Wisconsin dairy artisans claimed 135 awards during the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest, including 44 best-of-class honors, outpacing every other state and country in the competition and outperforming the next five highest-recognized competitors combined. The contest drew more than 3,000 entries from 34 U.S. states and territories and 25 countries, with international judges evaluating products […]
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 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 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 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 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 inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Partners With SHI International For Technology Solutions
Meijer has partnered with SHI International, a technology solutions provider, to support the retailer’s behind-the-scenes technology needs, including Microsoft-related services. The partnership is led by Patrick Grow, who manages key Michigan accounts for SHI and has a personal connection to Meijer that spans decades. Grow grew up in western Michigan, just a few miles from […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Dairy News, Midwest, News
Busch’s Fresh Food Market Launches 2026 Spring Milk Drive
Busch’s Fresh Food Market will hold its annual Spring Milk Drive March 9-22, with a goal of collecting 53,000 gallons for local food banks. For more than a decade, Busch’s has helped provide fresh milk to families facing food insecurity across southeast Michigan. Since the program launched in 2015 in partnership with United Dairy Industry […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Coborn's, Featured News, Midwest, News
Coborn’s Market & Table To Open New Store In Plymouth, MN
Coborn’s Inc. will open its flagship Coborn’s Market & Table store March 12 in Plymouth, Minnesota. Serving as an anchor of The Boulevard development at Interstate 494 and Bass Lake Road, the store offers an elevated approach to grocery shopping. “At the heart of Market & Table is a simple idea – we love food, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Offers Savings Programs For GLP-1 Medications
The Kroger Co. and its pharmacies participate in several savings programs, including those from pharmaceutical manufacturers, that may reduce eligible customers’ cost of filling certain GLP-1 medications. Combined with Kroger’s selection of fresh foods, protein-rich options and personalized support from registered dietitians, the company offers a holistic approach to helping customers achieve wellness goals. “In […]
Posted inBakery News, Executive News, Finance News, Midwest, News
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery Names Laport CEO
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery has appointed Peter Laport as CEO, succeeding Craig Bahner, who is stepping down from the role. Laport brings more than three decades of experience to the Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois-based frozen baked goods manufacturer, having led consumer and food businesses across North America and global markets. He is recognized for building resilient organizations, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks Springboard Seeks Third Cohort For Emerging Business Accelerator
Schnuck Markets Inc. is accepting applications for the third cohort of its Schnucks Springboard accelerator program for emerging suppliers, with a deadline of April 25. Midwest business owners must meet specific criteria to qualify. Applicants must have annual consumer product goods revenue of less than $1 million, fewer than 10 years in the CPG business […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Midwest, News
Busch’s Fresh Food Market Offers Traditional Irish Food For St. Patrick’s Day
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Busch’s Fresh Food Market is featuring traditional Irish food and beverages March 9-22 at its 16 southeastern Michigan stores. Ready-to-eat meals freshly prepared by Busch’s deli team will include corned beef with roasted redskin potatoes, carrots and cabbage, portioned for two. Irish soda bread, made in-house at the company’s bakehouse […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Corporate Store News, Featured News, Fresh Thyme, Midwest, News
Fresh Thyme Market Relaunches Own Brand Portfolio
Downers Grove, Illinois-based Fresh Thyme Market has relaunched its Own Brand portfolio with expanded products, updated packaging and a strategy designed to make better-for-you and local choices more accessible. The grocer is focusing on increasing Own Brand penetration and growing its natural and organic assortments across key departments, including grocery, produce and frozen. All Fresh Thyme […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Fareway, Featured News, Finance News, Midwest, News
Fareway Promotes 7 Corporate Officers To New Positions
Fareway Stores Inc. has promoted seven corporate officers for what the Johnston, Iowa-based grocer described as outstanding leadership and contributions to its success. “These promotions reflect the exceptional talent and dedication of our team,” said Fareway CEO Reynolds Cramer. “Each individual has demonstrated leadership and commitment to Fareway’s mission of being the best in meat […]
Posted inFeatured News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Banner Wholesale Grocers Marks 100 Years, 4 Generations
Chicago-based Banner Wholesale Grocers is marking its 100th anniversary in 2026, a milestone that spans four generations of family leadership and a century of serving independent grocers across the Midwest. Founded in 1926 by Ben Friedman, Banner has built its reputation as a wholesale partner through economic cycles, shifting consumer demands and significant changes in […]
Posted inCenter Store, Featured News, Finance News, Midwest, News
Marzetti Co. To Acquire Bachan’s Japanese Barbecue Sauce Brand
Westerville, Ohio-based The Marzetti Co. has entered into an agreement to acquire Bachan’s Inc., a Japanese barbecue sauce brand, for $400 million. The transaction is expected to close before Marzetti’s fiscal year end of June 30, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Marzetti intends to fund the acquisition with cash on hand and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Finance News, Midwest, News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG Selects RELEX For AI-Driven Forecasting Across 3.5K Stores
Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) has selected RELEX Solutions to optimize distribution center forecasting and replenishment across its network of 3,500 member locations. AWG will implement the RELEX artificial intelligence-driven forecasting and replenishment solution to replace its legacy in-house proprietary systems and manual processes. The platform will deliver scalability and automation to improve forecasting […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, News, Suppliers
Moo & Oink Celebrates 50th Anniversary In 2026
Chicago-based meat brand Moo & Oink is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026 with a yearlong series of special events, new products and retailer celebrations. Shoppers will see a commemorative badge across Moo & Oink packaging, along with in-store sampling events, mascot appearances and displays at participating retailers. “Moo & Oink has always been about […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Employees Kept Stores Open During Winter Storm Fern
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer is praising employees who braved dangerous conditions to keep stores open and communities stocked during Winter Storm Fern, which swept across the Midwest in January. The historic storm dropped more than a foot of snow in many areas, shutting down roads and halting daily life across the region. In several communities, Meijer […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Finance News, Midwest, News, Supply Chain News
Smithfield Foods Plans $1.3B Processing Facility In Sioux Falls, SD
Smithfield Foods has initiated the approval process to build a packaged meats and fresh pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, representing a preliminary investment estimate of up to $1.3 billion over the next three years. The facility, subject to permitting and regulatory approvals, will be built in Foundation Park, a 1,000-acre heavy industrial […]