in-store sweepstakes at participating locations. The “Spring Forward Into Even More Affordable Prices” event targets the sleep and energy disruption many consumers experience with the time change, pairing limited-time deals with educational […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NPPC Praises House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Passage
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) praised House Agriculture Committee passage of Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s (R-PA) bipartisan Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026. Commonly referred to as Farm Bill 2.0, the legislation includes relief for pork producers facing a patchwork of state animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12, which they […]