Chicago-based Conagra Brands Inc. will be bringing a lineup of its snacks to the 2019 NACS Show, presented by the National Association of Convenience Stores, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta Oct. 2-4. According to IRI data, Conagra Brands’ $2 billion snacks business is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the food […]
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.
Michigan Grocers Division Honors Busch’s, H.T. Hackney
The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) Grocers Division has named Busch’s Fresh Food Market and H.T. Hackney Co. as its 2019 Al Kessel Outstanding Achievement Award winners. Launched in 2013, the award memorializes former Michigan Grocers Association Director Albert “Al” Kessel, Jr., who founded the Flint-based Kessel Food Market chain. To reflect his generous spirit, one […]
Kroger Opens Two-Level Store In Cincinnati With First-Ever Food Hall
On Sept. 25, The Kroger Co. opened a new, 52,000-s.f., two-level urban-format store in downtown Cincinnati, offering the grocer’s first-ever food hall, named On The Rhine Eatery. The experience features Cincinnati eateries Django Western Taco, Dope! Asian Street Fare, Eli’s BBQ and Queen City Whip, as well as Kitchen 1883 Café and Bar, Kroger’s American […]
Kraft Heinz, Baileys Launch Ready-To-Drink Cold Brew, Coffee, K-Cups
Kraft Heinz partnered with cream liqueur maker Baileys to launch three non-alcoholic products. They are: • Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew Coffee in Irish Cream and Salted Caramel flavors; SRP $2.39; • Roast and ground coffee bags in Irish Cream and Chocolate Cherry; SRP $7.99; and • 10-count Keurig K-Cup pods in Irish Cream and Chocolate Cherry; […]
Buehler’s Fresh Foods Partners With The American Heart Association
Wooster, Ohio-based Buehler’s Fresh Foods will be promoting a Life is Why We Give campaign at the registers of all 13 of its stores from Sept. 15 until Oct. 13, asking customers to buy hearts for $1, $3 or $5 in support of the American Heart Association of Stark and Wayne counties. Customers are encouraged […]
AWG Establishes Preferred Partnership With RSSG
Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) has formed a preferred partnership with Retail Software Solutions Group (RSSG), a solutions provider to independent retailers. RSSG’s DealW!se and PriceW!se products identify opportunities to improve sales, pricing and profitability. The solutions are integrated with AWG and deliver highly-focused, actionable intelligence on critical aspects of store operations. […]
Dakota Provisions Launches Turkey Brand Dakota 44
Huron, South Dakota-based protein manufacturer Dakota Provisions has launched its first consumer turkey products brand, Dakota 44. Dakota 44 offers a variety of fresh turkey products in on-trend flavor profiles that come in several easy-meal and snacking forms. These products are driven by three core consumer demands: bolder flavors, greater ease and more transparency. As […]
Ritual Zero Proof Echoes Taste, Nose, Burn Of Traditional Liquor
Consumers now have a new way to mark a moment with the launch of Ritual Zero Proof, the first American-made gin and whiskey alternatives to have the flavor, smell and burn of traditional spirits—without the alcohol or calories. Consumers today want more choices when it comes to beverages. They are conscious of drinking “better not […]
Lunds & Byerlys Appoints Jeff Meek As Its New CFO
Jeff Meek recently joined Lunds & Byerlys as CFO. Meek is a finance and accounting veteran whose career includes extensive experience in an executive leadership role. As CFO at Edina, Minnesota-based Lunds & Byerlys, Meek will oversee finance, accounting, employee experience and information services. He was most recently EVP and CFO at Fleet Farm in […]
Just Bare Chicken To Host Celebration In St. Louis
As part of the #ThighsForTheWin campaign, Just Bare Chicken is hosting a celebration to honor St. Louis’ legacy of champions. Just Bare Chicken will host the celebration during The Great Forest Park Balloon Race and Balloon Glow in St. Louis, Sept. 20-21. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, and will feature music, […]
Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed Beef Can Carry New Label
Combining regenerative agriculture and holistic management, Becker, Minnesota-based Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed is launching its redesigned regenerative label on all of its more than 50 case-ready products. Third-party certified by the American Grassfed Association, Thousand Hills has approval to add statements on the label noting the benefits regenerative agriculture has on building topsoil, sequestering carbon, […]
Dot Foods’ George Eversman Receives CDA Dean Of The Industry Award
George Eversman, EVP, retail and business development for Dot Foods, was presented with the Convenience Distribution Association (CDA) Dean of the Industry award at the Convenience Distribution Business Exchange awards luncheon on Sept. 10 in Chicago. Eversman grew up just 40 miles from Dot Foods’ headquarters in Sterling, Illinois. After graduating from the University of […]
Good Foods Declares Charitable Mission To Support No Kid Hungry
Good Foods is supporting No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end childhood hunger in America during the back-to-school season. Through education and charitable endeavors, Good Foods and No Kid Hungry are focused on a mutual dedication to bringing communities together around food. Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin-based Good Foods makes all-natural products such as guacamoles, dips, […]
People To Watch: Nick Lenzi Of Busch’s Fresh Food Market
The Shelby Report and The Grocery Group have introduced a new series entitled People to Watch that focuses on current and future leadership in the grocery industry. In this installment, The Grocery Group Founder and CEO Cindy Sorensen interviews Nick Lenzi, SVP of sales and marketing for Busch’s Fresh Food Market, which is based in […]
Fruitful Yield Opens ‘Store Within a Store’ In Angelo Caputo’s
Fruitful Yield opened a store-within-a-store in the Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets location at 520 E North Avenue in Carol Stream, Illinois, in August. The goal of the partnership is to provide shoppers a one-stop shop for health, wellness and grocery needs. Fruitful Yield stores’ product mix include foods that are organic, natural, wheat-free, gluten-free, soy-free […]
Minn. Gov. Tim Walz Proclaims September 2019 Family Meals Month
The proven health and societal benefits of family meals have inspired a month-long event aimed at helping families get back to the table. Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed September as Family Meals Month. Grocers all across Minnesota are encouraging families to share one more meal together per week at home, and highlighting simple, healthy meal […]
The Conagra Brands Center For Food Design Set To Open In 2020
Conagra Brands Inc. revealed plans to build The Conagra Brands Center for Food Design in Chicago at 350 N. Orleans Street, next to its existing headquarters in The Merchandise Mart. The new 40,000-s.f. innovation center is an expansion of the company’s existing state-of-the-art research and development and culinary capabilities, and will focus on innovation related […]
Fareway Aims To Fill The Table For National Family Meals Month
Studies show extensive nutrition, social and mental health benefits associated with family meals, according to the Food Marketing Institute Foundation. That’s why Fareway has committed to be an active participant in September’s National Family Meals Month. People are hungry for help in the kitchen, and Fareway is hoping to spread the word about National Family […]
Fruitbelt Sparkling Tonic Names Mueller VP-Sales And Marketing
Fruitbelt Sparkling Tonic has hired Carol Mueller as its VP of sales and marketing. “One sip of Fruitbelt Sparkling Tonic and I knew I wanted to join the team,” says Mueller. “I am passionate about food that nurtures the body and the environment, and Fruitbelt’s focus on flavor and farmers makes this the perfect fit. […]
SpartanNash Named 2020 Military Friendly Bronze Employer
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has been named among the nation’s 2020 Military Friendly Employers, earning bronze distinction. The annual list is compiled by Viqtory, whose mission is to provide veterans and their spouses with the finest choices for employment opportunities. “We are proud to once again be named a Military Friendly Employer, because we recognize […]
