The Shelby Report received a Covid-19 briefing on March 25 from Dino Svigos of Fresh Farms, which has four markets in the Chicago area. Svigos is a principal in two of the locations, which range in size from 10,000 to 60,000 s.f. Their wholesaler is UNFI. As with most grocery retailers across the country, Fresh […]
Category: Midwest
The Shelby Report of the Midwest covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Posted inMidwest, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News
Elden’s Fresh Foods Says Support ‘Phenomenal’ During Covid-19 Crisis
Elden’s Fresh Foods has been serving the Alexandria, Minnesota, community since 1982. Like most grocery retailers during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has had to make some adjustments. Elliot Christensen, who is co-owner with his brother, Dennis, told The Shelby Report on March 25 about changing the hours at the 50,000-s.f. store and other measures they’ve […]
Posted inMidwest, Home Page Latest News
Dot Foods Co-Founder Dorothy Tracy, 91, Dies Of Natural Causes
Dot Foods co-founder Dorothy Agnes Tracy died at 12:05 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020, in her home. She died of natural causes not related to the recent Covid-19 pandemic, according to a company statement. “Mom has always been the foundation and guiding light for our family and business,” said John Tracy, Dot Foods executive chairman and seventh child […]
Posted inMidwest, COVID News, Home Page Slider, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG Reports Record Results At Annual Shareholders Meeting
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, reported record consolidated net sales on continuing operations of $9.7 billion and distributed a record $213.8 million in year-end patronage immediately following its annual shareholders teleconference Wednesday, March 25. AWG’s cooperative sales were $8.5 billion. Total distribution of cooperative benefits returned to shareholders, including interest, allowances […]
Posted inDairy News, Association News, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Perishables, Suppliers
World Championship Cheese Contest Announces Winners, Top 20
Out of a record-breaking 3,667 entries in the 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest, 20 cheeses made the finals for the title: World Champion Cheese. The contest was held March 3-5 in Madison, Wisconsin. The winners of the 2020 cheese contest are as follows: World Champion: Michael Spycher, Mountain Dairy Fritzenhaus, Gourmino Le Gruyère AOP, Gourmino […]
Posted inCoborn's, COVID News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Midwest
Grocers In Midwest Change Hours, Show Appreciation For Employees
As the number of cases of Covid-19 continue to increase in the United States, grocery stores are on the front-lines in meeting the food and essential needs of consumers. They are reserving hours for shoppers most at-risk from the virus, and employees are working daily to keep shelves stocked and to serve customers. In the […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest, Suppliers
Sauce And Spice Company Urban Accents Launches Meatless Mixes
Chicago-based flavor firm Urban Accents, which produces small-batch crafted spice blends and sauces, is launching a new line of Ground Veggie Meatless Mixes. The new Meatless Mixes have a recipe on the back of the package along with serving suggestions. With the addition of just a few fresh ingredients, the seasoned, soy-based protein provides an […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Corporate Store News, COVID News, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Nonfood Items
Kroger, SpartanNash Using Plexiglass To Protect Associates
Two Midwest grocery companies are making the health and well-being of their associates a top priority during the ongoing public health crisis. The Kroger Co. and SpartanNash are installing plexiglass at cash registers and other high-traffic locations. Kroger also is taking additional steps to protect its associates. A spokesperson for the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company says […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Nonfood Items, Online Grocery Technology, Suppliers, Sustainability News
FourKites Plans Global Virtual Conference On Supply Chain Sustainability
FourKites, a real-time supply chain visibility platform, will host the largest ever virtual conference focused on supply chain sustainability at the end of March in Chicago. Presenters will include Dr. Dirk Holbach, corporate SVP of Henkel Global Supply Chain B.V.; Meghan Stasz, VP of packaging and sustainability at Consumer Brands Association; Dustin Braun, senior director […]
Posted inMidwest, Beverage News, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, New Products, Suppliers
Leinenkugel’s Introduces Spritzen, First ‘Beer With A Splash Of Seltzer’
The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. has introduced its new trio of beers with a splash of seltzer, Leinenkugel’s Spritzen, available nationwide. Spritzen marks the brewer’s first new national release in three years and is available in three flavors: Grapefruit, Raspberry Lemon and Pineapple Strawberry. Spritzen features a crisp and effervescent beer-forward taste with the clean […]
Posted inMidwest, Home Page Slider, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content
People To Watch: Katie Waeltz, Topco Associates
The Shelby Report and The Grocery Group together present this series, People to Watch, to focus on current and future leadership in the grocery industry. In this installment, The Grocery Group Founder and CEO Cindy Sorensen interviews Katie Waeltz, VP of category management and insights for Topco Associates LLC. Tell me a little bit […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Midwest, Supply Chain News
Lineage Logistics, Hy-Vee Responding To Covid-19 Crisis
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to sweep across the country, the grocery industry remains committed to keep the supply chain flowing and store shelves stocked. Michigan-based Lineage Logistics Holdings is putting its money and its warehouses in play to help the cause. And as consumers continue to flock to stores, grocers such as Iowa-based Hy-Vee […]
Posted inHome Page Slider, COVID News, Independent Store News, Midwest
Midwest Grocers, Distributors Working Through Covid-19 Challenges
As more Americans are testing positive for Covid-19 each day, the federal government continues to ask everyone to practice social distancing and work from home when possible. Many businesses are closing and several restaurants have closed their dining rooms, leaving takeout as the only option. Grocery stores are seeing certain products fly off their shelves […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Midwest, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content
Market Profile: Distribution A Challenge For Grocers In The Dakotas
by John McCurry/contributing writer While they are two different states, North Dakota and South Dakota share some challenges for their independent grocers. Distribution to retailers in rural areas and labor shortages are common problems for both North and South. Our market profile looks at the economies and state of the grocery industry in the Dakotas. […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Corporate Store News, COVID News, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Midwest, Nonfood Items
Cub Maintaining 24-Hour Operations At Many Stores Due To Pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the lives of people around the world, grocers across the United States are providing information to keep their customers informed and some are changing their operating hours. In the Midwest, Cub, Hy-Vee and Fareway grocery stores have made changes to their operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Cub […]
Posted inExecutive News, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Suppliers
Former Cargill Chairman and CEO Whitney MacMillan Dies At 90
Whitney MacMillan, former chairman and CEO of Cargill and noted patron of education and philanthropy, died March 11, 2020, in Vero Beach, Florida. He was 90. Over his 44-year career with the company, Mr. MacMillan led Cargill to a remarkable era of growth and diversification that continues today. He guided a major transformation in the […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Executive News, Home Page Slider, Midwest
SpartanNash Promotes Swanson To EVP, GM Of Corporate Retail
SpartanNash has promoted Thomas E. Swanson to EVP and GM of corporate retail. Swanson was named SVP and GM of corporate retail in October 2018, responsible for leading the corporate retail business unit for all corporate retail banners and Quick Stop fuel and convenience centers. His energy and passion for retail have been instrumental in […]
Posted inDeli News, Food Service News, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Midwest, Perishables
Buehler’s, Kingwood Center Gardens Partner On Foodservice, Catering
Buehler’s Fresh Foods and Kingwood Center Gardens have entered into a new partnership to provide garden guests with foodservice and catering. Buehler’s will be operating the Gateway Café located inside the new visitor center, the Garden Gateway at Kingwood, which opens to the public in July. “We cannot begin to describe how excited we are […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Marketing News, Midwest, Nonfood Items, Suppliers
Urban Pie Pizza Co. Launches Artisan Hemp Seed Crust Pizzas
Urban Pie Pizza Co. is introducing artisan thin crust pizzas made with hemp seeds to the frozen pizza aisle and adding a new flavor to its artisan thin crust line. Urban Pie Pizza is one of the fastest growing brands in the natural channel, and these hemp-infused crusts are a first in the frozen aisle, […]
Posted inFresh Thyme, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Midwest, Perishables, Produce News, Suppliers
Happy Little Plants, Fresh Thyme Highlight Plant Protein In Stores
The Happy Little Plants brand and Fresh Thyme Farmers Market are helping to fuel the plant-based protein explosion by having a dedicated set in each of Fresh Thyme’s 74 locations. The two Midwestern companies are joining forces to help bring plant protein items to consumers across the region. “We know that people are looking to add […]